Page 34 of Labria

“But he’s still out there, right? This man.” If he told me they found this guy, I was going to be so mad at Lord. I lost countless hours of sleep over this violence. If he was caught or dead, I should be the first to know about it.

“He is not there, but not for long. Earlier today, I learned we have acquired one of his valuable assets. He’ll be dead very soon.”

“No talking, just death?”

“Well, probably, a few words will be exchanged. You can’t shoot at a Don. You can’t shoot at protected family. You were an innocent occupant of that car. We don’t kill random civilians with zero ties to the underworld. At that time you didn’t have any ties to BMF. Lord wasn’t underboss. We have rules.”

“The rules didn’t matter to this guy.”

“We’re right, and that’s why he’ll die soon.”

“Will you let me know when that happens?”

“Of course, anything to talk to you again and again.” He licked his lips just to bring attention to them.

Zio was pouring it on thicker than a vanilla shake at McDonalds when the shake machine was finally working. “Did you get hurt when the stray bullets were flying at you?”

I shrugged. “No, the car was bulletproof, but I broke a nail. I didn’t realize it until later. I was too traumatized.”

“Next time, call me. I can get you into a high end nail salon.”

“You can?” I pursed my lips.

“Yes, I know people in this town. They owe me favors.”

“Were you born here in this town?”

“No, I was born in Trapani.”

“Where is that?”

“It’s near Palermo in Sicily. I have dual citizenship.”

“Oh,” I said, trying hard to not ask him personal questions. “What about a hair salon? You have long hair. Do you know any hair salons? Do you know any Black hair salons?”

“I don’t, but I can ask around. You can go to an Italian beauty shop.”

“Zio, Zio, Zio, no-no, no-no, no-no. Feel my hair.” He reached over and cupped one of my silk-pressed curls in his hand. “It’s not the same hair that you are used to.”

He shifted his weight in his chair.Was I making him uncomfortable?“You don’t know what kind of hair I’m used to.”

“I can guess.”

“I will find you a place, a hair salon. Whatever pleases you, I have no problem doing for you.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“Of course I do. I never got you a welcome to Las Vegas gift.”

“The Bregoli men look out for their women. We protect our woman and children.”

I felt more neglected than protected, but I was going to keep that to myself. “Well, I’m not sure how protected I feel with bullets whizzing past my face.”

“Things will get better. Things usually run smoothly.”

“So there aren’t usually shootouts and car bombs?”

“Did you know Righty?”

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