Ziu pulls me out of my chair into his chest. It’s stronger than Papà‘s and has tattoos to match his arms and fingers. His black suit is the same as mine. I hate wearing one, but maybe it will keep me safe, as it does him.
“I’ll make them pay.” He kisses the top of my head. “I promise.”
Mamma loved her brother. They have the same cinnamon skin and curly hair. Ziu lives here in Gela. My parents never spoke about what he does. He always has money, keeps guns, and travels with people to protect him. We visit Ziu when we come south to see Nonna, but we never stay at his house. It’s nicer than where we’re at now and has a pool.
Papà treated Ziu like one of the bad people, but he’s not.
“Teach me.” I meet his stare.
He sighs. “There’s still a war, niputi. I can’t lose you.”
“So teach me,” I say again. “I want to be strong like you and keep Nonna safe.”
My father couldn’t protect my mother.
The police couldn’t protect my family. The bad people paid some of them.
Papà said never to talk about the mafiusu. Ziu doesn’t like most of the big families and does things to get them in trouble. They never bully him. Maybe they’re scared.
My uncle runs a hand through his hair. “Is this what you want, to live with me?”
I nod at the metal rings on his fingers. One has a star, another a half-moon over a wave. My favorite is the rose, Mamma’s favorite flower.
“You’ll have a tutor and will stay with your nonna whenever I say. My word is final. We take what we need, by any means necessary,” he says. “You’ll be my heir. No one will touch you.”
“I want your name.”
No more tears. No more fear.
Today, I buried Salvatore Parisi with my parents. Soon, the bad people will meet Salvatore Bennici.
I’ll make them all pay.
Present Day
Cue the shenanigans
Chapter 1
Keep Your Little Job
Bianca
Every villain has an origin story, and today must be mine. I didn’t wake up with an appetite to choose violence, but this man has one more time to interrupt me before I send myself to HR.
The plot twist? I am human resources, and I’m not above writing myself up.
“Mr. Hamilton, I’d like us to refocus on the purpose of this meeting—“
“Is your report ready?”
Strike two.
My brows crease. “I have a few last-minute—“
“Send it to me ahead of tomorrow’s meeting.” Mr. Hamilton’s cufflink winks in the light at the flick of his hand.
Is he dismissing me in a meetingIcalled?
