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“We’re in the process of updating all our security systems at the houses, apartments, and businesses,” Luca said, nodding.
“Good. That will make sure no one can sneak up on you again. I’m going to assign some of my men to work solely on getting Family intel. You might want to consider doing the same. You have a lot to lose with the docks here,” he said, waving out the window at the ships coming in to dock.
“Yeah. We’re not risking any of it. We have a lot of women and kids to look after too.”
“How’s the girl?” Lorenzo asked. “Josie, right?”
“Yeah,” I said, nodding. “She’s doing great. Especially considering all she’s been through.”
“Does she like animals?” Brio asked, making me turn to look at him, brows furrowed. “What? Chicks, they like to cuddle something when they’re recovering. That’s all I’m saying,” he said, running a hand over Luca’s paperweight.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I said, nodding.
“Brio’s weirdness aside,” Lorenzo said, shrugging, “dogs are never a bad idea. Always good to layer your security. Alright. It seems like you got it all covered,” he told us, making his way to Luca, and shaking his hand. “If you need anything, you know how to get in touch with me.”
“Same here,” Luca said, nodding.
“Nah, Luca, you don’t want to promise me that. We’ve got a world of shit going on,” Lorenzo said, giving us a tired smile. “Take care,” he said, pushing Bio out the door ahead of him.
“I might have a lead on a sweet blue-nosed pit puppy,” Brio said past Lorenzo’s shoulder. “Let me know if you need it.”
“You wouldn’t know from interacting with him that I once saw him snip someone’s toes off one by one with garden shears,” Massimo said as he walked in after they left.
“That’s a great visual,” I grumbled.
“Tell me you wouldn’t cut someone’s toes off for Josie. Just try,” he said, shaking his head. “I heard how you went after that fuck in the basement when you got back to the house.”
“The difference is, he would do it for his woman, not for shits and giggles. Brio is a different breed of man entirely,” Luca said, shrugging.
“That’s fair. So are you getting her a dog?” Massimo asked, dropping down at my desk.
“The holidays are coming up,” Luca added.
“She hasn’t even moved in yet,” I said, shaking my head.
“Oh, please. She might still have shit at her old place, but she’s been moved in since you picked her up from the hospital. Get her some moving boxes and get it over with already. Have Nino do the move,” Massimo said, smirking at the idea of his brother being forever indebted to Josie.
We hadn’t really discussed the moving in thing yet. I mean, yeah, I was pretty sure it went without saying, but maybe they were right, and it was something we needed to talk about.
Interestingly enough, though, I wouldn’t have to find a way to broach the topic without freaking out Josie.
Because when I pulled back into my driveway, Nino was grabbing boxes out of the back of Marcie’s SUV.
“Hey, Nino,” I called, climbing out of my car.
“I’m just the pack mule. You’re gonna have to talk to the girls to get answers,” he said, readjusting the boxes, then waiting for me to move in front of him.
Curious, I made my way up the front path to find Marcie and Josie in the hallway, trying to figure out where to set up a massive mirror that was propped up at the opening of the hall.
“Hey baby,” I called.
“Hey sweetie,” Marcie called back, blowing me a kiss. “We’ve been wondering when you would get home. Help us move the mirror over to the end of the hall. We’ve been running Nino ragged for hours. Josie is moving in,” she added.
“I can see that,” I agreed, looking over at the woman in question.
“I know we should have—“
“This is her place now too. Got it, Mr. Mafia Man?” Marcie asked, always ready to go to bat—even literally—for Josie who she deemed as too sweet to do so for herself.
“I was actually just thinking about that myself,” I said, nodding, watching the relief make Josie’s shoulders loosen. “And I like that she has you to look out for her, Marce, but I promise you I always have Josie’s best interest at heart.”
“Ugh,” Marcie grumbled, exhaling hard. “You’re such a good guy that it’s exhausting,” she declared.
“You’re just mad that you didn’t get to hit anyone with a bat,” Josie teased.
“Listen, I psyched myself up for hours to drive over here to whoop some mafia ass. You can’t blame me for being disappointed,” Marcie said. “I’m getting coffee. Who wants some?” she asked, but charged off before anyone could answer.
“Have I mentioned that I really like her?” I asked, reaching for Josie, pulling her up against me for a kiss.
