“And the girl?” he asked.
“I’m not reneging on my principles.”
Vinny’s mouth puckered in distaste. “She’s fifteen. A few of them were already working for your father at that age. They won’t see her as a child.”
“I was fifteen to your thirteen when I saved you. Do you remember what I told you?”
“Oh, do tell.” Tore twisted in his seat and tossed an arm over his backrest, clearly amused. “I don’t think I’ve heard this story.”
That was because it was nobody’s business, especially when my father ruled the outfit. If anyone ever found out thatthirteen-year-old Vinny had the gall to pickpocket the don as the man was getting serviced in a brothel by the boy’s mother, then taunt the don’s heir with his stolen prize, my father would have cut Vinny’s throat out.
“So? Come on, guys, I’m dying here.”
I ignored Tore, my focus on my consigliere. “What did I say?”
Vinny exhaled slowly. “You said, ‘We’re kids. Someone’s gotta protect us. If no one will do it for you, I will.’”
“Exactly.” I’d named us kids back then, yet I’d already executed two traitors by that age. Ms. Burch had more claim to the title than I ever did.
Tore drew out a long whistle. “Even with what she did to your car? The kid’s egging for it. You don’t mess with a man’s ride.”
I squeezed the back of my chair because, for all my principles, I had really loved that car. I jumped through hoops to get it imported directly from Italy, right off the assembly line, once I heard about the limited edition. The way the engine roared. How the exhaust growled. The way the steering responded in my grasp to every touch. How the car obeyed every command with absolute precision under its thrilling speed. It was a thing of beauty. Now it was just gone. Poof. Worth little more than trash, all because of a little brat with an attitude problem. The chair creaked under my grip.
A knock cut through my train of thought, and I picked up my gun.
“Come in.”
As Ricco and Ms. Burch entered, I actioned the slide of my semi-automatic. Ms. Burch flinched. Her plain, brown eyes widened and fixed on it. I’d barely paid attention to her a few days ago, besides noticing her short stature, obnoxious teenage attitude, and obvious youth. Now, after the damage she wrought, I took her in fully, like I would any foe.
There was nothing particularly special about her at first glance. Small build, not petite, not large, definitely not athletic either, from the lack of any particular muscle definition. She had freckles on and around her nose and a few minor old acne scars on her forehead, mostly hidden behind poorly trimmed, overgrown bangs. Her long, dirty-blonde hair was pulled back in a plain ponytail. Her wide but smooth cheekbones and narrow forehead gave her a more youthful appearance than the fifteen years her file indicated. Her jeans were torn at the knees and a little short at the ankles. Her shirt was overused and thin, looking like it had seen better days, similar to her tennis shoes. But what intrigued me, despite her mediocre appearance, was the intelligence and fiery attitude sparking in her eyes.
“Close the door behind you, Ricco. Ms. Burch, sit.”
With an exasperated sigh, Vinny stood, leaving the space empty for her. Instead of obeying, she hugged her elbows, hunched over herself, eyes flicking about, likely scanning for exits.
“Look, I’m sorry,” she prattled. “I didn’t mean for that to happen. It was—”
“It wasn’t a request.” I waved my gun at her. “Sit. Now.”
“Fudge you, asshole. I’m not a dog.”
I eyed the picture of Persetta at this same age on my desk.Give me patience.I rounded the furniture and leaned back against its edge, tapping my gun against my thigh. The way her eyes jumped from it and back to me said everything I needed to know about her paper-thin bravery.
Her shaking chin rose in defiance. “If you’re going to shoot me, just get it over with.”
I raised a brow, unimpressed. “Was it your brother who neglected to teach you common civility or your parents?”
Her face reddened, making the multitude of freckles around her nose stand out.
“My brother was ten times the man you are.”
“Yet he’s dead, and I’m not. Now sit. Before I decide once and for all to put you out of your miserable existence.”
Her face twisted into a grimace as she slowly crossed the room and lowered herself along the edge of the seat.
“Good. Now explain this.” From my desk, I plucked the note Ricco handed me earlier and smacked it into Tore’s chest.
“What kind of sick monster are you?” He read. “You want to hurt me? Fine, but don’t you dare go after my foster siblings ever again. You think I’m weak, but I’m not. I will come back swinging when you least expect it and become your worst nightmare. Enjoy your car, you god-awful prick.”
