Page 51 of Merciless Monster

DANTE

“Are you enjoying yourself, big brother? You’re the last guy I imagined to happily play house.”

“Says the man about to get married.”

“Good point. It’s good to hear from you, Dante. We miss you around here. Any news on Kyle?

“No. I’m starting to think he’s done a runner. Lots of space to hide here in America.”

“He must be a little nervous.”

“The man would be shitting himself if he had even half a brain cell. He can’t hide forever. How’s Mamma?”

“Getting old. Not that age is slowing her down much. She’s a firecracker, our mother.”

“I’m not planning on staying here in the States for too long, Elio. If I haven’t learned anything new after six months, I’m coming home.”

“What about Mia?”

“I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it.”

“How are things between the two of you?”

“You mean the three of us.”

“Yeah.”

“Better than I ever could have imagined. I did break some Spanish asshole’s nose at a wine farm the other day.”

“Sounds about right. I’m sure you must miss the action. What did the fool do?”

“He was shamelessly ogling Mia when we checked in. Couldn’t take his eyes off her tits.”

“I wish I was there to see it,” Elio laughs.

“I wanted to kill the little sleaze, but I can’t afford that kind of heat here. If we were back in Rome, he’d be six feet under.”

“Yeah. There’s something to be said for hometown advantage. Bruno’s here. He wants to talk to you.”

“Sure. Put him on.”

“Hey, Boss. You own a pair of Stetsons yet?”

“Funny. I’m in California, you numbskull. Not Texas.”

“Like that’s ever stopped the yanks. Anyway, I spoke to a colleague of mine. He heard a birdie whisper that Kyle had help.”

“I suspected as much. That moron couldn’t pull off something like this by himself. Who is it?”

“I don’t know yet. But I’m on it.”

“Thanks, Bruno.”

“Sure thing. Are you homesick yet?”

“I’ve had enough fucking fake Italian food, that’s for sure. I’d kill for a decent Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe.”

“I hear you, brother,” he laughs. “Anyway, I’ll keep you updated on the whole Kyle situation.”

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