Page 96 of Bobby

Despite his lack of finesse, he has a point.

“You don’t have to—”

Vinny cuts me off with a sharp look before I can say anything else.

“Don’t. I know what I’m doing. She’s fine. The famiglia has waited long enough.”

“They can wait longer,” I say.

I hate that he doesn’t get to pick. Not really. Being the head of the famiglia, despite that we share much of the main role together, still falls on his shoulders. There are expectations. Marriage for love can only happen if the woman comes from one of the families the famiglia approves of. And so far, that hasn’t happened. And from the determined look on Vinny’s face, it won’t be happening.

He’s settled. Something a Leone should never have to do.

But he is. Sacrificing for all of us. Because if he doesn’t marry within the expectations, we all know that the Leone reign will end. We might have trust among many, but the head is only as strong as the body of people backing it. Rumors can taint opinions. Alliances can be bought.

No. Despite what I want for my older brother, this is what must be done.

“Okay,” I say and look at my two other brothers, who both nod in silent agreement.

“Happy engagement, then.” I tip my glass to him, as do Danny and Tommy, and he tips his scotch to ours.

“Yes, happy indeed.” Vinny drains his glass and then turns and walks away.

Epilogue—Bobby

Three Weeks Later

“Have you seen Vinny lately?” Danny asks as he takes a seat between me and Marco, across from Tommy.

While most of the people are dancing to whatever the DJ is playing to make the hundred-some bikers happy, my brothers and I are happy to just sit and watch.

“He’s around. Oh, over there.” Tommy points with his glass to our brother at one of the back tables in the ballroom. Kansas might not have much, but they at least have a big enough place, and fancy enough for Mama’s taste, to host Milly’s wedding.

“Who’s he talking to?” Marco asks as we all blatantly stare.

“No clue. But the guy at the bar doesn’t seem to like it any more than she does, based on the look on her face,” Danny says as he looks behind Tommy to the man at the bar.

Sure enough, a man is glaring daggers at my brother. The kind of look that usually ends in blood. He’s wearing his club vest still—helpful as shit, since his name is on it: Atom. Something I’m sure Danny will look into later. But that still doesn’t make it clear who the woman is with the long-ass hair that seems to be almost sweeping the ground.

Thankfully, the man has a brain and is using it to keep himself in check, not going over and interrupting what looks to be an intense conversation.

But the second the woman gets up and leaves, Atom follows her out.

I look at Vinny, who’s smirking, glancing at the two who left before looking back, catching my eye.

He grabs his glass of wine and saunters over.

“Something caught your attention? Pretty sure your fiancée won’t be happy about it.” Tommy doesn’t hide his disdain for Vinny’s woman as he drinks his own wine.

“Don’t start spreading rumors you can’t back up, Tommy.” Vinny sighs in annoyance as he takes a seat next to him.

Bianca has become more involved in the last three weeks than anyone wants. Okay, that might just be my opinion. I find her annoying, but that’s just because I want the best for my brother, and I hold everyone to a high degree. If they aren’t Willow, they aren’t good. And since no one is my girl, no one is good enough for my brother.

She’s been very involved for a woman who isn’t even married into the family yet. And by involved, I mean available and offering opinions. Then again, Milly actually did agree to a few of the suggestions she gave for the wedding, so I guess she isn’t all bad. She’s just around more, practically moving herself into Vinny’s home already. I know they aren’t sleeping together, despite her numerous attempts to seduce him.

Vinny doesn’t have to say a word. You can tell by the way she pouts a bit. Just a little. Not enough for others to notice, but I do. So do my brothers. We make a point to notice things others don’t. It saves lives. She wants Vinny, that’s obvious, but he still holds himself back. I’m not sure if it’s because he’s still opposed to the idea of the arrangement or that he just doesn’t know her well enough yet.

Thank God she brought her cousin with her. Some woman who seems to take most of the brunt of Bianca’s sexual frustration. I should feel bad about it, but I don’t.