I look over at War and Risk, who have blended into the crowd.“I had a lot of help.Everyone pitched in.”
“Gotta say, we couldn’t have done it without Guard and his brothers,” Hawk says, giving credit where credit is due.
“I don’t know what to say,” Tessa says.“I was feeling a little sorry for myself, and then all this.”She waves her arms around the room, transformed just for her, “It’s amazing.Thank you doesn’t seem to say what I feel, but if I don’t stop talking, I’ll cry,” she finishes with a hiccup.
I fold her into my arms.“There’s no crying on your birthday, baby.”I kiss her lightly on the mouth.
“Can we eat now?”Drifter calls out, lightening the mood and making the room erupt with laughter.Etain comes to give Tessa a hug, quickly followed by Sasha.
“Give someone else a turn,” Ruth tells them and wrangles her way in.“At my age, I don’t waste words, and I tell it like it is.There aren’t too many people I like.I find most people I meet are just damned annoying, selfish even.What these guys did for you means that you’re part of their family.It’s a good family to be in, Tessa, and Motown’s a good man.I don’t have kids of my own.Never had the luck to find a man who accepted me for who I am.I consider these men my kids, and Sasha and Etain.And now you.”
“Oh, Ruth?—”
“Oh no!I don’t do tears.Shut off the waterworks, girl.This is a party,” Ruth insists, shaking her head.She calls out over her shoulder, “Someone get Tessa a drink so she can get good and plastered.”Then she turns on her heel and struts to the bar, waving her hand in the air.“Never mind!I’ll play bartender.I’ll do it better than any of you anyway.”
The party gets into full swing, the food and booze are flowing, and Tessa sits with her girls around her, laughing and giggling.Tessa opens her gifts, oohing and aahing over them all.
“I’m so spoiled,” she says.“What are you going to do to top this next year?”she teases.
“Pony rides!”Decker shouts back.
“Piñata!”Flex adds.
“Male stripper,” Sasha shouts.This is when you know she’s had enough to drink, because sober Sasha would never mention strippers.
“Keep it up, baby, and I’m going to make sure you put on a show for me tonight,” Drifter warns with a glint in his eye.Immediately, Sasha’s cheeks go bright red.
Everyone’s having a great time, but I see Guard and Hawk conferring in the corner.Hawk must feel me watching them, as he looks up and jerks his head to me, asking me to join them.
“Everything okay?”I ask once I reach them.
Hawk says, “Tonight’s about Tessa.Give your attention to her.Tomorrow, we’ll get you guys caught up on where we’re at.But you should know, Logan’s contacted one of Bronson’s dealers.He’s meeting with Bronson tomorrow.Demon is keeping watch.”
I nod.“How’d he get in so fast?”
“We’ve provided Logan with a supplier who can bring product in cheaper than Bronson’s getting now.Bronson’s a greedy bastard.If he can make more money, he will,” Hawk answers.
I know we’re doing well, but there’s no way we have that much to bankroll yet.“How?”
“It’s a man Risk knows well,” Guard responds.
“Can you trust him?Why would he risk it?”I question.
“The Viale family doesn’t like competition.And after hearing how Bronson forces innocent people into his business, Reno’s decided getting rid of Bronson will be his good deed for the year,” Guard says.
“I can’t afford mistakes.Tessa is important to me.”
“We know,” Hawk replies.
“No, you don’t.She’s my everything,” I admit.
Guard nods.“We do know.I have Ava.I’d die for her.”
“Etain is my one, man.I get it,” Hawk says.
“Right.”I release a heavy breath, raking a hand through my hair.“I just want this to be over.”
“We all do,” Hawk agrees.