“No. I handled it. I don’t think they really want to be involved in possible mafia warfare anyway.”
“How could this happen?” Bruno snarls.
“I’m guessing the security cameras got turned off again.”
“You guess?” Bruno scoffs. “Someone just tried to blow her up in broad daylight, on her own property, and you have nothing but guesses? You’re supposed to be the head of this investigation!”
Dominic narrows his eyes and stands up. “I’m doing the best I can. As you know it’s extremely complicated when the person is someone on the inside. We need to have all our evidence in place before making any accusations. We don’t want to come down on the wrong person.”
Bruno grips his cane tighter.
“That’s bullshit. Since you’ve been brought onto this case, we’ve had two attempted shootings, deaths, and now a car bomb. Cipriani spoke highly of you that you were the only person who could figure out who’s behind this. But I’m not convinced. It’s been weeks and you still don’t have any answers for us, which is obvious seeing as how you’ve never cared for our kind.”
“You think I don’t care?” Dominic takes a step closer to Bruno so they’re face to face. “I’m doing everything I can to find out who’s behind this.”
“Clearly, you’re not doing enough, we would have been better off without you. We know you're wrapped around Cipriani’s finger. You’ve always been.”
Dominic folds his arms. “What are you trying to say Bruno?”
“I think you’re more interested in getting into Cipriani’s panties than you are about who’s trying to kill her and all of us,” Bruno snaps.
“Bruno, stop!” I shout.
“Really, Bruno, that's so childish,” Nonna adds.
“I just pulled her out of a burning car!” Dominic shouts.
“No, I won't stop.” Bruno snarls. He points to his bandage. “I took a bullet in the head for this shit. If I weren’t fucked in the head right now I would find someone else to investigate this mess because anyone would be better than you.” He narrows hiseyes. “Personally, I think you’re not trying hard enough to solve this because you’re mad at Cipi for choosing family over you.”
“That’s not true.” Dominic protests.
“You always were a sellout, Dominic Cartieri. You worked for the feds for years and badmouthed our lifestyle but yet you want to fuck the girl who lives it every day.” A smirk appears on Bruno’s face. “I find it very interesting how right after you return into her life that the body count starts to rise. Maybe someone is pulling your strings.”
Silence fills the air and I can see Bruno is not holding back. He’s going for the jugular.
Dominic’s eyes turn stormy. “You think I’m working against her?”
“It would seem so seeing as how under your watch someone got onto the property, shut down our security once again, and put a bomb under her car. Your previous job made you very knowledgeable about intelligence operations yet you can’t figure out who’s behind this. Just admit it Dominic, you hate our way of life so you would be the kind of person to try to eliminate it,” Bruno taunts.
“Me! Are you fucking kidding me Bruno? I love Cipriani.”
“When you love someone that means you walk away and take a job that persecutes our people. You didn’t even have the decency to show your face when her father died and I had to comfort her.” He points again to his bandage. “I took that bullet for her, you arrogant little shit! What the fuck did you do? You almost got her blown up. Who gives a fuck if you pulled her from the car, she should have never gotten in it to begin with.” Bruno moves his cane and whacks Dominic in his right shin.
Dominic lunges forward, his face looking like he’s going to beat the crap out of Bruno.
I jump up from the chair and get in his way. “Dominic no!”
“Stop it!” Nonna raises from her chair. “Stop it both of you! You’re grown men acting like little boys!” She smacks Bruno on the back of hus head. “Give me that, you fool!” She takes his cane. “Bruno that head injury has your brain all fucked up. You don’t know what you’re saying.” She links her arm through Bruno’s and turns to Dominic. “Dominic, my apologies. We know you would never do anything to hurt Cipriani.”
Dominic doesn’t answer and turns away. He walks to the end of the porch, raking a hand through his hair.
“Cipriani doesn’t need all this brainless squabbling. She needs answers. We need to find out who’s behind this shit before we’re all dead. Pointing fingers is only going to get us all put six feet under!” Nonna finishes.
Bruno doesn’t answer.
“We need to get our shit together.” I place my hands on my hips. “Arguing isn’t going to do us any good.”
“I’m taking you back to my house Bruno,” Nonna snarls. “You need a nap, maybe that will get your head screwed back on straight, fool.” She locks eyes with me. “I’ll call Tony once I get back to the house and have him come pick up the car.” She leads Bruno off the porch.
