Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 55769 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55769 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Goddamn fuck.
“Vito—”
His uncle raised his hand. “I get it. Talked with Angela about it. She told me what a stubborn ass I am and that I did what I did for the reasons I did it. But I’m not you. Any good father lets their son choose his own path. It isn’t an indictment if they don’t choose yours. It’s a gift you got to give. And I fell down again because I didn’t give it.”
“I should have been more sensitive to you bein’ in that place,” Ren replied.
Vito shook his head. “It’s on me to show you the way. You and Ally, you’re gonna have kids. You gotta know the way. That’s the only path it’s on me to show you. You’re young. Got your life ahead of you. It’s not on you to make shit easy on me. It’s on me to show you the way.”
“You showed me the way, Uncle Vito,” he said low.
This time, Vito nodded his head. “Proud of you, son. Proud of your cousin for gettin’ his head out of his ass and turnin’ his attention to his wife, where it should be. Wasn’t sure he had that in him. He’s a lucky guy, she gave him a second chance. But you, Lorenzo. I’ve always been proud of you.”
Fuck it.
Ren stood and walked around the desk.
Vito stood and turned to Ren.
When Ren got close, Vito’s hand shot out, curved around the back of Ren’s neck, and he yanked him into his body, wrapping his other arm around. Ren took the same hold, neck and back, and as men do, they both pounded the love into each other’s shoulder blades.
The door opened.
They broke and looked that way.
Ally was backing out. “I’ll just come back.”
Vito clapped his hands. “Nope! I’m gone. Said what had to be said.” He clamped his hand on the side of Ren’s neck and squeezed while looking into his eyes.
Ren smirked.
“Love you too, Uncle Vito,” he said.
Vito nodded once, let Ren go, walked to the door, stopped so Ally could kiss his cheek, then he was gone.
Ally didn’t move into the room after the door closed behind him when she asked, “You okay?”
“He was hurt I didn’t want to follow in his footsteps.”
Understanding lit on her face. “Ah.”
“He’s over it now.”
“Good.”
Ren tipped his head to the side. “Is there some reason you’re standing all the way over there?”
“Yes. Because I feel the need to comfort you, which will lead to us fucking on your desk again, and I’m hungry. A miracle has happened. I’m so hungry, I want to eat instead of fuck. Or, at least, before we fuck. Does this mean we’re turning into an old, staid, boring couple?”
He moved her way, grinning and saying, “No. It just means you’re hungry.” He put his hands to her hips when he arrived at her. “And just sayin’, stomach rumbles are a turn off, baby.”
She smiled at him.
He took her in.
He’d had dreams too.
Dreams, actually, of finding a woman like Angela.
A woman like Sissy.
Quiet and supportive, happy to keep house and plan parties and build her life around her man.
His first indication that wasn’t what was truly in his heart was when he became attracted to Ava.
The definite proof was when Ally walked out on him because he struggled with holding on to a dream that wasn’t ever his. It was Vito’s.
His dream was standing right in front of him, sass and fire and strength, and so much love, her every move was guided by it.
“Why are you staring at me like that?” she asked.
“Because Vito and I talked about something else. Now I realize how much I fucked up when I fell down on the job.”
“Fell down on what job?”
“The job of making sure you know, and you’re never in any doubt, that there is not one thing I need on this earth more than having you at my side.”
She leaned into him and whispered, “Ren.”
Christ, he loved it when she said his name like that.
Especially when it came with her beautiful face getting soft like that.
Just for him.
She had a lot of love to give.
But that was all his.
“So, I’m going to say it now and do my damnedest to show it from now on. But that’s where I’m at.”
“We had a hiccup, it’s over,” she asserted.
“I nearly lost you, and we’re not getting lunch until you know I’m not gonna fuck up like that again.”
“It isn’t about the fact I’m seriously hungry that I share, I already know that, Ren Zano, and I’m not in any doubt.”
“Good,” he grunted.
“Though, you’re gonna have to get over the stomach rumbles.”
“Why?”
She started pushing him backward. “Because you’re being so sweet, I need to blow you.”
He smiled down at her, not about to argue.
So he didn’t.
Rock Chick Rewind – Hit Play
Darius
Some time ago…
Ally collapsed on the couch at his side.