The chuckle just slips out. “How did that work out for you?”
“Not cool, man. Not cool at all. Mindy isn’t talking to me.”
Ivy wasn’t into the silent treatment. She specialized in a look that was a cross between disappointed and heartbroken. “You never win that way.”
“What do I do to win?”
My eyes go to Mom, who’s stopped working to stare at me. Dad hasn’t won an argument with her in ages. The only ones he does win deal with her safety. “Get the nonnas involved.”
“Massimo Rage Vincenti.” Mom gives me a death stare.
And now, I’m in trouble. Dinner at Nonna’s sounds like a good idea, except Mom is making a celebratory dinner for Hope. Even though my first suggestion works, I know what Mom wants me to say. Doing the right thing hurts. “You need to apologize and tell her that you were wrong.” Sorta. There’s nothing wrong with being a neanderthal. “Then explain to her why you want her to quit the other job and why it’s important to you that she’s always near you.”
Mom nods.
She has spent way too much time teaching me about emotional intelligence and good communication.
“The next time we spar…”
Like I’m afraid. I’ve got fifty pounds of muscle on him. “We should talk about Micky Lectner.”
“Who?” Maddox's tone changes.
“The money launderer who wants to buy your bakery.”
“Huh…How do you know who’s eating at Fiona’s bakery?”
Her name… “My daughter is sitting not twenty feet from him.”
“And Jacko is sitting less than two. If Lectner blinks wrong, Jacko will put him down. Your daughter is safe.”
My mind knows that…my heart doesn’t care. “We need a meet.”
“Fine, tomorrow. But you’re not putting security on my street.”
That needs to change. I glance down at the security screen. Everett is kicked back in one of the armchairs, talking on his own phone. “Is the kid you sent me really motivated to do this? Or are you hoping that I’ll motivate him?” Because I don’t have that kind of time or energy.
“He asked for this. Everett approaches problems…issues in his own unique way.”
Ignoring it doesn’t seem to be a logical approach to hacking a phone.
“Don’t let him trick you into thinking he isn’t as smart or motivated as he is. Everett likes playing games. Testing people.”
Is this a test? Interesting. I connect to the phone I gave him. It was unlocked before I reached the kitchen…That’s almost as fast as I could do it.
Why hasn’t Everett come to show off? Hmmm. “See you tomorrow.” If Mindy hasn’t driven you out of your mind by then.
“What kind of cake should I make for Hope—strawberry shortcake or almond cake?” Mom asks as I put down the phone.
“Both.” Hope has a sweet tooth like me.
“My mom is making cheesecake cups if we don’t eat them all before she can get them over here.” Daire spears a piece of sausage with his fork.
With two teenage boys and my uncle Antonio to feed, nothing makes it out of that house. “Is Gabe home?”
“It’s an off week. Mom talked him into coming home till Friday. But he has to do some press thing this weekend. They’re planning to make him the MVP this season.”
Gabe has been on fire this season. He’s after another ring before he retires, buys a house in the neighborhood, and has a few kids. What he’s actually going to do is up in the air.
