Page 38 of Pink

Good to know.

And yet … “Let’s go chat with your grandmother.”

• • •

“Let him in, Petey.”

Andino hadn’t lied when he said finding his restaurant in Manhattan would be rather easy. All Lev did was make a call to a friend who knew somebody else that had the name of the business in question where the mafia Capo spent many of his days. Mind, it was made very clear to Lev that asking about the availability or current whereabouts of a man like Andino Marcello was a dangerous thing to do.

Well, what choice did he have?

Lev took the risk.

The girl at the entrance podium gave him a look but pointed in the direction of a private dining room when he asked where he might find Andino, if the guy was around. She didn’t even say a word to him while she did it, either. He didn’t bother to appreciate the fine dining or the rich decor of the place as he headed for the section where he would find Andino. Tiled floors squeaked under the heels of his boots and the noise of the busy restaurant surrounded him but none of that really mattered.

He was here for one thing.

That was it.

A six-foot wall of muscle met him at the doorway of the private dining section. He had to tip his head up to meet Lev’s gaze as he was taller than the man standing guard, but he had to give the guy credit. He didn’t look frightened of the larger man asking about his boss.

“He did say let me in, right?” Lev asked when the guy didn’t move.

“Did he?”

“Could move you,” he returned, smirking a bit. “If that’s what you want. Let me know.”

His amusement wasn’t shared.

Clearly.

Meathead—Petey, that was—grunted under his breath. “And who the fuck are you?”

Lev didn’t mind educating him. It was a good lesson for everyone to learn.

From within the dining section, a sigh echoed. “As fun as this pissing contest is, I have a busy day ahead of me, so …”

“You have dinner with your mother,” meathead muttered under his breath.

“Heard that, Petey.”

“Sorry, boss.”

Just like that, Petey stepped to the side to let Lev pass. The second he was inside the private dining section, Andino had already stood from the table in the middle where he had what looked to be his lunch and work spread across the top. Between the steak, potatoes, and a half-eaten cheesecake rested open folders and scattered papers. He didn’t bother to clean up the mess as Lev approached.

Nor did he offer his hand to shake.

Or even a smile.

“Lev,” Andino greeted. “I didn’t think I would be seeing you again so soon. Have you thought about my offer, then?”

“I have.”

“And?”

He gestured to the seat at the table. “Can I?”

“More power to you. The comfort of others isn’t usually my concern, but you’re welcome to it all the same.”