decisions.”
He grunted again. “Nah, I could’ve pushed harder, insisted he get out of street scams and other shit. But I didn’t want to lose his friendship. When it came down to it, I guess I was a little envious of what he did have. A wife. Family. I wanted that, wanted to be near that. I just didn’t know it.”
I blinked at him, startled by the revelation. It had never occurred to me that Nicky had wanted to have a family. I don’t know why it surprised me. When I thought about what I’d seen that day in the clearing when I’d looked into his eyes, I realized that I should’ve known all along that a man with such an amazing capacity to love would make an incredible husband and father. I’d seen a hint of what could be when he’d interacted with his godson. And suddenly I wanted that, too. I wanted that with Nicky.
He pulled the Escalade around to the side of a building where it was less likely to be seen and started to get out when I grabbed his hand. He gave me a quizzical look. “What’s doin’, doll? You okay?”
I pulled him to me and kissed him. “I love you,” I whispered. “I thought I saw everything there was to see about you when I caught a glimpse of your soul, but it was only that—just a glimpse. There is so much more to love than I’d ever imagined.”
Nicky’s lips claimed mine in a kiss that could’ve easily led to one seriously hot interlude, but he pulled away with a groan. “We should probably get this over with,” he mumbled. “But, just so you know, when I get you home, I’m gonna show you just how many ways I love you.”
I had to force down my happiness, bury it deep, as we walked toward the building where the Piggs had set up their on-site office. Calling it a trailer would be a misnomer. It looked more like a three-bedroom ranch on wheels. There was even latticework all around the bottom, hiding the open space beneath the trailer, giving it a very homey touch. The place was huge. Great for them, not so great for us. Too many places to hide weapons. Or henchmen. I didn’t like it at all.
And there’d be no kicking in the door, either. The steps leading up to the door were narrow metal pieces of shit that looked like it’d be a miracle if they didn’t buckle as we climbed them.
“Well, here we go,” Nicky mumbled. “Just stay close to me. I don’t trust these fuckers any farther than I can throw ’em.”
But before we’d even reached the steps, the door slammed open and a rotund man with slicked-back black hair, a rather porcine nose, and the stub of a cigar between his teeth waddled down the stairs at what apparently was a jog, opening his arms wide.
“Nicky Blue, you motherfucker!” he called, chuckling so hard his belly bounced. “How the hell are ya?”
Nicky looked more than a little mystified when the guy wrapped his thick arms around him in a hug. “I’m good, I’m good,” Nicky gasped, stepping out of the guy’s hold. “It’s been a long time, Orvall.”
“Damn right it has!” Orvall snatched his cigar out of his mouth and gestured toward me. “And who is this beautiful young lady you’ve brought to see us, my friend? If I was twenty years younger and about a hundred pounds lighter, you’d be in trouble, boy. I was a charmer back in the day.”
“I’m Trish Muffet,” I said, extending a hand.
Orvall gripped it in his plump fist and gave it a firm shake, chuckling again. “Well, I’ll be damned—you got yourself a girl from the FMA, Nicky? You got some brass balls, my friend, I’ll give you that!” He turned back to their office and motioned for us to follow. “Come on, come on! We’re just cookin’ up some brats and sauerkraut! Come eat! You two look like you’re wastin’ away to nothin’.”
Bemused by the surprisingly warm welcome, I glanced at Nicky as we followed, but he seemed just as baffled as I was. He obviously hadn’t expected it either. “What the hell?” I mouthed.
But he just shrugged. And checked to make sure his gun was still at the small of his back.
When we walked inside, two other men just as rotund as Orvall turned away from the stove and raised their arms, crying out in unison, “Hey! Nicky!”
Not only were the Piggs brothers, they were triplets. Identical triplets.
Nicky nodded hesitantly. “Irwin. Merv.”
“Grab a beer!” one of them said, gesturing toward the fridge.
“Ice cold!” said the other.
