As we walk out of the bar I can’t help but look back, hoping to catch one last glimpse of her through the window. There is movement behind the glass, but before I can make out the figure Phillip catches me in a headlock. Both of my best friends, more interested in horse play than letting me have my moment.

“Hey! Get off of me!” I grab the back of his shirt, flipping him over me and on to the ground. He lays there stunned, coughing and gasping for air. I rub the back of my neck a burning sensation lingers. The feeling reminds me of an Indian burn we would give each other as kids.

As the dust settles I reach down with my right hand, offering Phillip a way to his feet. “Phillip, I’m sorry about that. I just have a lot on my mind right now and I’m not really in the mood for horseplay.”

He laughs as he climbs to his feet. “Nah, it was my fault don’t think anything of it.”

We head over to Brett’s cherry red mustang. It sparkles in the moonlight, he really takes pride in that car. I climb into the passenger seat, Phillip in the back, and Brett in the driver’s seat.

“Where to?” Brett looks over to me, waiting for my response.

“Let’s just head on to the house. I have a lot of planning to do and I don’t know about you guys, but I could use a few more drinks.” I look towards the bar window one more time. Watching as the lights inside go off.

Brett places the key in the ignition turning the car over. The engine roars to life as he throws it in drive and we’re off.

Phillip breaks the silence from the back seat. “So, you said she agreed to the date? Where exactly are you taking her?” He kicks his feet up on the middle console, leaning back in the seat.

Brett reaches over grabbing his gun from between the seat and console. He directs the gun toward Phillip’s feet. “If your feet aren’t off the console when I get to five, you’re going to walking around on your ankles.” Phillip quickly retracts his feet, “hey, man take it easy.”

I chuckle a bit shaking my head, “Phillip you should know better than to do that, we both know Brett might as well be married to this car.”

Laughter fills the car as I look back to Phillip in the rearview mirror. “Well I figured Italian would be a safe bet. I was thinking maybe, Amico’s.”

Brett laughs looking over to me as we pull around back of a dark and shady warehouse. "You really are going all out on this, aren't you?"

I glance over at him and then back out the window as I begin to unbuckle my seat belt. "Well, yeah. I want this to be right."

I climb out of the car, shutting the door behind me. "I need to show her that I am civilized and not just some bar-bum she met on the job."

Both Brett and Phillip begin to laugh, "Well sometimes we are just bar-bums Dan." Phillip remarks as we walk through the side door.

We are welcomed by loud screams from a room in the back corner. "Sounds like father has his own agenda this evening."

I hear Phillip from behind me. "Hey lighten up Dan! Your father is more fun to be around than you are some times." I watch as they both rush over to the back room, like children in a candy store. They push and shove one another, trying to take a peek into the room through the small window on the door.

I make my way toward the room. Brett and Phillip quickly start to back up as my father flings the door open. His shirt covered in blood and a few beads of sweat roll down his cheek. "Ah! Son I'm glad you're here! I could use your help with my interrogation." I sigh looking over to Brett for a way out.

I do love being a part of my father's gang. And to be the next heir in power is such a huge honor. It's like an extended family, but if it were up to me I would avoid the violent part. Brett shrugs his shoulders, knowing there is nothing he can do to help.

"Brett, can you call over to Amico's in the morning and make reservations for two."

I look over to my father muttering to myself, "I might be a while."