Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight. No copyright infringement is intended.

Beta'd by HollettLA.


"Back in the Saddle"

Chapter Two

Sonny/Santino

"You'll do good." I patted Nicky's back.

He polished off his drink. "Whatta you think they're talking about in there?"

"Business." I grinned. "If you don't know…" If his father hadn't told him, then I wasn't going to. It wasn't my place.

"Sonny!" Li'l Ed screamed, running toward me. If he didn't look gloriously disheveled, I would have thought someone got shot. "Oh my God…" He collapsed into the booth, lipstick on his collar.

"Things went well?" Nicky chuckled.

My cousin beamed. "Sonny, smell my fingers—"

I pushed him away from me. "Get the fuck outta hea!"

He cackled, sitting back. "I love this place!" Li'l Ed looked around. "Where's my dad?"

I bit my bottom lip, peeping Carlisle—the middle of a tit sandwich—a few tables back. Li'l Ed wasn't looking directly behind himself, though. "Over there." I pointed.

Li'l Ed did a double take. "He's like a fuckin' pimp! He better gimme one." His tipsy ass walked over to his father's table.

And my father owed me fifty bucks.

Nicky and I watched while Li'l Eddie approached Carlisle. But my cousin joined us again real fast. "He's fuckin' greedy." Ed grabbed a bottle, disgruntled now. "He rubs up on them, and then he'll go home and fuck my mother."

"He could be fucking them," Nicky added. "Could be worse…It's a thrill, all in good fun."

I met Ed's gaze. "You got your shit greased, free drinks…Don't worry about what he's doing." Even if I don't partake in certain activities…

Eh, I wanted the fifty bucks. I didn't wanna lose the bet.

I truly don't give a fuck what anyone else does.

My uncle's not out of control like his son. He still parties, does…whatever.

It's a don't ask, don't tell policy.

If it happens here, it never really happened.

Dad has always behaved himself. He's actually kinda mean to my employees, but that's better than him disrespecting my mother. I'd beat his ass, legit try to kill him.

Everyone else…?

"You know the rules," I said.

"Yeah, yeah…" He sat back. "Paula thought I was cute. I shoulda asked for her number."

I shook my head, jerking a thumb to Nicky. "He hooked you up. You ain't that cute."

"Yeah, right." He didn't believe me.

"Den of iniquity," I sighed. "They're here for the taking. Right?" I followed Ed's line of sight to the stage. "I wonder who else'll think you're cute."

He grinned, leaving the booth.

"That was cold. You set him up to get slapped," Nicky laughed.

I shrugged, knowing I had fifteen minutes until eight, and I wanted to keep Little Ed occupied.

With nothing else to excite me, I looked forward to beating the Skip, winning the bet.

Maybe my father had the same objective and was paying attention to the time. Dad, Aro, and Maisano left the office, and my father walked right over to my cousin.

"Shit," I hissed under my breath, knowing Dad was gonna fuck with his head.

Maisano and Aro slid into the booth across from us.

"Little Ed scored with Paula?" Aro asked.

I nodded.

"What's wrong with him?" Maisano asked, staring across the floor. "Like…" He seemed at a loss for words. "He was scopin' my Gabby's tits earlier."

"Mom?" Nicky asked.

"Hey, the kid's got taste." Aro wrapped an arm around Maisano, and Maisano laughed while Aro widened his eyes at me.

"He's always been weird," I said.

"That's what I meant." Maisano nodded. "Is he…special? I'm not tryin'a be rude."

"No," Aro laughed. "He's a kid, young for his age, too…" His eyes met mine. "He reminds me of Dame."

"No," I disagreed; my brother was nothing like that kid.

"Dame's the doctor?" Maisano asked.

I nodded. "He's a surgeon…always busy. You met him last time youse were here." I was sure they'd met again at Ant's wedding. My brother's still not a social butterfly at big events. Now he skulks in the corner, hiding behind Jordan, and they people watch together, or he's chasing his daughter around. "He was Ant's best man."

"Right." Maisano poured himself a drink.

"He really scored with Paula?" Aro asked.

I worried for my cousin, wondering if—by eight o'clock—every motherfucker in the club was gonna have some sort of issue. "She your girl or somethin'?" I asked Aro.

"No, it's just…" Aro looked around. "She's usually your uncle's."

"I don't think he minds." I shrugged, looking over to the two Eds by the bar. They were just drinking and talking. "Excuse me." I left the booth to button my jacket.

Dad noticed me coming their way, and he was quick to turn Ed from me.

I could always tell one of the girls to accost Little Ed, keep him outta trouble until…like nine rolls around. But I was pretty sure my father would scare one off.

Nevertheless, I didn't give my father the satisfaction. Maybe he thought I was up to something, but I entered my office instead. Through the cameras, I was able to see which dancers were in the dressing room, and I used the intercom. "Yo…"

Lacey, our little Vietnamese treasure, picked up the phone on the wall. "Yeah?"

