Page 4 of Alive and Kicking
Viv distracts me from my musings by finding my eyes over the table. God, she’s perfect. I was looking forward to Cain and Nox explaining our jobs to her later, but I guess that will have to wait now. The mother of my future children hasn’t even gotten to sleep in her new room, and things have already gone off the rails. Maybe if I find a sex trafficking ring or something, we could go on a spree. It would be so hot to actually get to see her in action.
Getting a boner while sitting next to your girl’s dad the first time you meet him probably doesn’t leave the best impression. I doubt he’ll notice though. What kind of guy checks out his daughter’s future husband’s junk?
When Viv breaks eye contact, I’m sure she doesn’t even realize what I’m thinking about, because there would be that distinct pink tint on her cheeks that she swears isn’t a blush if she did. When she gasps in outrage, I turn expecting to see that the flirty waitress has returned, but all I find is Viv staring forlornly at the empty appetizer plates.
That’s when the waitress reappears. I really should know her name. She’s usually the one who serves us when we come here and she tells us every time we come in, but I can never remember. She passes out our food before reaching for the empty plates. “Are you guys done with these?”
“Wait!” Viv shouts, leaning forward to grab the two ramekins half-full of beer cheese.
The waitress just stares at her for a moment before collecting the now empty plates. When she hurries away, I smirk at Viv as she dips a French fry into one of the cups of beer cheese while Don shakes his head like he has no idea how Viv turned out this way. “So, how’s everyone back home?” she asks with her mouth full.
Don sighs, “Don’t talk with your mouth full, Viviana. Everyone left is fine. I’ve got some files for you to check over though. I need to figure out who to promote. Figured that could be your job since you killed all the people I need to replace.”
Viv narrows her eyes at him, but swallows her mouthful before speaking again, “You’re the one who sent those men to their deaths. Why should I be the one responsible for it?”
Cain leans back in the booth. “Because in three years you take over anyway, and those people will still be in the ranks when you take over. Now is your chance to build the family how you want to.”
She turns to him with her lips slightly pursed. “Fine. I’ll take care of it. How do you think Enzo would feel about moving up? If I want anyone as underboss, it would be him.”
Don scratches under his chin. “I don’t know. You know how he is. He likes being the enforcer.”
Viv shrugs. “True,” she huffs, staring down at her plate for a moment. “What about Kian? He’s pretty smart. I think it would be a good fit for him. He’s done good in the family, plus he’s a good guy.”
Cain huffs, “He’s a mobster.”
Viv raises one brow. “Seriously, that again? That coming from the guy who has taken care of…” She pauses to count on her fingers. “Five bodies for me. You can judge all you want, but weboth know you’re just as criminal as we are,” she hisses under her breath at him.
Don waves Cain off with an easy flap of his hand. “I think Kian is a great choice.”
Viv hums. “I’d like to see those files before I make any more decisions.”
Her dad smiles at her. “Of course. Now why don’t you tell me what’s been going on between the murder and mayhem?”
Viv grumbles under her breath, but relents. She tells him all about her classes and Sandy, her eyes lighting up as she recounts some of the lessons Cain taught. She tells him about sociology class and how she’d already known most of it because of the tutors he hired. It’s good to see her so animated as she talks to her dad. I know she doesn’t talk about him much, but I also know that even if she’s pissed at him, she’s missed him too.
When we finish eating, Don pays the bill and we head back to the house. Though he doesn’t come back in with us. Instead, he brings a black briefcase to Viv at the entryway and presses a soft kiss to her cheek. “I’ve got to get back. I can’t be gone for long, especially now that I’ve got no under-boss. The family is bound to fall apart if I leave Enzo in charge for too long.”
Viv gives him a soft smile, and I just know that she’s close to forgiving him. “Don’t forget to call,” she tells him with narrowed eyes.
He rolls his eyes. “I’ll be sure to get your new number from Enzo when I get back. I’m not stupid. I know he helped you get here.”
Viv’s cheeks flush. “I’ll answer if you call,” she says, kicking the floor beneath her.
Don smiles at that. “I love you, Bambolotta?2.”
“I love you too…” She waits for him to walk out to continue, “Even though you're named after a teenage mutant ninja turtle.”Then she closes the door in his face when he turns back to say something.
Viviana
lean back against the door I just closed between my dad and me. What the hell do I do now? Being named as the next head of the family will put a target on my back. I can’t do that to the guys. Sure, I know they’re into some shady shit, but being involved with me once it gets out is going to put them in danger.
I look up at them, and they all just stare back at me like they’re waiting for me to freak out. Unfortunately for them, I know how to compartmentalize like a freaking pro. Pushing away from the door, I head toward the stairs. “I have some more unpacking I need to do.”
None of the guys stop me as I make my way up to the third floor. I unlocked the door between the main house and my apartment the second I got in there, so I’m able to go up the larger stairs the guys use to get to their rooms. I flop onto my bed and tug my laptop over to me.
After a few clicks, I have Zillow open looking for apartments to rent in the area. School has already let out for the summer so there aren’t many options available. I find one just out of my price range and frown, considering it. It’s better than the tiny, run-down apartments still on the market for a month-to-month renter.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Zane’s snaps at me.
