Page 48

I look over at her, the anger fading slightly.

“What? Look at the road, Toretto.” She slaps the air to shoo me away.

She holds her ground for the rest of the trip, and I hold mine through the ‘Welcome to Pennsylvania’ sign and into the endless paths of leafy trees. Pop told us to meet him at Cameron County clerk’s office. The population is under five thousand and he reiterated no one wouldeverlook for marriage licenses for a mafia family there.

He seemed really excited about it on the phone. Hurts that his cough is getting worse.

Fuck!

I hit the wheel, scaring Capri to attention.

“Jesus.What?”

I just shake my head as I pull into the unkempt parking lot. Not only has my routine been castrated, but I’m about to be tethered to the biggest brat in the world. I exit the car without waiting for my bride-to-be and stalk toward the doors of the beige-brick clerk’s office.

I see my father waiting on the side in a leather jacket that’s too heavy for the summer, and Capri’s dad, who lights up when Capri comes through the door.

“Daddy!” She runs to give him a kiss on the cheek. “I’m so glad you’re okay.” She breaks the embrace to look him up and down. “You look good.”

It’s true, he does. Guess Pop hasn’t been too rough on him. My father, on the other hand. He’s a little more hunched than a few days ago, and that cough is killer.

I hold my fist up for a pound, which he gives.

“Your old man might not show it, but I’m proud of you, kid.”

The sincerity in his bloodshot eyes hits me right in the gut. I’m disarmed. The fuck is he saying?

“You two getting along alright?”

Capri hears my father, her attention turning to us.

“She’s alright, I guess.”

I can’t fuckin’ get myself to break my father. He’s pathetic as is. Still though, I have to try, softly.

“Let’s go outside a minute,” I say.

“Sure.”

I hold the door for him, watching as he pulls a cigar to light.

“It’s not so bad out here.” He waves his hands at the swaying trees. “Peaceful. Not something we DeMatteos get to experience often.”

“Cut the shit, Pop. You know you’re not going to change me.”

“Ah, too cool for your old man, huh? So what’d you want to say that your in-law couldn’t hear?”

“You sure about this?” I turn to face him, watching the cigar smoke waft between us. “Cutting the Dotellis into my business? You surethisis what you want to ask of me?”

He grumbles to himself and takes a step closer, now a half-head shorter when he used to tower over me. “I’ve known Rocco and his daughter for many years, Tristano. They’re your window into a different life, so you don’t get consumed by the other side. That’s what Mom was to me.” He pats his chest, holding my eyes harshly. “You never listened to my words outside of work, so, I’m asking you take this action to learn for yourself. Don’t know why I’m repeating myself, though. You already agreed.”

I turn away, cursing.

“You hate the broad that much?” he asks.

“She’s a handful,” I reply, hands on my hips with my back to my father.

“Most broads are. But you didn’t answer my question. Is she too much?”