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“Not wholly. Never. Dice is the closest I have to a brother these days. And Scar is like a father. So they get whatever sliver of trust I have left. But that’s about it.” I tighten my grip around the wheel. “With a mouth like Sal’s though, I don’t see myself growing old next to him.”
“You won’t protect him?”
“He’s alive because I protect him. And he knows it.” I smirk. “My turn. Seems you’re not very fond of your big brother.”
Ellie presents herself with a wide gesture. “He’s the one who got me into this mess.”
Anger flares in my chest. Ungrateful.
She knows what she’s doing, too. Doesn’t even hide that wry smirk of hers.
“Calm down, Donny. It’s not all bad.” She looks out the window.
This woman has taken my even temper and turned it into a winding rollercoaster. Should just lock her away in the safe house and never take her out again. Convince myself it’s for her own safekeeping…
I continue driving, thinking of how best I’m going to utilize this rare, fuck-able asset in the seat behind me. There’s always a use for someone. Especially someone so simultaneously connected and disconnected from my world.
“Where are we going now? Going to let a few more thugs get a grab of my breasts?” she says.
I don’t know if she’s being funny or trying to get under my skin, but it’s working.
“Depends if you tip at the end of the ride,” I play back. “I have a collection from another mercenary-type nicknamed Scarpy – makes the best Chicken Scarpariello in the five boroughs. He cooks for all the big family gatherings, and also throws dice too often.”
“Never heard of him,” Ellie says.
“Course not. He always told me and my father he won’t deal with the Rigianos ever since the old days. Some feud between one of your uncles and him… so he says.”
“You’re telling me this… why?”
“I want to see if you recognize him. He’s a peaceful guy. But his eyes are always darting around whenever I ask about the other families. Makes me think he’s not loyal to the Valentinos. He owes me sixty-two g’s from a bad night a year ago. Pays with points on time, all the time. So I have no reason or incentive to rough him up. But, I have a feeling he’s whispering into your brother’s ear.”
“My brother? Why?”
I can tell she’s uncomfortable.
“Because one of my casino vaults was raided on a night Scarpy was there. And he ‘didn’t see nothing,’ even though I have it on good authority he was playing slots pretty close by when they raided us.”
“Maybe that’s why he greets you with a smile,” Ellie says. “Because he’s paying you back with your own money.”
I look at her in the rearview mirror, taken aback. There’s a shadow of a smirk on her face.
“You sure you’re not a mobster?” I say, grinning.
“Pretty damn sure.” Her smirk turns into a full smile, and she doesn’t know just how much it knocks me sideways. Maybe she does.
I pull up to Scarpy’s restaurant and honk the horn three times so he knows I’m here to collect. I’m always amazed at how packed the restaurant is. Makes me think Scarpy doesn’t need to rip me off. Then again, I might be only one small portion of his debtors.
I roll down the window when I see his chubby frame waddle over to my car with an apron on.
“Ey, ey! Big Don! The Stallion himself.” Scarpy throws a kiss at me, then clasps my hand with both of his. There’s a wad of cash in it that he smoothly transfers.
“Good to see you, Scarp. Not too close, okay? I have weight in the backseat. Don’t need any accessories.”
He takes a step back. “Of course. Sure I can’t convince you to park around the block and come in for a meal on the house?”
“Some other time.”
Scarpy shrugs. “When’s Pop hosting again? I miss you guys.”
