Page 144 of Reckless Vow

I don’t want to miss family dinners.

Or avoid my mother.

All the while, my patience is running thin.

The elevator door opens into a large foyer of the Madison Club where my brother, Gio, is a member.

I’ve been avoiding a meeting with all my brothers, though I’m not sure why. Well, one reason is that I blame them all for making my relationship with Brook so difficult. So taboo.

“Here he is.” Gio stands as the hostess leads me to his table.

Fuck, but it’s good to see them.

“Sorry I’m late.” I take a seat after we shake hands and give each other a half-embrace.

Massi, Gio and Andrea are staring at me.

“What?”

“When was the last time the four of us got together?” Massi asks.

I shrug.

“Please, spare us the sordid journey down memory lane. We’re here now.” Andrea opens his menu.

He’s always been the troublemaker, having issues with substance abuse and the lifestyle his fame as an artist threw at him.

But he’s also partied in Europe enough for us to get together more than I have with my two older brothers.

We order lunch and talk shit, mostly about business.

“So, Lo told us you and Brook…” Gio leans back, smirking.

And here we go. “I guess everyone knows now.”

“It’s weird.” Massi taps his lips with the napkin.

“Not for us.” I drum my fingers on my thigh.

“Don’t get all offended.” Gio chuckles. “If you can manage her, go for it.”

“What do you mean, manage her?”

“Look, I haven’t spent much time with her, but she’s been partying and wasting her trust fund in Europe doing God knows what—”

“Stop right there, Gio. Brook has a very successful career, and the fact that none of you knows about it says more about you than about her. She’s a strong, creative person, who isn’t full of herself and enjoys life.

“And if any of you think you’re better than her, enjoy your high horse. None of you have any right to judge because none of you, including her sisters, haven’t given a shit about what she’s been through. Or what she’s achieved in life.”

I push my plate away, appetite gone.

“Nice speech, asshole.” Andrea leans back, stretching his long limbs to the side of him, a playful smirk on his face. “You really care about her.”

“So should you. We’re family, after all, as you keep reminding me.” I yank the napkin from my lap and drop it on my unfinished meal.

“Sorry, I guess you’re right.” Gio raises his arms in surrender. “But it’s not like she stuck around or tried to share.”

“Or maybe it’s not like you cared enough about her for her to want to share.”

---