Trapped in his End Game (Series)

A smattering of applause greets us when we approach the table reserved for us. Everyone’s there-all of Joe’s friends and work associates and their wives, even Jack, who still gives me a slightly bitter taste in my mouth. The few friends I have, cousins, and even my mother made an appearance, but I only have eyes for my little sister.

My face burns as they cheer for us and I turn into Joe’s arms, laughing at him. “That’s a lot of people.”

He rubs my back, beaming at them all. “C’mon. Let’s say hello.”

I grip his hand like a vice and he winces as he leads me to the table. Jack bows his head to me. “Congratulations, Joey. You too, hon.”

I smile thinly. I haven’t forgotten how after I sold Worlds Casino, Jack demanded a cut. I gave him enough to cover my Dad’s debts, and then I made it quite clear that if he wanted more, he’d have to go through my lawyer. I could have kept the casino beyond his reach, but I just didn’t want to do it anymore. All it did was remind me of my dad’s legacy, of how corrupt he let it become. I didn’t want any part of it.

Vincent leans over the table and shakes my hand. “I’m happy for you guys.”

“Me too,” says his wife. “You guys are so cute together.” She gives me a friendly smile. “Welcome to the family.”

The family. Not just Joe’s family, but the Vittorio family, too. I’ve accepted it because it’s a part of him. I never got to choose my own family, but I’m choosing this one. I choose him.

I thank her and move along the table, accepting congratulations from everyone. It makes my head spin. Then my sister gets up from the table and wraps her arms around me, and then to my surprise, Joe.

He returns her embrace with a look of slight shock, and to my astonishment Jessica bursts into tears.

“I never really thanked you for saving my life.”

Joe whispers reassuring words into her ear and she cries in earnest. I love him for how sweet he is with my sister. He’s patient with her in a way that I never was. Sometimes, he looks at us with such a pained expression. He misses her. Janice.

“I love you both. I’m really happy for you.”ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

He beams at her and she finally detaches herself from Joe’s neck to sit down at the table with her face buried in her hands.

Poor Jessica. She never really recovered from the fire. I lean forward and grab her hand, and she looks up. “I’m so sorry for everything. I was always-I was such a b-brat!”

I laugh at that. “Jess, you’ll be my maid of honor?”

She lunges at me and wraps her arms around my neck, now positively howling.

Thoughts of another man inevitably creep into my head when she finally calms down and we eat food. It’s right there, between us, and yet we never talk about it. Him.

I can’t even think of his name. His name is like the whisper of a dark spell-or a curse. Like Voldemort in Harry Potter. Too evil to say out loud.

That’s what it feels like, anyway.

Joe looks at me from across the table with a sympathetic smile. He lets me rant and rave about it. Often, he’d hold me at night when all I could do was cry about my brother.

But the truth is, Jessica and I are better than ever. Without him, we’re happier. We’re thriving. It’s like he’s been poisoning me all these years, slipping it into my coffee, and now that he’s gone, I’m free. I’m happy.

Across the table, I see Joe laughing hard at a joke Vince said down the table. His bright eyes momentarily catch mine, and I feel lighter. He looks just like the man in the photograph, the ones that he proudly displays all over our home. Suddenly, he gives me a wink and I’m filled with that hot, giddy feeling. He mouths something to me: Love you, babe.

Me too.

End of book 3