Page 107 of Forced Vows

The fucking phone is buzzing for the fifth time when the other door opens too. This time, four men come out walking abreast two-by-two, followed by Henry Caruso, that asshole.

Less than a minute later, the godfather comes out, surrounded by six more men.

The security team is overkill.

Our godfather has no reason to fear us. I'm loyal. Salvatore is loyal.

The whole fucking team has their guns drawn. Am I supposed to be intimidated?

I'm not. If they were going to start shooting, they'd have silencers attached.

Henry Caruso makes a movement with his hand and the guns are lifted to point at us. Another empty gesture but one I won't forget.

Would anyone really miss this guy if I disappeared him?

Our men stay on alert, but I don't signal them to draw their guns. A De Luca doesn't make empty gestures. If I tell my men to draw, my gun will be in my hand too and we shoot to kill.

Why in the hell is the godfather allowing his nephew to appear to take tactical point? Appear because I don't believe for a second those soldiers are shooting on anyone's orders but Don Caruso's.

I put my fist over my heart and bow my head. Slightly. The theatrics are pissing me off. Salvatore does the same, with the same small inclination of his head.

"Godfather," we say together.

"Miceli." Don Caruso shifts his gaze to my cousin. "Salvatore."

The phone buzzes again.

"Answer the damn thing." There's a reason my cousin isn't putting the phone on silent.

He wants to talk to whoever is calling. I want to make another point.

The godfather gives me a look of censure when my cousin obeys.

The harsh, "What?" that comes out of Salvatore's mouth doesn't surprise me.

The fact he talks for almost a minute does.

Maybe he's making a point too.

This, the dozen soldiers with their guns pointed at us. It's all bullshit and the only reason Henry is getting away with it is because we're on the godfather's property.

The men are not the show of strength he thinks they are though. They make him look weak. Our godfather too. If he has to protect himself from other Cosa Nostra, he's not certain of his hold on the mafia.

I look at the godfather, refusing to acknowledge the soldiers around us. He stares back stoically.

Salvatore's phone buzzes. Again.

The cocktail waitress has balls, I'll give her that.

My cousin says, "Excuse me, I need to take this."

Perfectly played. I approve.

A flash of respect shows on the godfather's face and he nods. Henry is turning red, his mouth working like he wants to say something.

"My mother sends her regards, godfather," I say into the silence. "She would like to visit soon."

Which is not true, but neither is it a lie. My mother would send her regards if she knew I was coming today and probably some of Emilia's panna cotta to tempt the godfather's appetite.

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