Page 130 of The Enforcer's Revenge
The four of them sat there, the blood of three very different Borgatas running through their veins, and it was obvious they were way more loyal to each other than to their own families.
Even if Tino didn’t know everything, he knew that much.
“You gotta make your bones, Tony. If you’re going to be an enforcer for us, you need to be a made man,” Nova whispered instead of confessing whatever secret the three of them were harboring. “The Don’s waiting downstairs. Sorry.”
“It’s okay.” Tony shrugged like it was no big thing. “I’m the one who asked you to open the books. I’m not new. I understood what I was asking for.”
“You didn’t want to be an enforcer, though. No one wants this job. It’s the worst fucking job in the Borgata.” Tino shook his head and whispered, “Take the bullet, Tony.”
“Valentino,” Nova snarled. “Shut the fuck up.”
“I’m not kidding. I know you’re loyal to the Zu, but still…” He looked Tony dead in the eye, knowing he was one of the few people in this world who understood exactly what he was saying when he promised, “Eating dog food is better than this job.”
Carmen flinched, but Tony didn’t.
“I’m great at eating dog food,” he said confidently. Then he fell down on his knees right there in front of Nova as he sat on the stairs. He grabbed Nova’s hand and kissed it as though a ring was there. “I’d follow you anywhere, boss.”
Tino looked around, his heart suddenly pumping violently in his chest with panic and paranoia. To swear that kind of loyaltyto Nova in the Don’s house, when the Don was still there, was insane. Tino noticed Carmen looked around, too.
The way Tony was selling it, Tino almost expected the ring to materialize on Nova’s hand.
And the thing was, Nova didn’t push him away.
He let Tony sit there, hold his hand, and pledge his loyalty. It was the least he could do. Tony deserved it. A moment to believe he had a cause worth killing and dying for after all the shit this life had put him through.
“Okay.” Nova touched his head and clasped Tony’s hand in his. “I’m going to try really hard to earn it, paisan.”
Tony kissed his hand again. “You already have.”
Nova kissed his cheek rather than say anything.
“If he’s really down there waiting, we got to go.” Tino stood because they were still making him nervous as hell. If anyone else saw that, Nova’s finger wouldneverhave a ring on it. They were all dead. “It’s been too long.”
Nova made a move to get up and go with them, but Tony stopped him. “I got this. Stay here. Rest.”
“He’s right. Rest. Let us do our job, Zu.” Tino leaned over and grabbed Nova’s hand, kissing it like Tony had. Nova was his brother; he was allowed to be loyal to him, ring or no ring, but for the first time, he let himself really appreciate it in a way he never had before. He stared at Nova’s hand, seeing Brianna’s blood still under his fingernails, and whispered, “Grazie for saving her.”
Nova kissed his forehead like a brother instead of a gangster. “You need rest too.” He touched Tino’s temple, which was still throbbing from where Nova coldcocked him. “Promise,” he pleaded. “Take care of yourself.”
“I got him, boss,” Tony pledged with the same level of reverence. “You have my word.”
Nova placed a hand over his heart, looking so very grateful. “Grazie.”
“Come on.” Tino grabbed Tony before he could change his mind because they had left the Don waiting way too long. “Let’s go earn your bones.”
Before they went around the corner, Tino looked back, seeing that Nova had rested back against the stairs again and closed his eyes. Carmen’s hand was on his chest like it had become a habit after holding him together all this time. The two of them looked very cozy, which should’ve really concerned him. There was a part of Tino that felt very protective of Carmen because of Lola, and Nova was a dangerous man for her to grow attached to. Just like Carlo had been a dangerous man for Lola, but Tino hadn’t stopped it.
He didn’t want to rob Carlo and Lola of happiness.
Of love.
Of joy.
Laughing together.
Dancing together.
How stupid they all were.
