Scar
I sit at the bar in the Oak Club and sip a fine whiskey. It’s peaty, warm, almost sweet. I hold it up to the light and watch the gold glow.
“You guys ever think we’d end up like this?” I ask, not looking at my brothers, but knowing they’re beside me.
Eros says, “Not once. But here we are.”
“I kind of figured I’d get hitched,” Ford admits. “But I never thought I’d actually like her.”
“Same,” Carmine says and laughs. “I figured I’d get stuck with some mafia princess brat.”
“Strange, how it goes,” I say, grinning at them. “Here’s to family.”
“Here’s to that,” Eros echoes.
We toast each other. Four of the five men in the Atlas Organization. “I wish Lanzo were here,” Ford says with a sigh.
“He’ll be back,” Eros says, then hesitates and shrugs. “Or maybe not. You never know with that guy.”
“He’s going to be really surprised to hear that all four of his friends are married.” I turn to look at the nearby table where are wives are sitting. Kat and Brice. Cara and Rita. All four of them beautiful, laughing together. Some drinking, some not.
“What made you change your mind?” Eros asks, leaning an elbow on the bar. “It seemed like you were hell-bent on moving to Boston and making a stupid mistake.”
“Priorities,” I say, tilting my head side to side. “I realized I’d end up miserable if I kept pushing forward. After a while, it just became… obvious.”
“What was obvious?” Ford asks.
“That I loved her and would rather have a family with her than reach the next level.” I sip my whiskey, smiling.
“Fuck the next level,” Carmine says. “I like this one.” He’s looking back at his wife too and grinning.
Rita extracts herself from the group of girls and comes over to me. She’s wearing the shoes I bought for her first day of work. I pull her into my lap and kiss her, which makes all the guys groan. Eros flicks water in my direction.
“Jealous pricks,” I say, grinning at them.
“Can I borrow Scar for a second?” Rita asks. “I’ll return him, I promise.”
“Keep him,” Eros says. “Worthless lawyer.”
“You three would be in jail a dozen times over if it weren’t for me,” I say, waving as I stand. “Be back soon.”
Rita pulls me way from the bar, into the main lobby. We stand under the massive oak tree as other patrons mill about the space. She tilts her chin up, asking for a kiss. I’m happy to oblige.
“I don’t actually need anything,” she says, heading her head to my chest. “I just wanted to see you for a minute.”
“Can’t keep your hands to yourself, huh?”
“Guess not. I am pretty pent-up.”
“Of course you are. I haven’t fucked you in-what, six hours?”
“The worst six hours of my life.” She groans, eyes rolling back. “It’s awful.”
“You horny girl.”
“I have a very healthy relationship with my sexuality. Are you complaining?”
“Not at all.” I kiss her again. “I want to take you somewhere. Call it a real honeymoon.”
Her eyebrows arch. “You think I can get time off work already?”
“Do whatever you’re comfortable with. Soon, in a few weeks, in a few months, whatever. I’m not going anywhere. But I demand ten days, minimum.”
“Ten days? Greedy boy.”
“Damn right I’m greedy. Blame yourself for that.”
She smiles, sighs, kisses my neck, and nods. “You’ll get your ten days.”
“Good. Now, should we get back in there? You’re getting along with the other girls really well.”
“They’re good people. I like Cara, I wish she lived closer.”
“We’ll see them plenty, don’t you worry.” I squeeze her hand as we turn back to the bar. “I love you, Rita. You know that?”
“I know that,” she says, eyes twinkling. “I guess I love you too.”
I laugh, leading her back to the group, where we’re greeted with warmth and laughter-a family I never knew I needed until I found it.