Page 122 of Capo
“Well behave, dude, or I’ll have your ass.”
“You’re always out for my ass,” he retorts.
“Who wants whose ass?” says a light, slightly husky voice to my left. Kerry Jackson, no it’s Kerry Russo now, has snuck up on us. Christian wraps her in his arms and holds her tight. A wheeze escapes her. “You might want to give me a pinch of air,” she says with a cough.
“No, Mrs. Russo. I’m never letting you go again.”
“Get a room,” says Anna. She joins the hug and throws her arms around both Kerry and Christian. Christian ruffles her hair affectionately. Anna turns to me. “Did you know these two tried to kill me once? Silly men.” She cocks her head to Eric and then Christian.
I frown. I had an inkling but… that’s just crazy.
“I’m in that weird ass club too,” says Kerry, peeking out from Christian’s embrace.
That, I did know. Christian has made amends a thousand times over, and it kind of seems as if Anna got over her experience too.
“You all seem… very comfortable with that.” I shake my head. “I have the most fucked up family on the planet.”
“But we love you to bits, Angel,” says Christian. “Never forget that.”
Anna takes my hands. “We’ll take care of you, Angela. I promise.” She looks at Eric who nods.
A flushed Kerry frees herself from the hug and takes my hand. “I know we don’t know each other that well yet, but I promise it will change. I’m so happy you came.”
“Of course,” I say. “You take good care of my brother now.”
“Oh yes. That I will.”
Christian kisses her on the top of her head as someone claps their hands loud enough to silence everyone. Uncle stands on a chair and holds up his arms.
“People, the happy couple, Sicilianos, and all you freeloaders who snuck in, dinner is about to be served. To the tables!”
“Not many get away with almost killing Christian Russo. Twice.” Luca grins and winks at Kerry who looks mortified. She glances at Salvatore as Christian gives her hand a squeeze, mouthing something to her.
“Oh, shut your piehole, bro,” says Matteo.
Luca slaps him on the head. “Anyway. I like booze. There seems to be plenty here, so I’ll cut this short.” He raises his glass. “Saluti, Christian and Kerry. May you keep popping many kids and live disgustingly happy.”
“Oh my God, Luca,” I say.
“Hey!” he answers at the same time as a couple of hundred people shout their saluts and clap.
“You belong in a zoo, you freak.”
He sticks out his tongue at me and I flip him off discreetly.
Luca scoffs. “I’ll take you down in a heartbeat, sis.”
“You’re not as badass as you think you are.”
Luca straightens. “Well, someone thinks I am.” He glances over at Salvatore who seems to have a sixth sense for when people are talking about him because he looks back, his eyes narrowing slightly.
I freeze. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m in.”
“In? In what?” I know what he’s going to say, but I pray it’ll be something else, anything else.
“Uncle is finally giving me a position.”