Page 98 of Knocked Up by my Best Friend's Brothers

“All in good time,” Alexandra says, quite satisfied with herself. I see she’s even dressed up for the occasion, opting for a tight beige midi dress and deep red boots, gold bracelets jingling around her wrists with every movement of her hands. “Now, how is everybody? Happy? Eager to be reunited?”

“What the fuck is this?” Nathan snaps.

“I’m simply enjoying this,” she says, her gaze bouncing from one Hawthorne to the other before it settles back on me. “I’ve dreamed of this moment so many times, with every visit I made to see our father in prison. You know, he’s wasting away in there. I doubt he’ll survive much longer.”

Cassius scoffs. “I thought the Mancinis would be protected in prison.”

“Let’s just say some of the inmates don’t like him very much,” Alexandra replies. “I’ve made my peace with his predicament. You’re the last step in my own personal twelve-step program, I suppose. Once I’m done with you, I can move on with my life.”

“Twelve-step programs are for addicts,” River says.

“And I have been addicted to my need to avenge our father,” Alexandra sighs. “It’s fine, now. See, Vince? I got my way in the end. See why I deserve Daddy’s seat at the table?”

She plans to kill us all, right here, right now.

Our time is running out.

“Figures,” I chuckle dryly, looking at Vince.

“What is it, honey? Finally tasting defeat?” Alexandra giggles. “Vince, hand me the shotgun, please.”

He lowers his gaze and does as he’s told. Alexandra takes the weapon and slightly turns to face the Hawthorne brothers.

“What are you doing?” I ask with a trembling voice.

“Isn’t it obvious?” she quips. “I have a question, Christa, because I’m not sure how this thing between the four of you works. Do you love them equally, or do you have a favorite?”

“Don’t be stupid, Alexandra. You know people are already out there looking for us,” River warns her. “The Feds are onto you.”

I see the concern darkening Vince’s face, but Alexandra won’t budge. She is determined to see this through to the end.

“Which one do you like best? Cassius, Mr. Righteous himself? Or River, the charmer? Or is it Nathan here, Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome? Whose head should I blow off first, Christa? Youdecide.”

“This is what it has come to?” I ask Vince. “Have you no dignity as a man? No honor as a Mancini?”

Alexandra laughs. “Really? You’re going to play that card? You sound so desperate.”

“What would your father say if he could see you, right now?” I ask Vince. “You let your sister boss you around like you’re nothing more than a goon. Why, you might as well be a paid enforcer. You should be wearing black jeans and a leather jacket, too, and be eating in the cantina with the rest of the grunts.”

“Shut the fuck up,” Alexandra warns me and points the shotgun. “I think we’ll do an eeny-meeny-miny-moe.”

“Vince Mancini, the gum stuck to your sister’s Louboutins, huh?” I openly mock him, and I can see the vein bulging on the side of his neck as his face turns red with anger.

“I’ll do it,” he tells his sister. “Give me the gun.”

“Piss off. It’s my pleasure,” she replies.

I laugh again. “See? You’re a fucking joke. If you think you’ll have any decision-making power once Alexandra takes over your uncle’s seat, you’re not just delusional, you’re also as dumb as your sister keeps making you out to be.”

“Alexandra, give me the fucking gun,” Vince snaps and tries to wrestle the shotgun away from her.

It’s all I need. That split-second of discord to distract them.

“Nathan!” I shout and throw the bedspring wire over to him.

He catches it and immediately switches into someone else. I freeze by the window as I watch all hell break loose.

Nathan uses the sharp end of the spring to slit open an enforcer’s throat, while River and Cassius coordinate to get out of the line of fire.

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