“Two reasons, but since Bianci thinks he can waste my time just like the rest of you, I’ll give you the good news first,” I grunt, knowing any kind of news coming down the pipe from Victor is bound to give me a fucking headache. “I’m getting hitched.”
“Yeah, we know, got that woman of yours wearing a rock as big as Pipe’s dick,” Wolf taunts.
“She finally give you the green light?” Blackie asks.
“Yeah,” I grin. “One month from today Reina will officially become Property of Parrish.”
“Praise Jesus,” Pipe mocks, clasping his hands together as he stares up at the ceiling.
“So does that mean more of them family dinners you two like to put on?” Wolf probes.
“That means you idiots get to whip this shithole into shape because we’re having the wedding here.”
“Here?” Pipe asks incredulously.
“Where else would the Bulldog get married?” I reply.
“Clearly, this won’t be a black-tie affair,” Linc chimes in.
“Reina wants to keep it simple and I want to do whatever the fuck makes her happy,” I tell them. “Any of you have a problem with that?”
My eyes roam the table, daring one of them to speak before I settle my gaze on Blackie.
“And you, you’ll be at my side just as you are now,” I ground out.
“You asking me to be your best man?” Blackie queries, biting back a grin.
“It’s only fitting since Reina’s asking Lacey to be her maid of honor,” I mumble.
Blackie leans over, places his arm on my back and gives me a firm pat.
“I’ve got you, brother,” he says sincerely.
“I object, I mean I get it, he’s your VP and all that, but best man? Just tell me…was I even in the running?” Riggs questions.
The door opens and Bianci strolls through, leaving it open behind him.
“Well if it isn’t my favorite brother-in-law,” Riggs cheers, turning his attention to Anthony. I think the little fucker has ADD or some shit.
“Don’t recall you marrying my sister,” Bianci growls.
“Made her my Kitten, Bianci, that shit is worth more than my given name,” Riggs shoots back.
“You’re late,” I accuse, glancing over his shoulder at the open door. “Any particular reason?”
Bianci turns around as a suit comes through the door, not just any suit but Rocco Spinelli, the newest gangster wannabe to hit the streets.
For fuck’s sake, these mob folk are fucked, as Riggs would say.
And they always fucking wind up on my doorstep.
“What’s he doing here?”
“Parrish,” Rocco greets before diverting his eyes to my brothers. “Gentlemen,” he adds.
“That’s a first,” Wolf grunts. “Don’t recall the last time anyone called any of us a gentleman.”
“Your mother called me one last night when I bent her over,” Pipe retorts.
“My mother’s been dead ten years.”
“I’m not above it, man,” Pipe says matter-of-factly.
“Oh fuck, that’s wrong,” Deuce declares.
“Enough!” I shout, slamming my hand against the table, fixing Bianci with a hard stare. “Start talking,” I order.
Bianci shakes his head, blowing out a ragged breath as he runs his fingers through his hair roughly before turning back to Rocco.
“What’s the matter, Bianci? Cat got your tongue?” Blackie queries from beside me. His voice thick with agitation and suspicion.
“Apparently,” Rocco mutters, standing tall as his gaze falls onto me. “From this point forward I am the boss of the Pastore organization. I will handle all prior and future endeavors that carry my uncle’s name.”
“Your uncle?”
“Victor is my uncle,” He clarifies.
“What the fuck kind of bullshit is this?” I roar, rising from my chair. “And why am I finding this shit out now? Start fucking explaining, Bianci.”
“I knew he was his nephew. I didn’t know shit about him taking Victor’s place,” he sneers, glaring at Rocco. “That shit is as much of a new development to me as it is to you.”
“So, Vic pulled the wool over your eyes?” Blackie questions.
“Vic did what he had to do,” Rocco argues. “Now, you’ve worked with me in the past. I don’t think I need to remind you people of the massacre you left behind on my pier after I gave you the tip on Sun Wu’s shipment.” He raises an eyebrow as he unbuttons his fancy suit jacket and slides one hand into his pocket.
This fucking guy was Victor’s clone—just a younger version of the dapper don himself.
Wolf leans across Pipe, snaps his fingers at me to get my attention, and with his face set in stone he finally speaks.
“You want me to pop a cap in this fools ass?”
I couldn’t even ask God to help me. That son of a bitch turned his back on me a long time ago. No, this circus was all me, these monkeys were mine. Fuck my life.
“The way I see it, nothing has to change where your club and our organization is concerned. We all want the same thing—to be the only people who run these streets and keep them clean. I’m here to ensure that remains intact and give you my word I will raise hell and bury any motherfucker who pollutes my city with shit.”