I let out a chuckle as I straighten up. “You’re shrinking.”
“Oh, hush!” She gives me a playful glare, then says, “Come join us.”
I nod and walk to where the men are standing. Patting Dad on his shoulder, I ask, “Are you burning the meat?”
“No.” He uses the tongs to point at Tiny. “He’s eating so much it doesn’t give the meat time to burn.”
“Hey, Pop,” Little Ricky says while throwing his arm around his dad’s shoulders.
“What have you boys been up to today?” Big Ricky asks.
I shoot my friend a look, telling him to keep quiet, but he grins then says, “I helped Adriano kidnap a woman.”
“You did what?!” Mom gasps, her eyes darting to my face.
“I had hoped to keep Laurie to myself for a while, but that just went out the window thanks to fuck face over there,” I mutter. Sucking in a deep breath, I exhale loudly before explaining. “I ran into her a couple of times and decided I want her.”
Dad grins at me as if I just told him I locked in a billion-dollar deal.
Tiny walks to the table and grabs two beers. He brings one over to me then says, “I still remember when your father forced your mother to marry him like it was yesterday.” He gives me a big grin. “So when’s the wedding?”
“What is she like?” Big Ricky asks.
“Which family is she from?” Dad shoots a question at me.
“You’re all incorrigible!” Mom snaps before leveling me with a serious look. “Please tell me you didn’t traumatize the poor woman.”
“Nope, he paid her five million, and she agreed to do anything Adriano wants,” Little Ricky says, his voice filled with laughter.
“For the love of God, shut up,” I tell the fucker.
“Don’t take the Lord’s name in vain,” Mom chastises me.
“Sorry, Ma,” I apologize. Knowing she’s worried, I place my arm around her shoulders and give her a sideways hug. “Her name is Laurie Barnes. She’s twenty-five and from Ohio, so I doubt she knows anything about our world. She was in a bad relationship with a fucking idiot and lost her job, which gave me the perfect in to make her an offer she couldn’t refuse.” Knowing the object of my obsession belongs to me, a smirk tugs at my mouth. “Right now she’s at The Mark, but once she signs the contract Salvatore is drawing up, we’ll get married and I’ll bring her home.” The second Mom opens her mouth, I add, “No big wedding. It will be something small and fast, like yours was. Laurie’s already overwhelmed, and I’d rather ease her into the family little by little.”
“Why a contract?” Dad asks as he flips the meat on the grill, the delicious aroma making my stomach growl.
“It’s better than holding a gun to her head when I force her to bind herself to me for life,” I answer truthfully.
Mom glances between Dad and me, worry creeping into her eyes. “Just be gentle with her.”
When Little Ricky lets out a snort, I give him a dark glare, which makes him fake a cough while walking to my parents’ house.
“Where are you going?” Big Ricky asks.
“To get something to eat,” he replies. “The meat is taking forever.”
Tiny quickly follows Little Ricky. “Tori made creamy potatoes and garlic bread.”
“Don’t eat it all,” Dad shouts.
Mom moves to Dad’s side, and when he lifts his arm, she snuggles against him and says, “I made extra.”
Big Ricky frowns while taking a sip of his beer. “How’s this thing between you and the woman going to work? You know, with her not being from our world.”
“I have no idea.” Not in the mood for beer, I set the bottle down and pull my phone out of my pocket. “We’ll take it one day at a time.”
I bring up Paulie’s number and press dial.
