Page 5 of Resisting (Men of Inked 2.2)
Anthony’s fists didn’t relent as he pounded on the door.
“Why don’t you just open it?”
“This isn’t Ma’s and I don’t just walk in without being told it’s okay,” he said, landing another blow.
“Pussy,” I whispered, moving around Anthony and walking inside.
Flash laughed, following behind me as Anthony grumbled.
“Smells damn good in here.” I inhaled deeply.
“Hey, sis,” Joe said, walking over to hug me.
“I brought someone. I hope you don’t mind.” I smiled, looking up into his eyes. I knew I was laying it on thick, but I was just trying to cushion the blow.
“Who?” Joe asked, looking over my shoulder. “Really?” he growled in my ear, grabbing my shoulder.
“Come on, Joey. He didn’t have anywhere else to be. He was in town and I told him he could spend the day with us. I know you made enough food for an entire army.” I batted my eyelashes at Joe.
“He’s here now.” Joe shook his head, staring down at me. “Next time ask, Izzy.”
“Okay,” I whispered against his chest, giving him a squeeze before ducking under his arms.
Joe held out his hand to Flash as Anthony walked by and grimaced. “Nice to see you again, Sam,” Joe bit out through gritted teeth.
“I go by Flash now.”
I cringed at his response. I always knew Flash wasn’t the most intelligent man, but to reply to my brother in that way was just plain idiotic—or he had a death wish.
“Whatever,” Joe said, rolling his eyes. “Welcome to my home.” He pulled Flash closer. “If you hurt my sister, I’ll fucking bury you. Got me?”
“Easy now, City. I wouldn’t dream of it. We’re just friends.” He stood toe to toe with Joe, gripping his shoulder.
I swear to fuck that all I could see was a train wreck. I thought I was standing in the middle of a Looney Tunes cartoon. There had to be a big kaboom coming at any second. Joe and Flash wouldn’t be parting on a happy note, but hopefully they could keep their hands to themselves for Thanksgiving.
“I don’t care who the fuck you think you are or what MC you’re in. You’re still Sam to me and I can still whip your ass. Just so we’re clear.” Joe glared at him.
Suzy’s arms slid around Joe as she looked at Flash. “Everything okay, baby?” she asked.
“Just perfect, sugar. This is Sam, Izzy’s friend.”
She released him, holding out her hand to Flash. “Hi, Sam. I’m Suzy. Nice to meet you,” she said, smiling.
“It’s my pleasure, Suzy.” He pulled her hand to his lips and gently kissed it. “You have a beautiful home.”
“Thank you, Sam.”
Joe growled. Honest to motherfucking god, the man growled. I knew that my brother was a caveman, but this was beyond the realm of normal behavior. Flash looked at Joe, his lips turning up in a half-smirk before he turned back to Suzy.
“Joe’s a very lucky man. I hope you don’t mind me crashing the party.” Sam looked to Joe with a shit-eating grin before he looked at Suzy.
Yep—death wish.
“Not at all. Come on in and make yourself at home,” Suzy said with a smile before stepping aside and wrapping her arms around my big brother.
“Let’s go say hi to my parents, dumbass,” I said to Flash, grabbing his shirt and pulling him toward the living room.
“Why the fuck am I a dumbass?” he asked, looking at me with a furrowed brow.
I stopped, turning to face him. “Starting shit with my brother,” I whispered, glaring at him.
“Dude, I gotta stand up to the guy. I can’t be a doormat. Show no weakness.”
“You’re a fucking moron.” I laughed. “Ma,” I said, entering the room.
“Happy Thanksgiving, baby girl.” She wrapped her arms around me.
I have the best fucking mother in the world. She had to be the best to raise us as children and come out without a scratch. We didn’t make shit easy for her.
“Happy Thanksgiving, Ma.” I kissed her cheek before releasing her. “I brought Sam with me.” I turned to him and smirked. “He would’ve been all alone today.”
“Aww, Sam, it’s so good to see you. How have you been?” she asked as she moved toward him with open arms.
This was pure Mama Gallo. She welcomes everyone and doesn’t hold a grudge. I, on the other hand, hold on to shit for too long and always wonder what angle the person is working when they are being nice.
“Mrs. G, looking amazing as always.” He hugged her, lifting her off the ground.
She giggled as her face turned pink. “Oh, Sam. Put this old woman down.”
“You’re not old, Mrs. G. You never will be. You haven’t aged a bit since I saw you last.”
Flash may be a dumbass and a douche some of the time, but he knew how to talk to the ladies. He’d fine-tuned that skill since we were teenagers. I was immune to his charm.
My pop rose to his feet, moving toward Flash with his arm extended as he offered his hand. “Sam, good to see you, kid. How the hell have you been?” Pop asked, smacking Flash on the shoulder with his free hand.
I turned to look at my brothers. Snarls and glares were the Gallo boys’ preferred mug of choice today. I knew deep down that this would be the longest fucking holiday of my life.
There wasn’t a cock in the world worth this much bullshit at a family holiday. I just wanted to laugh and bust a few balls. I didn’t want to play referee.
“Yo, Joe, is dinner almost ready?” I yelled, plopping down on the couch in an open spot. If everyone had their mouths full, they couldn’t be spouting nonsense.
Suzy came flying out of the kitchen, adjusting her sundress as she walked. Her face was flushed and her lips looked swollen. “Food’s ready. Go sit down while Joe and I bring everything to the table, please.” She turned around and ran into the kitchen.
Flash held out his hand, helping me from the couch.
I smiled at him. “Thanks,” I whispered, climbing off the couch.
“Any time, babe. Only thing better than tasting you is Thanksgiving dinner.” He licked his lips as a small grin played on the corner of his mouth.
“Jesus. Not smooth, man. You need to work on your lines if that’s the best you have,” I said to him as we followed behind everyone else to the dining room table.
“What the fuck is wrong with my lines?”
“Totally not sexy. Does that shit work on the club girls?”
“I don’t need lines with those ladies.”
“Lucky for you then or you wouldn’t be getting any pussy. Ever.”
***
“Why the fuck were you gone so long?” Flash asked as we walked into the kitchen. His face was red and he was on edge.
Suzy, Mia, my ma, and I had been upstairs in the war room. It’s what we referred to the room as, anyway. It was filled with information about Suzy’s wedding. Everything was planned down to the last details. She’s anal that way. She’s a total overachiever who has never done anything by the seat of her pants. She has plans for her plans. There’s no room for error.
Suzy and Joe were getting married in a week. I had been elected to be in charge of the bachelorette party and nothing else. Thank Christ. I didn’t want to be responsible for any fuck-ups. I am not a planner. I’ve winged shit my entire life.
“We were talking and got a little carried away.”
Flash ran his fingers through his hair, making it a bigger mess than it’d already been. “I felt like you threw me to a pack of wolves.”
I looked around the room, taking in the sight of my brothers and Pop sitting around the living room. I knew they could be ruthless, but they were harmless.
I ruffled his hair. “Stop being a drama queen.”
“Izzy, why do they hate me so much?”
“They don’t,” I said, sitting next to him at the kitchen table.
“Bullshit,” he murmured. “Joey wants to cut my fuckin’ throat.”
“Nah.” I
shook my head as I bit my lip. “He just wants you to know where you stand.”
“What’s his issue?”
