Page 130 of Vicious Addictions

Since I don’t want to be rude in front of his family, I hook my arm to his and let him lead the way. Everyone follows suit, and before I know it, we are all sitting at a long table, which can seat at least twenty people.

Everyone is speaking loudly all at once, and it takes me a minute to get my bearings.

Now I get why he was so homesick.

There’s so much love under one roof. It’s a bit overwhelming.

A part of me starts to empathize with Jude’s decision to leave England.

This is his home.

His family.

A family that dotes on one another.

He would have to turn his back on ten people who mean the world to him in favor of just one.

My math skills may be a bit rusty, but even I can see the imbalance in such a choice.

If the tables had been reversed, would I have left everything near and dear to me for the sake of keeping him?

Yes. Yes, I would have.

My father would have understood, and even the twins—after making a fuss—would agree with my decision. All they ever wanted was to see me happy.

I’m not sure how the Romanos would react. Based on this night alone, I think they would have supported the decision, too, if they had all the information at their disposal.

But alas, Jude only gave them a fraction of it.

Instead of Jude blackmailing his father into inducting him into the Outfit by usingmyfather’s offer as leverage, what if he had told Vincent the truth?

What if Jude told everyone in his family that the real reason for the offer was because my father saw we were in love and wanted to ensure his daughter’s happiness.

I wonder how the Romano clan would have reacted then.

I guess neither Jude nor I will ever know.

“Mina, is it true you’re here in Chicago on Firm business,” Stella asks, her gaze inquisitive as well as excited.

“How about we don’t discuss family business at the table?” Vincent interjects before I have time to answer.

“Since when is it a crime to talk shop at the dinner table?” Stella is quick to protest.

“Since now.”

Stella narrows her eyes at her father but is smart enough not to push him.

Aside from that one little awkward moment, the rest of the meal goes swimmingly. Even Remus and Rolo look like they’re having fun.

After dessert has been served, Vincent asks if I’d like to play a game of chess after dinner.

“Your father says you are quite proficient at it. It would be nice to dust off the board and play with someone who knows their way around it.”

“Of course. Though you already have a proficient player here,” I reply.

“I do?” Vincent asks, looking confused about which of his children could have hidden such an ability.

It dawns on me that Jude has never played chess with his father before, maybe even giving up the game entirely once he was back stateside.

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