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“I know you, Garon. You’ll get bored before we get to the Flora House. I was interesting to you for a while because you found my new miserable life intriguing and maybe seeing a Bernoulli ruined turned you on, but it will pass. You don’t stick around, every woman that has been with you knows that. You’ll lose interest and move on to someone more beautiful and more entertaining.” She shook her head almost like she was disappointed with her own conclusion. “A shiny new thing that actually knows how to please you when she’s on top of you, and that’s fine, but I can’t risk this job or angering Tony Balbano by missing too many days. Garon, the man wants his money and I don’t need to tell you of all people what would happen if I don’t find it. So please, stop interfering.”
She was wrong. Sometime between finding Pina in the brothel and seeing her come around my cock, I’d decided that nothing was going to happen to her. To the world I was still a Caputo and my name was weighing heavy. I pitied the fool who’d dare to hurt what I calledmine.
I didn’t want to say all that to Pina because she was already jumpy, already pulling back, and I needed her to let go and trust me. It was a lot to ask from someone that gave me a great gift, only to be thrown out in the street the next moment, but after years of anguish, I could finally breathe. I wasn’t going to let go of the fresh air I’d found.
“You please me just fine, Pigtails.”
§
The sun was still out and the atmosphere at the Flora house was different than last night. The place was almost empty, only a couple patrons sharing a bottle of whiskey at the bar. I imagined that most of the frequent guests would wait for the late hours of the night to show up, so they wouldn’t risk someone seeing their faces when they walk in. After all, we were still in the heart of Rome and Luca Bianco said that the clientèle here was composed of the rich and powerful this city had.
I followed Pina into the back through a series of doors that said I wasn’t allowed there if I wasn’t part of the staff, but I couldn’t care less. I wasn’t going to let her out of my sights, so when we got to the locker room filled with women changing, I leaned against a wall with my arms crossed.
“Good evening, ladies.”
They all responded with a weird look on their face and Pina sighed.
“Do you really have to do this?”
“Yes, so don’t fight me, Pigtails.”
“I’m not, but just know, sooner or later, security will kick you out.”
I chuckled. Good, they were welcome to try. I was itching for a good fight anyway and I had a feeling that itch was about to be scratched when the man I saw talking to Pina the other night came into the room. What did she call him? Bugllioni?
“Come on, everyone, move faster. We’ll get busy soon and…” he stopped when he saw me and turned to Pina. “What is this?”
Pina shrugged, looking somewhere on the line between sad and embarrassed.
“You met Garon the other night. He… he wanted to walk me to work.”
Bugllioni looked at me. “You need to get out of here. If you want to ogle my girls, then you’re going to pay for it like any other client.”
“I’m here to watch over Pina.”
“Huh.” He looked pissed off. “That’s whatI’mhere for, so you can get out. Pina needs to undress and start working. Thanks to you, she has three hours to make up from last night.”
I got all up in his face to make sure he listened when I said, “Pina isnotgetting undressed. I won’t let anyone see her like that again.”
Bugllioni looked like one of his arteries was about to blow. “You can’t come in here and order me around.” He pushed his fists into my chest to make me step back.
“Who the fuck let you put your hands on me?” I pushed him back, ready to punch some of his teeth loose when Pina stepped between us.
“Stop!” She hissed. “Both of you, stop. Leo, I’m so,sosorry.”
She was apologizing tohim?
Infuriated, I grabbed Pina and pulled her behind me.
“Don’t listen to her,Leo.” I mocked him. “She’s not sorry and neither am I.”
When he spoke, it sounded like an animal’s snarl. “Careful. You’re in my club.”
His words made me laugh in his face. “No, I’m in Tony Balbano’s club. Go find your boss and tell him Garon Caputo is here to see him.” I lowered my voice like Goliath did when he threatened someone. “And if I see Pina topless tonight, I’m putting a bullet in you.”
Before he could say anything, I walked away and pulled Pina along.
“Garon!” She hissed. “You can’t speak to him like that. Leonardo is nice most of the time, but don’t let yourself fooled. He works for Balbano and his family because he’s dangerous.”
