Page 62 of Dangerous Games

I also told her a tiny lie.

Sunday dinner doesn’t start around dinnertime. It starts mid-afternoon so we can all have drinks and catch up before dinner is ready. I didn’t want to freak her out by adding more pressure than she’s already feeling.

Just as I’m buttoning the last button on my shirt, the security app on my phone alerts me that someone has entered my house. Grabbing my gun off my dresser, I stroll out of my room and hit the stairs. Part of me hopes it’s someone who had to balls to break into my house so I can kill them. I really think it would take the edge off.

I hear a bottle clink as I hit the last step, signaling that they’ve decided to help themselves to my bar in my study. I walk down the hall, rounding the corner with my gun aimed in the direction of the bar.

“Aldo is going to be pissed if you make him have to fix me up when we have family dinner tonight,” Alessio says with his back to me.

“Why are you in my fucking house?” I ask, lowering my gun and tucking it into the waist of my pants.

“Family meeting before dinner,” he answers, taking his drink and making himself comfortable in one of the leather chairs.

“Why is it at my house?”

“I don’t know.” Alessio shrugs. “I don’t make the rules.”

“Oh, you’re making Old Fashioneds?” Enzo says, coming into the room and eyeing Alessio’s glass. Enzo grabs me by the shoulders and gives me a shake in greeting. “I’ve missed your stupid face. You’ve been too busy buried balls deep in the woman upstairs; I’m surprised you came out to breathe.”

I growl as I reach for my gun and fire a round off near Enzo’s foot, missing on purpose.

“Oh, so it’s like that?” Enzo laughs as he jumps out of the way. “I knew something was up. Never thought I’d see the day you would go down, let alone be the next one. Is that why we’re here?”

“I’m assuming,” Alessio answers as I continue to glare at Enzo.

“I swear to god if one of you is shot, I’m not cleaning you up. It’s fucking Sunday for god’s sake,” Aldo says as he strolls into the room, taking a seat next to Alessio. “I’ll take one of those, though.”

Alessio sighs as he sets his glass down on the side table and pushes out of his seat. I watch as he sets two glasses out.

“Are you seriously only making these two idiots one and not me when it’s my house and my booze?” I ask.

“You didn’t say you wanted one.” Alessio shrugs as he grabs another glass and begins making the drinks. When he’s finished, he reaches into my decorative glass container that holds my drink umbrellas.

“Oh, no. You assholes aren’t worthy of an umbrella. They’re for invited guests only,” I tell him as I take the umbrellas out of his hand.

“Family doesn’t need an invitation to come over,” Alessio says as he plucks them out of my hand and places them in the drinks. Enzo and Aldo snort as they accept their drinks.

“You would have known about this if you had bothered to check your messages,” Matteo says as he strolls in, the last to arrive. “I texted you this morning that we were meeting at your place today. I’ll take one of those.” He nods at Alessio.

I slump down in a chair. “I was busy this morning.”

“With a certain woman who lives above the pizzeria?” Matteo asks as he eyes me. I grunt in response. “Ma told Wren you’re bringing her to family dinner.”

“Whoa, that’s huge,” Aldo says. “I’ve seen her around, but it’ll be nice to officially meet her.”

“Ma has a big mouth,” I grumble.

“I’m surprised your crazy ass hasn’t scared her away yet.” Enzo laughs.

“I would have thought her seeing you with someone’s cut-off hand or dragging a dead body across the alley would have scared her off. This life isn’t for everyone,” Matteo says, his tone making me side-eye him.

“Jesus, you never do anything half-assed.” Aldo shakes his head.

“Yeah, well, you guys better not embarrass me in front of her today,” I warn them all, my eyes lingering on Matteo.

Enzo snorts. “I don’t think we’re the ones you need to worry about. You can take care of that all on your own.”

“What is this meeting for?” I ask Matteo, ignoring the rest of them.