I laughed as Dante placed my bag of ingredients down. “Only for tonight,” I told her, trying to make it seem like I wasn’t taking over. “I just wanted to cook something special for Lorenzo.” My tone got more and more unsure the more I spoke, but as Dante slipped past me and grinned, I felt a little more confident in what I was doing. I mean, what was the worst that could happen?
CHAPTER 6
LORENZO
I sniffed, my stomach rumbling at the smell wafting through the house from the kitchen. I had no idea what Mrs. Larson was cooking, but it was unlike anything else I’d ever smelled.
“So, we’re agreed?” Uncle Antonio asked, sitting in one of the chairs on the other side of my new black marble desk. Veev had gone to work right away on the office decor, and although it wasn’t exactly my taste, it would be good enough for now. Just until I felt like I wasn’t walking in my dad’s shadow.
“Yeah.” I leaned back in my chair and clicked the top of my pen over and over again. It was hard to think clearly when all I could smell was what promised to be a tasty meal. “What about the guns?”
“What about them?” Uncle Alonzo asked.
“Can we expand?” I asked, trying to get back on track. I had big ideas moving forward, but I knew it couldn’t be done all at once. I had to tread lightly to make sure that when we made our move, it wouldn’t be temporary. We needed new ways of working, new connections, and I’d been working on those connections for a long fuckin’ time.
“To where?”
“Out of state.” I tilted my head. “I have some contacts.”
Uncle Alonzo groaned. “Not the bikers.” I grinned at him. “Your father didn’t want to get mixed up with—”
“I’m not my father,” I snapped, throwing the pen onto my desk and trying not to wince at the loud clang. “Things are changing, Uncle. Nothing is like it used to be. Dad was stuck in the old ways, but the feds have worked it out. If we want to sustain the lives that we have—or make them better—then we need to look at new places and get into business with people that no one thinks we would.” I rapped my knuckles on the desk and stood. “We need to make surprises at every turn.” I walked around the desk and pushed my hands into my slacks pockets. “It’s the future.”
Uncle Alonzo looked skeptical, but the curve of the corner of Uncle Antonio’s lips told me he approved. Not that I was looking for approval, but it was nice to see either way.
“You’re the boss,” Uncle Alonzo finally said.
“I am.” I glanced around the room at the men inside it—the men I trusted most. Uncle Alonzo, Uncle Antonio, Christian, and Dante. Dante was still learning the inner workings, but I knew it wouldn’t take him long. Beretta blood ran through his veins, and there was nothing stronger than that. “Tomorrow we need to discuss the Paolo situation—”
A knock at the door interrupted me, and I narrowed my eyes at it. Everybody knew not to disturb the room when the door was closed.
“Dinner is ready!” a sweet voice sang. I clenched my hands at the sound, trying to shoot daggers through the door.
“Why the hell is she—”
“She cooked for you,” Dante said, and I growled at being interrupted a second time. He acted like he didn’t hear my frustration loud and clear as he grinned at me. “She’s trying to be a good Italian woman.” He winked. “That’s what you wanted, right?” He laughed, walking past me and skimming his sho
ulder against my arm. “Come on now, Lorenzo. Your wife has summoned you.”
“Fuck you,” I ground out. “I don’t get fuckin’ summoned.”
“So that’s not your stomach rumbling at the smell of her food, then?” My stomach rumbled as if on cue, and Dante let out an obnoxiously loud laugh.
I stepped toward him. “You better fuckin’ run, little brother.”
“Or what?” He backed away, holding his hands in the air. “You gonna chop my hands off too?”
“Only if you steal what’s mine,” I gritted out, advancing toward him.
“That a promise?” Dante asked as he turned the door handle and pulled the door open just enough for him to slip through it.
“Yeah, it is.” I followed him out of the office, not taking my attention off him for a second as he backed all the way up to the dining room door. Only when it hit his back did he spin around and dart inside.
I pushed my shoulders back and smirked. He knew better than to put his back to me. No one ever turned their back on me, not if they knew what was good for them. I’d spent my entire twenties building a reputation in the city—in the state. A reputation I knew I’d need if I was to take over as boss.
“Oh. I didn’t realize we had guests.” I halted at the sound of her voice again, feeling a shiver roll up my spine. How the hell did she keep appearing out of nowhere? “I made extra, so there’s enough for everyone.” Of course, she did. Not only was she sweet, but she’d also made sure there was enough food to go around. Why the hell had she done that? Why was she grating on me so much? And why the hell couldn’t my stomach get the memo and stop fuckin’ grumbling.
“We’re not staying,” Uncle Antonio grunted. “My wife will shoot me if I’m late for dinner again this week.” Inside, I wanted to laugh because there was no way my aunt Vivianna would do anything to hurt him. She was the sweetest, most kindest damn woman I knew.