Page 129 of Crow
“Owns an interest in a billiards business.”Along with the rest of his club members. I can’t tell himthat.
“Those places can do really well. What’s the name of it?”
Crinkling her forehead, Angie acted like she was trying to remember. No way she’d tell her brother that the name was Balls and Holes.Absolutely not. No way.“I don’t remember.”
“Louie said this Cody guy had a big-ass Harley. He must ride a lot.”
“He does.”Stop with the fucking third-degree already.
“I’ve always wanted to buy one. They look badass, and I’ve heard they ride real smooth. What did you think?”
“The bike is very smooth and powerful. It seems to me like a person would have to be an experienced rider for a motorcycle like his.”
“Probably. There’s a place in town—Skid Marks, where they sell pre-owned Harleys. An outlaw biker club owns the place, but I heard they got some great motorcycles and really know their stuff. Can you believe outlaw bikers live in this town? I see them downtown sometimes. They got a ton of attitude. I wonder if they’re as tough as they want people to believe. Anyway, imagine having one of those outlaw clubs in Alina.”
“Yeah, imagine that.”I have to steer this conversation in another direction. I’m dying here.
“You should bring him to Aunt Rosa’s birthday party. He should know you got two brothers who live in town and won’t put up with any man not treating you good.”
“He’s a nice guy.”
“That’s what you said about the last jerk, and you saw what he did to you.”
“That’s in the past. Most people make mistakes in love. Remember Francesca? You were all gaga over her until Vito told you she was all over the place on Tinder. We all make mistakes. Not just me.”
“Yeah, yeah.” He leaned over and picked up his glass from the coffee table and downed it in one gulp. “I have to go.”
“Where are you going?”
“Tonight’s poker night at Frankie’s.”
“Have fun.”
“Are you going out with yourragazzo?”
“Maybe.”
“What the hell does that mean? You either have a date, or you don’t. What kind of guy makes a date the last minute?” he asked, stopping in his tracks by the foyer.
“A guy who doesn’t know if he’ll have to cover for a no-show at work. Now, go to your party and have a good time.”
“It’s poker, not a party.”
“You know what I mean.”
Dominic opened the door and stepped out on the porch, activating the motion lights. “I’m glad you got these.” He leaned over and gave her a peck on the cheek. “Lock up and don’t open the door to any strangers.”
“I only did that once when I was, like, eight years old, and Mom was in the next room.”
“I’m just saying. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Okay. Drive safely. Good night.”
Angie slid the curtain to one side and watched until his car’s red tail lights disappeared in the distance, then let out a small sigh of relief. Sometimes her conversations with Dominic felt like trying to avoid being knocked down in a boxing ring.
As she moved away from the window, the cell phone rang, and she hurried toward the couch to retrieve it.
“Hey, beautiful. How’re things going?”
