Uncover Me (15 page)

Pop walked behind her, removing her arms from my body. Ma took a step back, blotting her eyes and wiping away the tears that had drifted down her cheeks.

“Son.” Pop wrapped me into a giant bear hug.

My father, brothers, and James were the only men in my life I’d shown affection to. No one else ever got that from me. That shit didn’t leave this house. It was grounds to get your ass kicked, and I didn’t need an extra fight on my hands. Italian men didn’t have an issue showing their love to one another.

“Hey, Pop,” I whispered, holding on to him just as tightly.

The man had been my hero when I was growing up. He was larger than life and could make most men in the neighborhood quake. I’d wanted to be worthy of being his son when I grew up. I thought I’d accomplished that goal in his eyes, but inside, I knew the truth. I’d muddied the waters between good and evil.

Over his shoulder while still wrapped in his arms, I saw the entire Gallo crew as they filed into the foyer. Izzy popped out first, a giant smile forming on her face before James came up behind her and placed his arms around her waist. I guessed they were still going strong. Joey pushed James aside, knocking him and Izzy over a bit, and came straight for me. My brother didn’t often show emotion, but I could the happiness on his face.

“So fucking good to see you, brother,” he said, tapping my pop on the shoulder. “Mind sharing?”

“Your mother often says I’m greedy,” Pop said, laughing before releasing his grip on me.

Izzy gagged. “For shit’s sake. You two give way too much information.”

They laughed as my pop put his arm around her shoulder, and Joey held out his hand and smiled. When I placed my palm in his, he pulled me into a giant bear hug. Joey and I were most alike. We were so close in age that I swear my mother must have wasted no time in getting knocked up again.

“Joe, it’s so fucking great to see you, man,” I said, slapping him on the back.

Then a blonde walked into the foyer and leaned against the wall. A giant smile was plastered on her face as she stared at Joey and me. She was wearing a cute, flowery sundress that didn’t do anything to hide her belly. She was definitely pregnant, and had to be Suzy, Joe’s wife. He grabbed my arm, backing away, and turned to the blonde.

“Sugar, come here.” He motioned to her to stand at his side, and she followed his command without protest. “This is Tommy.”

She looked up at me, her large blue eyes twinkling. “Tommy,” she repeated. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Don’t believe a word of the bullshit he fed you about me.” I laughed, winking at her.

She blushed as her smile widened, and she winked back. “You’re prettier than I thought you’d be.”

Looking at my brother, I saw his stare go to Suzy and his hawk eyes bore into her, but she didn’t care. “You’re prettier than I thought you’d be too. Who knew Joe could get such a killer babe?”

She chuckled, bringing her hand up to cover her mouth.

“You two done?” Joe barked, and glanced between us.

“Just fuckin’ with ya, man.”**%

She turned to him, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed him. “Oh, Joey, you know you’re the most beautiful man in the world. He’s your brother, and Gallos don’t do ugly. I’m yours and yours alone. I have a mini-you growing inside my belly. Duh.”

His face instantly softened and his body visibly relaxed. This girl was good. She knew exactly how to handle my brother. I didn’t think I’d see the day when he would become pussy-whipped, but there she was in flowers, blond hair, and blue eyes. She was the boss, just like my mother.

“Fucker, get your ass over here and kiss me!” Mike yelled out, pushing Suzy and Joey aside. He puckered his lips and held out his arms, and I couldn’t stop myself from laughing. Motherfucker was still a goofball.

“Only if you give me tongue,” I teased, sticking out my tongue and wiggling it.

He gagged, holding up his hands and waving them. “I’m tapping out.”

“Come here, ya big pansy ass. I’ve missed you,” I said, moving closer to him and wrapping my arms around him.

This was more man love than I had experienced in a long time. This was my family—all gushy and overemotional—and I’d missed every moment of it while I’d been away.

Mike hadn’t changed much, except that he looked happier and more relaxed. Maybe he wasn’t spending his life in a gym, taking out his aggression and bullshit on a punching bag or Rob.

“It’s good to see you, Tommy,” he said, holding my neck in one hand and slapping me on the back with the other.

“You too, Mikey. You too. Where’s the little lady?” I asked, looking around the room as Mike let go of me.