"It's Cullen," I said.

She looked up to the camera. "Who are you looking for?"

"You…" I paused to watch her smile up at me—shock written in her features.

Sorry, sweetheart.

She giggled. "I'll be right there."

I took my finger off the button and rocked back in my chair.

A minute later, there was a knock at the door.

Before I answered, I made sure everything was cool, my eyes trailing around the office. I probably won't be back here for a few weeks. So Ant wouldn't ransack my desk, I took the payroll books and left them out for him.

Then I locked up, meeting Lacey in the hallway.

She stood there expectantly, either thinking I wanted to reprimand her or fuck her. It was neither of those two.

"It's my cousin's birthday," I lied, digging in my pocket and counting out a few hundred bucks. It was a silly concept, paying three hundred just so I could gain fifty…oh well.

"What exactly are you paying me to do?" She had an attitude, and I dug that. Lacey's a bitch, doesn't do anything extra, and she's not scared of my father; meanwhile, she's a hit with the customers.

"To dance…" I held the money out.

Lacey took the bills from me.

"He's having drinks with Skip." I pointed.

She narrowed her eyes at me. "It's not worth it."

I scoffed, handing her another hundred. "I'm your fuckin' boss…you should just do it 'cause I said so." If she didn't have many fans, I would have fired her two years ago. She's popular because she looks crazy young. She's Asian, which is exotic amongst this crowd, and she wears a schoolgirl uniform.

Lacey grinned, checking me out. "Well…there is one place where I take orders, Mr. Cullen. Guess where that is?"

"I don't give a fuck." I pointed toward the bar.

Lacey huffed, stomping away from me, but she did as she was paid to. She walked right up to my father and Little Ed. My cousin was about to come in his pants again, staring at her while she exchanged words with Dad.

No doubt, he told her to scram, but she grasped Ed's hand to lead him away.

That fucker went willingly, leaving Dad at the bar.

It was officially eight o'clock, and I emerged to give him a pat on the back.

"That mouthy little cooz…Why does she still work here?" he asked.

I put my hand out. "Where's my money?"

"Fuck you," he laughed. "My wife watches your kids for free. I don't gotta give you shit."

"Your wife happens to be my mother." I chuckled.

"Kids are always eatin' my Fritos, messin' up my house." He sipped his drink.

"Oh, so now I owe Pop-Pop a bag of Fritos?" I knew he didn't mean what he'd said.

"You're droppin' them off tomorrow, right?" He smiled. "Except for yesterday, I've barely seen my bruisers all week, and it's summer." Dad actually looked saddened that they haven't been by much.

I nodded. "Maggie hasn't gone anywhere in a while. She's basically waiting around to go into labor."

"Mom says she's miserable." He laughed through his nose. "Fuck, I'd be miserable, too."

"Yeah…" I looked around to see nothing amiss, everyone was chillin', and Little Ed was in a private room. "We'll talk later this week about this cat?" I asked in reference to Nicky, Las Vegas and all that. It wasn't a rush.

"Next week, his brother, Dee's gonna call you—Dominic."

I shook my head. "Nicky doesn't have a brother named—"

"Anthony," he spoke with his hands. "Maisano's brother—Dominic."

"For what?" I asked, vaguely placing a face with the name. If it's the Dominic I'm thinking of, he's another muscle, handles the grittier side of our world—another Aro, the shit I still do on occasion.

Dad hummed, staring down to his glass. "You might have to go out there."

I put up a finger to stop him. "I'm not gonna be around the next two weeks."

"I mentioned that…" He didn't give a fuck.

"Why don't you and Mom go out there?" I asked. "Take a fuckin' vacation, and what the fuck? Am I being pimped out to Vegas?" I didn't care if I sounded elitist. With my status as it is right now, if I was meeting with anyone, it was going to be Anthony Maisano.

I get my hands dirty all the time, which is unavoidable, but I don't know Dominic like that.

"Look…I'mma get mine." He pointed to himself. "If you want nothin' outta this, I'll tell Dee you're not interested." Dad refused to meet my gaze. "They technically don't have to give you shit…not if they're taking care of me." He smiled, placing his arm around me. "You go out there for a day, and you come back two million dollars richer. How is that a bad thing? You think I'd give someone your number if I didn't trust them?"

"You don't even trust me," I laughed at him.

Dad narrowed his eyes. "You believe that, Santino?"

I didn't reply, knowing my words were true—knowing what I do now and that he can't trust anybody. And I know that because I don't trust anybody. Sure, I knew he'd never place me in danger, but when was the last time he went out to Vegas? I didn't think I'd get popped or anything, either. I knew that much.

"You think I'd do something to harm you?" He poked my chest.

"Never," I admitted.

He nodded. "So, what's the problem?" He raised a brow. "Oh…the whole Maggie having a baby thing…No one said you had to go out there now. Just fuckin' pick up when the man calls you…God." He finished his drink. "When I was your age, I had three kids, too…Well, Mom was pregnant with Kylie when I was your age, and I do have regrets." He rolled his eyes, not sounding remorseful at all. "But you don't know what's going to happen next week, or next month, or next year." Dad counted off his fingers.

