“I don’t doubt it, but I want to speak to Violet.”
I pass her a hundred which she quickly pockets. “Haven’t seen her in over a week. She disappears sometimes, and I always wonder if she finally OD’d, but then she’ll turn back up again.”
“Hmm. I’d rather she not know I want to speak to her.” The woman looks back over her shoulder uncertainly. “Is your pimp watching us?” She nods, and I hand her another hundred. “Tell him his girls only walk our streets with my permission, and I’ll be keeping a close eye on this area.”
She gulps. “I should’ve recognized you, Mr. Morelli. I’ll tell him.”
After she’s scurried off, I motion to the guard at the door of the brothel to come over. “Yeah, Nico?”
“The van I mentioned last time I was here, have you noticed it again?”
“One other time. Couldn’t get the plates then either.”
“Tell the other guards. I want that plate number.”
The front door opens as we’re finished talking, and Giacomo Barzetti steps outside. Guess that’s one way to mourn his uncle’s untimely passing and the declaration of war. “Nico? What are you doing here?”
Why does he sound guilty? I’m not his wife. “Looking around.”
“Oh. Are you coming inside? We could share a bottle, find a girl or three to amuse us.”
I could do that. Bad blood has been stirring between us and the Barzetti family for a while, even before I officially took over as Capo. Spending time with Giacomo socially might repair some of the damage. Or at least give me a better idea about their loyalty but…
“No, I’m not coming inside,” I answer, rolling up my window and heading to my parents’ house. I need to see Matilde.
***
“Wherethe fuckis she?” I repeat in a low voice to the guard at my parents’ home.
“I’m not sure, Capo, but Matilde has been going to the movies lately when your mother doesn’t need her… with Primo.”
To the movies with Primo. “How sweet,” I rasp, coldly.
Pulling out my phone, I ask which car they took. All our cars have trackers on them. Rage bursts all through me seeing its current location. That’s not the local cineplex.Little sneak.
Fear drives my anger as much as the deception and my inconvenient jealousy though. Ineedto know where she is at all times.
“Nico, is that you?” my mother calls from upstairs.Fuck.I’m supposed to be here to pick up the twins.
“It is, but I need to go back out, Mother. Something came up unexpectedly.”
Guilt flickers – a shitty son, a shitty father – but something dark and twisted swallows it. Primo took her to the movies. I’m going to eviscerate that boy.
***
I spot them emerging from a pizza place on the Near West Side. It looks like they’re arguing.A little lovers’ spat.That dark and twisted feeling intensifies.
“Follow in my SUV,” I order the guard I brought along before getting out.
Primo’s eyes widen with fear when he sees me. “Capo…”
Matilde’s eyes are narrowed with anger. “What areyoudoing here?”
“I’ll deal with you later,” I tell Primo, gesturing for him to drive. Grabbing her arm, I drag her toward the back of the limo. “Get in.” I don’t give her a chance to refuse me. Pushing her into the backseat, I climb in after her. “My house,” I bark at Primo, who quickly obeys.
“I can’t go to your house, sir. I help your mother with-”
“School, my parents’ house or mine, those are the only places you're permitted to go right now. And I’ve told you to call me Nico.”
