Page 82 of Revenge on the Mafia

“You told him she’s my fucking maid?”

“Fratello, next birthday, I’m buying you a clock. One of those things that tick and ring. So you’ll hear the time.”

“You’re awake, so keep the gift.”

He knocked into something. Cursed. “These midnight calls are good for nothing. Can’t you just play the piano?”

“Can’t.”

“Why the fuck not? Do it now. It always calms you down, and it might put me to sleep.”

I ground the back of my teeth. I’d learned to play for her, but it wasn’t the right time to let that secret out.

He let out a suffering sigh. “Alright. Who’re we talking about?”

“Joel.”

“Isn’t that the asshole who tried to jump the party last night?”

“Doesn’t matter, stronzo.”

“Exactly, you said she’s just the maid.”

“She was never just the maid,” I growled.

“She wasn’t even good at that. You called her dull, if I remember correctly.”

“She’s my fucking wife now,” I snapped.

He couldn’t find anything better to do than chuckle and said, “I must have forgotten that detail.”

“I swear to God, Stefano, brother or not, you do it again, I’m fucking killing you.”

Silence. I glared at the dark room. “Stronzo? Where the fuck did you go to?”

His whistle grated on my eardrums. “I think you need a visit.”

“Shut the fuck up.”

“Shit, man, you’ve got it bad. Let me get you some cigarettes, and we can smoke away your pain.”

“Shut up. And I don’t smoke. Just stop fucking with me.”

“You need a cuddle, Fratello.”

“If you turn up at my doorstep looking for one, I’ll put a gun to your head.”

“All these th—”

I slammed the phone down. Poured another glass and gulped it down.

I’d end the world for her. I was going to end my world for her, anyway.

I only hoped her life was colored fuchsia after me.

Sometime after three a.m. in the darkness of my office, with only the sound of my breathing, my restraint snapped. One glance. That was all I needed. Then I’d come back to my office and sleep on my sofa. If I ever slept in a bed again, it was going to be next to her. Besides, I should get used to the damn sofa. I’d be in a coffin soon enough.

Maybe I should have given her a reward for the night before when I fucked her out of her senses. She’d probably forgotten about it after seeing the blood on my cuff. I knew I should be a gentleman and tell her another tidbit.