Nicky eyed them warily, pulling me a little behind him. “I’m grateful for your hospitality,” he said, his business grin curling his lips, “but I have to say, boys, it’s rather unexpected.”
Orvall dropped down into a huge easy chair that still only barely managed to contain his bulk. “Nicky . . .” he drawled, drawing out the word, “we’ve always been friendly. You’ve never crossed us. We’ve never crossed you. No harm in showing a little . . . cordiality to a colleague now and then, is there?”
Nicky spread his hands in a conciliatory gesture. “I meant no disrespect.”
“Of course you didn’t!” Merv chimed in. He wagged his tongs at Nicky. “You’re good people. Always showing respect to those who deserve it.”
“And even some who don’t,” Irwin said with a shrug.
“Now, sit down, sit down,” Orvall said, waving Nicky and me toward an overstuffed sofa covered in what had to be the gaudiest flower pattern I’d ever seen. “Have some supper and we’ll talk business after. Irwin, grab our guests a beer!”
As soon as Nicky and I were seated, Irwin shoved ice cold Heinekens into our hands. I dutifully took a sip while the brothers watched, no doubt forming their opinion of me by how I responded to their generosity. “Mmm,” I said, offering Irwin a smile. “Hits the spot.”
“She’s a good girl, Nicky,” Irwin said with a wink. “Any gal not too prissy to drink beer from a bottle is okay with me. Don’t understand all them froo-froo drinks. You don’t drink none of them, do you, Ms. Muffet?”
I shook my head. “Oh, no! I’m definitely a beer and pretzels kind of girl.”
Orvall chuckled and slapped his knee. “Marry this one, Nicky!” he whooped. “Except for liking you, she’s a smart kid!”
Nicky actually flushed a little and cast a glance my way before replying, “Trish is definitely a keeper.”
As Nicky and Orvall chatted about whether the Blackhawks would make it to the play-offs and the new taxes the FMA had proposed for Tale businesses, I sat quietly, taking it all in. For all the politeness and show of hospitality, there was an undercurrent of tension in the room that had all the men on edge. Nicky’s shoulders were visibly bunched, ready to spring at the first sign of a threat. And as all of us gathered around the dinette for an early dinner, I glanced back and forth between them, studying each of them in turn.
Orvall was definitely the dominant brother, the one in charge. And while they all had a genial manner and went out of their way to make Nicky and me feel welcome, there was no mistaking that these men wouldn’t hesitate to cut our throats and bury us at the closest city dump if provoked. As soon as the dinner was cleared away, leaving only the lingering odor of sauerkraut in the air, Orvall leaned back in his chair and regarded Nicky with an even gaze, looking down his stubby nose at him.
“So, what brings you to our little corner of suburbia, Nicky?” he asked, getting to the point. “You’ve never approached us before.”
Nicky downed the last swig of his beer and set the bottle aside before leaning his elbows on the table and lacing his fingers together. “I hear you might be doing a construction job for someone. Someone who would prefer to remain out of the public eye. And the sunlight.”
Orvall’s chuckle was deeper and lacking in mirth this time. “Dracula, Nicky? You asking if we’re doing a job for Dracula?”
Nicky pulled back a little, apparently surprised by Orvall’s bluntness. “Yeah.”
“And what if we are?” Orvall asked. “Why should I tell you?”
Nicky shrugged, regaining his composure. “Professional courtesy. I would consider it a gesture of friendship.”
Orvall nodded, scratching the stubble on his chinny-chin-chin. “Here’s the thing,” he said, talking around the cigar clamped between his teeth. “I hear you’re getting out of the business. I hear you’ve gone soft. So what would it behoove me to be your friend? Especially when you’ve never once come to me offering friendship before?”
Nicky spread his hands. “You know me, Orvall,” he said. “I’ve never had need of your particular services. But it’s not because I think I’m too good to ask for your assistance. It’s just that, unlike some of these other incompetent mooks, I clean up my own messes.”
Orvall’s beady black eyes narrowed at Nicky. “And what about you getting out of the business? That
