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“I’m not hungry.” I said.
“It wasn’t a question. Get out and go and find us a table, ideally outside.” he commanded.
I reluctantly got out of the car and headed inside. Lorenzo pulled away, I presume to go and park up properly. Not that it really seemed like something he’d usually bother doing.
A young girl escorted me to a table outside facing the street and placed two menus’ down before disappearing to grab the drinks I’d ordered. I guess Lorenzo would happily have a drink, and if he didn’t, more for me.
The table could seat four and was a casual set up, the table itself had an open fire in the middle and as I sat and waited for my drink I found a sense of calm wash over me as I watched the small flames flicker and dance.
The girl placed the drinks down on the table in front of me, and I nodded my thanks and dismissed her until Lorenzo arrived.
He came strolling over to me a few minutes later, with a short balding man I’d never seen before at his side. The short man was wearing a beige suit that strained under the size of his stomach, and the smooth surface at the centre of his head was slick with sweat.
This wasn’t lunch, it was business.
“Adonis, this is Paul, he will be joining us.” Lorenzo said as he placed a hand on Paul’s shoulder and pushed him down into the chair beside me.
Lorenzo took the seat on the other side of Paul and turned to face him with a manic smile on his face.
“Paul here has been a naughty boy.” Lorenzo said coldly, “Paul thinks that snooping around in Brotherhood business is a smart choice,” he looked at me, “Do you think Paul looks like a smart man?”
“Not particularly.” I said, curious about where this was going.
If I was here alone, I’d be enjoying it and getting out some pent-up anger, but something about the way Lorenzo’s eyes glistened told me I’d be not much more than an observer in this meeting.
“You’re quite right son, Paul is an idiota. Have you ordered?” he asked.
“Not yet.”
Lorenzo clicked his fingers in a way that boiled my blood and my jaw tightened. The young girl came rushing over to us and quickly jotted down his order before turning to me and taking down mine too. She looked at Paul, but when Lorenzo shook his head at her, she scurried away.
“I’m sorry Mr D’Angelo, I really am, I’ll stay out of your business, I promise, just plea-.” Paul said in an explosion of whiney words.
“Did I say you could speak?” Lorenzo snarled over him.
Paul shook his head, and Lorenzo leaned in close to his face.
“You’ll only speak when you are asked a question, and to ensure you stay quiet.” Lorenzo cut himself off and grabbed Paul’s hand.
He yanked the man forward and held his hand above the flames in the middle of the table.
“If you speak without my permission your hand will be the first thing that I burn.”
Paul nodded and sweat slipped down his forehead.Why the hell did a guy like this decide to mess around in our business.
Lorenzo sat and stared at Paul until our food arrived. The waitress gave Paul a concerned look but backed off without saying a word. Lorenzo didn’t speak once, and I took note. I hate the man, but his techniques of intimidation were worth learning.
He speared a stem of asparagus and bit into it. His focus still remaining on the sweat soaked man sitting between us.
“Who hired you?” Lorenzo asked. His voice was calm and even, like he was making small talk with an acquaintance.
“N-No one.” Paul stuttered, and Lorenzo’s eyes shot to the man’s hand which was now trembling above the fire.
“Don’t test me, who hired you?” Lorenzo said, still sounding calm, but he was anything but.
“No one.” Paul winced.
Lorenzo’s eyes flashed with excitement as he reached out and slowly pushed Paul’s hand down into the fire until it was sitting on the burning coals. Paul cried out and a couple passing by gasped as he drew their attention. It only took one look from Lorenzo for them to hurry off with their heads down.
