Manda was already on it, holding the stems of six wine glasses between her fingers. “On the porch?”
I grinned at her. “You know it.”
As I pushed open the sliding door with my foot, I stepped outside and set the bottles of wine on the beautiful outdoor setting. The moment the men followed Manda and me out, I couldn’t help but notice the conversation between Twitch and Vander stopped as Twitch’s soft brown eyes darkened a notch. He lost his smile, and I hated that.
I filled glasses and handed them out, but when Vander declined, he brogue was thick. “I brought a bottle of Scotch with me, but I didn’t think we’d be startin’ this early.”
At that, Twitch muttered a cool, “Grab it. Fuck knows I could use a drink.”
Vander’s lips pursed, and when he disappeared, the conversation lapsed into an uncomfortable silence. The second he returned with the bottle, Twitch tapped his tumbler. Vander poured a couple of fingers. Twitch tapped the glass again. Vander poured a little more. But Twitch shot his brother-in-law a look that said, “You better fill that fucker up,” so Vander did. And I watched as Twitch downed half the glass in one fell swoop.
“Honey,” I started, but Twitch just looked at me, almost daring me to finish my sentence. And because I was who I was and Twitch was who he was, I knew he needed today to be reckless, so I gave him that.
Papa Tony faced Zep and began foolishly with, “Your brother—”
Oh, that did not go well. Not with Zep and not with Twitch.
Zep scoffed. “He’s not my brother.”
“Damned right, I ain’t,” returned Twitch acidly.
Zep glared at Twitch. “What’s your problem?
“I don’t got one.” Twitch barked out a laugh. “But I can see you do, bitch.”
Zep smiled viciously. “You just call me a bitch? You got some balls on you.”
“Boys,” Papa Tony cut in, pacifying.
Twitch held his bitter stare. “Yeah, I’m callin’ you a bitch.” He sat back, looking him up and down. “Spoiled little rich-ass bitch, got everything in the world handed to him. Sad little entitled motherfucker actin’ all jealous, because—”
Zep’s eyes flashed. “I ain’t jealous.”
“—I got Daddy’s fuckin’ name.” Twitch ended by raising his arms, and the more angry he got, the more hood his accent turned. “You want the name? Take it, bro. I don’t fuckin’ want it. Fuck knows it ain’t ever done me no good.”
Zep’s lips thinned, then he clarified quietly, “I ain’t jealous.”
Twitch downed the rest of his tumbler, and when he peered over at Vander with his darkened gaze, Vander filled him up without question. And when Twitch downed another half of his full glass, his eyes became bleary, as he uttered, “Good. I’m glad you ain’t jealous.” He ran his fingers along the outside of his glass before scoffing out a laugh. “The fuck would make you jealous of me?” Those soft brown eyes hooded dangerously. “My stepfather beating on me from the time I was a fuckin’ baby? Livin’ on the streets? Eatin’ out of the fuckin’ trash? The years I spent in juvie?” He let out a harsh, humorless laugh before drawling out a hushed, “While you were safe at home with your mom and pops, I spent my entire life near death, bein’ let down by every fucker who was meant to be protectin’ me. Your life turned you into a prince. My life turned me into a fuckin’ animal.” He sipped at the Scotch, licking his lips. “You had your shit handed to you on a silver platter, my man, while I built an empire from scratch. Made millions. Earned respect from my peers. Was called a motherfuckin’ king in these parts.” His eyes narrowed on his brother. “Had little bitches like you too scared to say my goddamn name out loud.” Twitch shook his head slowly. “You got nothin’ on me. I don’t know you. I don’t wanna know you. But that woman—” He pointed at me harshly. “—is the most important thing in my life, and she wants to get to know you, so I’mma shut my fuckin’ mouth right now and let this shit happen because it’ll make her happy. And when she’s happy, I’m happy.”
My heart warmed.
Also... oh, no.
No one dared to speak.
So Twitch looked around the table before landing on his brother and smirking sharply. “Does my existence make you uncomfortable?”
Zep turned to his father. “Think I’mma head out.”
Papa Tony looked positively heartbroken, and when his eyes scanned Twitch’s hard face, he began softly, placating, “Tony—”
A loud thump sounded, making my body jolt, and when Twitch’s balled fist came down on the table hard enough to shake the table, we all watched the wine glasses jolt then fall, followed by the shrill sound of glass shattering as one rolled off the edge of the table to the ground. And when Twitch spoke, I’d never heard such raw fury.
His expression manic, his eyes lowered, he spoke through gritted teeth, and my entire body broke out into goose bumps. “My name is Twitch.” He kept his voice low. “Christened on the streets by my real family, Pops.” He said Pops like it was a derogatory word.
Twitch turned to face Zep. “You don’t want a brother?” His lips pursed as he nodded. “No issues here, man, but...”
All of a sudden, he got up and strode back into the house. We all looked around at each other, unsure of what was happening, but when Twitch returned to his seat, he held in his hands something that made my heart stutter.
He held the photo between his fingers and held it out to Zep. “But this little boy—” He paused to turn the photograph toward his own face and he looked down at our son fiercely. “—this beautiful little boy—” He turned the photo back to his brother. “—he’s got your blood running through his veins, and he don’t got much family. I know he’d love another uncle, a real uncle, and you’d fuckin’ love him too because he’s goddamn lovable. So, make a decision, man. In or out?” He shot him an unemotional glance. “I’ll let you take your anger at your pops out on me because you don’t mean shit to me, but I dare ya to try that shit on my kid.” His eyes narrowed perilously, and his voice was just over a whisper. “I fuckin’ dare ya.” The cold stare extended to his father. “And you....”
Twitch stopped himself, shaking his head rapidly and letting out a harsh breath. He stood so quickly the chair he sat on flew backward with a bang that made my heart pound, and when he strode toward me, I sat up straighter, expectantly.
Looking thoroughly distressed, he took my head in his hands and put his face close to mine, his eyes imploring. “I thought I could do it, but I can’t.” The kiss he planted on my lips was bruising.
I watched him walk into the house and heard the front door slam behind him. His car started, and then he was gone.
Chapter
ThirtyFour
Twitch
It was late when I drove back from Julius and Ana’s. I shouldn’t have been driving at all, but I wanted to get home to my girl. I hadn’t seen my son all day, and I knew he’d be in bed, but I still needed to see him before I passed out, which I felt would be soon. So I drove slowly, as carefully as a drunken man could.
The moment I pulled into the driveway, the front door opened and Lexi stepped out of the house in her tiny silken robe, her face drawn, her mouth tight, looking apprehensive as fuck. And I felt like an asshole.
I stepped out of the car and approached slowly on unstable legs. Why I said what I did was anyone’s guess, but I announced it magnificently. “I’m drunk.”
“I know.” She pressed into my side, sliding a shoulder under my arm, and I relaxed, putting my weight on her. “Julius called.” She looked up at me, her eyes warm, but her tone was irritated. “You should have let him call you a cab.”
“I know,” I told her because she was right. How lucky a prick was I to have this woman who loved me and put that shit down unconditionally? She was everything that was good in this screwed up world, and she was mine. My lips pulled up at the sides as I squinted through heavy lids. “Do you even know how much I love you?”