Dominic smiled, showing perfect teeth for his age. “I take it things are going good.”
The pride seeping out of every pore on his body puffed his chest out as he grinned at his father. “Better than good.”
The approaching waitress interrupted Dom as she came to take their orders. Dominic ordered scrambled eggs, bacon, wheat toast, and coffee. Dom just had a glass of orange juice. Picking up where he left off after the waitress left, he announced, “I asked her to marry me.”
A huge grin split Dominic’s face. Karen was good for his son. In his opinion she was the best thing to happen to Dom in a long time. He and Janet were afraid their oldest child would never love again after being hurt so badly. But thank God Karen had come into his life. Obviously, she had shown him that love was possible with the right woman.
“Hot damn! I knew you were crazy about that girl and her kids.” Dominic couldn’t forget the kids. He and Janet adored them. He was tickled pink when Janet told him of their little scheme to get Dom and their mom married.
Dom laughed at his father’s enthusiasm. “That I am. I can’t wait for us to be a family. We’re planning on telling the kids at lunch today.”
“That’s great son.” This made what Dominic had to talk to Dom about so much easier. He hoped that now that he was about to become a family man, he would be willing to accept his offer. What he was proposing would offer him financial stability.
Settling back in the booth, his chest puffed up with pride. He and Janet had done well raising a boy into a man. “This certainly makes what I’m about to propose to you so much easier.”
Dom titled his head to the side as he studied his father. His smile eased into a serious expression. It was the look he usually got when he was ready to talk business. “What’s up, Pop?”
“You’re mother and I have been talking. We decided it’s time for me to retire.”
Dom rolled his eyes. This was like the hundredth time he retired.
Reading his thoughts, Dominic laughed. “Son, I’m serious this time. I want you to take over the business. Your uncles and I are getting old and your cousins never had anything to do with the business.”
“Pop you’re not that old. You’re not even sixty yet.” He wouldn’t even waste his breath discussing his cousins. Luke was still trying to be a gangster. Tony was living off the trust fund his maternal grandparents left him. Working was the last thing on his mind. Frankie lived in Florida and had a thriving dental practice.
“True enough. But I want to enjoy my new grandchildren. And I can’t spoil them if I’m working. Just think about it. Talk it over with Karen and see what she thinks. It’ll take a year to train you even though you know the company from the ground up.”
It really touched Dom that his parents were already considering Ashley and Kyle their grandchildren. He was even more touched Dominic considered Karen’s feelings on the subject. And to sweeten the deal, he offered to work with him for a year. “Okay, Pop, I’ll give it some serious thought.” Looking at his watch, he said, “Listen, I got to get over to the house I’m working on before I head over to Karen’s.”
Leaving enough money on the table to cover the bill, Dom promised his dad he’d talk to Karen and get back to him with an answer.
What the hell is going on? Dom wondered. Karen’s front door was open and he could hear heated voices. He didn’t bother to announce his presence as he entered the house. There was so much chaos no one noticed he had stepped into the room.
Rage coursed through him with the force of a gale wind. The drama unfolding in front of him was enough to make him body slam somebody. Ashley and Kyle were huddled in a corner clinging to each other crying. Karen was furious, yelling at the top of her lungs at an older couple. She was going off about nobody’s taking her kids from her. The older couple was tag teaming Karen, yelling just as loudly that they had a right to see their grandchildren. Then it clicked. Gregory’s parents. And from Karen’s reaction the bastards must have threatened her. He had never seen her so wild and out of control.
He had had enough. It was time for the madness to come to an end. Dom’s roar vibrated the walls. “What the hell is going on in here?” The stony expression set in his strong features shut everyone up. With flaring nostrils, bulging carotids and large hands clenching and unclenching into tight fists he looked as if he was ready to pounce. Heaven help the one he decided to pounce on.
The second Ashley and Kyle looked up from their huddle, they ran, distraught into his arms. “Daddy! Make them go away!” Kyle cried clinging onto Dom.