Page 19 of As Angels Sin

“What was that?” Lorenzo turns to look at me.

“It’s beautiful,” I say, correcting my statement. He wouldn’t be staring at it, if it weren’t.

“Truly amazing. One of life’s greatest blessings.”

A skyline view? Something we all look at a hundred times a day without realizing it’s there. I prefer my way of seeing things.

“Yes, I’m here. You wanted to see me?” I get straight to the point after this dollop of mindless chatter. It’s becoming the norm with Lorenzo Napoli.

“Did I? I thought we covered everything yesterday. Well, at least for the time being.” Lorenzo looks at Tomas, who seems to forever be at his don’s side these days. I always knew Tomas was a pathetic mutt, but I could never have guessed how desperate he was for attention and approval.

“Excuse me?” I’ve never said those words in my life. There’s something seriously wrong with me.

“You doing alright, pal? You look a little lost,” Tomas says with his smug, fucking grin and sour disposition. “Go home. Get some sleep. You clearly need it.”

Lorenzo’s eyes widen at his consigliere’s comment.

The cons of being a contractor for a mafia family come in many sizes and shapes. The one I find most important to remember is that you don’t belong to them, and that makes you dispensable. You offer no loose ends, no ties if you choose to turn over a new leaf and squeal to the piggies. You’re just a body who fulfils a purpose, and when you’re done, you’re dead.

But even the biggest con can easily be flipped into the greatest pro. I don’t belong to these people, and Tomas’s title, of consigliere, means piss all. He’s just another body, to me as well. Like Lorenzo, Matteo and every other poor fool who falls under the banner of Napoli or Baronne.

“Say another word to me and I’ll cut your tongue out and strangle you with it.” The softly spoken words carry my message, as well as force. I’m not going to shout or scream to make my point. It’s the words I choose to say that matter most.

That’s it. Give ‘em hell.

“Do you know who you’re fucking talking to?” Tomas booms. He jumps out of his chair, posturing aggressively. He is so close to beating his chest like a silver backed gorilla, but he doesn’t quite go that far. “You might think you’re hot shit, Crue, but I know you’re just another—”

“What?” I don’t move from my position, and fix my eyes on his. Let’s see who looks away first. “A degenerate, rapist fuck who gets off on watching women squirm?”

His face drops, as he realizes I’m talking about Fiametta.

“Gentlemen, please. Calm down.” Lorenzo’s trying to remain amicable. I’m the most expensive man he’s ever bought, and forgood reason, too. Better than the money he burned by putting it in my pocket, I’m the best shot he has to get rid of his Baronne family problem.

Tomas, on the other hand, can’t see the reason or logic behind the move. Especially not after my right hook regarding his disgraceful actions toward my woman.

“You’re gonna let him talk to me like this?” Tomas slams both palms flat against the table.

I smirk. He lost this battle a long time ago, and it’s evident in his temper tantrum.

“I’m notlettinganyonedo anything. You two obviously have some problems you need to work out, but that can happen in due time. Right now, I’m going to need you to sit down, Crue, or leave.” Lorenzo’s eyes drift between Tomas and me. I can’t tell which one of us he’s talking to.

Probably me, but I’m neither sitting, nor leaving.

“Then I’ll leave,” Tomas says. He does, storming off and trying to bump shoulders with me as he passes. He is unable to move my enormous body from its position.

Lorenzo waits a while before he speaks again. “You shouldn’t rile him up, Crue. I understand you have differences with him, but he’s still a valued member of this family.”

“Did you really not call for me?” I ignore his attempt to pacify me. I won’t show anyone in this house respect unless they prove they deserve it. I plaster it on for Lorenzo, though, because if I do piss him off too badly, it’ll be a one-way ticket to an early grave.

“No, I didn’t. But thereissomething I want to talk to you about, so maybe fate played a role in bringing you here.” He pats the chair next to him, and I sit.

Fate? Absolutely not.

“Is it time to get into our first job?” I might as well dive in head-first. Lorenzo might even want me to go on a hunt with the Napolis.

“No. Well, maybe. That depends on how you look at it.” Lorenzo’s indecision makes me uneasy.

“Okay. Lay it on me.”

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