Page 47 of Mafia Star

“You can leave your stuff in here if you want.”

She glances at her bags and nods. I lead her to the door and hold it open. Once we’re in the hallway, I slide my hand into hers.

“We’re going to continue in Italian until I know what’s going on. If it’s something I can explain, I will.”

“I know. I trust you.”

She keeps telling me that. I pray I’m always worthy of it. Her grip tightens a little when we step out of the dim light into the main area with the center stage. There are three poles up there with tables surrounding what looks like a peninsula. I don’t expect to see my father or Uncle Salvatore. I notice Uncle Domenico talking to a guy near the door. Fucking hell. Why are they here?

“Shh, piccolina. It’s all right.”

She tries to let go of my hand, but I keep hold of hers. They’ve already seen us. I’m not pretending this is anything less than it is. I won’t look like naughty teenagers who got busted together. She curls hers back around mine, and I feel her relax. She needed to know I wouldn't dismiss her or us. She was prepared to for my sake, but she’s glad I didn’t.

“Papa, Uncle Sal, Uncle Dom. What’s up?”

“We were on our way to a meeting and stopped by to see if you wanted to come.”

My dad smiles at Beth and dips his chin. My uncles do the same.

“I have the leak to deal with. Carmine’s men got here about twenty minutes ago.”

It might be more than that because I don’t know how long I was back there with Beth. Uncle Salvatore stands and buttons his suit coat.

“It’s nice to see you again, Elizabeth.”

“Liz, please. It’s nice to see you too, Mr. Mancinelli.”

“Same.”

Papa and Uncle Domenico grin at her as they both speak. It lightens the mood.

“Please, it’s Salvatore. And these two goons are Massimo and Domenico. There are too many of us to say Mr. Mancinelli without the busybodies answering, too.”

Beth isn’t sure what to do, but she laughs. I don’t think she expected Uncle Salvatore to have anything resembling a sense of humor. Our family is hilarious and loves nothing more than to tease one another. We’re shockingly normal outside of work.

“Liz came by to look at the damage and see if she thinks it should be redesigned.”

Papa looks at me when he responds.

“Your brother told us.”

Wonderful. Enzo and his big mouth. They’re here to check up on me. Meeting my ass. But just as well they are here.

“Papa, someone followed Liz here.”

The three older men swing their attention to Beth, and she tries not to shrink beside me. These men went from relaxed to Mafioso in a heartbeat, and she doesn’t know they aren’t directing their anger at her. I shoot them a pointed look, and the degree of menace shrinks.

Uncle Salvatore takes the lead even though Papa will probably call Beth daughter within a few months.

“What happened, Liz?”

“A guy bumped into me when I stepped onto the sidewalk outside my building. Then a guy shoved me off the subway and followed me way too closely up the stairs. The guy who was in front of me slowed down and followed me, too. I took a cab the last block, but somehow the guy who was near my place was already here. I guess traffic was light.”

Uncle Salvatore keeps his attention on her.

“What about the other two?”

“When I looked back as I got out of the cab, they were waiting to cross the street. One of your men was near the door and opened it for me. Marco was already here.”

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