Page 74 of Marcello

But not that great considering the risk of arrest or getting murdered.

Still, I wasn’t about to complain. I was in… and well on the way to making sure Mama, Edoardo, and Gemma were safe.

Cesare asked for my phone number and texted me his name.

“Call me if anything important pops up, but don’t bother me with bullshit. And just so you know, you’re on call 24/7. Whenever I call, answer.”

“Okay,” I said. I started to get out of the car, then turned back to look at him. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. You earned it. But now you gotta keep on earning it.”

I nodded, got out of the car, and closed the door –

And Cesare roared off into the night.

24

Once I was sure Cesare was gone, I pulled out my phone and dialed dear old ‘Uncle.’

Fausto’s familiar voice answered. “I hope you have good news for me.”

“I do,” I confirmed. “I’m in.”

“Wonderful,” he said in a bored voice, which irked me. “Doing what?”

“Selling drugs.”

“So my advice worked,” he said smugly.

His attitude pissed me off – mostly because of what I’d had to do to get this fucking job.

“No, it didn’t,” I snapped. “In fact, they clocked me immediately and froze me out.”

By the tone of his voice, Fausto didn’t care for my attitude, either. “What then, in your infinite wisdom, did you do to win them over?”

I paused. “Is this line secure?”

“Do you really think I would be talking to you on an unsecured line?” Fausto sneered.

“I shot a drug dealer. One of their rivals.”

“Really.” For the first time, he sounded impressed. “Did you kill him?”

I clenched my jaw. “…yes.”

“Well done, Marcello! You see? I knew you had it in you. In fact, I suspect you have depths you’ve only BEGUN to tap.”

“Hrm,” I grunted. Only an asshole like Fausto could make what I’d done all about him.

“Who are you working for?”

“Some guy named Cesare Caproni.”

There was a long pause.

“REALLY,” Fausto said.

He didn’t sound impressed.