She ticked her mouth. “That’s the devil. He’s knocking things out of your hands on purpose to get you down to hell. That’s what mamma used to say when life started to get extra hard. He’s coming after you because good things are on the horizon. You’re looking up too much for his liking.”
A laugh exploded out of my mouth. “I don’t know about all that.”
“Uh huh. I do. But while you’re doubting my words of wisdom, I’m going to run to the store. I’ll get everything Angelo needs. I’ll come sit with him for as long as you need me to. What size does he wear?”
“You’re an angel.” I told her his size, then switched gears. “Do you think Joe can find out who Rispoli works for?”
“Let it go, Leo. You don’t want that kind of trouble. You’re lucky it wasn’t worse, understand?”
I did. Angelo could have been broken in half. It made a cold sweat break out over my body. But I had to know who Jerry Rispoli was working for. I also needed to know how deep Angelo had gotten himself in. Phoenix had said it was only his second time working for him. But Phoenix was a better liar than Angelo. I was glad he rarely lied, unlike Angelo, who was a habitual fibber. Because I’d always have to dig for the truth.
The entire situation made me feel uneasy.
“Go sit with Angelo for a while, Leo. Put your feet up. I’ll be there soon.” Georgia hung up, and I did what she’d said. I spent some time with the boys until she got there, carrying multiple bags like she was a fairy godmother.
“Sweet!” Phoenix jumped up, reaching for the bags. “Almost as sweet as you.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her and then kissed her on the cheek.
She laughed, pinching his cheeks. Then she patted Angelo’s leg. “Auntie Georgia to the rescue! Do you mind if I hang out with you and Phoenix for a while?”
“I don’t need anyone.” His voice cracked, and his tan cheeks burned like they were on fire.
“Of course you don’t.” She took a seat. “But Joe is gone, and I don’t want to be alone in that big ol’ house.” She looked at me. “What are you still doing here?”
“I’m going.” I lifted my hands. I looked at Angelo. “I’ll be back in the morning.”
“Is that when…they’re taking me to surgery?”
“I’ll be back before then.”
“Okay,” he whispered.
It broke my heart to leave him, but Vinny wouldn’t pay me if I didn’t work. And even though Georgia had told me to let the issue with Jerry Rispoli go, I couldn’t.
What if he came for Angelo again?
Linda was making herself a microwave dinner when I got home. She didn’t say anything to me when I passed her. My stuff was in the room she claimed as hers, and I grabbed a shower, some clean work clothes, and a fifteen-minute nap on the couch before I headed back to Dynamic.
Halfway there, my phone rang. I knew by the ringtone who it was. I answered and put him on speaker. “Yes, Vinny.”
“Why do you always sound disappointed when you answer?”
“I’m too tired for lies, so I’m going to keep quiet. By the way, how’s the finger?”
“Attached.” He said something to Sam in the background, then put his mouth close to the receiver again. “You on your way to the club?”
“Where else?”
He grunted. “Stop and get us both drinks from that coffee place—you know the one. We want that special drink all the girls have been liking.”
I almost laughed, because the drink was pink, but held my tongue. Vinny gave me a prepaid card for the times he wanted me to stop and pick things up for him and Sam. It just so happened that I needed one of those drinks he was referring to, a pick me up, so I didn’t want to piss him off by laughing at him.
“I’m ordering me one for the trouble.”
“You get the points for that reward bullshit. That’s my contribution to your caffeine habit.” He hung up.
The line seemed like it was around the block, but since Vinny insisted…I used the time to try to relax myself. I closed my eyes and let the warm air envelope me. It wasn’t as hot as it was earlier. More tepid. The sun had gone down, and Vegas was just waking up.
A car honked at me from behind. The line had started to move, and I was still idle. I had fallen asleep. I waved out the window, and about ten minutes later, I placed my order.
