Ma touched the stones and ran her hand across the large wooden mantle. “I’m speechless. The entire place is…” She smiled, looking around.
“I know, Ma. It’s perfect. Turned out better than I could’ve dreamed.”
“Here’s your drink Mr. G,” Suzy said as she handed him a glass of whiskey on the rocks.
A loud pounding on the door made my mother jump. “I’ll get it.”
Suzy nodded. “I’ll show them around.”
The banging continued. “Jesus,” I yelled as I opened the door.
Mike’s fist stopped in mid-air, as he was about to land another blow. “Sorry, didn’t think you heard me.”
“I think the dead heard you, brother.” I opened the door, letting him inside. His overly sized body hid Mia. “Hey, Doc. How the hell are ya?” I asked Mia as Michael walked inside.
She smiled, holding out her hand to me. I shook my head, grabbing her and pulled her to my chest. “I want a hug. We’re beyond handshakes, Doc. You’ve seen me naked for shit’s sake.” I laughed, feeling her tense in my arms.
She blushed, her cheeks turning red as she pulled away. “Well, um...”
“It’s okay, Mia. I was dying and you saved me. I’m just harassing you.”
She swallowed, looking at Mike before turning back to me. “You know how your brother gets.” She chewed her lip as she looked around my body to Mike.
“Don’t worry. He doesn’t give a shit about me. He knows I have my girl. Come on in.” I stepped aside letting her pass. “How’s the clinic?” I asked as I followed her toward the sound of Mike’s voice.
“I promise I didn’t look, by the way.” She winked with a small smile on her face. “It’s so great, Joe. You’re family has done so much.” She smiled, stopping at the counter to watch everyone else in the great room.
“Mia,” Ma said, holding out her arms.
I smiled as Suzy wrapped her arms around me, placing her head on my chest. Life couldn’t get much better than this. Mike and Pop sat on the couch talking, Ma and Mia greeted each other, and Suzy was at my side.
The front door opened and I turned to see who it was. We were only missing Izzy and Anthony. “Smells damn good in here,” Izzy said as she walked into the kitchen.
“Hey, sis,” I said, walking over to hug her.
“I brought someone, I hope you don’t mind.” She smiled, looking up into my eyes. Izzy was never this sweet.
“Who?” I asked, looking up.
Anthony waved and stepped aside. Fuck. “Really?” I whispered in her ear, grabbing her by the shoulder.
“Come on, Joey. He didn’t have anywhere else to be. He was in town and I told him he could spend the day with us. I know you made enough food for an entire army.” She batted her eyelashes at me.
“He’s here now.” I shook my head, looking down at her. “Next time ask, Izzy.”
“Okay,” she whispered in my chest, squeezing me before ducking under my arms.
I held out my hand to Sam as Anthony walked by and grimaced. He felt the same way I did about this f**ker. “Nice to see you again, Sam.”
He placed his hand in mine, gripping it roughly. “I go by Flash now.”
“Whatever,” I said, rolling my eyes. “Welcome to my home,” I said, pulling him close as I crushed his fingers in my grip. “If you hurt my sister, I’ll f**king bury you. Got me?”
“Easy now, City. I wouldn’t dream of it. We’re just friends.” He stood toe to toe to me, gripping my shoulder.
“I don’t care who the f**k you think you are or what MC you’re in. You’re still Sam to me and I can still whip your ass. Just so we’re clear.” I glared at him. Who the f**k did this punk think he was?
Suzy’s arms slid around me as her tits crushed against my back. “Everything okay, baby?” she asked.
“Just perfect, sugar. This is Sam, Izzy’s friend.”
She released me and held out her hand to him. “Hi, Sam, I’m Suzy. Nice to meet you,” she said smiling, unaffected by his inability to dress up. He had on his MC cut and jeans, classy for the holidays.
“It’s my pleasure, Suzy.” He pulled her hand to his lips and kissed it gently. “You have a beautiful home.”
“Thank you, Sam.”
I growled, wanting to punch him in the face. His eyes flickered to me, his lips turning up in a half-smirk before he looked back to Suzy.
“Joe’s a very lucky man. I hope you don’t mind me crashing the party.” Sam’s eyes flickered to me with a shitty grin before looking at Suzy. I wanted to rip his head off, the f**king weasel.
“Not at all. Come on in and make yourself at home.” Suzy said with a smile.
As Sam walked past me, I glared at him but I knew I should be nice. Suzy stood on her tiptoes, rubbing my cheek and stared at me with her head tilted. “What’s wrong, City?”
I looked down at her, giving her a half-smile. Her kind eyes and big heart always did a number on me. “Nothing, sugar. I just don’t like him.”
“I’m sure he’s harmless. Let’s enjoy our first Thanksgiving in our new home.”
I kissed her hair, taking in the coconut sweetness on the silk strands. “Harmless isn’t a word I’d use to describe Sam, but you’re right, let’s enjoy it.”