“How was your day, gorgeous?” he asked.
“Long. Yours?”
He picked up a spoon and scooped something out of the pot he was nursing. “Here, taste this.”
“Wow, that’s divine. What is it?”
“I could tell you, but then, you won’t need me anymore.”
“That’s never gonna happen. You won’t get rid of me that easily.”
“Why don’t you slip into something more comfortable and I’ll dish up.” He kissed me on the forehead.
I dragged my weary bones up the stairs to our bedroom, put on my favorite “let’s veg out” top and bottoms, and followed the smell of food back to the dining room.
“That’s better. Come sit, my darling, dinner is served.” Joe pulled out the chair for me and placed a white napkin on my lap. “Wine, madam?”
“Leave the bottle, thank you, waiter.”
“That bad, huh? Wanna tell me about it?”
“I was having a brilliant morning, torturing my zombies, when I noticed Gino sitting at the back of the hall.”
“What?”
“Yup, the old pain in the ass himself.” I popped another forkful of food into my mouth.
Joe stopped eating. “What did he want?”
“Said he wanted to get to know me better, seeing as I’m his sister-in-law and all. Asked if I’d like to have a coffee with him in the café on campus.”
“Did you?”
“Hell, no. Thankfully, I had a ton of lab work to do. He’s so weird.”
“I’m sorry, my love. Do you want me to talk to him?” Joe was miffed.
“No, don’t do that, darling. I can take care of myself. Please don’t worry.”
“He was sniffing around the office today, too. Just let himself into Papa’s office, the smug bastard.”
“What did he want?”
“Something about a new venture he wants us to invest in. I don’t trust him further than I can throw him, but I guess I’m biased.”
“Eat, my love. Things will settle as we get to know him better. It’s early days. I’m sure we’ll work it out.”
“I hope you’re right, gorgeous.”
“I am, you’ll see. Now eat up. I need a bubble bath, and you know I can’t reach my back with the loofah.”
“Oooh, dessert. Yum.” Joe smiled and took a big bite of his food.
Chapter Eight
JOE
“I think the time has come for me to put Gino in his place.” Fabio, the ladies, and I were at the nightclub where we’d first met the girls. So much had happened since then. Mostly for the good, mostly.
“And what brought on this epiphany?” Fabio took a sip of the eroni. The girls had gone to the bathroom, as girls do, giving me a chance to talk to Fabio alone.
“It isn’t any one instance. There are a lot of little things. He’s constantly trying to bleed money from the company on harebrained schemes, he talks to me like I’m some kind of idiot, and he pitches up at Ella’s work unannounced. The man is a menace.”
“What you gonna do?”
“I think I’ll talk to my father first before I do anything. I don’t want him to think that I’m an entitled brat. Once I explain my concerns about Gino to him, I’ll tackle the problem head-on. If push comes to shove, I’ll put him on his ass until he learns some manners.”
“A sound plan. Let me know if you need some help. I haven’t broken anyone’s jaw in a while.” Fabio rubbed his knuckles.
“Okay, Dirty Harry, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. But thanks for the support.”
“I’m here, buddy. Just saying.”
“What’s happening with the wedding plans? Are you ever going to marry Bria or has she changed her mind?”
“And give up a beefcake like me? Never. Bria, Ella, and their mothers are working on it night and day. I’m in charge of the honeymoon, so topless beaches are on top of my list. Other than that, I’m paying the bills and buying a tuxedo.”
“What an underprivileged life you lead, my horny friend.”
Fabio laughed as he downed his beer. “Your round.”
ELEANORA
“Any words of wisdom for a wife to be?” Bria was touching up her make up, fighting for space in front of the mirror.
“Yes. Make sure Fabio doesn’t have a bastard brother hidden in a closet somewhere.”
“Oh dear, what did the tool do now?”
“He breathed!” We cackled with laughter. “No, seriously, the guy is getting on everybody’s nerves. I wouldn’t be surprised if Joe rearranges his stupid face soon.”
“What does Antonio say about it? It must be hard to keep the peace. I’m surprised Bella hasn’t dusted him yet. She’s one tough mama.”
“That she is. But I suspect, when it comes to Gino, she tries her best not to make it more painful for her husband. So, she keeps her peace.”
“I don’t envy you, Ella. If there’s anything I can do, just ask. My ‘swimming with the fishes’ offer is still on the table.” Bria made her Marlon Brando face “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.”
“Poor Gino, I almost feel sorry for him.” I covered my eyes with my hands. Bria laughed.
“Well, color me happy. If it isn’t Boobzilla. Long time no see.” Bria was talking to someone behind me. I need this like I need a hole in my head!
“Well, well. It’s the whore and her little pet. It’s been a while. I see you snagged yourself a gangster, whore. Get yourself pregnant, did you?”
Boobzilla, aka Anna, was staring daggers at me.
“I see you’ve put on a few pounds, Boobzilla,” Bria said as she squared up for an ass whipping. “You’d think that all that humping would keep your ass skinny.”
I saw it coming long before the first hair was yanked out. Boobzilla launched herself at Bria like a ninja. Clearly, she had no idea what
