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“Back off, Matteo.”
My tone makes them both stare. I’m the easiest going in the family. I take after my mom. She laughs a lot and generally lets most things go without getting upset. But when she’s pissed, you want to be as far away as you can get. Apparently, I’m the same. It takes a lot to get me riled, but when I am… My family says I leave a path of destruction worse than a typhoon. It’s not like I throw shit or anything, but I make my point clear to any and everybody within earshot. According to my mom, I was such a mellow baby that I never learned how to self-soothe. That’s why when I get worked up, it takes a while for me to calm down.
“You like her.”
“Yes, Carmine. I do. What of it?”
“Relax. I’m not saying anything about it. I was just making sure I understand.”
He puts his hands up before turning back to the expense report in front of him. He shoves it toward me.
“Can we get on with this? I told Fina I would go to a doctor’s appointment with her. She burned her hand a week ago, and she’s seeing a dermatologist today to make sure the skin’s healing properly.”
That makes me pull my head out of my ass.
“I saw the bandages at Sunday dinner. I didn’t realize it was that serious. Is she okay?”
“Yeah. They just want to make sure the skin heals without reducing her range of motion for her fingers. It’s been super painful for her, and I know this examination won’t feel good. I want to get this over with, so I don’t keep her waiting. I’ll be royally pissed if I miss the appointment.”
“You won’t miss it. I’ll focus.”
I do as I say. We spend the next hour going over the expenses, real and projected, and Carmine leaves on time. Before I know it, it’s already six. I shut down my computer and rub my eyes. After meeting with my cousin and friend, I ran payroll for our legit businesses that aren’t individually owned. We have several casinos, trash collection companies, tow truck companies, and junkyards. Pretty much the stereotype of New York Mafia. But they’re useful, and the NYPD knows when to look away.
I slip my suit coat back on and head toward the door. We don’t use the office suite in the Mancinelli Developers’ building often. Matteo, Carmine, and I only came here because Carmine was meeting Serafina at her bakery that’s close to Midtown. Matteo is picking Maria up from the hospital when she finishes her shift as a radiologist, and I agreed supposedly to make it convenient for them. It was really about being close to Michelle and not getting stuck in traffic. I’m almost to the door when Maks practically slams it against the wall.
“I’m surprised you weren’t doing that to my condo door this morning, Maksim.”
“Stay away.”
“Please, do come in.”
“Fuck off, Enzo. Stay away from Michelle.”
“Did Laura send you?”
“Shut—”
“I’m not trying to be patronizing. I’m serious. Did Laura send you? Does she know, or did you find out from Mikhail?”
“She knows because Michelle told her this morning. I know because Mikhail nearly shit himself when Michelle showed up to talk to Laura, and he hadn’t told me about you and Michelle before that.”
“Did Laura send you?”
There’s a moment’s hesitation, and that tells me the truth no matter what he says next.
“No.”
“Why not? Could it be because Laura can’t stand my family but respects Michelle’s choices? Just like Michelle respected Laura’s choice to be with you.”
“Something like that. But I wasn’t manipulating Laura and using her against you.”
“Fuck all the way off, Maks. You don’t know shit about what I’m doing. Get the fuck out.”
“You’re not denying it.”
“There’s nothing to deny. If I wanted to fuck you over, I wouldn’t do it through a woman.”
“That’d be a first in your family.”
