Page 25 of Labria

“No, no, nothing like that.”

“Well, what is it? Loan sharks, or I don’t know. You have to tell me something.”

Farrah’s green eyes jet around the room. They only stopped moving to look down at the floor and back up at Nicco. “I’m afraid.”

“Of who?” Nicco asked, but we all had a slight clue. Our best guess was our only guess. I was confident enough to believe we all thought this issue was resolved.

“I’m afraid of your uncle, Gianni.”

Perturbed, Nicco asked. “What has he done?”

“He’s been showing up here, at my work, at my tables. He’s threatening me and my baby right on the workroom floor, right in front of the customers. I tried to change my shift around, but he finds me every time. I don’t want any trouble with anyone in your family. I respect everything you’ve done for me. I really do. But I’m a mother now. I want to do my job, but I’m afraid for my life.”

“Are you saying my Uncle Gianni has been harassing you since the last incident?”

“Yes, and I haven’t done or said anything to anybody, I swear. I came back to work like you said. I’m afraid to be here and I’m afraid to go home. I’ve been trying to hide so he can’t find me. I’ve been staying with friends, but I don’t want them to get into trouble and—”

Nicco lifted his hand to halt her from speaking. She stopped immediately. “Farrah, I believe you. You have always been a good girl and very loyal to the Bregoli’s. More importantly, you’re not a snitch.”

“No, never.” Farrah franticly spewed her allegiance to BMF.

“I appreciate that you always come to me first.”

“Yes sir. You have always been good to me.”

“Is there somewhere in particular you want to go? I have casinos all over Vegas.”

“I can’t stay here in this town, in this state. He’s going to find me. I know you have casinos in major cities around the country. Wherever you can place me. I would be grateful. I will go wherever you want me to go. I’ve never lived anywhere but Nevada, but I promise I will make it work wherever you place me.”

“It’s not where I want you to go. It’s not my decision. It needs to be a place you can adapt to. A place you want to go.”

“Sir, honestly anywhere but here. I can go anywhere.” Desperation oozed from her lips.

“No, no, this is your decision. I can produce a job for you at anyplace I own.”

“I just want to leave this all behind me and take care of my baby. I don’t want any trouble.” Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes as she looked at Nicco and then at me and then back to Nicco. I felt for this girl. She was a young lady with a baby and an old man psycho stalker who was a made man.

“Listen, for now, I’ll put you up in a private room over at the Othello. I will have someone send you over some casino magazines with maps so you can see which location you prefer.”

“Can this all be a secret?”

“Of course. I will have Lord bring them to your room later today. Only the men in this room will know about your request for a new job in a new city.”

“Thank you, Mr. Bregoli. I am forever grateful.”

“Farrah, once you pick a location, I will make some calls to get you set up in another city with a job and an apartment. You don’t have to worry. You have my word.”

“Yes sir. Thank you, sir.” The worry wrinkles on her forehead instantly smoothed out.

“You think about Chicago, New York or Philly. Someplace like that should suit you.”

“Yes sir. Thank you.”

“The money I gave you before. Did you spend all of it?”

“Only some of it on daycare payments and things for my baby. I have half of the money left over because you paid the medical bills directly to the hospital.”

“I will have a talk with Uncle Gianni.” Nicco added, and I knew he wanted to do more than talk to his degenerate uncle.

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