Page 118 of Manhattan Tormentor
“Ignore him, he refused to wait in the car,” Bunny huffs, sending a glare over her shoulder. It’s a look I recognize because she’s always been melodramatic, but this is brand new. We goggle, watching her staring at the famous singer. She gets hugs from our parents, though her eyes constantly returning to the man in the doorway. It’s noted he hasn’t taken his brooding gaze from Bunny either. I’m next for hugs. Then Finn, before she drops to her knees to coo over the crib. “Oh, my god. She looks like me. What a pretty little thing you are, yes you are.”
“You’ve got some explaining to do, Raene Fierro.” Theo starts. He hasn’t taken his eyes or his sneer off the interloper. Those two never got on back in school. It’s Theo’s wife, Bexley, who breaks some of the tension by going up to hug her college friend. “Tommy! I didn’t know you were coming today.”
“Change of plan,” he gruffs, pointing his chin to where Raene is still making a big show of ignoring him while she fusses over my baby. I grin to myself, though I’m mystified why she’d bring her boss with her. I realize then it’s been a few weeks since I’ve spoken to her, because our life got busy with the baby. We rarely go a few days without talking. Now I’m curiouser to know everything. She would have told me if something was going on between them.
“When the baby came early, Raindrop wanted to visit.” Tommy informs.
Raindrop?
Raene aims a stare at him.
Theo’s voice turns hard, even as Bexley curls back into his side. “Why the hell haven’t you been picking up a call, Bunny? Self-centered, as usual.”
No one expects the rock star to be the one growling. The noise travels. It’s Tommy Bianchi, mafia son and three time Grammy winner, who lets his voice be heard. His razor sharp eyes glaring at my eldest brother.
“You mind not talking to my wife like that.”
It’s a pin drop moment.
Mom gasps.
Dad becomes unnaturally still.
It’s Theo and Lachlan’s voices that become the loudest.
It’s fortunate that I adore my bratty sister, or I’d be pissed she upstaged my daughter’s birth. She elbows the rock star to get his hand off her shoulder before giving me a regretful glance.
Raene Fierro has a lot of explaining to do. If we don’t kill the celebrity first.
A lot of conversations at ear deafening levels happen at once. Finn picks up our girl and ambles over to where I am, watching it all go down. Waiting my turn to rip into my sister and her so-very-fucking secrethusband. I notice he’s also a wall of protection in front of Bunny.
She looks like she wants to punch him in the balls for dropping that bombshell.
I lean into Finn, kissing his jawline, inhaling the scent of my husband. There will be time to find out if the rock star is joking. Mom’s waited years for Bunny’s wedding. To have it snatched out of her hands… well… it’s gonna anger dad she’s upset. No one crosses Noah Fierro.
But today isn’t about the chaos.
It’s about our Lila Fierro-Maverick.
“Man, I love being part of the Fierro’s,” laughs Finn. “This is my circus, and you are my clowns.”
We look at each other.
His eyes say he loves me. Mine say I love him more.
That’s how it’ll always stay. Circus act III included.
He knew what he was getting into years ago by falling for me.
It’s never a dull moment if you’re a Fierro.
* * *
Finn
A FEW YEARS LATER
It’s no secret I think the Fierro’s are the best family in America.
