Both men stared at Wolfe. It was as if I wasn’t there.
The waiter came over and brought bottles of wine and glasses and bread. We’d already put in our order, so the waiter asked for theirs. Don Russo ordered the catch of the day like Wolfe. The other guy ordered the beef cannoli.
When the waiter left, there was a heavy stretch of silence, a long staredown among the three men. It reminded me of some of my father’s business meetings that I was present for. Without that previous experience, I’d probably be a lot more panicked.
The wine was poured, and the men drank it.
Wolfe didn’t touch anything. He just stared at Don Russo across the table like an archnemesis.
Our beautiful evening had been ruined by a visitor from the past. I was irritated that we couldn’t seem to shake the people we wanted to avoid.
“So, it’s true,” Don Russo said. “You and Don Mancini have gone your separate ways.”
How did he know that? It’d only been a week since I’d left the winery.
Wolfe didn’t react to that at all.
“And despite everything you did for him, he doesn’t think you’re good enough for his daughter.”
A sarcastic smile moved over Wolfe’s face. “Ah, I see where this is going.”
I didn’t.
“The answer is still no,” Wolfe said.
“Don Mancini made a grave mistake when he dismissed you,” Don Russo said.
“Oh, I know,” Wolfe said arrogantly. “Trust me, I know.”
“But because you’re with his daughter, I can only assume you want no harm to come to him.”
Wolfe cocked his head slightly. “Meaning?”
“Icarus is in Sicily—and he’s a force to be reckoned with. He hit us last week. We lost the battle but won the war.”
“This isn’t my problem.”
“But what happens if he defeats us and our allies?”
“Don Mancini isn’t in the powder business.”
“But he’s got a rat in his midst, doesn’t he?”
Wolfe didn’t react or speak, but his presence somehow became more ominous.
“Who’s that rat working for?” Don Russo asked. “Because it’s not us. And if it’s not us, then who could it be?”
“Not my problem.”
“As long as you’re dating his daughter, I think it is your problem.”
Wolfe stared him down with the best poker face I’d ever seen.
“Come back to us—and we’ll protect Don Mancini.”
I felt a tightness in my stomach and my chest. I swallowed and remained motionless in my chair, not reaching for my wine even though my mouth was dry. I didn’t want to move at all, didn’t want to draw any attention to myself when everything felt so tense.
Don Russo continued to stare Wolfe down like he expected an answer on the spot.
