“Are you two crazy? I could hear you in the laundry room. I thought a thunderstorm was starting outside. I come this way and find it’s you two punching the shit out of each other with smiles on your faces.
“I’ve fucked this up.” He runs a hand through his hair. “I knew I couldn’t raise two girls.”
“Dad, you’ve done great.” I laugh.
“Gah, come, the both of you. I have ice packs and I’ll cook dinner.” He turns and walks off, talking to himself.
I turn to Lizzy and help her up, tugging her into a hug. I hold her tight. “Now that’s my badass sister. You never give up on life. You beat its ass just like that. I love you so much,” I whisper to her.
“I love you too.”
I squeeze my eyes shut. I’m going to see this through for her. She’s the one who never got to know Mom and Dad.
I’m going to finish this. For her.
CHAPTER 51
Our Singer
Jace
Gio leans forward from the back seat to slip two hundred-dollar bills into Apollo’s pocket then slaps his cheek. “Thanks, kid.”
“No problem, Gio.”
Apollo drove us home from the wedding. I didn’t drink much, but I know Gio has been planning the chance to have this talk. I figured it would happen tonight.
“Let me ask you something, Apollo. You like working for me and my family?”
“Yeah, you guys are great.”
“Good, good. How do you like working the kitchens and restaurants?”
“They’re where I got my start. They’re great places to learn too. Not just about cooking and how restaurants run. The staff talks a lot because they don’t think anyone’s listening. I hear things.”
Gio falls back in his seat as if thinking. Only I know he’s already decided what he plans to do. This has been coming for months.
Gio pulls a hand down his face tiredly. He then loosens his tie. I loosen my tie and drop my head back, allowing him to do his thing. Apollo has shown his loyalty and value over the years.
Gio wouldn’t allow him here if he didn’t absolutely trust him. He deserves this. It’s a step in the right direction for him.
“You get along with Dario, no?”
“I do. We hang a bit. His crew is down to earth. They all earn well too.”
“I want you to do a favor for me. I need a right hand for Dario. A right hand who answers to me. In time, this will all make sense. Can you do that for me, Apollo?”
“Yeah, I got you, Gio.”
“Good, we never had this conversation. All you need to do is report to the kitchen on Monday and learn everything you can from Dario, so he wants you with him. I’ll take care of the rest.”
“Got it. Thanks, Gio. I appreciate this.”
“You’re welcome, Apollo. That’s my little brother. I don’t have to tell you how important this is. Don’t fail me.”
“I won’t.”
“Good night,” Gio says and pushes his way out of the car.
I dig in my pocket and pull out a phone. Apollo turns to look at me. I give him the phone.
“When he wants you, he’ll call this phone. Keep it on you all the time.”
“Got it.”
I get out of the car and tap the roof before I follow Gio into the house. I wanted to leave that wedding hours ago. Ny has been on my mind all day. Especially after the picture she sent us.
Gio heads straight for our bedroom. The first thing I notice as I enter the room is the shower running in the master bath. Gio turns a tired grin to me. I nod and toss my tie down.
We’re both undressing to join Ny when she starts to sing in the shower. In the middle of tugging his shirt off, Gio turns to me slowly with his mouth hanging open.
She really gets into singing “Love” by Keyshia Cole. I burst into laughter. Gio joins in, doubled over with his hands on his knees.
“God, she’s terrible,” he snorts.
“Should we get in there to stop this?”
“Marone. Please, my ears,” he laughs. “I love her, but she can’t hold a note to save her life. Jesus.”
She hits another run. I bark out my laughter and rush to get my clothes off. This must stop. We both head to the bathroom naked. Gio steps in before me.
He freezes and begins to vibrate with rage. I step beside him to find out what’s going on. Ny has her back to us, but the black-and-blue bruises are easy to make out.
She turns to look over her shoulder at us and smiles. I growl when the bruise on her face comes into view. She looks down her back and shrugs like nothing is wrong.
“What the fuck happened?” I bite out.
She moves to open the glass shower door. I move to her quickly and brush my hand over her face.