“Um.” Phoenix drew his bottom lip into his mouth and sighed. “Maybe you should ask Mr. Jericho.”
My heart stumbled. If it was about Jericho, I already knew why he did it. “What happened?”
“Mr. Jericho’s coming for dinner tonight like usual, and—”
“Boy.” The word slipped out like it had been for the last few months, and like the first time, he stood up straighter and let out a shaky breath. His mouth parted and went slack, almost begging me to slam mine against his again.
“Mamma didn’t say much.”
“That is a lie. Mamma says a lot when it comes to gossip and family. She’s Italian, Phoenix. Now tell me.” I stepped in closer, and he trailed his gaze up my chest and to my face to stare into my eyes. His lashes fluttered, challenging me to touch him,tastehim, but I didn’t. I couldn’t. The brief kisses were enough to tempt me over the last seven months, and I didn’t want to push my luck—or my faith.
“She said that Toma followed Mr. Jericho to the club. A guy flirted with Mr. Jericho, even got a good feel of Mr. Jericho’s ass, and Toma lost it. He stormed over to them and started beating the guy. Mr. Jericho tried to stop him but couldn’t, and the guy ended up pressing charges. Mamma says it isn’t the first time it happened, but usually Mr. Jericho asks the other guy not to call the cops. This time... he didn’t do that, he let it happen.”
I wasn’t surprised, but in a way I was. I’d heard about Toma stalking Jericho and scaring off men who flirted with him, but I’d never known it had gotten physical. Jericho hadn’t told me a thing, other than Toma followed him to clubs and watched him. This was more serious than I’d thought.
Phoenix shrugged. “He’s out already because Ric cashed in some favors.”
“Of course he did.” I sighed. Phoenix still had no idea who Ric was or what he did; all he knew was that Ric was powerful, and I wanted it to stay that way. The farther Phoenix was from the organization the better. If I told him the truth, he’d be stuck forever, and I never wanted him to be trapped anywhere again. He deserved to always have an exit.
I pinched the bridge of my nose. My family was used to getting what they wanted—Toma had never heard no in his life until Jericho walked away from him.
“Should we ask Mr. Jericho about it tonight, Daddy?” Phoenix slipped in against me and wrapped his arms around my waist. I dragged him as close as I could get him and tucked his head under my chin, curling myself around him.
“No. Toma’s a sensitive subject, and as much as I hate to admit it, Jericho loves him.”
“Why did they break up? You never told me.” He sucked a gentle kiss against my neck, right above my white collar, and I closed my eyes and breathed him in. He smelled like herbs and fresh bread, and I had a feeling Mamma had him baking, too.
“It doesn’t matter anymore. You can love someone and still hate them. Toma’s dangerous, boy, you know that. You need to stay away from him because he’s a loose cannon.”
“I know,” he whispered against my skin. “I will.”
“Good boy.” I laid my cheek against the top of his head. “Jericho is supposed to be here in two hours. We need to get everything ready sooner than that because you know what he’s like.”
“An invited guest always shows up early. Not on time. Not late. Early,” he said, mimicking the exact words Jericho had said more than once.
I laughed and gave him a kiss on the forehead as he went to step away. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea that you’re spending so much time with him.”
He gave me a wide grin and bounced on his toes, his natural excitement endearing and innocent. “I like Mr. Jericho. He’s your friend, Daddy, and he makes me laugh.”
“He’s a good man.” I smiled at the thought of Jericho and his infectious personality. I would’ve been lost without him and his support.
“Do you think he’ll like ravioli?” Phoenix asked quietly.
I stared at him. “That’s like asking if pigs love mud.”
His eyes sparkled with mischief. “Are you calling Mr. Jericho a pig?”
I snorted and playfully shoved him on the shoulder, and he laughed maniacally. “When it comes to food, yes he is.”
We fell against each other and laughed until we could barely breathe.
About an hour and a half later, we set the table in time for a knock on the door. I winked at Phoenix, who dished out the food at the counter, while I walked to the front door to open it.
Jericho shoved a bottle of Coke in my face and pushed past me before I had the chance to study him.
“Phoenix!” He nearly bounded into the house in an unnatural way that had warning bells ringing in my head.
I glanced from the bottle to Jericho’s back as he went over to give Phoenix a hug, and Phoenix frowned at me over Jericho’s shoulder but gave him a squeeze back.
