"Yeah. It's a threat." I step closer, crowding into his space.
Russo swallows hard, his Adam's apple bobbing, but he still doesn't back down. "I don't know what you think you saw, but I was just being friendly. Ms. Rochford and I were having a lovely conversation."
"You were drowning her in drool," I tell him, then I turn to her out of courtesy. "Ms. Rochford, is this guy bothering you?"
She pulls down her sunglasses and gives him a death stare. Only one word drops from her lips. "Yes."
"And there we have it," I say, turning back to Russo. "Let the lady enjoy herself in peace and have some fucking respect. Gino Bernardi won't be happy to hear about this."
But Russo smirks. That's when I get it. Gino Bernardi is no threat to these guys. And that's a real goddamn problem.
"Where's Chops?" I ask Roxy, andthatname does more to scare Russo.
Roxy sits up straighter in her chair. "I sent him to get my lotion. But he'll be back any second now."
"There's no need for threats," Russo says quickly. "I can see when I'm not wanted." He shoots Roxy a mocking little bow. "My apologies for offending you, Ms. Rochford. I'll leave you to enjoy the rest of your day."
"Just a second," I say. "You and me, we're gonna go see Don Castellani and you can explain to him exactly why you were wandering aroundhisestate."
"You know what, I don't think so," he says, though I catch the fear in his voice. He's just making out like he's a big man. "You can'tmakeme do anything, DeLuca."
"The fuck I can't. Move those feet. Now."
But with a slimy smirk, he says, "Nah. You know what, I'm staying here. Because you'd have to break the peace of the parley if you want me coming with you—wouldn't you?" With that, he leans over Roxy again.
And that's his last mistake.
Chops Lollo, who's just arrived poolside again carrying a bottle of sunscreen and a wide, floppy hat, takes one look at Russo, who freezes like a deer in the headlights. Chops lets his cargo drop on the ground and then, without any warning at all, stalks forward and punches Russo hard in the jaw.
The force of the blow sends Russo stumbling backward, but he grabs at Chops while he does, and they both end up toppling into the pool, fists flying. The water churns violently as the two men grapple with each other, their enraged shouts echoing off the tiles. Roxy screams, too, but Lollo gains the upper hand fast, holding Russo's head under the water.
Shit. This isnothow I wanted to spend my afternoon.
"Dosomething!" Roxy squeals at me. "If Chops kills him?—"
But I'm already stripping off my jacket and shoes, and I dive into the pool before she can finish her sentence. I swim towards thestruggling men, hoping like hell I can break them apart before Russo drowns.
"Chops, enough!" I shout as I reach them, grabbing Lollo by the shoulder and trying to yank him off Russo. We're in the deep end, which doesn't fucking help. "Sandro will kill you if you kill Russo!Remember the peace of the parley!"
I sound like a fucking moron, and Lollo is way too far gone, his rage making him blind to reason. I manage to pull him off once, but as soon as he shakes free from my grip, he lunges back at a spluttering Russo with a snarl, intent on finishing what he started.
Another splash in the pool catches my attention, and I look over, narrowly avoiding one of Chops' elbows to my nose, and see Nero Andretti swimming fast toward us. He grabs Russo and starts pulling him away from Chops, allowing me to get Chops into a headlock long enough to calm him down.
Andretti drags a gasping, spluttering Russo out of the pool, throws him down on the tiles, and watches him cough up water.
"The lady does not enjoy your company," he says, his tone light but laced with menace. "Stay away from her if you want to keep your life."
Russo sputters in protest, but one look at Andretti's expression silences him. Andretti is wearing that tiny black speedo again, and he's covered in tattoos that spell out danger and death.
Roxy can't take her eyes off him.
I let Chops go, since he's stopped fighting me, while Andretti turns to Roxy, all charm and concern. "Are you alright,Bellissima?" Roxy just sniffles in response, but the panic hasfaded from her eyes, replaced by interest. "You," Nero says, rounding on Russo again. "Go. Do not come back. And if you so much as look at the signora again…" He leaves the threat hanging, but the menace in his tone is clear.
By the time I'm hauling myself out of the pool, soaked through head to foot, Andretti has made himself the hero of the hour, escorting Roxy and a dripping Chops back up to Redwood himself.
And Russo has scurried off like the vermin he is. I'll have to get my guys to track him down and lock him up again.
Well, at least no one died.
