Page 121 of Gin & Trouble

Evelyn patted my cheek. “Good. You two should have privacy. I’ve had the guest house made up for you.”

Before I could react or even understand the significance of what she’d said, several of Dante’s brothers groaned, whined, and called out things like,no fairandthey aren’t marriedandHe always was your favorite.

Evelyn silenced them with a look. “Come. I promised my grandchildren they could open two presents.”

I settled on a u-shaped sectional next to Dante to watch the kids tear into their gifts, but I found myself staring at the older members of the family. Each of Dante’s brothers sat with their wives. Marco and Nico had their infant daughter resting between them. Everyone seemed so comfy in their pajamas and at peace in the glow from the tree.

What would it have been like to grow up here? To be a part of a real family?

Stretching his arms over his head, Dante yawned and announced, “I’m exhausted. Frankie and I are going to bed.”

Marco’s mouth fell open. “Together? Right? You heard that, Ma? They’re going to engage in premarital sex under your roof.”

Evelyn ignored him. “Of course, darling. You two need your rest. I had the housekeeper put fresh sheets on the bed and stock the fridge, but I’d like it if you’d both join us for Christmas lunch.”

“Lunch?” Enzo seemed to choke on his own spit. “You’re giving them permission to share a bedandsleep in?”

“Dahlia and I are getting married in a week. Why can’t we share a room?” Leo chimed in.

The woman beside him swatted his arm. “I’m perfectly fine waiting until the honeymoon.”

“That’s crap.” Laughing, Leo turned to his mom. “We always knew Dante was your favorite.”

“I love you all equally.” She put her hands on her hips the same way her granddaughter had earlier. “You survive a bomb and spend five days as castaways, and you can sleep wherever and with whomever you want.”

Gabe coughed into his hand. “Bullshit.”

“Ma, it’s not like he was living in a grass hut with a volleyball for a friend. They were staying with a very nice family,” Marco whined.

Evelyn glanced between her sons. “Leo I understand, but what differences does this make to the rest of you? You are already married.”

“It’s the principle of the matter.” Gabe winked at me. “No offense, we think it’s great our little brother finally found a woman willing to put up with him.”

Not wanting to get in the middle of the debate, I held up my hands. “None taken.”

“Screw this.” Dante stood, pulled me to my feet, and laid one heck of a kiss on me. “We’re going to bed.”

The display of affection ignited another round of groans, laughter, and more protests. Part of me wanted to crawl under the sofa, but the bigger part loved the chaos of it all. I could only imagine what tomorrow would be like when all of the children were added to the mix.

Papa Joe turned to me and cracked that damned Marchionni grin. “Welcome to the family, Frankie.”

36

Dante

HadI known my mother would be so sweet, I would have taken a joy ride on a rigged boat sooner—or not.

I couldn’t make heads or tails of the way she was treating me and Frankie. Sure, she’d told me she’d learned her lesson with my older brothers and their wives, but allowing me to share a bed with a woman was completely out of character for my mom. And then there was her reaction when I first told her I was in love with Frankie…

Why is she pushing us together? Is she actually happy with my choice, or is there something else to it?

You’d think it would be weird, knowing the woman I loved was my brother’s sister—or in my mother’s case the daughter of her lover—but it strangely wasn’t, no matter how it sounded.

Frankie ran her fingertips over the well-worn leather sofa before walking to the fireplace. “This place reminds me of something from a storybook. I half-expect the three bears to show up and kick us out.”

“Three bears or four brothers? If they had their way, I’d be sleeping in the wine cellar and you’d be sharing a room with Dahlia.” I poked my head in the fridge and made a mental note to buy my mom something expensive for her birthday. Not only was it full, it was full of my favorite things. “Hungry? Ma put some hoagies in here.”

“Not really, but I’d love a to crawl into bed.” She met my gaze and winked. “Naked.”

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