“No, Anthony. A girl belongs with a strong, young man. Strengthens the family.”
“Can you make it sound as if you aren't matching a stallion to a mare?”
Vits' eyes blazed at Saks’ impertinence. But he was smart enough to know Saks wasn’t on board with the whole scheme and needed convincing. “Look. I’m trying to avoid a war here, son. It’s a small state, no? Not much room to move, especially with how law enforcement has been breathing down the families’ necks. The Serafina and us keep tripping over each other’s feet. Sure, I could have picked one of the soldiers, but that wouldn't work good. Who would he be loyal to? Us? The Serafina? You, Anthony, stand out in having no one, except to that motorcycle club of yours. And that’s the ticket, eh? Your father hopes to bring you into the family business. But I know better. You don’t want this life. I respect that.”
Sure, you do, Vits, thought Saks.
“The Serafina girl, I’m told, don’t want it neither. Her grandfather wants to see her settled. She doesn’t date, hasn’t had a boyfriend in years. It wouldn’t be such a bad thing to meet her, eh? She’s a good girl, and not afraid to work hard. You’d like that type of woman, eh?”
“Uncle Vits, like I said, I can find my own dates.”
“I’ve heard about your women, Anthony. Not one of them is right for you. Marriage is good for a man, to go home to someone and not be lonely.”
“I never said I was lonely.”
“Anthony, you’re a young man. I’m an old man. A young one like you wants to—”
“Enough, Uncle Vits. I get your point.”
“So you’ll meet the Serafina girl this Saturday. Here.” He pointed at the ground.
“At this crazy party Sheldon’s throwing?”
“I asked him to throw the party. Give you and the girl a low-key way to meet.”
Saks resisted the urge to scoff. Yeah, Uncle Vits, in front of the whole family, no pressure at all. “That's nice of you,” Saks said grudgingly
“Yeah, well,” the old man muttered.
“But I tell you, Uncle Vits, I’m not sold on this scheme of yours. I’ll meet her, but I’m not making any promises.”
Vits looked up at him and slapped his meaty hand on Saks’ shoulder. “Good. It’s a start.” He patted Saks’ cheek. “You’ll like her, you’ll see.”
Uncle Vits, his business concluded, left the stockroom. Saks leaned against the shelves and rubbed his face with his hands. This was not going to work out well.
Especially since he couldn't get one golden-haired goddess off his mind.
CHAPTER TEN
CHRISSY SETTLED INTO her train seat and pulled out her work tablet just as her phone started vibrating. She clicked the on button to her earbuds without looking at the phone.
“Christina!” her father said. “How’s my girl doing?”
“Dad,” she huffed with exasperation. “Why are you calling me in the middle of the day?”
“I need to tell you to leave this Saturday open.”
“Why? What’s happening?”
“There’s a dance that your grandfather and I want you to attend.”
Chrissy glanced at the spreadsheet she assembled for contacts and became distracted on a detail, so she wasn't paying attention to his words. “That’s nice,” she replied.
“Then I can count on you, right?”
“On what?” She snapped back to the conversation. What had she just agreed to?
“The dance. It’s a party. At the Red Bull. You’ll meet the Roccos’ man there.”