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Adriano pulled out a money roll at least two inches in diameter and peeled off a single note he handed to the driver. I figured it was 500 euros since that was the smallest domination that could cover the entire bill.
The driver reached into his jacket to make change –
“Keep it,” Adriano ordered. “Back out and turn around – there’s a big enough spot about 50 feet back.”
“Okay,” the driver said happily. “Thank you.”
Adriano just nodded, then met my gaze and gestured with his head as he walked back towards the sedan.
I followed Adriano inside the iron gates – which closed behind me with an electric hum.
“I’m Massimo,” the giant said pleasantly as I approached the car.
He held out his hand, and we shook.
“Lars,” I said.
I’m a tall guy with pretty big hands, but Massimo’s dwarfed mine.
“That’s Adriano,” Massimo said with a slight smile. “You’ll have to forgive his manners.”
“Fuck you,” Adriano said, though it felt more like banter than an insult.
“Have a nice trip?” Massimo asked.
“Excellent, thank you.”
“Good. Get in the back with Adriano and I’ll drive us up to the house.”
I got in the back behind Massimo. Adriano got in on the passenger side and sat with his back against the door, watching me like a cobra watches a mongoose.
Massimo turned the car around, and we headed up a gently sloping road through more cedars.
“So,” Adriano said. “You’re the Special Forces guy.”
“That’s me.”
Massimo peered at me in the rearview mirror. “Dario said you saved his life at least twice.”
“We had each other’s backs,” I said diplomatically.
“How?” Adriano asked. He sounded almost confrontational.
“How’d we have each other’s backs?”
“No – how’d you save his life?”
“He was exaggerating a little,” I said modestly. “The first time was when I saw a guy about to shiv him. I yelled out and ran over, but he had body armor on, so I didn’t do much more than just alert him to the danger.”
“Body armor?” Massimo asked in surprise.
“Makeshift body armor,” I clarified. “Phone books duct-taped around the abdomen. Enough to stop a blade.”
“That’s ingenious,” Massimo said.
“Yeah, I thought so, too,” I agreed.
I liked the gentle giant. He was pleasant and affable.
