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Cresthill has kept Payton and me busy. We’ve developed even more of the surrounding buildings, integrating them into the property. It’s grown into a safe place for those in various stages of retirement to call home in the middle of the city.
But tonight, Payton and I left the city, our other obligations, and made the journey here.
Everyone is in town for this party, so despite being busy, we’ve ventured out to Connecticut. To Ivy and Cyrus’s compound.
Once I park, I step out of the car and make my way to the passenger side. Throwing the door open, I help Payton stand and, hand-in-hand, we head up the large limestone steps that lead to the front entrance.
We’re not even one step inside before Lorenzo Amanté approaches us. “Look who finally graced us with his presence,” he chides.
His lips twist up into a smirk, but his gaze doesn’t match the smile on his face. He still looks pissed. At what, I don’t know, because who could tell with this fucker?
Lorenzo is probably the scariest person I’ve ever met, and luckily, I’ve never been the recipient of his hate.
I shake my head. “Shut up, Lorenzo.”
He falls into step with us as we make our way through the large ornate marble foyer and past the curved archway that leads to the expansive card room.
Instead of the usual tables set up for a Friday night game, there are cocktail tables in their place. In the corner, away from where most of the guests are gathered, is a table surrounded with the people we came to see.
My sister and Cyrus meet my gaze, and I lead Payton and Lorenzo over in that direction.
“Well, ever since you married my girl Payton, you’re a ghost. Just keepin’ it real.” He snickers.
Standing next to Cyrus, I turn and face Lorenzo, my lips tipping up into what I can assume looks like a shit-eating grin. “Wow…” I draw out. “This is a new look for you.”
His brows furrow, confusion clear in his gaze. “And what look would that be?”
My head cocks toward Payton. “Jealousy. Are you lonely, Lorenzo? Need me to find you a blow-up doll to keep you company at night?”
“And the look you’re sporting…” he fires back, his voice low. To anyone looking in, he looks like he wants to murder me, but I know better. If he were truly angry, I’d already be dead. “…is telling me you want to die tonight.”
“You guys.” Payton laughs, which makes Lorenzo smirk at me before pulling my wife into his arms.
“You’re my favorite Aldridge, you know?” he leans down, placing a kiss on her head.
“Hey!” Ivy shouts from across the cocktail table. “Not cool, Lorenzo. I’m sitting right here.”
“You’re not an Aldridge anymore,” my brother-in-law growls back. The man is crazy for my sister, and after everything they’ve been through, I’m happy she’s not an Aldridge in name any longer.
“He has a point, sis.” I shrug.
She nods with a soft smile before getting up from the table and stepping into Cyrus’s possessive arms.
“I’m so happy everyone could be here tonight.” Her voice is soft, but her eyes are full of love.
It’s crazy how we all came to be here, but as I look around the space, eyeing my friends and their wives, it’s remarkable that men like us have found this.
Peace.
In our world, serenity is practically unheard of.
“Well, no one but Lorenzo and I come on Friday nights anymore,” Gideon says as he steps up to the table, drink in hand. “You all have gone soft.”
All the men in the room laugh, including me at Gideon’s jab.
“You’re all pussy wiped,” Lorenzo agrees.
I can’t help but laugh harder. “Just wait.”
