Page 134 of Mafia Kings: Dario

Suddenly a thought occurred to me –

And a cold chill went through my body.

Lars was the killer of the group…

The assassin.

He had been the one tasked with shooting the man in the café.

What if he was tasked with doing somethingelsetonight?

“…Lars?” I asked, trying to control the fear in my voice.

“Yes?”

“Why were you the one to take me back home?”

“I volunteered.”

“Why?”

He shrugged. “Somebody’s out there trying to kill Dario and his brothers. They’re a target. I’m not.”

“I don’t think that’s true.”

He smiled. “Well… it’s true they think of me like family… but the fact of the matter is, I’m not as tactically important as any of them. I’m just the muscle. The enforcer, if you will. Plus, I’m better in a firefight than any of them. Dario, Adriano, and Massimo are good, but I’m the best.”

“You wouldn’t… be taking me out into the country at night… to tie up loose ends, would you?”

He looked over at me in shock –

Then looked back at the road –

And burst out laughing.

“You thought I was driving you somewhere to KILL YOU?!” he said through his laughter.

“Well, I mean, that’s what you do, isn’t it?”

“No!” he said, sounding offended. “I mean, I kill when I have to, but I do it to protect the family! Plus I wouldneverkill women or children – you know that!”

I wanted to sayI know you TOLD me that,but I didn’t think it was wise at the moment.

“What about the man in the café?” I asked.

“Umberto Fumagalli was an enforcer for the Oldanis – a rival family that wants to kill Dario and his brothers so they can take over their territory!”

“So… he basically had the same job as you?”

“Yes – exceptIdo it out of necessity. From what I’ve heard, Fumagalli enjoyedhis work a little too much, if you get my meaning.”

My stomach twisted. “…oh.”

Lars shook his head ruefully. “I can’t believe you thought I was going tokillyou.”

“Well, I mean, youarein the mafia.”

“Yes, but there’s a difference between those who inflict pain and suffering with no regard for innocents, and those who are in a business that happens to be outside the law. That’s why Dario insisted they get out of drugs and sex trafficking – because he doesn’t want to be part of that anymore. The things he’s keeping – gambling and political influence – they’re not like taking women out of Eastern Europe and forcing them to be prostitutes. He wants no part of that shit.”

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