Katia: Let me guess: you’re going to church.
I rolled my eyes at her teasing.
Leo: Yes, going with my dad. Add another notch to the “lame tally.”
Katia: I think it’s cute. My good little Catholic boy. Maybe you can save my infernal soul from damnation.
Leo: I think you’re doing just fine. Talk to you later.
Katia: Have fun with Jesus!
I chuckled, loving how effortlessly she teased me, and headed outside to meet Dad. I slid into the front seat and he smiled.
“Hey, son. How’s your weekend been so far?”
I tried not to smile like a lovesick idiot as I shrugged. “Pretty good. I, uh...there’s someone I’m kind of...seeing.”
Dad’s eyes grew wide as he shot me a quick glance. “Mildred’s daughter? She’s been trying to get you two together forever.”
Clearing my throat, I shook my head. “It’s someone from the city.” Gazing out the window, I debated how much to tell him. “I’m not sure you’d approve.”
He laughed and patted my thigh. “I think we’re both past the age where I have to approve of your girlfriends, Leo.”
“I know.” Dad had been an NYPD cop, and although he hadn’t informed for the mafia like I did, he’d worked with themin other ways. He hadn’t blurred the lines as much as I did, but he’d taken advantage of their resources to help him when needed. In return, he’d looked the other way when members of certain families were caught in minor infractions.
Still, he had a very distinct moral code, and I always tried to keep my dealings with the mafia separate from my relationship with him. If I started dating Katia exclusively, I’d have to break it to him that she worked for Michael eventually, so it was probably best to ease him into it now.
“Well, tell me about her.”
I rubbed my chin as I contemplated. “What if I told you that she used to be a stripper who worked her way up to an accountant.”
Dad’s features drew together. “Well, I guess we all start somewhere.”
I breathed a laugh. “What if she only has one client?”
He shot me a droll look. “Who’s the client?”
“Michael Caruso.”
His cheeks puffed as he exhaled a long, slow breath. “You never did anything halfway, son, I’ll give you that.”
“I know it’s a lot—”
“You have a good head on your shoulders,” he said, holding up a hand. “If you don’t have a problem with it, I don’t.”
My nostrils flared. “Honestly? I have abitof a problem with it, but she’s...” Leaning my head back on the seat, I envisioned Katia’s face and her gorgeous lips as they curved when she teased me. “She’s special, Dad. She’s smart as hell, and speaks three languages. She’s obviously great at math and...” I lifted a shoulder. “She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Hands down.”
“Wow.” The word lingered in the air as he contemplated. “Sounds like you really like her.”
“I do,” I said softly.
“So, when can I meet her?”
Laughing, I shook my head. “Let me figure out what the hell we’re doing first, and then I’ll bring her around.”
“Fair enough, but I’d like some grandbabies before I’m too old to pick them up.”
My eyebrows drew together. I’d always loved the idea of kids, but since I was a workaholic with a terrible relationship history, it just hadn’t happened. Did Katia want kids? I had no idea what she wanted in life. Maybe I could ask her over sushi? Or was that too soon? Lord, I was terrible at this. I functioned much better in my structured world of investigations and procedures. I had no idea how to navigate this thing I’d entered into with Katia, and I wanted to make sure I didn’t fuck it up before it began.
