“No signature,” Tore added before tossing the paper into the air. It floated down to the rug.
“You know, I’m happy your car got burnt. Wasn’t what I meant to happen, but honestly, it’s the least you deserve for threatening us.”
“I never threatened you.”
“Really? Is that what you call being held at knifepoint by a mountain man with John Lennon sunglasses and facial tattoos that make him look like a goth wannabe? ’Cause I wouldn’t call this souvenir a social call.”
The girl tugged her shirt collar sideways, revealing a puckered wound that gashed her collarbone. My teeth ground against each other.
“Find Alfie. Tell him I want to see him now.” Ricco left with a nod. I bent in front of Ms. Burch until my face was level with hers. “So you thought damaging my property was a way to scare me off? Tell me, what did you think I’d do once I caught you?”
“I’m not afraid of you.”
I couldn’t stop the burst of laughter that erupted out of me. The girl was quivering in her seat, even while she stayed defiant. It was admirable. If ever her fire were molded and tamed, she’dbe a force to be reckoned with. Until then, she was nothing more than a playing card.
“You should be,piccola.” With a finger barely grazing her chin, I forced her to look at me. “Men like me eat little things like you by the dozens. You have no idea the games you’re playing.”
There was another knock on my office door. This time, Vinny opened it. The moment Alfie strutted inside, I raised my gun, aimed, and pulled the trigger. Ms. Burch’s shrieked scream muffled Alfie’s howl.
“Stay down.” I pointed the gun at her, and for the first time, she obeyed. “And you,stai zitto!” Shut up! “You’re lucky Ms. Burch only has a flesh wound.”
“Boss?” Alfie grumbled through the pain. He was a decent soldier, not the brightest, but definitely loyal. That was why I’d aimed at his bicep instead of his shoulder. He’d be incapacitated while it healed, but his life wouldn’t be threatened.
I treaded toward him. Sweat beaded and shone over the block lettering of his tattoos, ranging from his ear down to his chin at the curve of his jaw.
“On whose order did you injure Ms. Burch?” I pressed the muzzle of my gun deep into his wound.
“No one’s, boss.”
He jerked and hissed through his teeth.
“I don’t order it. It doesn’t happen. We clear?”
“Yes, boss.”
“Now, get out.”
Not soon enough, the door clicked shut behind the brawny enforcer.
“You shot him,” a weak voice said.
“And you’ll keep quiet about it,” Vinny warned.
The girl shook and curled in on herself, with her knees dragged up to her face, staring a hole into my rug. I uncocked my gun, popped out the loaded cartridge, and tossed the gun onthe desk. That last noise snapped her out of her stupor, her head rearing up.
“Ms. Burch, today will be the last of your temper tantrums.” From my wallet, I retrieved three hundred dollars, then stacked them carefully at the edge of my desk. “Never again will you damage my property or interfere in my business. This is the one and only time I will show tolerance. However, youwillreimburse me for the damage.”
Her eyes flicked to the money on my desk.
“This is for your bus ride home, clothing without tears and holes, andporca miseria, buy yourself some food so you don’t keel over before you’ve repaid every cent your stunt today cost me.”
Her mouth popped open and closed. “Why?”
“Because,piccola peste,”—little pest—“I’ve just taken an interest in your future. You’re an investment. And before you open that mouth and shriek out any more redundant idiosyncrasies, this is nonnegotiable.” I slammed my hands on my desk, my shadow towering over her. “You’re under my rules now.”
“You can’t do this. I-I won’t do it. Screw your goddamn car.”
“What do you think will happen if I report you? We’ve got trespassing, vandalism, arson. I’ll have you tried as an adult. Ten years minimum without parole. Or…we call it a debt to be paid.”
