The guests gathered along the railing, watching as other ships and boats joined the parade. They sailed under the Talmadge Memorial Bridge, entering Georgia’s waters and began making their way toward Tybee Island and the ocean.
Pete’s crew cleared the food tables, making room for a makeshift dance floor. As soon as they finished, the band played the first of several snappy tunes, filling the floor.
During their break, Cool Bones joined Carlita, who was talking to Annie Dowton.
“The music is awesome,” Carlita complimented. “You’ve helped make the party.”
“Thanks. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.” He motioned to the other boats. “This is one of the coolest gigs we’ve ever done. Looks like your grandchildren are having fun.”
“They are. I’m sure they’ll remember this for a long time.”
Carlita excused herself to check on Pete. She found him on the bridge with one of the ship’s crewmembers.
“Hello, my dear. I’m sorry I haven’t made much of an appearance. It’s tricky navigating the waters with all of the other boats.”
“And in the dark,” Carlita added. “I wanted to let you know everyone is enjoying themselves immensely.”
“I heard there were a few tense moments between Roxy and Dernice.”
“It was an accident. Unfortunately, Roxy managed to escalate it,” Carlita said. “Thankfully, Vinnie and Ricco stepped in.”
“Where does Vinnie find these employees?”
“He doesn’t. His father-in-law, Vito Castellini, hired her to keep an eye on Brittney and the baby.”
“And father knows best,” Pete guessed. “Which means Vinnie doesn’t have much of a say.”
“Vinnie doesn’t have any say in who Vito hires. The good news is that it appears things have settled down.”
Pete promised to take a break shortly, and Carlita left. She skirted the edge of the dance floor, watching her family and friends.
Dernice and Luigi passed by, while Elvira stood off to the side watching them, a sour expression on her face.
As luck would have it, Luigi and Elvira had started off on the wrong foot mainly because Dernice had hired him without Elvira’s permission while she was MIA.
When Elvira finally blew back into town after dealing with a family crisis, she promptly attempted to fire Luigi. Dernice balked.
There was a mini-family feud with Luigi caught right in the middle. Much to Carlita’s surprise, Dernice won the round, and Luigi remained employed by EC Security Services.
Elvira and Luigi had recently formed a truce of sorts, but Carlita could tell it still irked her at times to see how close Dernice and Luigi were becoming. And, if Carlita wasn’t mistaken, there was a smidgen of attraction between the two of them.
Carlita joined Elvira. “How’s it going with Luigi?”
Elvira shrugged. “He does an okay job.”
“Just okay?”
“Maybe better than okay. Although he has unconventional ways of getting things done. I guess it’s the mafia in him.”
“I’m sure,” Carlita murmured as she watched Mercedes and Sam join the other couples on the dance floor. He pulled her close, and Mercedes tilted her head, her eyes shining as she gazed up at him.
“They’re a cute couple. I figure one of these days, Sam will pop the question,” Elvira predicted.
“I hope so.”
Elvira turned, giving Carlita her full attention. “That will officially make you an empty nester. Maybe you and Pete oughta get hitched. You’re not getting any younger.”
“I would think you would rather we get engaged, and then I break it off so you can win your bet with Dernice,” Carlita joked.
Elvira’s eyes widened.
“Don’t bother denying it. Dernice told me all about the bet. You think I’ll get cold feet. Dernice thinks we’ll marry.”
“I…I mean,” Elvira stuttered. “It was all just in fun. You can do what you want.”
The song ended, and the couples exited the dance floor. Off in the distance, Carlita caught a glimpse of the shoreline. She could see Hutchinson Island’s mega hotel on one side and the Waving Girl statue on the other.
Spectators lined both sides of the shoreline, watching and waving as the decorated boats paraded past.
“They’re waving at us!” Violet shouted excitedly.
Roxy made her way to the railing and stood next to Sam and Mercedes. She said something to the couple, and Carlita could see her daughter’s back stiffen.
Sam put a light arm around her shoulder.
“Looks like Roxy, the train wreck, is stirring up more trouble,” Elvira remarked. “I don’t know where your son got that woman, but he should fire her, and fast.”
“I’m afraid he doesn’t make that decision,” Carlita said.
“The kingpin hires security,” Elvira guessed.
“Something like that.”
“Look at her. She looks like she’s getting ready to pounce on Sam.”
“She is getting a little close.” Carlita watched as Mercedes clenched her fists.
Sam stepped between the women, which Roxy apparently took as a sign of interest on his part. She moved in even closer, pressing her hips against Sam’s side.
The move enraged Mercedes, who took a swing at Roxy, catching her off guard as she struck her jaw.
Roxy stumbled back, landing on a stack of wooden crates. There was a murderous look in her eyes as she lunged at Mercedes.
Sam, stuck in the middle, didn’t anticipate Roxy’s next move as she grabbed hold of Mercedes’ arm and dragged her off to the side. She delivered a fierce blow to Mercedes’ midsection, sending Carlita’s daughter to her knees.
Luigi came out of nowhere as he flew across the deck. He tackled Roxy with such force that they both landed on the floor.
“She’s going for the gun!” Elvira shouted.
Carlita watched in horror as Roxy desperately tried to reach into her pocket. Ricco sprang into action, joining Luigi as he grabbed hold of her lower body, pinning her down.
The children started screaming as the parents snatched them up and whisked them to safety.
Santa grabbed Mrs. Claus and dragged her behind his
