Page 3 of Marcello

He meant soccer.

“Just an intramural league,” I said. “I wasn’t good enough to make the team.”

Fausto gave me a smile. “Well, where you’re going, your interest in the sport will serve you well.”

I narrowed my eyes. “And where am I going?”

“Naples.”

My stomach twisted nervously – but I knew I had to speak up, or I would risk becoming a slave like my father had.

That was one thing about me: when things were stressful, I tended to go quiet rather than freak out. The more stressful things became, the calmer I got.

I don’t know why. It was just how I was wired, ever since I was a little kid.

I shook my head. “I’m not going to carry drugs or money for you, if that’s what you’re – ”

Fausto raised a hand to stop me.

I immediately shut up.

“You misunderstand,” he said pleasantly. “You’re going there to live.”

I frowned. “Why would I do that?!”

“What do you know about organized crime in Naples?”

“I know it’s run by the Camorra.”

It was a well-known fact – like the Cosa Nostra used to run Sicily before the government imprisoned them all in the 1990s.

“Yes, exactly,” Fausto said. “The Camorra runs Naples and the surrounding areas. They’re not a monolithic structure, though. More a loose association of clans that control various territories.

“The Camorra are something of a… competitor of mine, you might say. And I need people on the inside to let me know what my competitors are doing.”

It took a second for his meaning to sink in.

“You want me to infiltrate the Camorra for you?” I asked in shock.

“That’s an excellent way of putting it.”

“But I’m not a gangster!”

“Which is why you’re perfect. No criminal record, and no way for them to trace you back to me.”

“But I don’t know how to do any gangster stuff! I’ve never shot a gun – ”

“And you quite possibly never will. There are many positions available within the Camorra. Drivers… accountants… dock workers…” Fausto paused, then smiled. “Street-level drug dealers…”

My face betrayed the disgust I felt. “I’m not doing that.”

Fausto’s smile disappeared. “You’ll do whatever you need to do.”

“How am I supposed to get them to hire me?!” I asked angrily.

“Once you move to Naples, you’ll eventually get a feel for the lay of the land. As you do, start hanging out in places the Camorra are likely to frequent. Certain neighborhoods, restaurants, bars, clubs. You’ll know. New acquaintances will likely warn you away from those places, so that’s exactly where you’ll go.

“Keep your eyes open. Eventually an opportunity will present itself – and when it does, take it.”