“That’s the ticket there, isn’t it?” Fontana leans forward, talking softly. “Stayingsharp. Our business is filled with sharks. Younger, hungrier, more violent sharks, and it feels like thereare a thousand of them appearing every year. It’s a constant fight, keeping them from my door. Any number of upstarts would gladly cut my throat to take what’s mine, but I find the struggle is a part of the game. It keeps me on top, because the moment I get complacent, the moment I let it slip—“ He slides his dinner knife across his throat and makes a gagging sound.
“Darling!” His wife covers her mouth. “Don’t be socrude!”
Fontana howls with laughter. I do my best to grin along. Carbone shows no humor, the lizard.
“Actually, dear, would you mind giving us old men a moment to talk real numbers?”
“Not at all.” His wife stands and offers Deanna her hand. “Shall we ladies retreat?”
“Actually—“ Fontana waves his wife back. “The girl stays.”
His wife frowns but shrugs primly. “Well, I know where I’m not wanted.” She winks at Deanna and walks out. “See you boys—and girls—very soon!”
Silence falls over the table as Fontana refills his glass. I touch Deanna’s hand to steady her. Carbone eyes his fork as though it’s about to start singing and dancing. After an agonizing minute, Fontana settles himself and studies me.
“Sharks, Prime.” He thumps a hand on the table. “That’s what I was talking about. Sharks everywhere. Would you consider yourself a shark?”
“Back in the days, when I was younger, I would’ve said yes.”
“Not anymore?”
“No, Mr. Fontana. I’m not a shark anymore.”
“What are you, then?”
I consider lunging across the table. I think I could get my knife in his throat before Carbone could shoot me. The old bastard would die, but there’s no doubt I’d go with him, and no guarantee Deanna wouldn’t follow. That’s the only thing holding me back: I’m prepared to bleed for my revenge, but I’m not going to drag her to hell with me.
“I’m Prime, that’s all.”
Fontana’s chuckle is low and humorless. “No, I don’t think so. To me, you’re more like a snake.” He hisses, showing old teeth. “You’re a snake with wonderful real estate.”
“Are we discussing business now or are you naming everyone’s spirit animal?”
“Shut your mouth,” Carbone snaps.
Fontana acts as though his lieutenant didn’t interrupt. “I’ve looked everywhere in this city, under every rock, snooped on every low-level gangster and mighty kingpin, and do you know what I found? Your parking lots are some of the most efficient money-makers around. They launder, they help move goods, they facilitate meetings. They’re the perfect cover, and somehow, they’re under your control. It’s maddening, because I’m a shark too, Prime, and sharks must keep swimming to breathe. That’s always been my problem. If I let the outfit stagnate, bad things happen, and I much prefer my comforts these days.”
“That’s why we’re making our deal, isn’t it?” The chill in the air thickens. Fontana’s not smiling anymore. He looks as though he wants to light the table on fire.
“There was never adeal, Prime. That charade was a joke. You were laughing, but you didn’t know the punchline. Would you like to hear it?”
Deanna’s hand grips my knee under the table.
Fontana bends closer. “The punchline is this: I remember you. Maybe you thought I didn’t, but I sure as hell do. Little Prime, such an aggressive shark, a hungry mother fucker and a ruthless little killer. I thought you’d be useful back when I first found you, but like all sharks, you don’t like to stay caged. You were growing too big, getting too hungry, and I knew you had to be removed for my own safety. You can’t imagine how many little Primes I’ve pruned over the years.”
My mouth goes dry. My heartrate increases. The burning, quiet rage shimmers in my stomach. “That night.”
“That night,” Fontana agrees. “You were supposed to be alone. Instead, you brought a friend! That was such a pain in my ass, dealing with the wrong body, and then you disappeared from the streets for a while. I figured I’d scared you enough, at least until you emerged with that fucking Corsetti boy.”
I grip the edge of the table. “You were targeting me.”
“What did you think happened?” Fontana sneers at me. “Instead, you used that friend of yours as a meat shield. Oh, yes, I was mildly impressed. You always were smarter than the average shark, I’ll give you that.”
“Fuck you,” I whisper, pushing back, knife gripped in my fist.
But too slow and too late. Carbone aims a gun at Deanna’s face. “Give me an excuse. I enjoy killing pretty girls.”
Deanna gags, going still, eyes wild with animal terror. Every muscle bunches, ready to spring, but I hold myself back. Fontana’s beaming at me like he’s enjoying the show and he’s right fucking there. Even if Carbone shot Deanna and turned to me, I could still get Fontana. I could do it, right here and now.
