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He looked over his shoulder again and stopped speaking when Andre rolled his eyes and shook his head.
“Oh, I uh-”
“Don’t let him ruffle your feathers. You said your name was Darion?” What the hell kind of name was that? The guys on the crew would bust his chops for weeks until they broke him in. Sure as fuck, they wouldn’t call him by his name.
“Yes, Mr. Calegari. It’s-”
“Before we go any further, Darion, stop calling me Mr. Calegari. My brother is the head of my family. He’s Mr. Calegari.”
“Oh, okay. Then what do I call you?”
“When you’ve proven yourself, you can call meBosslike some of the others. Until then,Sirwill do.” I leaned forward in my chair. “But just so we’re clear, you’re here to learn. Keep your eyes open and your mouth shut. You really don’t need to talk to me at all. Andre is your mentor, but he’ll assign you to work with various people at various times. You’re the last link on the chain. You’ll do what you’re asked to do, when you’re asked to do it. Any questions?”
He shook his head. “No, Sir. I’m anxious to get started. Anything I can do for you-”
I cut him off before his speech made me vomit. I hated suck-ups. “Get out.”
His eyes widened. “Yes, sir.” To his credit, he didn’t stutter or stumble like so many do when they walk out of my office.
I looked down at my phone. 3 AM. Fuck, I was tired. I was getting too old for this night owl crap. However, it was a lifelong habit I shared with other members of my family.
Dante was making coffee when I walked into the kitchen of our Bridgeport home.
“Getting up or coming in?” I couldn’t tell if he’d just arrived at the house or was getting a very early start on his day. Dante kept odd hours, but in his pristine trademark black suit and tie, I could never tell if he was coming or going.
“Out,” he answered, waving the coffee pot at me. It was Dante speak for “do you want some?”
I shook my head as I started to pull on my tie. It’d been undone for hours but now I wanted the damn thing off. Dante’s eyebrows rose as I tossed the black silk onto the table and immediately started unbuttoning my shirt.
“I had a date earlier,” I explained.
He knew me. I had no problem dressing up when the occasion arose, but my usual work attire was a casual button-down shirt or henley and brown or black trousers or jeans. I didn’t usually “work” in a suit and tie. My brother was rarely seen in anything else.
Dante sat across from me at the kitchen table with his favorite black mug steaming with fresh brewed coffee which suddenly smelled more tempting to me than it had earlier.
“I didn’t realize you were seeing someone.”
Dante and I respected each other’s privacy. He’d take what little I shared and leave the rest alone. He hadn’t actually asked me anything, so my evasive answer would be exactly what he’d expect.
“I just met her.”
He nodded, took a drink from his mug, and started scrolling through his phone.
“I’m flying to Spain this afternoon,” he said after a few more minutes of silence had passed.
I knew better than to ask when he’d be back. Even if he knew, he never gave us a specific day or time, but I did have to caution him about one thing.
“Lilly wants to start planning Ma’s birthday party soon. It’s only two months away.”
When Dante left, he was usually gone for weeks, sometimes months. Ma’s birthday wasn’t until early December, but he needed to know what Lilly and I had discussed.
“It’s a big thing - all the relatives. Lilly wants to rent a space downtown. Musicians, catering. The works.”
“I’ll be back for it. Just text me the date and time as soon as you get it.”
“Will do.”
He frowned at me. “Get it quick. Don’t let Lilly procrastinate. I need to know as soon as possible.”
