Page 44 of Marcello

To be a dick.

I’m not proud of it –

But it got the job done.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” I snapped. “It’s private.”

Ooooh, I got the cold shoulder after that one.

But I got what I wanted, too:

She never asked about the money – or my family – again.

16

Igot the job at Sotto Napoli.

I had to interview with Pasquale’s boss first, but he loved me. He was super impressed at how fluent I was in English.

“When can you start?” he asked.

I thought about giving notice at the pizzeria –

But then I remembered my conversation with Fausto.

Tick-tock, Marcello. Tick-tock.

“When would you like me to start?” I asked.

“As soon as possible.”

“Then I can start today.”

“Okay!” he said, happily surprised. “But what about your other job?”

I didn’t want to give him the impression I would ditch Sotto Napoli at a moment’s notice – even though I would, if it was necessary to get inside the Camorra and save my family –

So I lied.

“The pizzeria manager steals my wages with a bunch of bogus charges on my paycheck. He makes me work overtime with no extra pay, and he basically screams at me all day and makes my life a living hell. I’m fine with just giving him a phone call… if that works for you.”

“Works for me,” my new boss said cheerfully. “Let’s get you started.”

I knew whose wrath I was really going to incur, so I texted Fede instead of calling her.

They need me to start today.

Please tell Tommaso I won’t be coming back.

She called ten seconds later.

I didn’t want to deal with it, so I sent it to voicemail.

She immediately called back.

When I sent it to voicemail again, she started rage texting. A whole barrage of messages, one after the other.

WHAT THE FUCK