“And that doesn’t feel off to you?” Cecilia dabs the edge of her lips with a napkin with a look of concern. “You were blackedout and unknowingly woke up married, but didn’t find out until a year later.”
“Maybe I’m being naïve, but no.” I glance at Luciano, then down at my lap. “That wasn’t the first time something like that’s happened. The marriage is, of course, but drinking so much I have no recollection?” I shake my head. “After that night, I quit drinking like that. I’ll have a drink or two when I’m with you guys, but that night pushed me past limits I was comfortable with, and obviously for good reason. I’m barely learning half of what happened.”
“So after you figured out you were married, you went to Luciano for help?” Sully follows up.
“Correct,” Luciano confirms in a bored tone. “You realize the questions you’re asking have already been addressed, right?”
“Just trying to wrap my head around it.” Sully pops another piece of sushi into his mouth.
As though she can tell I’m starting to get uncomfortable, Cecilia turns to Nixon, and in a tone lower than her normal speaking voice, engages him in conversation.
“So, Nixon, how are you liking New York? I know you’ve been here for a while now, but are you feeling settled?” She picks up a gyoza between her chopsticks and brings it to her lips.
“If by settled, you mean overpaying for a shoebox-sized apartment, then yes, I’m settled.”
“How’s the new job going?” Sully asks him.
“I didn’t know you got a new job!” I swivel on my seat to face Nixon better. “Congrats! What are you doing?”
Pushing away his empty plate, he drops his napkin on top of it, then leans back, relaxing against his chair. “I’m a personal protection officer at a private agency.”
“Oh, wow! I had no idea.” I guess I’ve been pretty wrapped up in everything going on in my own life that I’ve failed to check in with those around me.
“Yeah, I have some experience under my belt, and they put me through additional courses my first couple weeks there.”
“Do you have any clients yet?”
“Nothing long-term, just daily assignments so far.”
“Think you’ll stick around New York a while, then?” For a while, Nixon was having a hard time finding a place he could afford and was considering going back to California.
He smirks, tipping his head at Sly to pull him into the conversation. “Not if Cain has anything to say about it.”
Sly laughs and shakes his head, resting his arm across the back of his wife’s chair. “You didn’t tell me Cain wants you to come back.”
“It’s a new revelation. He just started calling this week.”
“Who’s Cain?” Cecilia asks, and I wonder the same. I vaguely remember the name being mentioned once, but I can’t recall anything else.
“Cain is the president of the motorcycle club Nixon and I were affiliated with,” Sly explains to all of us. “He’s a good man but can be a bit determined when he wants something.” Looking back at Nixon, he tells him, “Hopefully you will lock down a long-term client soon, otherwise he might show up and haul you back to Ridgewood kicking and screaming.”
“Shit, I might have to go willingly if I’m not set up with a long-term client soon. These rent prices are killing me.”
“I already told you I would be happy to make arrangements for a rental property?—”
“And I offered my place too, but someone’s too prideful,” Sully adds, looking mildly offended that Nixon didn’t take him up on his offer.
“I slept on Sly and Vinnie’s couch for long enough. I’m done imposing on my friends,” Nixon insists, and Sly claps him on the shoulder.
“We understand, amico.”
As the men continue their conversation, I look across the table and find my best friend watching me quietly, her features schooled so I can’t read them. I offer a smile, which she returns, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
Then she looks over at Luciano, noticing how his hand is brushing against the top of my shoulders.
Her brows furrow like something’s bothering her, and my heart almost stops beating. It’s several long seconds before she finally says what’s on her mind.
“Now what will happen, Luciano? Those men who attacked you might come back, or Javier will show up himself.” Her voice is timid, almost like she’s afraid to put it into the universe.
