“I trust you,” Teddy said. “You wanna work here when I reopen?”
Tara beamed. “Sure.” She gave Teddy her phone number and left.
“You trust her?” Luciano asked. “You hardly know her.”
“What’s she gonna steal?” Teddy asked. “The place is a dump.” He eyed the restaurant. “I’ll see if Greystone wants to manage it.”
Luciano stilled. “You can’t be serious.”
Teddy grinned sheepishly. “He’s been in touch with me.”
“What for?”
“He’s our brother.”
“Notmybrother.”
“Leaving town doesn’t end a relationship,” Teddy pushed back.
“He walked out and we never saw him again. That’s not what family does. What do you know about him?”
“I know he’s family.”
“Willie Boy was family.”
“I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt.”
“Not me. Guilty until proven innocent.”
“Let’s get outta here.” Teddy locked up and they left.
A streak of frustration had Luciano growling. Willie Boy had gotten away with killing his family, then he skipped town when it was time to man up.
Did someone tell Willie Boy I was coming for him?
Luciano drove home in a sea of frustration, but when he saw Simone’s SUV parked at the fountain, the anger slipped away. He found her sitting at the kitchen table, her plate empty, her glass of iced tea half full.
She went to him, and he whisked her into his arms. “I’m sorry you’re here alone.”
He kissed her, relishing the way their lips came together, the way she caressed the back of his neck. When the kiss ended, he paused to appreciate the look of love streaming from her eyes.
Killing Willie Boy wouldn’t have changed a thing.
Let him run. His demons will catch up to him. They always do.
“I hear we’re spending Friendsgiving together,” she said.
“Absolutely.” He furrowed his brow. “Did I forgot to tell you?”
She nodded.
“How does Thanksgiving with the Santinis and Friendsgiving with the ALPHA family sound?”
“Perfetto,” she replied before holding him close.
“Qualcuno sta imparando l'italiano. Someone is learning Italian.”
She sat with him while he ate dinner and told him about her day.
