Page 38 of Sully
“Look at him,” Sully nodded toward Tonio, who was now demonstrating to the bartender the proper way to mix some obscure cocktail, his movements fluid and precise despite the alcohol.“He knew what you were doing from the start.He’s playing your game, but changing the rules.”
I studied my father with new eyes, noting the way he’d loosened up without losing control, the way he commanded the room while still making everyone feel included.It was masterful, and I couldn’t help but admire the skill behind it.
“Did I just get played at my own game?”I whispered back to Sully.
He pressed a kiss to my temple.“You both won.Different prizes, though.”
As if sensing our conversation, Tonio glanced over, catching my gaze for a moment.There was an acknowledgment of the small battle we’d waged across the dinner table, but also a small salute of respect when he raised his glass to me before taking a sip.
“You know, Tonio,” I said, loud enough for everyone to hear, “I came here tonight planning to drive you crazy.”The confession slipped out before I could stop it, fueled by the whisky and the strange new feeling taking root in my chest.
Tonio’s eyebrow arched.“I had some inkling.”
I looked at Tonio, really looked at him.I thought I saw pieces of myself reflected back.
“Now I think maybe I wouldn’t mind getting to know you,” I admitted, the words feeling like surrender and victory all at once.“But if you tell anyone I said that, I’ll deny it.”
Laughter rippled around the table, but Tonio’s eyes remained fixed on mine, something soft in his gaze.Then he signaled to Jason with a slight lift of his hand.
“Last call back here, guys.”A genuine smile spread across his face.“I think it’s time we call it a night while we’re ahead.”
As Jason hurried off to comply, Tonio raised his water glass in my direction.“To defenestration,” he toasted, his voice warm with amusement.“And to second chances.”
Despite myself, I clinked my glass against his.“To second chances,” I agreed, and meant it.
Chapter Eleven
Darby
The night air hit me like a slap of reality as we stepped out of the restaurant, the world tilting pleasantly around the edges.I giggled, leaning heavily against Sully’s solid frame as he guided me toward the car.Behind us, the restaurant staff waved goodbye.The evening had turned out nothing like I’d expected.I’d gone in ready for battle and somehow ended up actually enjoying Tonio’s company and having fun.The realization should have terrified me, but wrapped in the warm cocoon of good whisky and better company, I couldn’t summon the energy to panic.
“You’re drunk,” Sully observed, amusement coloring his deep voice as he helped me into the back seat of the car Tonio had called for us.One of his two full time drivers, apparently.I mean, seriously.Why did the guy need two drivers?
“Not drunk,” I corrected, wagging a finger at him.“Pleasantly buzzed.There’s a difference.”
“If you say so, darlin’.”He chuckled, buckling me in before closing the door.
The drive back to the compound passed in a blur of streetlights and my wandering thoughts.I found myself replaying the evening, particularly the moment when Tonio had shared the story about diving through a window to escape being shot.The image of my perfectly put-together father crashing through glass and plummeting two stories made me laugh all over again.
“What’s so funny?”Sully asked, his hand warm on my thigh.
“Just thinking about Tonio jumping out a window,” I said, my words flowing together more than usual.“Not sure why, but it’s funny.”
By the time we reached the Kiss of Death compound, the world had taken on that soft-edged, dreamlike quality that comes with just the right amount of whisky.The gates swung open for us, and the vehicle moved through the entrance to park near our building.No idea how or who or anything else, nor did I care because everything was so soft…
The compound looked different at night.The camo netting strung between buildings created strange, shifting shadows as we walked beneath them.Sully’s arm was firm around my waist, bearing most of my weight as I stumbled occasionally on perfectly flat ground.
“You’d think they could put some fucking lights out here,” I muttered, nearly tripping over nothing.
“They did,” Sully replied patiently.“You’re just not walking in a straight line.”
“Pfft.Straight lines are overrated.”
The lift ride to our floor was brief, my body swaying into Sully’s with every small movement.He smelled so good, a mix of that expensive cologne he’d put on for dinner and something uniquely him underneath.I buried my face against his neck, inhaling deeply.
“You smell delicious,” I murmured against his skin.“Good enough to eat.”
His chuckle vibrated through me.“How about we concentrate on getting you inside first.”
