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All of my patience ran out. My hand grabbed her arm and I threw her scrawny body into the nearest table making a tower of champagne glasses to fall on her. The way her face started to melt from the liquid was not a good look and Ariana’s eyes were raging.
“Get her the fuck out of my restaurant.” My voice boomed and two of my men rushed to collect Ariana and drag her to the door. “Someone call Fabiano Caputo and tell him to come collect his trash.”
Right after the mess was cleaned and people started to return to their conversations, I saw my cousin walking in from the outdoor patio. Pietro crossed the room with two people on his tail, a man and a woman. I could tell the man was mafia by the way he was walking – with pride but looking at everyone’s faces, memorizing every detail.
When the group made it to where I was standing, Pietro nodded my way. “My cousin, Don Salvatore Fiori.”
I stretched my hand and the other man took it. He was a few years older, but no less threatening than I was.
“Gino Nucci.”
I didn’t move, but my eyes shifted. I knew that name. Everybody who operated on our side of the law knew that name. The Nuccis controlled most of the East Coast and nothing got into the country without them getting a share. Pietro was right, this was not just another big fish to fry. Gino Nucci was a goddamn whale.
“DonNucci.” I tilted my head slightly to salute him.
“This is my wife, Muse Nucci.” He pointed to the classy brunette at his side. I could tell she was his woman. TheDondidn’t take his hand off her back for a second, like he was trying to shield the woman from the rest of the world.
I took her hand and kissed it softly. “Piacere di conoscerti[59], Mrs. Nucci. How do you like Palermo?”
“E una citta molto bella[60].” She answered in perfect Italian, taking me by surprise. “We’re only staying for a few days, but I’ll make sure my husband takes me out to explore it.”
“I can give you some pointers.” I told her politely, then returned to her husband. “It’s good to have you here,Don. All the way from across the ocean, huh?”
“We were in Napoli visiting my family’s estate and yourfamigliaextended an invitation. My grandfather did business with your father back in the day.”
“I remember him saying something about that.”
“I’m sorry for your father,DonFiori. He was a great man.”
“Indeed, he was.”
Nucci raised his glass and looked at me over the rim before taking a gulp of amber poison.
“Looks to me that you’re living up to the name he left you. It’s impressive.” I stayed silent, waiting for him to talk. “You’re young, Salvatore.”
“Is that a problem?”
“Not in my book. I’m looking forward to stepping down myself. Next time you have a sit down with the Nuccifamiglia, it might be with my son Enzo.”
A sleek smile spread on half my face. “Looks to me like the new generation is giving the old one the boot.”
“Nothing wrong with that, son. Just don’t get too cocky. You still have a lot to learn and a few more bullets to bite until you find your way.”
“I’m not looking forward to those bullets.”
Nucci’s wife laughed and when he turned to look at her, his eyes sparkled. He was drinking her image in like it was the first time he was seeing her and it was just them in the room. The most powerfulDonin America, and he was brought to his knees by a woman. That was something I could relate to.
“I will forgive you for making my wife laugh, Fiori, but only this time.”
“My mistake. Mrs. Nucci, I apologize for my very good joke.”
“Don’t mind my husband, Salvatore.”
“Is your son here too?”
“No.” She answered with a warm look on her face. “He’s on his honeymoon with his new bride. They won’t be back for a few more weeks.”
“Well, that’s a happy event. My congratulations.”
