Page 56 of Cartel Devil

It wasn’t naïveté that made me think I might have some privacy. It was wishful thinking.

I’m not a perpetual optimist, but one can always hope.

“What do you think your brothers have told my dad or Uncle Tommaso or Uncle Santino?”

Uncle Santino is my dad and Uncle Tommaso’s brother-in-law. He’s my branch’s consigliere. He appears like the most easygoing of the three, but he’s not. He just hides his darkness better. My dad and Uncle Tommaso have resting bitch face. Uncle Santino will kill you while laughing like he just heard the funniest joke ever.

“I haven’t talked to them about you beyond you moving down here and working with Sera until you find something else. What will your mother say?”

“You mean after she castrates Joaquin? She’ll support whatever choice I make. But she’ll have her pound of flesh from Joaquin.”

Double fuck my life.

“Will this be what gets your mother to reunite with the O’Rourkes?”

“It might. I’m sure Siobhan, Saoirse, and Breda offered to have the guys watch out for me too. But it’s not like they’ve invited me over for Sunday dinner.”

My mother was an O’Rourke before she married my dad. She’s the three women’s cousin, and they’re the moms of the leaders in my generation. While no one in those two generations turned their backs on Mom, there’s no fond feelings between them anymore. Mom chose the Boston Mafia over the New York mob. There wasn’t much hope we’d spend Christmas and Easter together. If they’re keeping an eye out for me, it’s obligation, not love. That makes it worse because they don’t want anything to do with me.

“I suppose we’ll be sharing you with the Diazes now. Who’ll make the caponata now?”

I groan, then laugh. “Just because I’m good at it doesn’t mean I want to make it for anyone. It takes forever. I’ve tried cooking the eggplant, celery, and onions together, but it never comes out right. Cooking each one separately is so time-consuming. It’s a good thing I love all the Mancinellis, or I’d never make that stew.”

The Sicilian dish involves a sweet and sour sauce that’s easy to fuck up. It’s a balance to get all the flavors just right. My food is delicious, but it’s a total time suck. Paola’s back to teasing me, so I suppose that’s progress. I’ll take it. She reminds me to give her five minutes after she texts me the name and number. We end the call, and I don’t feel horrible. Just incredibly nervous.

Nervous about the baby.

Nervous about the future.

Nervous about what the Mancinellis will say.

Okay. Now I feel horrible.

I’m terrified about my family. They’re going to lose their shit. Not just because of the baby and what that means for my future but because this is going to fucking complicate things. I may not be able to complete the mission Uncle Tommaso gave me.

Sera called me right after I got off the phone with Paola, so I didn’t get a chance to call the doctor’s office. She needed me to help out at her Brooklyn bakery because her manager got a migraine. It’s not what I generally do, but I know how the location works. I turn the key in the lock of the back door but freeze when I hear a sound behind me.

I pull the key free, and fist the ring, so all the keys stick out between my fingers like brass knuckles. My purse is tucked tight against my belly like it is whenever I’m in this alley. I’m slow as I tuck my hand into the front pocket and withdraw my knife. I flick it open, letting go of my purse as I spin toward whoever’s creeping toward me. I’m in a fighting stance when I realize it’s Joaquin.

“Joaco?”

“Don’t gut me, chica.”

“Don’t sneak up on me. I won’t ask questions until after I stab you.”

He approaches, and I can’t believe the goofy grin on his face. My heart’s racing, and he’s beaming at me with pride. I flip the knife closed, grab my purse from the ground, and drop it back into the bag. I release the death grip on my keys, flexing my fingers after putting them in my bag.

“I didn’t mean to scare you, Tre. But I’m glad to see you’re situationally aware and prepared to defend yourself.”

“Of course. This isn’t the first city I’ve lived in. Besides, you know there are Mancinelli men stationed around this block. You’re lucky they didn’t kill you before I could defend you.”

“I saw them. Apparently, they know I’m not a threat to you.” He cocks an eyebrow when he finishes.

“Lovely.”

I huff then return his smile as I walk toward him. I guess the secret’s out, so I step into his embrace, wrapping my arms around him. It feels good to lean against him after such a long day.

“How’re you feeling, little one?”