Total pages in book: 178
Estimated words: 170884 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 854(@200wpm)___ 684(@250wpm)___ 570(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 170884 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 854(@200wpm)___ 684(@250wpm)___ 570(@300wpm)
She hesitated. “He’s... uh... upset.”
I couldn’t help the soft laugh that bubbled up my throat. Knowing Dave, upset was the biggest understatement of the century, and when I heard Nikki’s responding laughter, the hilarity increased. It was such an unbelievable situation. That’s what made it all the more comical.
It felt good to laugh in the face of despair. I was pretty sure I was treading the thin line between sanity and hysteria.
When we finally got ourselves under control, I chuckled. “Well, I’m going to go now and try not to think on the fact that my ex just returned from the dead, lives across the street from me, and is trying to insert himself back into my life.”
Nikki gasped loudly. “He lives across the street?”
Ugh. I was not talking about this. “Okay, so bye.”
“Wait!” she called, but I already had my finger on the end call button.
I did not have the strength to deal. Not today.
Chapter Thirteen
Lexi
“Can I come in?”
My cold eyes roamed the small woman, and when Manda held up her hands in a conciliating way, she uttered quickly, “I found out by accident. I was never meant to know. I swear it.” She inhaled deeply, and carried on through an exhale, “Our dad doesn’t even know yet.” Her face bunched at the thought. “And, shit, is he going to be pissed at me.”
I studied her a moment. Old habits died hard and curiosity had always been my failing. I mean, look at where it got me with Twitch. Pregnant by a criminal and alone in the world—that’s where.
Truth was, I wanted to know the facts and I needed to talk to somebody who knew what the fuck was going on here. Manda might just be that person. Lord knows I didn’t want Twitch anywhere near me right now.
Without a word, I stepped aside and with a tight smile, she moved past me, into the house. I gently shut the door behind us and followed her into the kitchen. When Manda saw A.J., her smile beamed. “Hey, you.” But A.J. barely spared a smile for his aunt before walking into his room, and Manda frowned. “Is he okay?”
No, he wasn’t.
I folded my arms across my chest. “He wants his daddy.”
Manda nodded in understanding, and I was thankful for her not offering her advice in this uncomfortable situation.
Molly stood from the kitchen table, staring Manda in the eye before peering at me. “I’ll get him ready for bed.”
“Thanks, Molly.” She really was a godsend. When I walked toward the fridge, I spoke along the way. “I take it you’re here to talk.”
At least she had the grace to look uncomfortable. “Yeah. I thought I should come bridge the gap.”
I brought out a bottle of white wine and held it in my hand. “I guess we’re going to need this.” But before I left the fridge, I twisted back to her and uttered, “How bad is it?” At her clear grimace, I reached into the fridge with a sigh and pulled out a second bottle, while muttering, “Rock ‘n Roll.” Bumping the fridge door shut with my butt, I jerked my chin toward the cabinet to the left before slipping on my Pikachu slippers. “Grab a couple of glasses, will ya? Let’s sit on the porch.”
When we were both seated, I opened the wine and filled our glasses.
Manda started, “Well—”
But I cut her off with a click of my tongue. Inhaling deeply, I spoke a hushed, “Let me prepare,” and lifting my glass, I put it to my lips, tipped it back, and swallowed over and over again until its contents were gone. Manda’s eyes widened at my unladylike hiccup, and I poured again. “One more.” I emptied the second glass then smiled. “Okay, I’m good. Lay it on me.”
“Where do you want to me start?” she offered slowly.
What a question. “From the beginning, of course.”
“I don’t go back that far, I’m afraid,” she said with a sad smile. “Like I said, I only found out my brother was alive by accident, and I can only tell you what I know. So how about I start with a bit of background on our family?”
Sure, why not? “Proceed.”
Was I already tipsy? Felt like it.
“Okay,” Manda started. “Well, let’s begin with the most senior member of the Falco family, Antonio Falco Senior, or Papa Tony as he’s referred to on the streets.”
“The streets?” I blinked. At her blank stare, my shoulders drooped. Ah, heck. “Your dad’s a mobster?”
Manda’s lips pursed before she motioned toward the bottle and feigned a smile. “Drink up.”
All right then.
Looked like I was going to need it. Taking her advice, I drank from my glass and she refilled it without judgment, and at that moment, I loved my sister-in-law.
“Papa Tony had been a high hitter his entire life, working his way up from nothing. He was a part of a firm called Occhi Bianchi, as his father was, like his father before him.” She sipped her wine. “My dad was young when he married my mother, Angela Rossi, and like most arranged marriages, neither of them were happy about the situation.” She shrugged. “Long story short, my brothers were born days apart at the same hospital. Mom knew Dad screwed around and didn’t really care, up until Zep was born. I don’t know what happened to her, but something changed and she asked my father to be faithful to her so they could show their children how a family truly loves.” Manda’s eyes set on me. “You should know my father loved Tony’s mother. He loved her a lot. But he was married, and although he honored his wife’s wishes to remain faithful, he gave his name to his bastard son. Of course, he never saw the boy again.”