“Yeah, I did. She got wasted and couldn’t drive.” I blow out a frustrated breath. I really just want to get in the shower, but Ruby’s obviously got something to say; so I wait.
“Alex, um, some things are happening. We’re going to tighten security up a bit.” Fidgeting, she pushes off the door and strides to the kitchen table, where she picks up a beer and takes a long pull before looking me in the eyes.
“What’s going on?” I ask, following her into the kitchen.
“Nothing,” she says way too quickly, her voice lifting at the end.
Ian strides into the room behind me and plops into a chair. He keeps his eyes on Ruby as he says, “The truth, Ma.”
Her face scrunches up and she takes another drink of her beer. Setting it down on the table, she fixes me with a look of sorrow. “Gloria called. Your cousin Tony’s figured it out. Gloria’s said nothing, but Tony had her visit your father and uncle, who are being temporarily held at Rikers. Tony wanted her to talk to Carlo and Emilio about what he knows. She hasn’t, but she’s running out of time.”
My gut twists in knots and my mouth goes dry. I knew the calm had to end sometime and that the storm would roll in. I’m just not ready for it yet. I might never be ready for it. “Is she okay?”
“Yes, baby. She’s okay. We’re just going to up security because we don’t know when and how they’re going to get here.”
“They’re coming here?” I shriek. Loud footfalls sound behind me and a heavy hand rests on my shoulder. I look over to find Jim’s gray eyes, wrinkling at the corners, staring back at me.
“Don’t worry,” he says.
“Don’t worry?” I ask, raising at eyebrow at him. “How in the hell am I supposed to not worry?”
“We’ll talk over the details in the morning. Just get some sleep for now,” Jim says, walking to the fridge across the room and pulling out a cold beer. Using the bottle opener on his keychain, he pops the top and sucks in a long pull.
“You people expect me to sleep after this?” I let my jaw go slack as my gaze travels from Jim, whose amusement shows on his face. The corners of his mouth are turned up, showing a rare smile. I haven’t forgotten that underneath the jovial fatherly mask is a cold-blooded Charter President. I look to Ruby, who is far less amused. She wears a sad smile. Next to Ruby, Ian smirks, his cheek pulling up, showcasing his facial scar in the process.
“You think I’m going to let some fucking guinea take you after all the trouble we went through to get you?” Ian says. I flinch at the word guinea. I hate that word.
“Hey, you do know I’m Italian-American, right?” I say, pointing at my chest. Ian just laughs, making my temper flare. I may not have much of a temper compared to everyone around me, but it’s not entirely non-existent. You just have to push the right buttons. “Non insultare gli italiani se non vuoi che insulti il tuo club,” I say, telling him not to insult Italians if he doesn’t want me insulting his club.
“Oh no. Don’t you start speaking WOP to me.” He breaks out in a full smile now. He’s always so serious and quiet, fading into the background, when I’m around. I can’t help the smile that overtakes my face at the sight of Ian so relaxed for once. “You’re talking to me,” I say, a little surprised.
“Don’t think this means we’re best friends or something.”
Rolling my eyes at him, I try to keep the mood playful, even if the nerves in my stomach feel like they’re about to go Chernobyl on me. I might need to sleep for a year after the day I’ve had. “Don’t worry, the position’s been filled.”
“So I’ve heard. Just don’t go taking any cues from her. I don’t want to have to kick a brother’s ass for fucking around with you.” Biting my lip, I look down, and the entire room goes silent. All of the shame and guilt floods to the surface in this moment. Ian’s laughter dies immediately, and Jim clears his throat. I can’t see them, but I can feel all of their eyes on me.
“What’s going on here?” Jim asks. Pushing off the counter, he comes to stand beside me. Gently lifting my chin, he says, “What happened?”