Page 127 of End It All

“I didn’t buy him!” Gin interjected. “The mother wanted a new life, and I gave her the opportunity. Just because I outbid the other parents…”

I blinked at Gin. “Yeah, I’m not sure that’s how that works. Like at all.”

Gin shrugged. “Works for me. He gets a home, we get a baby. Every problem solved!”

Harlow grunted, ignoring us both. "Well, Ash has said that Gin makes sure to be home every night if he can. And something about him taking some parenting classes."

"Who?" Blake asked as he made his way to my side. My arm instantly draped around his shoulders.

"Your crazy brother."

Blake looked around the room before meeting my gaze. "Again, who? They’re all crazy."

"Watch it," Benito warned, moving with Harlow the moment Emica started fussing.

Blake looked unfazed by Benito's warning and shrugged.

"Gin," I answered him.

"Oh, good for him." He grabbed my hand once more just as Ash came over, no longer holding the baby.

"Hey, Quincy and Blake. Thank you so much for coming."

I handed him the gift and he took it with a grin. "You guys didn't have to. We already have so much stuff." Ash passed us both a pen. "It's to keep track of any games you play."

"What are the prizes?" I asked.

"Ounce of weed. Gin said it's the good stuff. A vintage brandy, and I think the last thing is some money. Not sure. You will have to ask Gin, he came up with everything."

I was playing. I looked around the room scoping out my competition. Melony was there leaning back against her girlfriend, Chelsea. I recognized the colorful dreadlocks and the beaming smile that always occupied the wallpaper of her phone. She sipped her drink, listening to Enzo talk. He looked enthusiastic about something. I'd never seen him talk so much. I couldn't deny I was a bit curious and wanted to go over to hear what they were saying.

"Who's that lady?" Blake asked Ash, pointing toward the kitchen.

"Oh, that's Tex's mom. She's been a huge help with this whole raising a baby thing. She has so much wisdom, and since I don't have a mom and Gin's passed, she's someone we've been clinging to." He looked around. "Oh, you haven't met Chelsea yet, right? Since you're a brother, you probably already met Melony."

We followed Ash around as he made sure to introduce us. The Vitales were a tight knit group: the brothers, their men and the few others who were like family. Tony was there andwe nodded at each other. His man was tucked against his side, holding a helmet.

"Caleb, get over here," Gin called out.

We joined everyone as we moved closer to the star of the party. "You guys have had the baby for months. What took so long with the name?" Blake asked Gin.

"Twenty bucks says it's because Gin wanted to name it something stupid," Tex muttered under his breath a little way behind me. He lifted his drink up and I took an offered one.

Enzo nodded as if he already knew.

"We wanted to make sure his name fit him," Ash said. "Plus, this is a big deal. I wasn't letting my son be named after thatthing."

Blake and I looked at each other in confusion but the rest of the family seemed to understand. Everyone except Giancarlo.

"So, what's his name?" Benito asked.

Gin and Ash smiled lovingly at each other. "We are proud to present the newest Vitale. Luka Syl Vitale."

There was a round of applause and the girls cheered as their newest cousin got a name.

It was a little daunting to be a part of all of this. I hadn't started work yet under Benito but soon I'd be right there in the mix. My stomach flipped and couldn't help but place my hand over it.

We moved around the place, talking to everyone and interacting with this new family we both found we had. It didn't escape my notice that we both sought each other constantly. Any distance between us for too long, and the other was there within the next breath. It would be weird if it wasn't the case for every single person in the house. Benito and Harlow were practically glued at the hip. Tex constantly went to check on his man, and the moment he did, you could visibly see Enzo relax. Ash and Gin kept gravitating together as if pulled by the same invisiblestring that was around me and Blake. Paolo and York had disappeared twice, and both times, the girls had been playing with the dog or with the cat named Pen.

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