Page 57 of Mafia Star

I tuck my hand into his belt beside the holster. I have a death grip on his belt and pants. I don’t realize it, but I tug him backwards. He takes a step back and completely sandwiches me between him and the wall. His shoulders are broad enough, and I’m short enough, that I can’t see around him. I feel safer, even if this makes him a target. Wait. That’s not what I want. I try to adjust, so I’m not leaving him entirely open to anyone who breaks in. He won’t budge. Instead, Pauly shifts to keep me still protected, but he could step in front of Marco if he had to.

I know bodyguards are supposed to be willing to take a bullet for their client. But Pauly’s commitment pulsates in the air. There’s an element of silent rage to him. How dare someone threaten the don’s family?

Marco pulls out his phone. I can’t tell, but from the way his right arm moves, I think he’s sending a text. Is he letting his family know something is wrong?

There’s a thud against the door. Both men raise their guns. Then it’s pounding as a man’s voice comes through the door.

“Marco! Sono i federali. Sono qui per te.” It’s the feds. They’re here for you.

Federali? Federals? Feds? Shit. Are they going to arrest Marco?

“Luigi, ti ucciderò, cazzo.” Luigi, I’m going to fucking kill you.

“Più tardi, capo. Devi far uscire la tua donna.” Later, boss. You need to get your woman out.

I don’t understand any of this. I only caught capo, which I know means boss. But I only knew that before meeting Marco because of the movies.

He turns his head and whispers to Pauly.

“Non mi fido di lui. Aspettiamo.” We wait. I don’t trust him.

“Lo faccio. Mi ha parlato della roba che vogliono i federali. Non ha fatto il filo alla tua famiglia. Non lo farebbe mai. Se dice che dobbiamo andarcene, lo facciamo. Devi credergli.” I do. He told me about the shit the feds want. He hasn’t crossed your family. He never would. If he says we need to get out, then we do. You need to believe him.

The fact they won’t speak English in front of me terrifies me. They don’t want me to know anything. Is it to keep me from learning anything that could implicate them? Is it because of family secrets? Is it because they don’t want me to know their plans because— because why?

“Beth, we both learned Italian before we learned English. It’s just habit to lapse into it. One of my family’s men is out there, but we don’t know if we can trust him. He says the feds are coming.”

“Can’t trust him? Why?”

“I can’t get into that. If we have to leave, you stay between Pauly and me. You don’t go with anyone but the two of us. Pauly’s my mom’s cousin’s husband.”

I peer up at Pauly. Marco’s explanation is supposed to make it all clear, but I have no idea why he told me the family connection.

“Ms. Russo, Nicoletta Mancinelli scares me more than any woman I have ever met. My wife is fierce about our children, but Mrs. Mancinelli is creative. If I let anything happen to her son or future daughter, I’d rather kill myself than face her.”

With four children, I imagine she’s protective to the fourth power. Somehow, though, I think he’s likely terrified of every woman in the Mancinelli family. I know what my mom is like, and she’s a better shot than most. I suspect Marco’s aunts and sister are just the same.

Since we seem to be waiting, I suppose it’s as good a time as any to explain something.

“Marco, you know my mom’s history. You know Chelle can shoot. I still shoot trap competitively. I don’t own a handgun, but I shoot at a range regularly. I’m a better shot than both of them. Do not doubt that I know how to and will shoot to kill. If you say Luigi isn’t to be trusted, and it’s your life or his, I won’t bat an eye when I put a bullet through his head.”

Marco looks over his shoulder at me as though I’ve sprouted a second head. He glances at Pauly before he looks back at me. What more can I do but shrug? It was something I did with my grandpa and Sam. My brother went into the military and was a sharpshooter. I stuck with shooting clay pigeons. I understand now that my grandpa encouraged it because of our not-so-distant family ties. I didn’t know that back then. It was just a special connection I had to the two of them.

“We’ll discuss that when we get home, piccolina. You stay behind me.”

Marco whispers the endearment, but I’m sure Pauly heard. Right now, I couldn’t care less.

“Marco! Come on!”

Luigi calls out in English. From the way Marco continues to watch me, I realize he let us chat to distract me. But time’s run out. Either we go or we stay.

“Pauly, lead.”

The man lowers his gun to his side as he unlocks the door. While he’s doing that, Marco tugs me to stand behind it. He’s wrapped his body around me as though he expects someone to storm in. When nothing happens, Pauly opens the door wider. He slips out, and Marco steers me to follow him. I’m unprepared to see Pauly with his arm around a man’s neck, his gun to the guy’s temple. He uses Luigi as a shield as he moves into the hallway. Marco’s left arm goes around me this time. There’s no way anyone can get to me if they approach from behind.

“Tony has the car out back.”

Luigi rasps the words, barely able to speak with Pauly’s arm strangling him. Is that where Tony disappeared to?

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