"Sure, I worked a lot. I did what I could while I could—while I was young, like you should. I'm not some greedy motherfucker…We have a good thing here, but nothing's insured." He searched my eyes. "It's not only about this thing. It's about taking every opportunity and advantage."

I shook my head. "Something happens to me, my family's taken care of—"

"Sure, you can retire right now, and be happy the rest of your life." He chuckled. "I could have, too, but you know what? That's not an option, so pick up the fuckin' phone, Santino."

I agreed, even if I knew nothing of importance would be said over the phone. I'd have to go out there, but if the timing's no good, and I can't…I won't.

Technically and logically, I could have Nicky speak on my behalf. He could confer with his uncle for me, and he might appreciate that—my trust in a way.

He works for me now.

"Oh…" I remembered something. "Sunday, if we're not around, the boys have Sunday school before church, and then the Sullivans—"

"Fuck the Sullivans. They're mine this weekend." He pointed to himself.

I didn't comment, making a mental note to remind my mother. "I'mma take off." If I left now, Maggie would definitely be awake.

"Yeah, me too. Your mother won't fuck me if the kids are there." He shrugged. "I don't know why…You and Maggie are nasty enough. I bet your kids know what sex is."

I threw my head back to laugh. "No, they don't…At least, I don't think so." Sex is everywhere, and kids get the gist—I knew that, but I didn't think my kids did.

He pointed at me. "Kids are sneaky motherfuckers. You don't know what they know."

"Has one of them…said something to you?" I was curious.

The last time Dad hinted at some shit, a talk with Little Sonny followed.

"Little Sonny and I talk all the time. He's mad smart for a little fucker. I'm telling you. He knows a lot more than he lets on, and you need to be straight with him."

"He's eight," I said.

"You were eight once, too." He looked around himself. "You were also perceptive, and I always told you the truth. I never treated you—just like I don't treat Little Sonny—like some dumb little kid."

"But, he is a kid." I showed him my palms, nearly pleading.

Dad didn't pay me any attention. He was mad fucking rude because he didn't want to hear my words. We'd had this conversation before. My sons are little boys, my babies, and they're not members of some crew. I'm always honest with my children. I can be blunt, too, but I could never be as abrasively truthful or as cold as my father was—how he was with me at times.

I don't blame my father for a fuckin' thing.

My eldest also has responsibilities as the oldest. Santino Jr. is a natural-born leader, too. He doesn't have to be told certain things, takes initiative, and helps out around the house.

Littlest Ed, my younger son, is a very good kid. He's quirky, hyper, funny, and silly. He's seven and acts as such.

My sons are best friends—only a year apart—and the best of enemies.

But they're good boys.

I want my kids to stay kids until they're not kids anymore.

I want them to play and have fun—hold on to that innocence that makes them believe in magic, the tooth fairy—and shit like that.

"Sonny!" Little Ed shouted. "Holy fuck!" He grabbed his junk.

"See what happens when you shield motherfuckers?" Dad pointed. "You unleash them onto the world, they're immature, and they act like fools. Pull yourself together." Dad righted him, making him stand straight.

I massaged my forehead.

"Damn, Unc…Why you gettin' on me?" he asked.

"Go tell your father we're leaving." Dad pointed. When Ed turned away, my father called him back. "How'd your father's dick taste? You kissin' up on Paula?"

I thought Little Ed was going to keel over and die. "What?"

Dad patted his back. "I was kidding."

My father tells the truth even when he lies.

Little Eddie finally escaped, and I shook my head at my father. In all fairness, my cousin is twenty-three, peculiar and a horny fuck, but that shit was uncalled for. Dad's a trickster, too, and all he wanted was for Li'l Ed to clock Carlisle.

Suddenly Dad shuddered, nearly gagging. "Dame ever tell you that little fuck thought he had herpes last year?"

"No…" I wondered why it was vital I knew that. "Let's go."

My father didn't argue.

Nicky wanted to get back to Carli, and Maisano promised his wife something, so we were all leaving.

Except Carlisle, Aro, and Little Eddie.

Our friends from Vegas were staying here in Manhattan.

Dad surprised me when he insisted they take the limo. Neither of us could drive. Well, I was sure I could, but I wasn't going to, and I quickly hailed us a taxi.

"You couldn't take someone's whip?" Dad looked to his shoes, and he was talkative, so I knew he was tipsy. "It smells like curry in here."

I stared out the window, watching the streets whiz by. "Yeah…" I had no idea why he was complaining. At least we'd found a cab within a minute that was willing to haul us to Brooklyn.

"Fuckin'…cameras in cabs these days." He peered into the front seats to flip off the dashboard.

"Be easy."

Anxious to get home, neither one of us was good company during the ride.


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