ra

er flickered, casting a deep r

a neutral zone in our world. A safehouse

oor. The familiar smell of garlic,

ounter. She looked up - and her face

Dante," I announced, walkin

hurried over, wringing her

o the few patrons scattered in the booths. "It's

at

e not to bow

s emotional. The Don provi

n his stool - a lower-level associat

gging at the social club yesterday. She said the Family doesn't mind your mothe

d turne

ancial records - the ones Vincenzo had secured f

ate

papers towa

t this,

ned the highlighted lines. H

y loan," I said, tapping the thick parchment. "She put your

r hand to her t

old me I needed to stamp my blood-seal on a Family

ricked

ll above the door chimed violen

pped inside, hands resting

es and scrambled out the back exit. They

r men. Black mink coat. Lip

she sneered, gliding toward our booth like a predator

ped her

up document from his inner po

gn

oked

of sub

ention severance again. Forfeit all my asse

her perfume a cloying mix of roses and decay -

e document. Fe

rmela dead

- I ripped it strai

ai

ag

pieces fall onto

thumb found my phone

face twisting into ugly rage. "I will have my men burn

n't advi

ep v

kitchen hallway. Charcoal suit. Commanding

cen

ping right beside my bo

ice smooth and lethal. "And those collateral documents you hold for

at him. A flick

head back and laugh

awyer? For a

r to me, eyes bur

ll disappear - and Dante won

ecording app ticked away

y voice cold as the grave,

ltered. Just

ed at me. A s

he small

er the table - still recording

's eyes

s been recording every word. Extortion. Threa

hand went to her coat pocket

n't move. He

m his wife just caught his mother

time, Carmela

, her Enforcers scrambling after her

le

into the booth acr

.. who

nzo. He gave a sl

ned back t

who answe

phone into my coat, and

ll into ste

enough that only I coul

oor open. The cold n

," I

nig