We did.
We just didn’t know who he’d assigned to what piece.
We’d had our speculations, of course. We’d watched him move the pieces along the years as he played against himself.
We deduced Enzo might be a rook and Luca a king.
Hale, however, knew with certainty who each of us was.
Whohewas.
None of us had the stomach to ask him.
“Fine.” Luca extinguished his cigarette in an ashtray, smoke skulking out of his mouth as he spoke. “You’re here, and you’re Vello’s son. What the fuck do you want now?”
“What I’ve been promised.” Tristan opened his arms wide. “The throne.”
“The throne?” Luca repeated dully.
“That’s what Vello had in store for me. Hedidcall me his golden boy.”
“Golden or not, you’re a by-blow. An accident.” Luca was direct but calm. We all knew that if push came to shove, we’d get rid of the little fucker in no time. “As legitimate as a three-dollar bill. No one in the Camorra will take you seriously.”
“And yet here you were, chasing me halfway across the world.” Hale seemed unfazed by the truth bomb that had just exploded in the room.
“I can’t believe you’re almost Luca’s age.” Enzo bristled. “That bastard Vello was busy.” He tapped his lip, mulling thisover. “We could’ve been raised together. We could’ve had fun. These two fuckers are such party poopers.”
Tristan flashed him a disinterested look. “Sorry. I was busy becoming a killing machine to pay my way through life.”
“Yeah, man.” Enzo tossed gum into his mouth, handing him a piece as well. “Because I was out here living my best life as an inspiring fashion influencer. What do you think we’ve all been doing?”
“If your plan is to infiltrate the Camorra, you’ll have to start from the bottom,” I said, steering the conversation back to topic. “You’re not going to cut any corners just because you’re Tristan Hale or because Don Vello couldn’t keep it in his pants.”
Tristan shook his head. “You’ll carve me a role fitting for my talents and expertise. You don’t take a trained assassin and have him collect protection money from laundromats.”
Luca and I exchanged looks.
“We cannot afford to pay you what you’re used to for your work,” Luca clarified.
“That’s fine because I don’t intend to quit my day job,” Hale drawled. “But I want in on the operation. And I want to see Vello for myself.”
“I guess we can always use another pair of hands.” Enzo shrugged.
“You can see Vello, supervised,” Luca said. “We’ll want a DNA test, though.”
“Be my guest.”
“And we want your details. Address. Real paperwork,” I listed. “A direct line to you.”
“I don’t give those out, but you can have my direct phone number. That’s more than I offer anyone.” Tristan stood up. “Anything else?”
“Yeah.” Enzo stepped in his direction. “Welcome to the fam, motherfucker.” He threw his arms around him in a big bear hug.
Tristan just stood there, unimpressed. Much like Luca and myself. Why was Enzo always so goddamn sweet and kind? It was becoming a real issue.
“If you need anything, you give me a call.” Enzo disconnected from him, punching his chest lightly.
“You can start by escorting him out,” I said. It was time to wrap this shit up. Tierney was waiting for me at home, and this had taken longer than I’d anticipated. “We’ll be in touch, Hale.”
