Page 50 of The Mafia Assassin's Redemption
I open the door and Clawzilla squeezes around me to sit and watch us, like he knows this is the room with the action. He lets out a meow. Cal sets his cigarette down on the ashtray, goes to his desk, opens a drawer, and grabs a few treats. The cat dances around, rubbing against Cal’s leg, acting like he’s starved until Cal starts feeding them to him.
“Shit.” I close the door and Clawzilla munches on the treats. I gesture to the cat. “No wonder he’s gotten so fat.”
“If Lucie hears that, she’ll kick your ass and tell you he’s just big-boned.” Cal pets the animal and then puts the treats away. He pulls on the bottle and picks up his cigarette. “I know exactly who thatshitewas. I also know there was a hit on him by his rival. The money matched what you brought home.”
“Water under the bridge, Callahan.”
“Siobhan. I blame her. Do not tell me you got political with the Quinn clan. I promised Da we’dnever do that.”
I bite on a smile. “So, you’re not for a free Ireland? A united?—”
“Don’t push me.”
I’m doing exactly that.
“Just saying, Cal…” I grab the cigarette and take another drag before he gives me the filthiest look and snatches it back.
“We got dragged into a blood marriage. We all did, not just you. And we don’t know much about the Ricci family except they have power and they’re not the nicest people. I don’t do business with them for a reason. Right now, we’re good. Our organization is strong. Respected. There are no wars on any horizon. So why did you, the man I can almost guarantee pulled off killing Bernardo without being seen, go and volunteer to marry the mousy lass?”
She’s anything but mousy. But she hides herself, even I see that. Cal, however, is pushing buttons right back.
I think about his words.
The “why” is fair. But it’s also complicated, so I give him the abridged version.
“I tried to save Shiv over her family. I’m the reason they were killed.”
“For fuck’s sake.” He takes a deep drag and angrily stubs his cigarette out. “I told Mam?—”
“She asked me to find someone to help. I took it on. And then fucked it up, Callahan. Of course I volunteered for this marriage. I’ve kept an eye on her since that night.”
“You… Jesus.”
I grab the bottle back, and though there’s a better bottle on his desk, he nabs Dec’s after I guzzle some more.
“Politics isn’t the only trap out there, Tor,” he says. “Hitman with a fucking heart, conscience, and a cause… not a good mix. And you collected payment?”
“No.”
He frowns. “Mam didn’t know why the Rao family wanted Harry’s family dead, but there’s a reason, and that reason almost always has to do with money and power. You need to find out because now we’re in it.”
“There aren’t many of them left.” Those that are don’t look for survivors, especially a girl, and have formed other alliances that rule Italy hardcore.
“Should I even ask?”
Watching over her was the only way to keep her safe. I picked off anyone looking too closely, those ready to shoot kids. And I also spread the rumor that the Federici family were all dead and Shiv was the assassin. Another sin, I suppose, but that way any Raos I let live got the message: everyone died, including the one they hired along with the family.
Or should have gotten it, anyway.
“No.”
“Fuck.” He rubs his face again. “This time I won’t ask.”
“It’s for the best. Can I go?” I rake a hand through my hair.
Callahan nods. “Tor?”
“Yeah?”
