Page 92 of Born into Mayhem

“I’m here,” Sandro tells him.

Dominic sounds resigned when he asks, “He’s already in love with her, isn’t he?”

Sandro grins at me. “He is, yes, and everyone knows it.”

“I can’t believe you’ve done this to me,” Dominic says. “What part of my orders did you not understand?”

“I’m doing my job,” I say.

“Well, I’m sure Lev will appreciate that,” Dominic mutters. “Is Sasha behaving himself at least?”

“He is,” Sandro says. “Hasn’t even killed anyone yet.”

“Nice to know someone is behaving,” Dominic says, and Sandro takes the opportunity to point a finger at me and grin like we’re kids instead of grown-ass men. Our cousin goes back to a few seconds of baby talk, so I take the opportunity to flip my brother off before Dominic returns his attention to us. The sweet tone he’d just been using for his son is gone when he says, “Watch your backs and get this taken care of. I need you both back here, and Lev is getting restless.”

“It should be over soon,” I assure him.

“And whatever you do, keep Mia safe. It’s bad enough you’ve fallen in love with her, but if she comes back hurt, Lev and his entire family will hunt you down.” When Dominic speaks again, he’s gone back to his sweet tone, and I can’t help but think how different these meetings are now compared to the ones we had before he met Natalya. “Grandpa is going to try to kill Uncle Dario. Yes, he is,” he coos at his son, and I can easily picture my nephew’s smiling face. “Your Uncle Dario couldn’t keep it in his pants, could he, Enzo? No, he couldn’t, and now he’s gone and fallen in love with your mommy’s sister.”

“I think he gets it,” I say, making everyone laugh but me. My dad gives me a look that makes it clear we’ll be talking about this later.

“Nat’s going to love this,” Dominic says.

“We’re all loving this,” Sandro says.

“We’ll let you know when this is all over,” I say, trying to wrap this up.

“Lev’s coming over for supper tomorrow, so thanks again forputting me right in the middle of all this.” He switches to English and tells Nat he’ll be right there before he says, “Call me when something happens.”

We promise we will, and then he hangs up and I’m left with my brother and dad. They’re both staring at me, one wearing a ridiculous grin, and the other looking like he doesn’t know what the hell to do with me.

Our dad takes another drink, and when he sets it down, he says, “I don’t ask for much out of life.”

“Jesus, here we go,” I groan.

He points an arthritic finger at me. “Watch the blasphemy. You know your mom hates it.”

I hold up my hands. “Sorry,Papà.”

“You know what else your mom hates?” Sandro and I both groan before he says, “Not having grandkids, not having Italian daughters-in-law, that’s what.”

I look over at Sandro. “This is your chance to shine, little brother.”

“Fuck you,” he says with a laugh. “I’m not marrying some girl from the village and knocking her up just so I can look like the good son.” He looks to our dad. “No offense.”

Our dad groans. “I do like Mia,” he admits. “I’m never going to hear the end of it from your mother, but Mia’s a good match for you. She doesn’t follow you around like a little puppy like all the other girls did. You need someone who will stand up to you, and I have a feeling that one doesn’t let you get away with shit.” He sighs and adds, “It’s a damn shame she’s not Italian.”

Sandro’s more than happy to add, “She definitely has him wrapped around her finger.”

I shrug, not bothering to deny it. I’m completely whipped for my girl and surprised by how little it bothers me.

“Are we done here?” I ask, more than ready to get back to Mia.

“For now,” our dad says.

Sandro and I walk out. He starts to walk in the opposite direction,but before he disappears around the corner, he asks, “You go through all those boxes yet?”

Loosening the cuffs on my shirt, I start up the stairs and holler back, “I’ve put a good dent in them, brother.”