Page 46 of Sal Gabrini: Man on Fire

“That motherfucker,” Sal said.

“They may arrest me before tonight is why I’m asking.”

“I’ll fly in tonight,” Gemma said again.

Mason exhaled. “Okay. Thanks, Gem. You’re a gem.”

Gemma shook her head. “That’s so lame.”

He laughed. “What can I say? You bring out the kid in me!”

Sal snatched the phone from Gemma. “Let’s get one thing straight, asshole,” he said into the phone. “My wife is my wife, and all she is to you is your lawyer. And that’s all she’ll ever be. You feel me, you sonafabitch?”

“Sal!” Gemma was astounded he would go there with her client.

But Mason knew Sal Gabrini. “I feel you, Gabrini. I feel you real good.” Then Mason laughed. “I’ll see you when you get here, Gem. I knew I could count on you.” Then he ended the call.

Sal tossed her phone aside. “I don’t like this shit, Gemma.”

“He’s my client.”

“Hewasyour client.”

“He has me on retainer, Sal. He’s my client. And I’ve got to go and see what’s going on. Hopefully we’ll just settle it. I’ll go and see.”

“But there’s no way I can get away right now. I can’t fly to no Holly-fucking-wood at the drop of a hat!”

Gemma frowned. “Nobody’s asking you to go.”

“You damn sure not going alone! Not to meet with that prick.”

“Robby Yale can go with me then,” Gemma said.

“Robby’s my underboss. But he ain’t me.”

“Oh Sal for crying out loud, you’ll find an excuse no matter who I suggest. But I’m going. I have to go and see what’s going on!”

Sal knew when Gemma’s word was final. He could overrule it, he knew, but that would require a knockdown drag-out. He didn’t have the energy. “Reno will go with you,” he said.

Gemma looked at him. “Reno? Have you forgotten how busy that man is? He can’t just drop everything to go to L.A. with me. He doesn’t have that kind of time.”

“He’ll have to make that kind of time because either he goes, or you stay,” Sal made clear.

“But why Reno?”

“Because he’ll protect you like I will. Reno is me. And I trust him with my life.”

Gemma knew that wasn’t what Sal would say if Reno was in his face. They fought like cats and dogs. And the way he was always insinuating that Reno wanted to get in her panties made him choosing Reno crazy to her. But she didn’t even argue that point. He was letting her go. That was the best she could hope for.

She began heading for the bathroom. “And what are you going to do while I’m gone?”

Sal laid back flat on his back. “See if I can spare a minute of Uncle Mick’s time.”

“Mick?” Gemma was sitting on the toilet peeing. “You’re going to Uncle Mick?”

“If I have to, yes. I need to find out what he knows since his ass seems to know everything about us. And you think Reno’s busy? Reno’s playing a kid’s game compared to all the shit Uncle Mick be involved in. Now that’s a busy fucker.”

“You think he’ll have time for you?”

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