"You really think being family exempts you from being punished? How many times has Father beat your ass good for you?"
"That was different. I'm not a kid anymore."
"You think he gives a shit how old you are? No. Father will hurt you. Hell,Iwill hurt you, Dante. You're my brother and I love you, but if I call in and my capo orders me to whack you, I will. I would pull the piece out of my pocket and put two in your pig-headed brain. It would be quick and clean, and you would be dead. Anyone in the family would do the same: Cousin Alberto, Uncle Carlo, even Pietro will put you on ice if the old man orders it. Because in the end, it's not about you or me or even Father. It's about the family and we all do what we need to do for the family."
"You're just sayin' this shit to scare me."
"No, I'm not. Bones is my best friend. You know we've been tight since grade school. He's always had my back... shit, he's like a brother. But if Father were to put out a hit on me, Bones would have to take it. If he didn't, Father would take me out anyway, and then send someone after Bones next. You get what I'm saying?"
"Yeah, but come on, Angel. This is bullshit. I like her, I should get to be with her."
"You also got a fuckin' job, dipshit. Had you shown up to work and done what you're supposed to be doing, Father probably would have let this slide. At least for a little while. But what you're doin' is just showin' him how immature you still are."
"Come on, Angel. Haven't you ever dated someone the old man didn't want you to?"
I laughed, suddenly feeling manic. "Yeah, I have. She's our next stop, in fact. Father wants me to bring her to him for questioning, so that's where Bones and I are headed. Now give me your wallet."
He hesitated.
Bones leaned forward. "Don't make me take it from you, Dante."
My brother looked from me to Bones before ripping it out of his back pocket and handing it over. He had no credit cards, none of us did, but I took all his cash and stuffed it into my pocket.
"What the fuck, Angel?"
"You don't get a free pass because you're a son, Dante. Your blood got you the courtesy of this conversation. No more. You want money, get your ass out there and hustle like you're supposed to and quit acting like a lazy, privileged pussy-whipped little bitch."
I handed him back his wallet and he stuck it back in his pocket.
"You won't get any more warnings, Dante. Father said next time he'll take your car. Believe that."
I released him, and he turned to climb out of the Hummer.
"Wait." I grabbed his shoulder, remembering the bomb I'd found under my Hummer. If Dante wasn't being careful, I wouldn't need to take his car. "Be sure to use the scanner Father gave you. I found a bomb under the Hummer today."
His eyes grew round. "No shit?"
"Yeah. I don't know what's going on, but Father thinks some serious shit's about to go down. We need to be prepared. Now go handle your business with the broad. I'll see you at Sunday dinner."
Head down, Dante lumbered back to the apartment building. Bones took his place and we sat for a moment, watching the area.
"I wouldn't take the hit," Bones said, breaking the silence.
Wondering what the hell he was talking about, I raised my eyebrows.
"If the boss put out a hit on you, I wouldn't take it. I still got your back, Angel. No matter what."
The broad I was interested in could be a cop or a mole, the families were warring, and I just threatened my little brother and told him to leave his girlfriend. My world was a shitstorm, but at least I didn't have to worry about Bones's loyalty.
He held out his hand, waiting.
I tapped my fist to his, agreeing. "No matter what."
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Markie
THE MOMENT ANGEL walked out, I turned off the burner and tossed my grilled cheese in the garbage, knowing there was no way I could eat now. The look on his face had destroyed me. Disgusted with circumstances and myself, I left the dishes in the sink and stumbled over to the sofa. Pulling the blanket over my head, I sobbed until my eyes were dry and my head was pounding again.
