Page 17 of Mafia Kings: Valentino

Instead, I said, “No – not at all!”

“Hmph,” Niccolo grunted. “Give it time.”

I was hoping I wouldn’t have to give ittoomuch time.

As it turned out, I didn’t.

6

Valentino

Istopped by the kitchen later, hoping Caterina would be there.

She wasn’t – but the delicious smell of her cooking still lingered in the air.

I didn’t see anything, though. The kitchen staff was beginning to prepare lunch, and they must have put Caterina’s food away.

“Would you like me to fix you something, sir?” Nuncio asked. He was the 40-something head chef on the breakfast and lunch shift.

“There was a girl in here earlier cooking something. What happened to the food?”

“We packed it up and put it in the refrigerator. But she was just an interviewee – I’m sure it wasn’t that good. I can cook you a steak if you like – ”

“No, I want to try her food. Fix me a plate, will you?”

Nuncio looked annoyed, but then he gave me a fake smile. “Certainly, sir.”

He had one of the other workers spoon some pasta and sauce out into a bowl and heat it in the microwave, then cut me some bread and put out a plate with a slice ofzuccotto.

I tried the pasta.

Holyshitit was good.

Then I tried the bread, dipping it in some olive oil.

Fuck –it was even better.

And last I tried the cake.

I’d never had a dessert give me an orgasm before, but that slice ofzuccottoalmost did.

“Holy shit – this isincredible!”I exclaimed, then asked the kitchen staff, “Did any of you try it?”

“As I said, sir, she was an interviewee,” Nuncio said contemptuously. “And with no formal training, I might add. I’m glad you liked her food, but I doubt it would meet my standards.”

I wanted to say,Maybe you should pull that stick out of your ass and try this instead –

But I ignored him and immediately went up to Roberto’s office on the second floor. He was plinking away at his keyboard, staring at his screen like always.

I swear to God, if Roberto could fuck spreadsheets, he’d be the happiest man on the planet.

“Hey – are you the one who’s deciding who to hire for the kitchen?” I asked.

Roberto glanced over at me, then went back to his computer. “I’m not handling any of that. I just gave the salary info to Niccolo.”

“So Niccolo interviewed them?”

“Yes.”

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