Page 107 of Merciless Monster

I don’t respond for fear of cursing him into oblivion.

“Here are the details,” he says and hands me an envelope. “Date, time, location. Get De Luca to come to you.”

“He will know it’s a trap,” I offer to cement the deal.

“Only if you blab. And I don’t have to remind you what will happen to Angelo if you do that. Do I?”

“No.”

“Good. Enjoy your salad,” he smiles then walks away.

24

DANTE

“Here,” Mia says and hands me an envelope.

“What’s this?”

“My instructions for delivering you like a shameless stool pigeon.”

“Where did you get it?”

“It was hand delivered to me by the man who took our son.”

“Son of a bitch! Did he threaten you? Are you okay?”

“No, I'm fine. Just seething. I wish I could have gouged out his condescending eyes. “

“You’re not alone. Don’t worry, though. He’s going to wish you had once I get a hold of him. In fact, I may even put them in a jar for you.”

“Ugh! Gross. Wait, yeah. Make him suffer, Dante.”

“And here I thought you were all sugar and spice and all things nice.”

“I am. Until you fuck with my kid.”

“Sexy.”

“Yeah, yeah. Go on. Go work on getting this scumbag.”

“I’m going to call Elio. Why don’t you and Angelo relax together for a while. Watch some TV or something. Try and get your mind off this whole business. You look like you could use a little Angelo therapy.”

“Trying to get rid of me?”

“Never.”

“Okay,” Mia smiles and leaves the room her uncle fashioned into an office.

I dial Elio’s number and wait while it rings.

“Dante. Is everything okay?”

“Hey, Elio. Yeah. Everything is under control in Texas.”

“Good. What do you want me to do for you? How can I help?”

“The scumbag bastard gave Mia instructions today on when and where I’m to be offered up. Like a lamb to the slaughter. I don’t know who this is, but I’m going to wipe out his whole fucking family.”

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