Page 83 of Straightened Out

And just like that,myheart grows ten times in size.

Chapter 27

Rocco Spinelli

Violet finally fell asleep around two o’clock in the morning, but not me. I couldn’t fucking sleep if my life depended on it. So, I took myself downstairs, poured myself a drink and drove myself crazy trying to figure out what the fuck I was supposed to do next. Playing house with Violet was a nice distraction, but between Rienzi revealing Uncle Vic was being transferred to another federal prison and Parrish eluding to a war brewing, I needed to up my game.

I just didn’t know how.

You see, I was at a disadvantage.

I had a bunch of posers in my circle, people waiting on bated breath for me to fail. The only person I trust is miles away in the sunshine state and when he gets word that I’m not only in a relationship with his sister but also moving at warp speed and moving her into my house—well, I’m sure he’ll have some choice words for me. Of course that’s assuming he doesn’t kill me first.

Christ, what a fucking mess.

The buzzer sounds, interrupting my thoughts and I slowly lift my head. My gaze shoots toward the door and the instant my eyes lock with my uncle’s, my throat tightens. The man is a fucking enigma. Only he can wear an orange jumpsuit and pearly white canvas sneakers and still look as dapper as if was wearing one of the three-thousand-dollar suits that hangs in his closet. It should also be noted that the man looks as healthy as a horse. I mean, if I didn’t know him, I surely wouldn’t think he’s dying.

Hell, he looks better than me.

The man may be refusing treatment and the cancer might be making a war zone out of his insides, but on the outside—it’s business as usual. I guess that’s what happens when a man still some fight in him and driven by a great force. I’m no fan of Jack Parrish, but he said something that resonated with me when he showed up on my doorstep. It was that whole sermon about heart and how you’re nothing without—it struck a chord.

Real men have heart.

They have people they love.

People they trust.

People they will gladly sacrifice and die for.

Family.

Everything Uncle Vic has done has been to protect his wife, Grace, and their daughters Adrianna, and Nikki. It’s admirable to say the least and if I live long enough to see this shit through, I hope to become half the man he is.

Power is nice, but it’s not everything.

“Well, if it isn’t my favorite nephew,” Uncle Vic greets as he approaches the table.

Drawing out a breath, I round the table to pay respect to the man who has upended my life.

“You look good,” I tell him.

“You’re a shit liar,” he retorts, tipping his chin to the seat on the other side of the table. “Sit.” Nice to see prison hasn’t changed Uncle Vic—he still has the ability to see right through me. On the contrary, though, I for one think I’ve become an expert liar and I have good ‘ol Uncle Vic to thank for my newfound talent.

“Still can’t manage to wear a fucking tie, can you?”

Flashing him a grin, I shrug my shoulders.

“It’s in the car.”

“It belongs around your fucking neck,” he growls, shaking his head in disgust. The cocky grin fades from my face as I stare at him. This is the last time we’re going to see one another and here he is, breaking my balls.

“Oh, c’mon, Uncle Vic,” I complain. “Did you just summon me here to bust my chops?”

His lips form a thin line as he continues to silently scrutinize me. A couple of seconds pass before he sighs and crosses his arms against his chest.

Here we go.

This is the part where he reminds me I wasn’t a choice, only a last resort. An underserving heir to a kingdom.

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