Page 80 of Absinthe Minded

“Yeah. I would have chalked it up to getting some, but he’s a man in love. All he talks about are you and the kids.” Leo’s smile faltered. “Nothing personal, but he’s a better man than I am. No way could I walk into a ready-made family.”

I laughed and stood. “He’s a better man than I am, too.”

“You guys are good together.”

“Thanks.” I still had my doubts, but overall, I agreed.

He stood and drew me into a hug.

A little voice inside my head reminded me that I had a story to write. I needed to ask about the business, about the family secrets, about something other than Gabe.

Leo released me. “I should let you get back to work.”

“Do you think he’ll be happy taking over for your father?” Not the most eloquent question, but it went straight to the point.

“I do. He’s going to be a family man now, priorities shift.”

“Can he do it? I mean, can he be as ruthless as Papa Joe?”

Leo squeezed my shoulder. “Hell yeah. Do you remember what a dump this place used to be? He worked his ass off to save it.”

“But running a bar and running a company the size of Marchionni Corp are two different things. People come here because they love Gabe. Your father’s not exactly known as aniceguy.”

He leaned closer and lowered his voice. “Don’t let Gabe’s good looks fool you. He’s as much a shark as Papa Joe.”

I shuddered on the inside but kept my plastic smile in place. “I worry it’ll change him.”

“It may, but he has you to keep him honest.” Leo headed for the door. “I have some stuff to do in the office. Catch you later.”

I made my way down the hall. The ache in my feet paled in comparison to the ache in my gut. Could the same guy who’d built blanket forts with Ryan run a multi-billion-dollar company? A multi-billion-dollar company that might or might not be a front for the mob?

Absorbed in my thoughts, I collided with a wall of a man. “Excuse me.”

“No problem, gorgeous.” The guy looked me over as if I were a dessert tray. “That’s some frown. Let me buy you a drink.”

“I’m working, but thanks.”

“In that case, I’ll have a gin and tonic, hold the tonic.” He took a step closer, and I took two steps behind the bar.

Feeling more secure with a physical barrier between me and the big guy, I poured him a gin on the rocks, added a lime wedge, and set his glass on the bar.

“What time do you get off?” He set a twenty on the bar.

“Back off, Wayne. She’s engaged.” Jessie crowded in beside me.

“No ring. Whoever the yahoo is, he must be a loser.” Wayne smirked. “I’d put a rock the size of a robin’s egg on that pretty finger.”

Jessie grinned at me. “Watch out for Wayne. He’s one of New Orleans’s finest.”

A shot of adrenaline coursed through me. I had absolutely no reason to fear a police officer, or did I? Hadn’t Gabe paid one off? “You’re a cop?”

“A detective. Yes, ma’am. Lying to me is a felony. Are you really betrothed?” The grin never leaving his face, he sipped his drink.

“This isn’t a Jane Austen novel, and yes, she’s really engaged to Gabe.” Jessie’s perpetual smile brightened.

He coughed gin out his noseandmouth.

I moved down the bar and took another order while he cleared the ninety-proof, top-shelf liquor from his nasal passages.

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