“There can’t be more.” He repeats himself, coming around to take my hand.
“I’m sure you’ll figure that out, big guy.” I pat his chest. “Every step of the way, I’ll be by your side. Unless my nephew’s GAP Junior’s hit the floor.Then addio.”
24
Santino
Gina guides me in through the double doors of a large, open area filled with white and silver trinkets. Without explaining, her stride lengthens. I glance behind me in an attempt to see why her shorter legs are moving in double time. A boy who looks like Stewart Little with a deep tan walks directly behind me.
“Hello, little fellah,” I say.
Gina grips my hand harder. “Don’t encourage him!”
It clicks that he’s the pee-pee boy. “Gina, you’re seriously not going to say hello to your nephew?”
She explains how gifts, instead of spankings, have created a mini psychopath when the room opens up. A chef’s kitchen overlooks a large seating room.
Her tune changes. “Mommy, Auntie!”
Women are around an extremely long, marble slab island. Silver buffet caddies are being filled with food. After the girls hug, Gina’s mother turns toward me. “Oh, you must be the reason I had hundreds of cakes and pies to bake last night.”
“Momma,” Gina tests.
“Girl.” A smile falls onto the edges of Mrs. Galloway’s lips.
“Santino Morelli.” I extend my hand.
“Oh, no. Bring it in. Those arms better be used for good.”
As I hug her, the aunt is asking for the same action while Gina snorts.
“Mom,” Gina groans. “If the two of you don’t quit it.”
We make small talk for a few minutes when Gina asks for the whereabouts of her sisters.
“Gabriella’s here, alright. She’s upstairs with the new baby.”
The aunt snorts. “Once she senses you’re here, you’ll be on diaper duty. Gabby isn’t any help under the same roof. Geraldine is probably a few blocks up the street when she could’ve stayed in one of the many rooms.”
“Yes, she and the man she has yet to marryafter so many years.” Mrs. Galloway smiles sweetly at me. “You’re my most dependable daughter, Gina. I won’t fault you for now. I’m liking what I’m seeing.”
“Me too,” Mrs. Galloway’s sister says. Tammy’s eyes are playful and a bit suspicious too. I think back to all the faces tossing money my way over a decade and can’t recall her.
“Mom, do you need help now?”
“How can I help?” I ask, undoing the buttons at my wrists and shoving up the material. Now the mom is eyeing my forearms like a slice of cake she has to have.
“Uhn uhn, Santino, that was rhetorical.” Gina’s fingers slip through mine, and she tugs me away.
“Hey, the kitchen is the safest place for new meat.” Tammy winks.
“Yeah, right, Auntie. We’re taking a walk. When will dinner be ready?”
“Gina, we didn’t come here for you to hide away . . .”
She offers a pageant wave. I stalk after her.
“They’re right, Santi. My mom and aunt are the safest place. We’re not going for a walk. My feet are killing me. Instead, I’ll sneak you up to my room. Suck your dick so good that by tomorrow, you’ll still talk about getting hitched. Then . . .”