Page 40 of Vows of a Mobster

Perfect!I thought smugly.

All three walked over to our table. “Hey there,” Brianna greeted me and Antonio. “Are you guys sure you won’t mind if we join you?”

“Not at all,” Antonio answered smugly. “And who are you, pretty one?” He was looking at Brianna. “We weren’t introduced last time I saw you.”

I glared at him and would have cursed him, if the girls weren’t here. He gave me a victorious smile.

“I’m called, apparently, the pretty one,” she retorted back sarcastically. I was happy she sat herself next to me, Marissa and Daphne on the other side of her. Coincidently, Daphne sat next to Antonio and I noticed Antonio throwing her a look.

Interesting.

“Having a good time?” I asked Brianna.

“The best,” she replied, winking. “Aren’t you?’

“Agreed, the best,” I replied smiling but quickly frowned, noting Marissa’s mother walking over.

Fuck, I hope she wasn’t going to sit with us.

“Thank you, girls,” she spoke to her daughter and her friends, smiling.

“No problem,” Brianna answered since both Marissa and Daphne were ignoring her.

She took another swig of her beer, as my aunt continued talking like the rest of the group wasn’t ignoring her. “Brianna, we have to find you a nice boy here so we can get you married.”

Brianna promptly choked at that comment.

So she wasn’t married?

This was the best news that ever came from my aunt’s mouth. Brianna groaned and rolled her eyes as Marissa’s mother walked away.

“Why does your mother always want to marry me off?” she whispered under her breath, speaking to her friends.

“Because she’s a bitch,” Daphne retorted dryly.

“Better you than me,” Marissa added. “I think she likes you in a weird way.”

“Jesus, if that is her liking me,” Brianna muttered, “I’d hate to think what she’d do if she didn’t.” Her eyes came to Antonio and me. “Does she try to do that to you?’

I laughed. That woman wouldn’t dare tell me what to do. “No, she doesn’t.”

Antonio shook his head as well.

She groaned. “Marissa, you have to tell her to stop,” she pleaded.

“Hell no. Like I said, better you than me,” Marissa took a drink. “She just wants you to marry so you can be settled.”

“I am settled,” Brianna spat back, glaring at her friends. “By all means, let’s take applications for marriage. Do I get to put some requirements down or should we go free-for-all?”

“Oh, where do I apply?” Marcus showed up, grinning. Brianna slightly stiffened and I silently cursed my brother. Didn’t I tell him to keep away from her? “I’d marry you.”

“Get a life,” Daphne jabbed him, and suddenly, I liked her. I knew I made her nervous; it was a side effect of my position but I loved how she stood up for her friend.

“What?” Marcus actually seemed slightly offended. “I would be a good husband.”

Brianna took pity on him and patted his arm. “I’m sure, Marcus,” she spoke softly. “But Marissa’s mom said a nice boy. It kind of disqualifies you.”

The whole table burst into laughter, including Marcus.