Page 66 of Bastard Prince
“She’s asleep,” Vinnie answered, then he looked to me. “And absolutely terrified. She’s pretty certain you’re gonna kill her. I’ve told her I won’t let that happen.” The kid stood tall, crossing his arms over his chest like he wasn’t intimidated.
“You know,” I answered, my face blank, “you talk a lot of shit for a kid who was waiting tables a few weeks ago.” He swallowed hard but didn’t back down.
I liked that about him.
“I could always just kill you first. Make it easier on both of us, wouldn’t it?”
Rock chuckled, like he always did, but it was Francesca who spoke up. “Alright, you two. Put the measuring tapes away.” She rounded the island and stood between us. “No one is gonna die.” Frowning, she rethought her words. “At least no one in this house.”
I gave the kid one more hard glare, waiting until he relented and backed off, before I turned and pressed a kiss to Francesca’s temple. “Just makin’ sure the kid knows how it is, babe.”
“Well, how it is, is that Vinnie is my man. And I’d take exception to you doing anything to one of my crew. You don’t see me threatening Trick’s life, do you?”
This time Rocco laughed out loud. “That dumb fuck would think you were flirting, Frankie.”
I scowled at Rock, not liking him using my wife’s nickname, but he only grinned like he’d done it on purpose.
Fucker.
“Alright,” I said, drawing everyone’s attention back to me. “Kid, I’m leaving you in charge of the girl.” Francesca growled, but I kept going. “You keep her here and don’t let her outta your sight. She may not be entirely guilty in all of this,” I continued, holding up my hand when Francesca looked like she was gonna argue, “but I still don’t want her to be able to contact anyone just yet.”
To his credit, Vinnie only nodded.
“Rock,” I continued. “You’re in charge. Ryker has things handled in the clubs but keep an eye on him anyway.” Rocco rolled his eyes, but I continued. “Also, tell the crew to keep their eyes peeled. After Lucky finishes with that dumbass from the Shed, there’s gonna be hell to pay. The Chemist is gonna be all over our asses for that one, but don’t engage for now. I’ll be back as soon as possible, and then we’ll put that fuck in his place, too.”
“Wait,” Francesca cut in, “after Luckyfinishes? How long is she planning to keep him down there?”
“As long as it takes,” I answered, and there was nothing anyone could say to that.
“Where are you going?” Vinnie asked after a moment.
Turning to look at Francesca, I grinned. “We are going to New York. It’s time Francesca went back and saw her Family.”
The grim smile that spread across her face was as frightening as it was beautiful.
“I’ll go pack my bag.”
And with that, she bounded up the stairs, giddy as a kid on Christmas. Vinnie shook his head, then disappeared back down the hall, probably to go stare at Rosa while she slept or some shit.
“So, you’re really gonna do it?” Rocco asked casually, finishing a glass of orange juice. Where the hell he put all the food he ate, I had no idea. “You’re really going to head to New York and take on the current Don of the De Marco crime family? The crime family, I’ll remind you, where your father is a long-time member in good standing?”
“Yup.”
“And, on top of all that,” he continued, pointing at me aggressively, “you’re going alone. No back up, no real plan. What are you gonna do? Just walk in there and casually ask a man, who is more than likely a deranged psychopath, to please remove the hit from your wife’s head? Like he’s not just gonna shoot you both and dump you in the goddamn sea.”
“First of all, I’m pretty sure they don’t just dump bodies like that anymore.” Rocco scowled, and I tried not to laugh. “Cement shoes are a thing of the past, Rock.”
“Not funny, asshole.”
“Secondly, I’m not going alone, man. Francesca and I can handle this.” Looking toward the stairs where she had just disappeared, I continued. “She’s so much stronger than she appears.” Turning back to Rocco, I placed my hand on his shoulder and said. “We got this, Rocco. We’re gonna be fine.”
“You better,” he answered gruffly, my friend doing his best to cover his emotions. “Because you know how much I hate paperwork, and if you die out there and leave me with all that shit, I will come find you and kill you all over again.”
Barking out a laugh, I slapped him on the back. “Deal. Now, I’m going upstairs to pack.”
In no time at all, Francesca and I were seated side by side in the Audi, bags in the back as we headed for the airport. Francesca had the window down, her hair blowing in the breeze as I drove.
“I still can’t get over how freaking hot it is here, Enzo,” she complained. “It’s October for crying out loud. How is it still ninety degrees outside? It’s stupid.”
