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His hand lands on my upper thigh the instant I’m settled in my chair. I curl my fingers around his, hoping he understands how much it means to me that he’s willing to sit here under scrutiny and suffer through an uncomfortable meal with the Ballerini brothers.
At least my uncle is making an effort. He opens one of the pizza boxes. “Is this the new place that just opened up on Guild Street?”
Micah nods. “Conner swears it’s the best in town.”
Josh takes a slice and passes the box to me. “He’s having a great season. Tell him he’s got a lot of die hard fans down at the station.”
“He’ll like hearing that.”
My father stands, opens his wallet, and pulls out a handful of bills. “What do I owe you for the pizza?”
“Nothing.” Micah helps himself to two slices of pepperoni once I’ve added a slice to my own plate. “It’s on me.”
My father drops the money on the table anyway. Then he adds a crop of twenties to the pile. There has to be at least three hundred dollars there. “Take it. For your trouble. I’m sure it’ll come in handy.”
Micah bristles beside me. I can feel the tension lock in his muscles.
“Keep your money, Ballerini. Use it for your campaign instead.”
My father smiles but leaves the cash where it is. “Your mother says you make your living with your fists.”
Micah takes a large bite of pizza and eyes my father coldly while he takes his time chewing. “Not just my fists. I’ve got a pretty wicked kick too.”
Micah keeps the anger out of his voice. I don’t bother to keep it out of my own.
“Dad, Micah is a very talented fighter. He trains hard and he’s extremely impressive in the ring.”
My father sits back in his chair, taking in my harsh glare. I’m sure he also sees the way Micah turns to me with an appreciative grin.
Stuart Ballerini isn’t ready to stop poking the bear. “You know, Micah, there’s a big future waiting for you. If only you have the courage to take it. I know Matilda still has high hopes. After all, you’re the heir to Yellow Brick.”
“Theheir.” Micah chuckles over the word. “Yeah, plenty of courage required to become my mother’s office pet.”
Uncle Josh stands and reaches for the bottle of red wine I opened right before Micah’s arrival. “This is a good year,” he says after examining the label. He knows nothing about wine. “What do you say, Tess? Can I pour you some?”
I’m grateful for anything to defuse the tension. “Half a glass only. Thank you.”
Josh pours sloppily and then tips the bottle to Micah. “How about it?”
“I’ll pass. You wouldn’t want me to be impaired when I’m driving your niece around, right?”
Josh lowers the bottle. “Right.” The word sounds a little flat. “So you two have plans this evening?”
Micah nods and pins my uncle with his fierce gaze. His hand remains on my thigh, even climbs a few inches higher, like he’s charting his territory. “Yeah, I’ll be keeping Tess busy all night long.”
Perhaps I should be cringing. Micah has practically announced to my father and my uncle that he plans to screw me later.
But instead of being embarrassed, I feel the urge to laugh.
My father forcefully clears his throat. He does this only for attention, as if we’re children who need to be scolded. He folds his hands on the table and appraises Micah the way a general surveys the battle preparations of his enemy. “I knew your father well.”
Micah’s jaw visibly tightens. “That makes one of us. He was gone before I got the chance.”
The cold smile on my father’s face is a warning of things to come. “Ethan had a way of drawing all the attention in any room without even trying. He could also be imprudent with his choices at times. Good man, though, may he rest in peace.”
Micah doesn’t move a muscle. “That might be tough, the resting in peace part. Can’t really be at peace when you’re in pieces, can you?”
Clearly, my father is enjoying Micah’s rising anger. “If he were alive, I’m sure you’d like to make him proud.”
