Prologue
New York City
April, 1987
“Itold you to cut through the park!” Delia screams at me.
“It’s closed, Mami, just hang on a little longer.” I follow close behind Rabbit, my Vice President, who’s clearing the way on his motorcycle so I can get my very pregnant wife to the hospital.
“If I have our son in the back of this car because you needed him born in Manhattan instead of the Bronx, I’m going to make sure it’s the last time you get anyone pregnant.” I try not to laugh at her, but she catches my smirk between contractions and hurls a shoe, hitting me in the eye.
“Por favor, mujer! I’m trying to drive, or do you want me to crash this cage?” I fucking hate cars.
I had to borrow this one from the garage so I didn’t have to flag a taxi down. Cause could my wife had said she was in labor all day? No. She was too busy cleaning and cooking to make time to inform me that our first baby was on the way.
If her water hadn’t broken in front of me, I’d probably be delivering him myself right now.
“WATCH OUT!” A kid on a bike darts out in front of the car, and I slam on the brakes.
“Get the fuck outta the street!” I yell out the window as I drive off, and all I hear is grunting from the backseat.
“Some father you’re going to be. I can’t do this! How did you talk me into getting pregnant?” She lets out another god awful yell as I round the corner of a hundred and second off Park Avenue.
“Arrg, I need to push!” Oh shit.
“No, mami, wait! We’re here!” I slam the brakes, throw the thing into park, and jump out, waving inside the hospital like a lunatic!
“Help, my wife’s having a baby!” A few nurses look at me like I’m nuts, but rush out anyway.
“Congratulations, sir. That happens every day,” I shake my head at the young woman and open the back door so they can see Delia.
“Oh, you mean now!” The older of the two nurses rushes past me and then yells for a wheelchair.
Rabbit slaps my shoulder as I watch them get Delia out and rush her into the hospital. We follow close behind, and when she’s finally in the room, I relax, but not by much.
“I’m going to be a father,” I say as I look through the glass of Delia’s door.
“You’re gonna miss it if you don’t get in there.” Rabbit pushes me, but I stop to look at him.
“Thanks for seeing us here. Take these and leave me your bike.” I dangle the keys in his face, and he frowns.
“Let the guys know the brakes are good and bleed.” Rabbit snatches the keys and laughs at me.
“I’ll take care of it as long as you take care of my baby.” I snort because, like any other biker, his motorcycle is his first love.
“I will as long as you take care of mine.” He frowns and shakes his head, not understanding what I mean.
“I want you to be my son’s godfather.” His eyes widen in shock, and he swallows hard, but then he smiles proudly at me.
“I’d be fucking honored.” I hug him quickly because a nurse is sticking her head out the door, calling for me.
“Whichever one of you is the father, better get in here. She says if you aren’t holding her hand when his head comes out, she wants a divorce.” I laugh and raise my hand.
“I doubt she said that so nicely.” The nurse grins.
“Your wife has a colorful vocabulary.” Don’t I know it.
“ZAC!” I push into the room and kiss Delia’s temple.