Page 18 of The Prettiest Outlaw

“Don’t worry about the vibes or the energy. Every area of your truck has been touched by my guys. It’s basically a brand new truck.”

“Okay.” She didn’t seem convinced.

“I wouldn’t shit you, lil bit. Come on. Let me take you to see it. If it’s still giving you the creeps, I’ll go to the dealership with you, and you can trade it in on something else.”

“Okay.”

* * *

I picked my mother up first on Sunday, hoping to get all of her questions out of the way before we scooped up Julianna.

“Why’d you need me to be ready so early?” she asked as soon as Donovan closed the truck’s door behind her.

“Because I have to make a stop.”

“A stop where?”

“We have a guest coming to church with us this morning.” I was purposely vague because I knew it drove her crazy.

“What guest? I know it can’t be any of your friends because they’re mostly wild, street guys.”

“Come on, Ma. Don’t act like all of my friends are out here?—”

“Okay. Okay.”

She cut me off as she dug around in her purse looking for who knew what.

“But who is this guest?” Her eyes widened. “Is it a woman? Is it a woman, Nico? Did you meet somebody? And she goes to church? She’s a church girl.” She gave a little clap.

I didn’t say anything. I navigated to Julianna’s neighborhood in silence.

“Domenico! Who are we picking up?”

I wanted to laugh so badly because my mom was impatient as hell.

“We’re picking up Julianna. You happy now?” I faked like I was annoyed when inside I was rolling with laughter.

“Julianna? Is that your new lady friend?”

“Julianna Outlaw? Nah.”

She racked her brain in silence for a moment or two. “Why does that name sound familiar?”

“Because she’s Gianni Outlaw’s youngest daughter. And because her sister, Jianna, married Dolton. Remember? You went to the wedding in New Orleans.”

“Ohhhh.” She made the connection. “And why is she going to church with us?”

“Yo.” I shrugged a little. “She asked me if she could go to church with us. I offered to scoop her, so we’re scooping her.”

I fought hard as hell to keep my eyes on the road, but when they wandered over to her, she had a little smirk on her face.

“She’s the little caramel colored one. If I remember her correctly from Dolton and his wife’s baby shower, she’s a pretty little thing. Short with a big old booty, right?”

I grunted my response because there was no way in hell I was going there.

“Gianni and his wife sure did make some pretty children. If I remember correctly, all three of the sisters are beautiful. But that one, that youngest one, Julianna…she’s got a little spark to her.”

“She lost that spark,” I confided. “Life’s been giving her the business. Pretty sure that’s why she’s running toward the church.”

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