I loosen my tie. Force my fingers to unflex. I want to be cool here. It’s better if I know what’s going on in their lives than if they hide things from me.
“Is he picking you up at the house?”
“Are you kidding? No chance. I’m not going to let you intimidate him. I like this guy.”
I nod. “Fine. If you won’t let me meet him, pass along a message from me. You just tell him I will break both his arms if he hurts you.”
“That would be funny if it weren’t true,” Janine observes. “And speaking of introductions. Why didn’t you bring Lexi to the wedding?”
“Yeah, Dad. You look lonely,” Juliana chimes in.
“I’m not lonely.” I frown to shut them up, but they’re already on a roll.
“When do we get to meet her?” Janine asks.
“I already told you we’re not doing that.” Although the idea of introducing them actually does appeal to me. The girls would probably like her if they could get over the fact that she’s only seven years older than they are. Lexi would like them, I’m sure. She’s the type who makes friends easily. It’s worth considering for the future.
I stand when Jessie and Dean walk by. The girls crowd in to ogle baby Olive.
“Oh my God, she’s the cutest baby ever. Can I hold her?” Juliana gives Olive an exaggerated smile as she reaches for her.
“Where is Lexi?” Jessie asks.
Janine gives an exaggerated gasp and turns to me, her jaw open. “Jessie’s met Lexi, and we haven’t?” she demands.
I roll my eyes. “We went to a Yankees game together. It wasn’t planned.”
Janine shakes her head and looks to Dean and Jessie for support. “I don’t get it. Is there something wrong with her? Why won’t you bring her around?”
“No, she’s great,” Jessie says. “He’s probably just trying to keep things uncomplicated.”
I shake my head and walk off before they can razz me any further. I need a drink.
I find Al at the bar with Joey. “Why aren’t you out there dancing?” I ask Joey after ordering a Glen Livit on the rocks. He’s usually quick to spin a woman around the floor for a dance.
He grimaces. “I strained my back lifting weights yesterday.”
“You’re getting old.” Al sips a glass of grappa.
“That’s you.” Joey is fifteen years younger than Al–they’re half brothers.
“You should go get a massage. I heard Artie Palazzo’s daughter is a masseuse now. You should see her. It’d be good to throw her some cash, you know?” Al reminds Joey of Artie Palazzo, a made man who was killed years ago. The Family takes care of their own in a case like that, and we had, but his widow and daughter Sophie had worked to put distance between themselves and La Cosa Nostra in the years since.
“So what’s the word with the Feds?” Al asks, but his gaze is on Carlo and Summer. As if Carlo senses it, the moment the song ends, he gives Summer a polite kiss on the cheek and makes his way to us.
“Crawling up my ass.”
“They gonna find anything?”
I shake my head. “Nope. But they’re costing me in headaches. Plus, I’ll have to triple future payoffs to the mayor after this.”
“That sucks.” Al watches Carlo approach with a stony expression.
I shrug. “It’s no big deal. Chalk it up to the cost of doing business. I’m satisfied knowing they’re pouring their resources into a fruitless investigation.”
Al snorts. “Right. Thank you for that.”
“Anytime, Boss.”