“This place is nice. I like it.”
“You’re getting a house. A fucking mansion. My family’s gonna be set up like royalty.”
I laugh. “You’re the boss.”
“That’s right.” His deep rumble warms me to my bones. “Don’t forget it.”
ChapterNineteen
Joey
Two days later, we drive Sophie’s new Mercedes SUV to Al’s house. He’s home from the hospital, although still recuperating from some brutal headaches.
Carmen greets us at the door and gives us both a hug then leads us to the master bedroom, where Al lies propped up with pillows, looking sour. The heavy brocade curtains are drawn, and the room is dark and quiet, the large plasma television silent on the wall opposite the bed.
“Hey, bro.” Al winces, and I lower my tone. “I’ll bet you’re happy to be at home.”
“Damn straight. I’ll be glad when these headaches are gone, too.”
“Hi, Al.” Sophie leans over and touches her cheek to Al’s.
“Hey, sweetheart. I was wondering if you’d do that thing again. What you did in the hospital?”
“Reiki? Yes, of course.” Pleasure lights Sophie’s face.
I settle in an armchair while Sophie stands next to the bed to cradle Al’s forehead between her two hands. She works in silence for a long time, moving hand positions every so often, her countenance angelic and glowing, even in the dim light.
The drawn muscles of Al’s face relax, and his eyes drift closed. They open twenty minutes later when Carmen enters the room, carrying glasses of iced lemonade which she sets on the table beside us.
“Thanks, honey.” Al reaches for a glass and takes a sip of his. “And thank you, Sophie.” He looks at Sophie appraisingly. “You know, my brother’s crazy about you.”
Her eyes flick across to where I sit, and I smile and wink at her.
“And I know my brother,” Al goes on, ignoring me. “When he decides he wants something, he doesn’t stop till he gets it.”
Sophie flushes. “So I’ve noticed.”
“So are you really going to marry him? You’re not going to let our ma talk you out of it?”
Sophie laughs. “Not your mom or mine.”
“Glad to hear it.” Al looks from Carmen to Sophie. “Can you ladies give me a minute to talk business with Joey?”
“Sure,” Sophie says, and she and Carmen leave the room.
“Any update?”
I already filled Al in on how I handled the Matranga’s and Sammy yesterday. “Ned says they’ve got nothing on us.”
“Good.” Al looks at me thoughtfully. “So...do you still want to step back?”
I run my hand through my hair, blowing out my breath. “Yeah.”
“For her or because that’s what you want?”
“It’s what I want. I’ve never really been cut out for this, Al, you know that. I know I’ve been a disappointment to you. I never wanted to be boss—I may be trained for it, the men may respect me, but it’s not what I want for my life.” I shake my head. “I’m not like you. I wish to God I were, but I’m not.” I stare at him, some of the emptiness I used to feel before Sophie seeping back in.
“You’re not a disappointment,” Al says fiercely, then winces and brings his fingers to his temples. “You never were—not to Pops, not to me.”