Page 9 of Wizard's Spitfire

“Thank you.”

I pull forward through the massive iron gates. The gate looks like it’s reinforced to withstand a bomb blast. High, thick brick walls surround the compound. I pull through, spotting the clubhouse. It looks like an old boutique hotel that’s been remodeled.

The parking lot is already half full of vehicles, including a few dozen bikes. I find a spot and park the van. The door slides open seconds later and Valentina rushes out.

Fuck my life.The last thing I need is for her to throw a tantrum in front of my employers. I’ve already dealt with two major bombs this week. Two of my girls know their father is a lying, cheating, bastard. We’re going to need a family meeting.

Chapter 4

Wizard

My phone pings with a text. I pull it up.

She’s here

Tully

Tully is one of our best prospects. He’s due to be patched in soon. Gambit took the vote at Church. It passed unanimously. It’s past his year mark, but he took some time off for finals in school.

I hurry outside in time to see the van park and one of the triplets comes rushing out. She takes off at a run, not paying attention to where she is going, and nearly runs into me. I catch her before she crashes into me.

“Hey, short stuff, why the hurry?”

Her face scrunches up. I can tell I’m in for a tongue lashing. Then she looks up and her eyes go wide. The words die on her lips as she stares at me. She blushes and turns her eyes down to the ground.

I look over her head to see Charlie making her way toward us with an entourage behind her.

“Valentina Teresa Angelica Caruso,” Regina Perillo calls out, passing Charlie on her way toward the triplet. She’s Charlie’s mom, and her pictures don’t do her justice.

The girl in question’s eyes widen, and she turns around. When the group reaches us, Regina shoots out her hand and grabs Valentina by the ear. I see the o’shit look on her face.

“I’m sorry, Nona.”

“As well you should be,” she replies, releasing the girl’s ear.

Charlie smiles up at me.

“Hello Wizard. This is my mother Regina, my grandfather Romeo, aka Pops, and the girls, Val, Franny, and Luci. Family this is Wizard.”

I offer her my hand to her mother and grandfather. “Pleased to meet you. Let me show you around. Why don’t we start out back. That’s where all the kids are now.”

“Give us a moment or two?” Charlie asks.

“Sure. I’ll wait for you over there.”

“Thank you.”

I walk a hundred yards away to give them privacy. Charlie turns on a dime, her face serious. I can tell she’s pissed. Valentina rolls her eyes at Charlie. The second time she does it, Pops smacks her on the ass, once. The girl looks surprised, then drops her head.

After a few more minutes of tense conversation, they head in my direction.

“We’re ready,” Charlie says.

Charlie

SHE’S GOING TO BE GROUNDEDfor life if she keeps up with this attitude. I wait until Wizard is far enough away that he won't hear us.

“Valentina, two weeks. No social media, no phone, no TV. You don’t leave the house without Ma or I.”

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