“Mia!” Mike yelled, and glanced around the room. “She picked the worst time to use the restroom. I swear women are—”

“Women are what?” she hissed as she walked into the foyer.

She was stunning. Her long brown waves trickled down her shoulder and framed her breasts. She was tall and voluptuous, and I was impressed with my brother’s catch. Who knew a beefhead could bag a doctor who looked like her?

“Mia,” I said, holding out my hand to her.

“Damn,” she said, placing her hand in mine. “Another sexy Gallo man.” She laughed, tossing her head back as her hair followed suit.

“What?” I asked, crinkling my eye and shaking my head.

“Devilishly good looks. Are you as cocky as the others?” she asked, smirking.

“Nah. They’re the pricks. I’m a complete gentleman,” I said as I brought her hand to my mouth, kissing her soft skin.

“Mia, don’t listen to that bullshit. He’s as bad as the rest. Gimme a kiss, brother.” Izzy moved Mia away from me and wrapped her arms around my body. She was tiny, so her head didn’t reach my shoulders. Resting her head in my chest, she squeezed me tightly and rocked back and forth. “I’m so happy you’re home.”

“Are you here to stay, son?” Pop asked, still holding my ma.

“Yeah, Pop. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Thank Christ,” Ma mumbled, looking at the ceiling and cupping her hands in prayer—always the good Catholic girl.

“This calls for a celebration!” Pop hollered, fist pumping the air.

“Mike, go grab the good stuff from the cellar,” Ma said, shooing him with her hands.

“Why do I always have to do the shit work?” he grumbled, giving me the stink eye.

I shrugged, laughing as I looked around. Someone was missing. “Where’s Anthony?”

“Yo,” a voice called out from the family room.

I pushed through the crowd and entered the room his voice had come from. “Yo, douchebag. You don’t even get up to say hello?” I looked down at him, my hands on my hips as I blocked his view of the television.

“I figured you’d find me when everyone else was done pawing at you.”

This was exactly how my brother was and had always been. He was a cocky asshole who didn’t believe in public displays of affection. Underneath, he was as gushy as the others, but he very rarely let that side show. Only when he was extremely intoxicated did he get all “I love you, man” and let his Norah Jones side show.

“You better get your lazy ass up and hug me.” I kicked his feet, glaring at him.

“I’m older. I don’t have to do shit.” He smiled, challenging me, like the old days.

There was a time when he had been bigger and badder, but then I’d grown up and gotten more muscles. I could take him without any exertion. He still needed a reminder every once in a while, and it had been ages since I’d seen him.

“I can make you,” I said, raising one eyebrow at him, unable to hide my smile.

“Fuck,” he hissed as he looked me up and down. “You look like you could even take Mike. Bastard’s gone soft since he met Mia. He’s turned into a real pussy, but you—you look downright scary,” he said with a chuckle as he stood. Sticking his tongue out at Mike, he gave me a great bro hug, maintaining his manly personality but still showing me the love I knew he was trying hard to hide.

“You’re the pussy, Anth,” Mike teased as he entered the room holding two bottles of champagne. He placed them on the side table next to my dad before sitting on the floor beside Mia and holding her leg in his grip.

“Sit down, Tommy. We want to hear all about your time away.” Joe patted the spot next to him on the couch.

“Hey, that’s my spot,” Suzy whined as she walked in behind my mother.

“It was his first, sugar. Come sit on my lap.” He grinned at her as he rubbed his leg.

“Okay,” she whispered before padding across the carpet on quick feet, crawling into his lap, and putting her arm around his neck. Joey held her in one arm and rested his hand against her round belly, rubbing it in tiny circles.

Things had changed, yet they were still the same. Coming home after such a long absence was the strangest thing ever. I felt at home but out of place. New people added to the family, and the dynamics of the group had shifted.

Instead of the house being flooded with testosterone, the women had almost outnumbered the men. Anthony and I were the lone holdouts, but that was about to change for me. Soon, Roxy would be here with me.

I sat in my old spot, closing my eyes and reminding myself that she was Angel now and not Roxy. She’d be pissed if I slipped in front of my family. There would be a lot of questions if I did that. Gallos were quick and didn’t miss a goddamn thing.

