Page 56 of Captivated

That wasn’t his style.

“Yeah,” Cory continued, “so when you say maybe you met a woman, I’m gonna stop and ask about her, fucker. Because I know that means something to you just based on the way you are with females. So, what’s her name, and don’t try that ignorant shit with me again or I’ll bust your mouth.”

Had it been any other man …

Any other time …

Joe likely would have stood up for that challenge, and dared his brother—or whoever—to go ahead and fucking try it. He got his kicks out of that kind of shit, but especially with Cory considering the two had grown up beating the hell out of each other every chance they could.

But tonight, it just amused him.

Because it meant Cory gave a fuck.

“Liliana Marcello,” Joe said.

As soon as he said it, he plucked up the drink he hadn’t touched all night—three fingers of whiskey—and downed it in one single go. Because yeah, he needed a drink after admitting that.

Cory whistled low. “Damn. If that ain’t playing with some kind of fucking fire, I don’t know what is.”

Joe shrugged. “She’s …”

“Are you gonna give me some sappy shit, or …?”

Not even thinking about it, Joe struck out with his fist, and punched Cory right in the gut. His brother doubled over with a half-laugh, and half-moan. The commotion gained the attention of several patrons in the opening bar, but since it was mob-owned, and Joe recognized most of the faces, he just grinned and waved a hand.

These people knew how the Rossi brothers were.

“You are a fucker,” Cory said in a sneer as he stood straight again.

“Says the fucker who probably helped make me this way,” Joe countered.

Cory considered that before admitting, “Truth.”

Joe gave his brother another look. “No, I wasn’t going to be sappy. I haven’t grown a cunt in my absence, you shithead.”

“What, then?”

The two leaned against the bar, and watched the bartender down the way serve drinks with a fun flair to the people on the other side. Silent for the moment, it gave Joe the chance to think over his words before he just blurted something stupid out.

Plus, he didn’t exactly know how to describe Liliana, or what he thought and felt about her. It was complicated, and difficult. She was also different, and wonderful. Beautiful like nobody else. A fucking star in his eyes—captivating him with nothing more than a smile and a twirl.

“Ma would love her,” Joe said.

Cory stiffened beside him. “Oh?”

“She’s that kind of woman, you know.”

“Huh.”

“That’s all you’ve got to say?”

Cory’s gaze met Joe’s and he replied, “That’s all I need to say.”

“There’s strange shit going on down in New York, though, and I can’t really say I like it.”

“That sounds bad.”

“A little.”