“Then take Imelda home and take a week. When you come back, we’ll talk about you becoming the Don.”
“You sure I’m the right choice?”
He shakes his head. “You’re not the right choice, Enzo.” He points straight at me through the screen. “You’re the only choice. Loyal, strong, not about to get tied in knots working through moral crybaby shit. You get the job done. You’re strong. People respect that. Our enemies will respect that.”
I get to my feet. “See you in a week.”
The screen goes off. I turn and face Marco. He’s still holding the gun. I yawn as he looks like he’s about to threaten me with it.
Before he gets a chance to say anything dumb, I whip my hand forward, and pull his arm my way, sending him off balance. I catch the gun from his palm as he loses grip, twisting it so it’s facing him. I say, “Click,” pretend to pull the trigger, and then toss the gun back to him.
“Always were a smart ass,” he calls after me as I head out the door. “One day, I’ll get...”
“Get what?” I ask, turning to face him. His face is churning and it’s clear he’s itching to say something but managing to keep himself in check. “Get what, Marco? Get me? Get revenge? Get your shot? Do you want to go right now? Want me to break your nose some more for disrespecting me like this?”
He says nothing, just glares back at me before muttering, “No disrespect, Enzo.”
“That’s what I thought.”
I turn away, walking out of the Bistro, finding Imelda standing alone on the sidewalk.
She nods my way. “You fucking asshole,” she says, shoving me in the chest.
“Nice to see you too, sis.”
“What the fuck have you been up to this time?”
“It’s a long story.”
“So talk.”
“Get in the car and I will.”
She glares at me. “Fine, but this better be good.”
She climbs into the passenger seat. I get in and start the engine, driving away from the Bistro. “Come on then,” she says. “Sarah’s due back this evening and if I’m not home, you’ll be wearing your balls on a plate.”
“Wearing my balls on a plate? Interesting choice of threat.”
She shoves my shoulder and I almost swerve into the side of a bus. “You know what I mean,” she says. “I need to be back before she gets there. What’s going on, Enzo? Why did the Don drag me into the city and keep me locked up with only his gorillas for company?”
“It’s a long story.”
“I’m listening.”
“In the glovebox is a list of my accounts and my will. I need you to buy something for me, get it done today in case I don’t get a chance. The details are in there. If I don’t make it, everything I have is to be split between you and Chloe.”
“Who the hell is Chloe? Is this that girl you told me was coming to stay just before I got dragged out of my own house while I’m in the middle of cooking? And why have you written a will? None of this is making any sense.”
I take a deep breath and then I start to talk. I tell her everything she needs to know about Chloe, about the Don, about what the plan is. Then I warn her what’ll happen if it goes wrong. “So you might die?” she asks. “That’s typical of you to leave Sarah without her uncle.”
I think she’s furious with me but when I look at her, she’s got tears in the corners of her eyes. “So you do care,” I say. “I’m touched.”
“Don’t get cocky. I’m still pissed at you for getting me kidnapped.” A tiny smile appears at the corner of her mouth. “My brother’s in love. There’s a turn up for the books.” She pokes me in the arm. “Make sure you don’t die. Sarah would be upset.”
“Not you?”
“Nah. I’d have your cash, I’d be golden.”