Page 9 of Married to the Mafia

She is my type. Mouth on her and not afraid of anything. Willing to stand up for what she believes in. Suspicious of other people’s motives. An excellent trait to have in my line of work.

Far too young, though. I’m on the wrong side of thirty and her file said she was eighteen. Doesn’t stop me thinking about fucking her though.

When she was laid out in front of me, her tits sticking up, I had to take a moment. She looked like I put her there. Those legs in tight little shorts. Her sulking pout that made me want to spank the hell out of her.

That’s what I’m thinking about while Carol takes a seat opposite me, her microphone getting sorted out.

“So,” she says when the camera rolls. “Dino Gianni. You’re a hard man to pin down.”

“Always busy,” I reply, ramping up my smile. “Never stop for a minute.”

“Got time for this interview and channel twenty-seven is grateful.”

“A pleasure.”

“There’s been a lot of talk here in Gordon’s Cove about the mansion. Care to tell us about that?”

“There’s not much to tell. I wanted a coastal property, and I found a decent piece of land to build on. Your mayor has been very accommodating.”

“I’m sure he has, Mr. Gianni. What about the animal shelter, though?”

“What about it?”

“In order to build your mansion, you’re demolishing the town’s animal shelter, correct?”

I hold up a finger. “One, I’m rebuilding it twice as large as before, with a significant donation from my business dealings. Two, I went through the proper channels with the owner of the shelter who approved fully of my blueprints before we made any deal.”

“What about the other rumors?”

“What rumors are they?”

“There are some who have suggested you bribed the mayor to get the permits to build and that your assets come from mob affiliated businesses.”

I let a note of surprise come into my face, following it up with irritation. “Mob affiliated? The things my rivals will suggest to run me out of business.”

“So you’re saying they’re not true?”

“I am a legitimate business owner who pays my taxes and supports our great country. As for the idea that I would stoop to something as low as bribery? I am shocked to even be accused of such a thing. I followed all the properchannels at all times. The contracts are available for anyone to observe in the town hall whenever they like.”

Of course, I bribed the mayor. Bribery makes the world go around. But I will not tell her that.

My cellphone vibrates in my pocket. It’ll have to wait.

“So there’s no truth to those rumors. Is what you’re saying here on record?”

“I’m saying anyone who would like to suggest such things to my face is welcome to do so. I will happily see them in court. I do not fear the justice system of this wonderful country of ours.”

We continue in this vein for another couple of minutes. She tries to probe. I rebuff. She doesn’t get anywhere. No one ever does. I know what I’m doing.

When it’s over, she shakes my hand and gets to her feet. The camera crew takes things down.

“Dinner?” she asks. “I’m starving.”

“A rain check,” I reply, digging out my cellphone. “I need to play catch up.” I listen to the voicemail. It’s Larry. I don’t let it show in my expression, but I’m furious. Why the fuck has Santo Belucci gone to Gordon’s Cove and walked into one of my bars? He knows the rules.

“Always busy,” she says with a smile. “I know the feeling.”

“I’ll show you out,” I say, walking with her to the front door. The TV vans outside line up neatly on the drive. I watch her heading down. She’s swaying her hips, hoping I’m watching. I’m busy thinking about the phone call. Looks like the time of peace is over. Belucci piece of shit walks into one of my bars and expects to live?

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