Pops is out of surgery. He’s going to make a full recovery, if he does what he’s told.
That’s good news. I hope he listens. I think your mother has her work cut out for her.
No kidding.
I didn’t ask him about Gio. I wasn’t going to push. It had been longer than an hour, but the ball was in his court.
I went back to looking for a room at the Asbury when Marco shoved my shoulder. “Why the hell are you going to the Asbury? Sean will put you up at Moonlight Inn.”
I blinked at him. Shit. How the hell had I forgotten that Jeremy’s husband owned a hotel? Especially since we were just talking about putting Michael in the cottage behind it. My brain was definitely not working well tonight. I went into my contacts, pulled up Jeremy’s number, and hit call.
He answered right away. “Hey, Tony. How’s your dad?”
I felt a twinge of guilt because I hadn’t thought to call him before, but I assumed Liam had at least told Sean. “He’s out of surgery and should make a full recovery if he takes care of himself.”
“That’s the hardest part,” he said.
“I’m sure you know better than most,” I replied. “Listen,” I continued, “I was wondering if there are any rooms available at Moonlight. Greg and I are going to be staying over the weekend.”
There was a long pause before he said carefully, “You and Greg? As in my Greg? Are you two dating?”
“Well, he’s my Greg now, and yes, we’re dating.”
“That’s wonderful!”
It sounded like he muted the phone. The next voice I heard was Sean’s. “Hey, Tony. I’m glad your father’s doing better. I also hear you and Greg are finally dating.”
I rolled my eyes. “Yes, yes. The important question is, do you have a room for us at your fine establishment?”
“Of course I do,” he said. “Get over there whenever you’re done at the hospital. There’ll be a key waiting for you.”
“Thanks, Sean. I appreciate it.”
I’d barely hung up from that call when a call came in from Sal. “Hey Sal.”
“Anthony.”
I let out a soft sigh. “Salvatore. What can I do for you?”
“Gio has agreed to go with your team to Colombia, but I have a few conditions.”
I took a breath. “What are your conditions?”
“You see,” he began. “Gio happens to be the younger brother of Alessandro, my bodyguard. He is insisting on going with his brother to keep him safe.”
I gestured to Marco. “Hang on, Salvatore, I’m going to go into a room with more privacy.”
“What’s going on?” Marco whispered.
I held up my finger for him to wait, then muted my phone. “He has conditions.”
Marco’s nostrils flared. “Motherfucker.”
I found an empty waiting room and closed the door. I unmuted my phone and said, “Marco’s here. I’m putting you on speaker.”
“As I was saying, Anthony, Alessandro won’t let his brother go on this mission without him.”
My brother mouthed the words “What the fuck?”