Opening my eyes, I saw everyone staring at me. No one was chatting or watching the Cubs losing—they just stared. James sat behind Izzy, pulling her back to his front before she sagged against him. He whispered in her ear, slowly stroking her stomach with his hand. She giggled, her face turning red. Even though I was the dumbass who had given the thumbs-up to the situation, I still had an urge to punch him in the face.

“First, when do you have to go back?” Ma asked as she sat in her chair next to my father, fidgeting with her apron.

“I don’t.”

Their mouths hung open as I sat there, leaning back and watching their shock.

“What?” I asked.

“What do you mean you don’t?” Ma asked. “I don’t think I quite understand.”

“I quit. Plain and simple.”

“Hell yeah,” Joe said, slapping me on the shoulder. “You coming to work at the shop with us?”

I turned to him and blinked. I was shit at art. I certainly couldn’t poke holes in people’s bodies and call that art either. It wasn’t my thing.

“Nah, man.” I shook my head and looked at James. “Did you tell them?” I asked him.

“No, man. I didn’t.”

Izzy turned around and looked at him, wondering what I knew and what she had been left the fuck out on.
Whoops.

“James quit too.”

Ma gasped while the rest of the family continued to gawk. “I feel like I can breathe again,” she said, sighing with relief.

I chuckled at their response. I didn’t think I’d ever seen the Gallos at a loss for words, especially Izzy. “I had enough of their shit. I gave them enough of my life, and they weren’t getting another damn day.”

“Me either,” James joined in, adjusting as Izzy turned in his arms and hugged him before whispering in his ear.

Had aliens come down and abducted my sister?
Izzy
and
sweet
weren’t two things that often went together. She was hardcore and could be downright scary sometimes. But with James, she melted in a puddle of goo, and I sure as fuck didn’t want to know why.

“Maybe you two should go into business,” Mike said, still staking his claim by holding on to Mia like someone might snatch her.

I nodded, not really having put much thought into what I’d do after leaving the DEA. Then I looked at James, who shot me a look that said maybe it wasn’t a bad idea before turning his attention back to Izzy.

“We’ll see. One thing at a time, Mike.”

“So what the hell happened over there, son? Did you get the bad guys?” Pop asked, reaching out to hold my mother’s hand.

Even after all these years, the two were like teenagers. They held hands, kissed, and hugged at every turn. They were whom we’d all gotten our love gene from, and it was something we couldn’t shake—even Anthony.

“It’s a long story, Pop. Bad shit happened while I was there. More than I’d like to ever discuss or care to remember. So far, they’re all behind bars, and I hope they stay that way.” I sighed, wishing Angel were with me. I wondered what she was doing and if she was okay. I’d left her alone in a strange house.

“Me too. You think you guys have a solid case?” He cocked an eyebrow.

“Yeah. James and I worked our asses off to make sure it would stick. I didn’t want it all to be in vain.” I rubbed my temples, trying to block the memories of shit I’d done that I’d never thought I’d do. Murder, disposing of bodies, drugs, and other shit I forced the fuck out as soon as it started creeping back in.

“Good,” he said, nodding and giving my mother’s hand a quick squeeze.

“Who’s hungry?” Ma asked, standing from her chair before releasing Pop’s hand. “I didn’t make anything special. No one bothered to tell me my son would be home today.” She turned to James and gave him the look of death. I could almost see the tiny daggers shooting out of her eye sockets.

“Uh oh,” Anthony teased. “Looks like someone isn’t the new favorite anymore.” He tossed his head back, laughing and holding his stomach.

“We all know Thomas is the real favorite,” Mike replied, rolling his eyes and making a face at me.

It dawned on me that while I’d been living in hell, they’d sat here every Sunday enjoying life and teasing each other relentlessly. I had done the work so families like mine could have these moments of peace and happiness, but knowing all I’d missed still made my heart hurt.

“Let’s go, people. Sit down, and the girls and I will grab the food,” Ma said, clapping her hands for us to move it.

Everyone jumped, scrambling to their feet as Ma made her way to the kitchen. Pop put his arm around me, walking next to me with a giant smile.

“It’s so good to have you home. Your mother has been a wreck. I’ve been worried sick about you, and even your brothers and Izzy have been. It’s good to finally see with my own eyes that you’re okay.”

“I’m alive, if that’s what you mean, Pop,” I replied, turning to look at him with a small smile.