Page 35 of Possessive Mafia Vows

“Where are you, Kyle?”

“Right now?” I’m stalling. I can’t allow my mom to distract me before I know where Nick is going with Sienna. “I’m in the car.”

Silence.

Then Seamus stops the car and says, “The eagle has landed.”

We’re outside a restaurant in Brooklyn. I can see Nick holding the passenger door of the taxi open for Sienna. She climbs out, folds her coat across her chest, and stares at the white columns flanking the entrance and the gold lettering on the windows.

“I’m outside Gage and Tollner, Mom,” I speak into the handset. “Can you meet me for lunch?”

I make a reservation and wait for Mom to arrive.

By request, we’re directed to a table near the back of the busy restaurant, where I can see Nick Morris’s profile. Sienna is obstructed by a huge potted fern. I’ll know if she stands up, but until then, I’m more interested in her companion.

“You need to visit Caleb and Victoria.” Mom doesn’t even glance at the menu. “You haven’t seen your niece yet. She won’t be a baby for long.”

“I know. I will. I’m waiting till they’re home and settled in a bit.”

It’s an icebreaker; this isn’t the reason she called.

“What’s going on, Kyle? You looked so well, so … happy when you came back from Ireland.”

“I’m still happy.”

I order a pitcher of water from the server. She orders a brandy, neat. The smile fades as soon as he walks away. “This is me you’re talking to, Kyle. You’re back a week and already asking Terry to make inquiries about a cosmetic surgeon.”

“I didn’t ask Terry to make inquiries .” My eyes instinctively slide Nick’s way.

“I take it this is the guy sitting at nine o’clock with Sienna now.” Her expression doesn’t alter. I should’ve known she would register everyone in the restaurant before we sat down.

“His name is Nick Morris. He’s Sienna’s surgeon.”

“They’re not discussing invasive procedures over a steak and a bottle of red wine though.” She clasps her hands in front of her on the table. “Why are we here, Kyle? What’s bothering you?”

This is one of the things I love about Mom. She might not always agree with what her sons get up to, but she’ll listen to our reasons and form an opinion once armed with all the information.

I talk her through my first meeting with Nick Morris at the gallery opening.

“I wish I’d been there.” She shakes her head and follows the server’s progress as he returns with our drinks. “I’d have pulled him up on it.” She sips her brandy and studies me closely.

“Something doesn’t sit right with me.” Aside from the fact that we share the same violent asshole father.

I can’t mention Caelan to her. I haven’t even decided if I’ll mention him to Terry yet. The name is too close to home for all of us, and we need to remain objective about whatever the hell Nick is playing at.

“Okay.” Mom sits back in her seat. “I believe you. What do you want me to do?”

I shake my head. “Nothing. I can handle it.”

She flattens her lips together. “Firstly, whatever this is, we handle it as a family. Come on, Kyle. When have any of you ever had to resolve a problem alone?”

I fill my glass with water and drink half of it, tracking the cold liquid inside me. “Never.”

“Secondly, we make sure she’s being watched around the clock. We don’t want a repeat performance of what happened with Olivia Dragonetti.”

“Someone else is already stalking her. And she thinks it’s for me.”

“Okay.” She’s unfazed. “Terry will deal with that one.” She hasn’t glanced around at Sienna and Nick, but she’ll know the instant they move. Mom has a built-in antenna for this kind of thing.

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