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“You look like you’ve never been to one of these before,” Dario says into my ear as he walks up behind me and covers my hand with his.
Tears come to my eyes. He’s covering our baby and doesn’t even know it. I break down and turn to tell him.
“What’s wrong?” he asks as his face clouds over. “If one of these assholes said something out of line, I swear to God.”
I swallow my words, reminding myself this is why I need to wait. Maybe his trip will only take a month or two and he’ll return before the baby comes.
“I’m fine,” I say and fix the collar of his tux.
He fingers one of the curls that has slipped free from my updo. “You’re simply gorgeous,” he murmurs.
I give him a smile. Before I can protest, he leans in and takes my lips. I moan into his mouth as he tugs me in close. A throat clears behind us and I jump away from the kiss.
Turning, I find Uncle Ernesto and Uncle Talon watching us. My father stands with them with a huge frown on his face. Why do I suddenly feel like a little girl with her hand in the cookie jar?
“It’s good to see you, Dario,” Uncle Ernesto croons.
“Good to see you too, Senator Thompson.”
“Hey, Uncle Ernie.” I give my uncle a big smile.
“Oopies, I’m so glad to see your face. Not sure how I feel about the boy sucking it, but glad to see it.”
I groan and roll my eyes. Maybe we should have decided to keep things from my family as well. I’ve seen Gio meddle in Dario’s life, so I understood the need to keep things from his brothers. The last thing I need is for the all-knowing Gio to get up in my business.
“You’re a hard one to catch up to,” Uncle Talon says to Dario.
“It seems we’ve been missing each other a lot,” he replies.
Uncle Talon nods. “I’ll need your ear before the night is over.”
My father sucks his teeth so hard, I look to see if any have fallen out. He scowls at the two of us before he turns to walk off. I sag into Dario’s side, too tired to entertain whatever is up my father’s butt.
Dario possessively places his hand on my hip and moves me in front of him. I close my eyes as he kisses the back of my head, then nuzzles the side of my neck.
“Oopies, you a big gyal now, eh? Running with bad men.”
Dario stiffens behind me. I open my eyes to look at my uncle, Kurt. He’s the youngest of my uncles. Now this is my uncle you go to for all the things your parents tell you not to do.
While I always see him in some powerful people’s ear. I still don’t know his official title. His words trigger my thoughts to race for those dots I know I need to connect.
“Carleen has been a friend of mine all my life. Nothing about me has changed. I am who I am. Only difference now is she’s my woman.”
Uncle Kurt sucks his teeth and narrows his eyes. “Remember who you’re talking to. I know all about your new upcoming promotion. Word of advice, don’t shit where you eat.”
“Kurt,” Uncle Talon and Uncle Ernie hiss in unison.
Uncle Kurt kisses his teeth again and waves them off. “Come gyal, your auntie wants to see you.”
I look up at Dario and he drops a kiss on my lips. I don’t take my eyes off him as my uncle drags me away, not until someone bumps me and I have to look forward.
“That family, boy. They always get what they want. Your grandfadda rolling in his grave, you know. Your uncle too.”
I lean into my uncle. “Uncle Kurt, what am I missing?”
“This not the place, Oopies,” he says and clamps his mouth shut.
Of all the times for him to shut up. He never bites his tongue. I tighten my fists at my sides. Someone needs to give me some answers.
Dario
“I only have one thing to say. She’s a big girl and she’s been in love with you all her life. You know who we are as we know you. We’ll bring all of hell down on your head if something happens to her or if our sister sheds one tear for that gyal,” the senator says.
“I hear you,” I reply.
“Do you?” Talon says. He moves in closer and turns so no one can read his lips. “You have a problem. Maybe you should take your trip sooner. I’ve heard your name one too many times in the office. You don’t have much time before they’re on your doorstep.”
My head almost explodes. The last thing I need is for the feds to show up on my doorstep. They wouldn’t find anything, which means they have a rat who can nail me. I’ve kept my nose the cleanest, but it’s stupid shit like Silvio Jr. that threatens to link me to bullshit.
