“Well, what’s her name?”

“Esther.”

“Okay, should we go inside now?” Cammi asks.

“Nah, let’s stay out here for a bit longer. I like having you to myself.” I pull her tighter against me. This woman is my lifeline.

Chapter Eighteen

I can’t believe I’m doing this. I just invited Mary and Esther to Sunday fucking dinner. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be inviting my mother for dinner. Then again, I didn’t think I’d ever have a sister either. And now I do.

I just need to break the news to the others.

Me:

Demon birther is coming for Sunday dinner. You all need to be here.

I knew the moment I hit send on the text that they would all start blowing up my phone.

Gabe:

Why?

Santo:

Have you lost your fucking mind?

Marcel:

??? Really? It’s not April Fool’s, Gio.

Vin:

I’m busy.

I call Vin’s number. He’s busy, my fucking ass.

“What?” he answers.

“You will be here Sunday,” I tell him.

“Why? What’s it matter if I’m there or not?” he grunts into the phone. Moody as fucking ever.

“Because we have a sister, Vincenzo. And the only way to see her is to have Mary around with her.”

“Why the fuck do we care about a sister we didn’t know shit about?”

“Because she’s still our sister and we are going to get to know her. We don’t leave anyone behind, Vin. We’ve always stuck together,” I remind him.

He’s silent for a while before he groans. “Fine, I’ll be there. But don’t expect it to be all happy families and shit.”

“Thank you,” I tell him before cutting the call. I send another text to the group.

Me:

Esther is our sister. That means something. We are going to welcome her into the family.

Santo:

Okay, but what the fuck do we do with a sister?

Marcel:

Can she at least be gay?

Gabe:

Protect her. Get to know her. That’s what we do.

Vin:

She’s a smart-mouthed, moody teenager.

Me:

It wasn’t all that long ago that you were one too.

Putting my phone away, I go in search of my wife. Sunday is going to be interesting.

* * *

“It’ll be fine,” Ellie says before pressing her lips to my cheek.

“I’m not worried,” I lie.

“Sure. I’m going to get Aurelio dressed. I’ll meet you downstairs.” She takes my son from my arms. I know I’m supposed to share him with her. She’s his mother. But fuck, I hate it when anyone takes him from me.

“Remind me again why we’re doing this?” Santo groans the moment my foot hits the foyer.

“Because we have a sister,” I tell him for the millionth time. Seems I’m the only one who remembers that fact.

“Half-sister,” Marcel adds.