Chapter 1—Tommy #2
He scoffs. “And you keep saying you’re not afraid of flying. We all know that warning is bullshit. Besides, what’s the point of owning your own plane if you don’t get to change the rules?”
“It’s not your plane,” I deadpan.
He looks up from his phone with a smirk and a wink. “Not yours either, Tommy boy.”
Rolling my eyes, I look out the window.
“Your brother wants to see you once we land.”
“Which one?” I question without turning my head.
Either Bobby’s going to be pissed at how much money I lost on the fight, or Danny’s going to want a full rundown on why I pulled some of his team into my little side business to look for a fighter who wasn’t on the official family roster.
He’s got an issue with sharing his hired guns for those considered outsiders.
And to Danny, that’s anyone besides the immediate family.
“Vinny.”
The big man himself.
Can’t be a good thing.
I usually annoy him too much for him to want to call me. But I’ve been off my game, and now it looks like I’m getting called into the principal’s office.
I just hope it’s better than last time. When I found out my sister wasn’t ever coming home again, that about killed me. And I’ve already dealt with enough near-death moments as it is.
“Knock, knock.”
“It’s customary to actually knock on the door and wait for an answer rather than saying the actual noise and then making yourself at home,” Vinny drawls without looking away from the papers he’s writing on at his desk.
I shrug as I plop myself into one of the stuffy armchairs facing his desk. It’s the kind that looks uncomfortable and is. Big bro’s way of making sure no one stays in his office too long. However, I find if you drape a leg over the armrest, it becomes infinitely more comfortable.
He raises an eyebrow, no doubt being able to see me in his periphery, but he still doesn’t look up.
“If I said who I was, I got half a mind to think you’d make me wait till you were done.”
“I would. Because I’m busy, as you can see.”
“Yes, but by coming in, I force you to either finish faster or stop altogether. Because, as Mom says, family comes first. Work can wait.”
He looks up with a deep breath and a glare on his face while also seeming bored. It’s really an impressive look, but it gets him to put the pen down at least.
I grin at him. Wide enough to annoy. Annoying him still brings me some joy. “You called?”
“Yes.” He takes a beat before he nods and stands, buttoning his suit before going to the bar on one side of his office and pouring drinks.
Must be after seven. Not that I’ve really looked at a watch, well, ever.
What’s the point? Someone is bound to tell you if you’re early or late.
Besides, I’ve got people who keep me on time for things I need to get to.
And while I might not watch the clock religiously, Vinny does.
And he only drinks the good stuff when he’s “off” the clock.
Not that it doesn’t keep him from working at all hours of the night and day. The guy is the epitome of a workaholic.
He drinks wine at work functions, or any time he needs to appear that he’s letting loose but really isn’t.
I mean, we grew up with wine on the table for every meal.
That stuff is basically like water for us; we can drink it for hours and not feel the effects of relaxation.
But bring in some whiskey and I’m all in for a good time.
“How was Michigan? Did you just get back? I heard there was a bit of a situation with a product you own.”
I snort at his words. Vinny doesn’t mind the fighting, be it men or women, but he never understood the underground part of it. He prefers to watch a paid fight from a box suite, not in an empty warehouse that has troughs to piss in and beer sold in plastic cups.
“Arrived just before now.” I give him a solid look before I continue. “Which I’m sure you already knew.”
I don’t miss the corner of his lip rising in glee for half a second before he goes neutral again.
Vinny is as protective of us as Danny is.
I’m sure he even had Danny monitoring the airfield and reporting in as soon as I set foot back on home soil.
But that’s brotherly love for you. Honestly, I’d rather them smother me with caring, or whatever they call this, than leave me out in the cold.
I’ve seen a few families do that, and I don’t want it.
Who would I annoy if I were on my own? Myself?
I’m too amazing to be bothered with myself.
Apart from the fact that I was a stupid kid a few months back, and now I’m dealing with some mental issues about how long a person can live in this life. Besides that, I’m amazing.
“All is right in the world. The Hounds were able to figure things out with little help from Danny’s boys.”
He hums in acknowledgment, probably understanding what I’m not saying—that Danny doesn’t need to be in a hissy fit if no one from his team got hurt. Sure, he’ll probably still complain and shit, but not too much since no blood was spilled.
Vinny pours me a glass without asking, bringing it to me and toasting me with a silent clink from his own before taking a healthy sip.
I do the same. I’m not an animal. I know my brother only gets the best; why waste it with a throwback?
Also, like Bobby with money, Vinny is pretty stingy about sharing his few loves. And his liquor is one of them.
“So, who died?” No use in beating around the bush.
“You did.”