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“Great. We’re about to get thrown out on our asses by some rich gangster. You could’ve just said—” But my clever insult is interrupted by the door wrenching open and a tall, handsome, immaculately dressed man storms out at Lanzo, wrapping him in a big hug.
“You bastard!” The man in the suit, presumably Carmine, squeezes tight. “I haven’t seen you in ages. You disappeared out east and it’s like you fell off a cliff.”
“Easy big guy,” Lanzo says. “Shit, if you were Evander, my spine would be snapped.”
“I’m just happy to see you.” Carmine steps back, studying him for a second. “You look older.”
“You do too.” Lanzo gesture at me. “This is Ren.”
“Hi, Ren.” Carmine glances at me, looking surprised for a second, then puts an arm around Lanzo’s shoulders. “Come on, come inside, we have a lot of catching up to do. Did you know I have kids now? Three of them. Fucking three babies!”
The two men chat amiably back and forth, though it’s mostly Carmine telling Lanzo about his life with his wife, a woman named Brice, and three kids, though I miss those names. I stare at the house as I follow them to an office, gawking at the lavish decorations, at the rich light fixtures, at the beautiful details. The place looks like something from a movie.
Carmine settles behind a big desk. I sit next to Lanzo on a pair of chairs in front of the mobster boss. He’s younger than I expected, early forties, with dark hair and dark eyes. Good looking, though a little too polished for my tastes.
“All right, Lanzo, you’re back in Dallas. I’ll admit, I never thought I’d see the day, but here you are. What brings you home?”
“Business, unfortunately.” Lanzo gestures at me. “She knows what Burian looks like.”
At the nameBurian, Carmine sits straight up. His eyes widen as he looks at me all over again, clearly reassessing. “And how the hell do you know that, Ren?”
“I worked for him,” I say, shifting in my seat. “Well, I guess I still do.”
“She’s in play,” Lanzo says, nodding. “I followed the wily ghost here. Even cleaned up after one of his kills. Long story. But I’m close, Carmine, and Renata here is the key.”
I want to fold into myself. They’re looking at me like I’m a weapon mounted over a mantle. They’re eager, almost hungry, and it’s more than a little intense. The scrutiny is too much.
“I’m guessing you’re here for information then,” Carmine says, nodding to himself. “I’ll give you whatever I can. If someone can wipe out that shitstain Burian—the world will be a better place.”
“That’s the plan. All I need from you is a list of names. Burian killed a guy named Peirce Queiros of the FBI.”
Carmine grunts, expression darkening. “He’s in the States killing federal agents? That’s pretty fucking ballsy, even for him.”
“I looked into this Peirce guy last night. I think he was under cover, but I’m not sure where or why. That’s what I need from you. Plus a list of other feds that might be in danger.”
“I’ll see what I can work up.” Carmine glances at me. “I’m guessing she’s the eyes of this operation?”
“More like the brains,” I mutter.
Carmine laughs. “Funny too. You’re not going to dangle her like bait, are you?”
Lanzo holds up his hands. “I would never.”
“Good.” Carmine’s face tightens. “I’ve been working hard these last ten years turning the Scavo family into something more than a bunch of violent gangsters. I don’t need you swooping in here, making everything worse, understand me?”
“I would never bring something dangerous to your doorstep.” Lanzo beams, and I don’t believe him.
But the meeting breaks up. Carmine promises to look into everything as he walks us back to the door. “Let’s meet at the Oak tomorrow night. Gareth’s in town with his wife and I bet we can convince Evander to fly down.”
“Get the whole squad together? That’s a dangerous proposition.” Lanzo hugs Carmine. “I’d like that.”
“Good.” Carmine squeezes his shoulder and looks at me. “It was nice meting you. I’d introduce you to the whole family, but they’re currently at karate.” He rolls his eyes. “Good luck to both of you.”
And with that, he slams the door in our faces.
“That went well.” Lanzo hops down the steps, strolling back to his truck.
“Did you think it wouldn’t?”
