Page 149 of Married with Mayhem

He tosses the keys and I neatly catch them. My brother looks my way with raised eyebrows, silently asking what to do next. Neither of us know what to make of this unexpected gesture. Frankly, I trust the Tempestas about as much as I’d trust a shark.

However, there’s no immediate danger. And whatever their intentions may be, they are offering an olive branch to start with.

Nico and I look at each other as we come to the same conclusion. My brother nods. “The car can’t stay here on the street. I’ll move it to the parking garage.” He gestures to our cousins. “You two can come with me.”

“Getty will go with you,” Julian says. “I’ll wait here.”

I’m not too keen on being separated from my brother, but Nico can hold his own against Gaetano Tempesta. And since I’m unwilling to leave Sabrina alone for a second, this is the best case scenario for now.

Getty finally decides it’s time to speak up and chooses to be a smug prick. “Maybe Nico needs to ask his big brother’s permission before he drives around the block.”

“Fuck you.” Nico scowls at him and plucks the keys out of my hand. “Now get in the damn car before I run you over.”

Getty cackles and flings open the passenger door. Nico rolls his eyes and grumpily treks around to the driver’s side. I trust that he can handle Getty for a short period of time, especially because we’re on our home turf. Not theirs.

We all watch the Impala pull away. Nico is driving with a pissed off look on his face. Getty is laughing like a madman. My brother doesn’t have a quick temper but he can be pushed too far. Getty ought to keep that in mind.

Julian finally steps away from the curb, removing his hat along the way. I tighten my arm around Sabrina, especially when I see how he looks her over with curiosity before shifting his gaze back to me.

“Monte, we won’t stick around for long. I’m glad to have the chance to return your car. And I’d also like to pay my respects to your wife, if that suits you.”

This is by far the most courteous speech I’ve ever heard from any of my cousins.

He meets my hard stare without wavering. Try as I might, I detect no hint of spite or ill will.

“Sabrina,” I say. “This is my cousin, Julian.”

He holds his hat over his heart and turns on some country boy charm. “Pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”

“Hmm.” Sabrina regards him with doubt. “I’ve heard a few things about you. But if Monte thinks you’re all right then I guess I can tolerate your presence for a little while.”

He grins at her. “I’m glad to see you’re doing better.”

“Thanks. Nice cowboy hat.”

Julian looks at me again, waiting for my next move. It would be easy enough to wait until Getty returns and tell them both to piss off all the way back to Wyoming. Or maybe I could take this rare opportunity to extend a little grace to men who once meant a lot to me.

“Why don’t you come inside and have some lunch?” I suggest. “My dad is behind the counter. I bet he wouldn’t mind seeing his sister’s boys.”

The brief flicker in Julian’s eyes seems pretty close to relief. He knew there was a high likelihood he’d be chased off with a string of curses and he came here anyway.

“I’d like that too,” he says.

I hold the door to Gino’s open and usher my wife through it first. Sabrina’s eyes lift to mine with a question and I wink at her to let her know all is well. She smiles and walks in.

Julian looks around with interest once we’re inside. He should. After all, Gino was his grandfather too. This place is also in his blood.

My dad has been back in the kitchen so he’s unaware that we have guests. He resumes his place at the counter and does a double take at the sight of his oldest nephew.

“Dad,” I say while pulling Sabrina close to my side. “You remember Julian.”

He removes the dishtowel that’s slung over his shoulder. His throat bobs as he takes in the sight of his sister’s firstborn son. Sal Castelli isn’t one to hide his emotions and he doesn’t hide them now. His voice is heavy when he says, “It’s been a while, Julian.”

Julian Tempesta actually looks bashful when he says, “It’s good to see you, Uncle Sal.”

“Are you staying in town for long?” my dad says.

“Getty and I drove out just to bring Monte his car,” Julian says. “We’re needed back home so we won’t be hanging around for more than a day or two.”

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