Escaping: A Mafia Romance (The O'Keefe Family Collection #2) by Tuesday Embers, Mary E. Twomey Page B

had a decent excuse to run after Fallyn. Every day he grew more and more in love with her, seeking out new ways to make her smile and build a life that one day he could fully share with her. Tony oftentimes resented him for it. Joey teased him about it. Angelo was quiet, as his usual stoic demeanor remained, but Vince knew if his cousin did venture an opinion, it would be one of caution. Things were going well with the families and the community, for once. Every day Vince got to be with Fallyn was a day the alliance they’d all worked so hard for might all fall apart.
    “I think I’ll make one more pitch to see if that sways the bakery merging with La Cucina Italia,” Vince told Killian after they wrapped up their meeting of the minds.
    “Good luck. She’s been real stubborn lately. It’s this new secret guy she’s seeing.”
    Vince’s movements were careful. He kept his eyes on the coffee cup that had long since gone cold. “You all really hate that she’s dating someone, huh.”
    Killian cracked his knuckles. “Are you kidding me? I told Carrigan to put a tail on her to find out who the guy is, but he said he won’t do it. He’s all for respecting her privacy.” He rolled his eyes, like the idea was ludicrous. “She doesn’t seem to be having problems with the loser, but he’ll show his true colors soon enough.” He shook his head in disgust.
    “Then let me ask you a question. I don’t have a sister, so I don’t really get the whole forcing her to live like a nun thing you all seem bent on. Who is good enough for Fallyn?”
    Without hesitation or blinking, Killian answered, “A prince.”
    Vince chuckled, but then pulled back when he saw Killian wasn’t smiling. “Oh, you’re serious?”
    “Very. Preferably an Irish prince. We won’t let her settle.”
    “An Irish prince, eh? I thought Ireland had a Prime Minister, not a king.”
    Killian shrugged with a slight smile that Vince knew a detail about where their father had immigrated from. “Then I guess no one’s good enough.”
    “And you’re sure this new guy is someone who’s not worth her? Even though you’ve never met him.”
    Killian nodded without pause. “I’m sure enough. He’d have shown his face by now if he had any balls. We’re stepping back because she’s going through a lot with Dad. He didn’t have as many years with her as we did, so it’s her he forgets most often. She tries to be fine about it, but we all know it breaks her down. Dad’s dementia’s taking a turn.” He motioned to his shoulder. “He took a swing at me this morning. The meds calm him down, but they also make him foggier. It’s a rough tradeoff. So if Fally needs to feel happy for a few months with some lowlife, I guess we can give her at least that.”
    Vince stood with Killian, mulling over his words as he kissed the man on either cheek. “See you Saturday night for family dinner.”
    The moment Killian left out the front door, Vince ducked behind the counter, smiling to himself that Jen shirked quickly out of the way and avoided eye contact. He was glad to see that just because his neighborhood was getting cleaned up, it did not deter the fear most people regarded him with. He’d worked hard to instill that reverence that was mixed with terror.
    Fallyn was icing a hot pink cake with zebra stripes that had a large 16 atop it. “Oh, hey,” she said, her eyes on the cake. Loretta was taking her break, so the fact that Fallyn was holding herself back even though it was just the two of them troubled Vince.
    “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing. Just trying to get this black icing not to bleed. The warmer the bag gets in my hand, the more it looks messy on the cake. I would’ve used fondant, but the birthday girl this is for doesn’t like the taste of it.”
    “I’m not asking about the icing. What’s wrong in here?” He pointed to her heart. “I was real excited when I thought up that deal, and you’re acting like I’m trying to rip you off