Page 84 of Till Death Do Us Part

The area was too trendy for me. I enjoyed eating at places that looked questionable but had the most authentic food. But I’d be close to wherever she was.

People moved in streams in front of and around us. The place was packed. Maybe the hype about the Florentine steak would prove to be true. I was still skeptical, though.

“Expecting more company, boss?” Fredo stared out the window.

Alfonso and Jack were on one side of Corvo. Dr. Tito Sala was on the other. Dr. Sala was a physician to the Fausti family. They were like royalty in Italy. Their roots spanned from North to South. They claimed they were Italy. And with Alfonso and Jack in tow, the meeting place seemed right.

Palazzo Pitti was a testament to the riches of the Medici family. Alfonso and Jack thought they were the modern-day fucking thing.

“Yeah,” I said. “I expected them.”

There was no way Alfonso and Jack were going to skirt out on this meeting. Alfonso might even threaten me with a steak knife before the meeting was over. Then I’d be sticking it in his heart. As for Dr. Sala, he was known to play peacemaker between warring families. He was also known as a matchmaker, even better than Corvo.

I’d met Dr. Sala a time or two, but never really had a chance to talk to him. He visited Tommaso every now and then.

Fredo opened my door for me and came in with me while Celso went to park. I told him to wait at the bar. The smell of an open flame and meat grilling on it made my mouth water. It’d been a while since I’d last eaten.

My party was already seated outside. The Basilica of Santa Maria del Carmine and the Brancacci Chapel could be seen from the grounds. When I approached the table, the only man to stand and shake my hand was Dr. Sala. I introduced myself to him again, but he remembered me.

“I am still all here.” He pointed to his temple, grinning a little. “Rarely do I forget a face or a name. Even at my age. Have a seat, Felice.” He motioned to the seat next to him.

Dr. Sala sat at the head of the table. Emanuele sat next to him on the other side and across from me. Alfonso sat next to Emanuele. Jack next to Alfonso. Guess my uncle didn’t feel comfortable being that close to me.

Alfonso went to start the meeting, opening his mouth to speak, but Dr. Sala made a motion with his hand.

“Let us look over the menu first, Alfonso. I am hungry. Plenty of time to talk after we order. But I will be staying for dinner no matter what happens. It is too beautiful of a night and a view to let it go to waste over a difference of opinions.”

Alfonso made a disagreeable noise in his throat. Jack huffed and crossed his arms. Emanuele stared at me but looked away when he knew I wouldn’t be looking away first.

The server came and took our orders. Dr. Sala and I both ordered the Florentine steak. I grinned, though, when I noticed they had a vegetarian menu. My little herbivore would love this place. The rest of the men all ordered strong drinks and nothing else.

“Unlike Tito, I’m not going to prolong this meeting,” Alfonso said. “So, I’m just going to cut to the chase. Stay away from Roma Corvo.”

“Or what?”

We all got quiet as our drinks were delivered. Once the server left, Alfonso took a deep gulp of his and slammed the glass down.

“Or it’s going to be war,” Jack said, puffing his chest out.

“Between whom?” I swirled my red wine around the glass.

“Me and you, that’swhom.” Jack motioned between us.

“Roses are red, violets are blue…I guess it’ll be a war between me and you.” I grinned before I took a drink.

Jack shot up out of his seat like his asshole had been shocked. He went to point at me, but Alfonso squeezed his hand and brought him down to the chair before he lost the finger. “Sit,” he ordered.

“This is bullshit,” Jack said. “He only wants her because she’s mine.”

I pulled my sleeve up some, looking at the time. “If Jackie boy wants to throw a tantrum, let him do it at home. Or on a stage. I’m not wasting my time on schoolboy theatrics.”

“Where did you get that watch?” Alfonso chucked his chin toward it.

Alfonso’s eyes had widened, then narrowed when he noticed it. It was the one Jack had put up as a stake in our rooftop game. Alfonso recognized it.

I looked at Jack. “You didn’t tell him?” I ticked my mouth.

“How’d he get Pop’s watch, Jack?”

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