confession. He removes my hand and goes back for another kiss. I fall into it and then playfully push him away.
“You’re gonna be late for work.”
He shakes his head and leans back down, claiming my mouth one more time. “Fuck that. I’ve waited a year to kiss you. I’m not missing out on any more chances.”
My mouth parts from his admission, and he swallows my surprise with his tongue.
Then, he bites my lower lip, pulling it gently before kissing the tip of my nose. “Glad we’re on the same page.”
He walks to the bed and puts his shirt on, buttoning it as he goes to the dresser. His wallet, pocketknife, and some of the cash are slid into his pockets. He tucks the shirt in and then slides a belt on.
In the bathroom, he combs his hair and applies some product, and then he washes his hands. He puts a few items into a small duffel and leaves the room. A minute later, we’re at the front door, him patting his pockets to make sure he has everything, including his keys.
He walks me to my car and closes the door behind me, and then he gets in his.
I follow him to Villa Russo. When we get there, he goes to the employee lot, and I turn into the main entrance.
“Good evening, Miss Sorrentino.” The valet holds my door open.
“Evening,” I reply then walk up the path and into the restaurant. The hostess greets me with a warm welcome.
“Miss Sorrentino, we are so happy to see you. You’re early for your reservation,” she says, looking down at the book in front of her.
I notice she doesn’t mention the events of Friday evening. Looks like the don’t ask, don’t tell policy is more than a family motto. It’s a lifestyle.
“Long day at work, so I thought I’d come early for a drink to unwind.”
“Excellent idea. Please have a seat at the Oak Bar.” She walks me into the bar area.
The room is filled with many of my uncles. They are conversing in the back room. When they see me, Uncle Enzo and Uncle Joey come to my side.
“Check out who the cat dragged in,” Enzo says with his arms out. He’s wearing his signature sunglasses indoors. Yes, he’s the kind of guy who covers his eyes, so no one knows where he’s looking. “You okay, kiddo?”
“I’m good. Are you guys all right? How’s Uncle Vic?”
He waves me off like nothing big happened. “Don’t worry about any of that. Everything’s fine. As long as the women and children are good, we’re good.”
Uncle Joey leans in for a kiss and a hug. “I want you to know that we are doing everything to find out who caused this trouble.”
“Do you have any idea who it might be?”
“No, no,” both men say, not even looking at each other.
I know they’re full of it. Jesse told me everyone knows. With their easy lies, I can see how effortless it was to keep me in my bubble for so long.
“Nothing for you to worry about anyway,” Enzo adds as he pats my shoulder. “I trust you haven’t talked about it to anyone. Makes for a difficult time for Villa Russo. We wouldn’t want anyone shutting the place down. Plus, the family can handle this.”
I nod, understanding the Sorrentino way. The family way. Which I now realize is the mob way. Man, have I grown a lot in a week.
“Come. Let’s have a drink,” Joey says, and we walk to the bar.
I take a seat in my usual spot, and the men order from a bartender on duty. Jesse walks in and taps the other bartender on the shoulder, letting him know he’s got us. His expression is blank as he makes the drinks. I have to remind myself that he’s undercover right now. He’s not the man I’ve been with the last twenty-four hours.
A Peroni, a Stoli on the rocks, and one Moscow mule are placed in front of us. We take our glasses and salute. I watch as Jesse quickly cleans his hands to get the copper residue off. I can’t believe he’s been allergic to it all this time.
Enzo calls Jesse closer, making him lean over the bar as he places a hand on Jesse’s back and leans into his ear. Quietly but loud enough so I can hear too, he says, “We heard what you did for our Amelia.”
Jesse’s eyes widen a little.
“How you got her out the front door is beyond me, but