what happens with him, I'm staying in New York.”
“Really? The Cali boy is gonna uproot to the big, bright city?”
He shrugged. “L.A. is kinda slow. And, not gonna lie, today was kind of a rush.”
“Bored of drug smuggling?”
“No... Just thinking about how boring life would be if I didn't have you kicking my ass. And chicks with real tits wouldn't go amiss every now and then.”
Of course. There had to be an ulterior motive.
I shook my head, smiling yet again, and softly laughed when he grinned wolfishly and opened his arms for a hug. I swung my legs around the seat and threw myself against his solid body. He 'oomped' as my shoulder hit his ribs, but locked his arms around me anyway.
“Gaige?”
“Mhmm?” His exhale ruffled my hair.
“I'm scared,” I said quietly.
He tightened his grip on me, and then kissed the top of my head. “That's okay. I'll stay with you. Go to sleep, babe.”
The warmth from his body was reassuring, and somewhere between the steady beat of the rain and the comfort of my best friend, I closed my eyes.
***
I had no clothes.
That was my first thought as I woke up. I was still wearing the same, blood-covered clothes as yesterday, and a proper look through my drawers had only trumped up an old N-Sync concert t-shirt. There was a hole in the back, along the hem, but it fit.
Just.
And here I thought I'd never be glad that concerts had always run out of my size.
I was used to huge houses, but the Hamptons house far eclipsed the Calabasas one. It was closer to a fucking castle, and I hoped that, at the very least, Angelo could spend some time getting me up to speed with everything. He was the only person I knew who knew everyone.
The only one that I knew was alive for sure, that was.
“Hey, sleepyhead,” Gaige said when I eventually stumbled into the giant kitchen.
I rubbed my eyes. “What time is it? And is there coffee?”
“Right here. Have mine.” He slid a steaming mug across an island in the middle of the room. “And it's eleven-thirty.”
“Really? Wow. Thank you,” I said, grabbing the mug and hugging it. “Don't you dare,” I added when he caught sight of my shirt. “It's all I have that fits me and isn't covered in blood.”
“Ah, the glamorous life of a mafia boss,” Angelo teased me, walking in behind me. He touched his hand between my shoulderblades and kissed the side of my head. “How are you feeling this morning?”
“Alive,” I answered. It was the best I had. I didn't want to actually feel anything, so existing was a good way to go, it seemed.
“That's a great start.” He chuckled. “Dad's associates are on their way and will be here in a couple hours. I wanted you to sleep and wake up without your house being invaded by some of Los Angeles' dodgiest bastards.”
“Well, now I feel better.”
“Don't worry. They're a little on the dodgy side, but they're trustworthy. They get shit done. They'll help until we can get you on your feet. Unfortunately, most of your father's ranked men died yesterday—some by their own hands, some by the guys under them that sided with you, but you have one or two capos left.”
“Great,” I muttered, lifting my mug to my lips. “And they're all gonna want to take orders from a twenty-three year old girl.”
“You're hardly a girl.” Gaige looked pointedly at my chest.
“If I wasn't in dire need of caffeine right now, I'd throw this at your head. Eyes up, Pontarelli!” I snapped my fingers, and he jerked his attention to my face, then winked.
“I'm gonna go see what trouble I can find.”
“And some clothes. Please.” I smiled sweetly.
He sighed heavily. “And some clothes.”
I waited until he was gone, and then looked at Angelo. “He wants to stay, you know.”
“Yes.” He nodded, moving to the coffee machine. Sun poured in through the window, and I found myself missing the rain just a little. “He told me last night. He hates Los Angeles and the pressure Dad puts on him. I always had it easy, because one day I'd lead the family, but he's always been... floating.”
“Do you think he'll stay? Permanently? Or is it just an idea he's gotten into his head?”
Angelo leaned against the counter. “I don't know. I think it'll be good for him to spend some time in another place and find himself. I learned a lot about myself here. Gaige might be twenty-four, but