“He’s so screwed,” I declare.
“But he’s also arrogant enough to not realize it. He’s the type to think he can win every time,” Linc tells me.
“Not this time.”
“No,” Linc says. “Not this time.”
He just stares at me.
“What’s on your mind, Knox?”
“Let’s drive to Vegas and get married.”
I stare back, searching for any sign of doubt, any sign he’s joking; but I only find sincerity.
“Let’s do it,” I agree.
“Do you want a frilly wedding?”
“Hell no,” I tell him honestly.
“Then it’s a good thing we haven’t talked to Mama Russo about anything,” Linc reminds me.
“Oh hell, that would be…”
Linc nods. “I need to call Cage. Give him a head’s up.”
“You do that, and I’ll pay for the pizza.”
I watch him walk out of the restaurant, his heavily-muscled upper body nearly as wide as the door.
I finish my water and pay the bill, leaving a nice tip for the waitress. She was nice, and she didn’t give away our location.
“Miss?” I call her over.
“All set?” she asks.
“Not quite. You’ve been great. You didn’t call the paparazzi and you could have made a lot of money if you had. So, I’d like to offer you tickets to our next show. I’m not sure when that is yet, but I’d like to give you front row seats and back stage VIP passes.”
Her eyes go wide. “You don’t have to do that. I was trying to respect your privacy.”
I rest my hand atop hers. “You’re the first one in a really long time. This is my way of saying thanks. I just need your number and name.”
She scrawls it out on a blank order ticket.
“I promise, I’ll hook you up. As many people you think deserve something like that.”
She shrugs. “I don’t think there are a whole lot who do.”
I nod. “I know that feeling. Just remember, there are people like you out there. You reaffirmed my belief that there are good people out there.”
She leans forward. “Falling Down kicks ass. Keep on rockin’, Ethan. Oh, and your guy? He’s delicious.”
I give her a wink and walk out the door, feeling lighter than I have in a long while.
45
LINC
