Page 48 of Mafia Star

“Uncle Sal, we looked at the security footage, and we spotted the men. Our guys headed out before Liz and I pulled up the feed, but they found nothing. I haven’t talked to them yet, so I don’t know the details.”

Papa approaches until he’s standing in front of us. His tone is softer than Uncle Salvatore’s, but I know it. It’s the fuck around and find out tone he gets when anyone steps a little too close to his wife and kids— never mind we’re in our thirties.

“Has anything like this happened to you before?”

“No. That’s why it’s so disconcerting.”

“Have you had any problems with clients, or anyone approach you since Chelle started seeing Enzo?”

“Nothing is different than it was two months ago.” She looks at me. “Only my involvement with Marco.”

The three men who have been role models to me my entire life are the quintessential swarthy Mediterranean men you see on Dior or Armani or Louis Vuitton ads. Silver foxes. They can be suave and debonair when they need to be. But when three sets of dark eyes are drilling into your soul, it doesn’t feel so charming. Beth doesn’t cower now that she knows they’re kinder than their reputations would seem. She stands tall when most would wither.

“Marco, how long have you and Liz been involved?”

“Since just after the reception. We ran into each other and hit it off.”

That’s mostly the truth.

Those three sets of dark eyes pin me to the spot. I know they’ll have more to say later about having Beth work on a strip club project. It won’t matter that it wasn’t my idea. It won’t matter that they have no objections to women coming to the clubs. Their objection will be that this is hardly the best introduction to our family businesses.

“Uncle Sal, I’m going to speak to Luca about adding Liz to the rotation. Now that it’s known we’re together, I want her to have guards. But after today, I want someone from our family with her any time it’s out of her routine.”

“Of course. Dante, Frederico, and Carlo can stay behind with you. We’ll be fine.”

Each of those men is assigned to Papa or one of my uncles. They have a driver and at least one other car with two men following them. That’s too much power in one vehicle for them to go anywhere with only one guard each. It’s too much temptation for someone who thinks to make a point by going after the don, the consigliere, and the former capo dei capi— boss of bosses. That was Uncle Domenico before I was old enough to assume the position. I’m officially the head of all our capos— or lieutenants. It means I lead Enzo and our cousins and friends. But I’ve never seen myself as anything but equal to them. Well, I did think I was superior to Carmine and Gabriele for a long time, but now I see them as equals.

“Three guards?”

Beth looks at me, and I know that terrifies her. She’s wondering just how bad things must be.

“That’s for my sake, as much as it is yours. Uncle Sal knows I’ll lose my shit if there isn’t someone to guard each side of you. I’m the fourth.”

“Okay.”

She doesn’t sound so convinced.

“Liz—”

“Stop calling me that now that your family knows.”

Her voice is a whisper, but I’m sure the others hear her.

“Beth, until we know what’s going on, I’m going to hover, and I’m going to be overprotective. I admit it. If I’m smothering you, tell me. But I won’t back down on how many men guard you.”

She shoots me a lopsided smile. I know I pretty much just contradicted myself. But at least I’m trying. Her free hand covers the forearm above where our hands are joined.

“Thank you.”

Uncle Domenico— always the shit stirrer —finally pipes in.

“I haven’t heard the name Beth in ages. It suits you. You said you go by Liz.”

“I do. That name is for Marco.”

She’s polite, but there’s that challenge in her voice that makes me go rock hard in an instant. I let go of her hand and wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her close. I kiss her cheek, and the men laugh.

“Now I understand.”

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