He starts the engine and makes the trek across the city from the far north side, Axel’s territory back to the west side, our home ground.
Everyone is trying to seal a deal with the Estrada Cartel lately, who has been playing the fucking field and not confirming where their loyalties lie. After all, their territory has the largest landmass. If the Irish were able to agree to a deal with them, the two organizations would be almost unstoppable.
It means we need to start thinking smart. The first thing was making sure Axel and his territory was secured under Morrone influence. The next, we need to try to offer the Estrada family something better than they’re considering from the Irish.
The traffic is light at the time in the evening and Arturo gets me to Sal’s quicker than I expect. “Thanks, Arturo. You can go home for the night. I’ll grab a cab later.”
“Are you certain, sir?”
“Yes, now enjoy your evening.”
He smiles at me in the rearview mirror and then I get out of the back of the SUV, staring up at our regular place. The scent of fresh pasta and Sal’s legendary marinara sauce makes my mouth water as I enter the busy restaurant.
“Massimo, how are you?” Sal asks, clapping me on the back. “Rumor has it that congratulations are in order. Sorry I wasn’t here the night of your celebration.”
I smile at Sal. “Yeah, don’t sweat it. But make sure you’re there for the ceremony a week on Saturday.”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” He glances over at the bar where, sure enough, Leo and Luca are already sitting. “Go and join your brothers. Shall I bring you some food?”
“I’m pretty hungry. How about a bowl of your famous pasta with marinara sauce?”
He smirks. “I’ve just whipped up a fresh batch. I’ll bring it over to you.”
I nod as he turns and rushes toward the kitchen.
Luca and Leo appear to be squabbling as always. “No, I fucking didn’t say that,” Leo says, as I sit on the stool next to him.
“What are you two going on about now?”
Luca shakes his head. “Leo said he’d fuck your pretty little fiance and I’ve been teasing him that I’d tell you ever since we got in here.”
My entire body tenses as I glare at my brother. “Did you say that?”
Leo’s throat bobs as he swallows. “I didn’t say I’d fuck her. I said she’s fuckabale.”
“And what the fuck is that supposed to mean?” I ask, glaring at him. The rage pulsing through my veins is so intense, I’m surprised I haven’t slammed my own brother’s face into the bar already.
“It means she’s hot, but I’d obviously never even touch her.”
I grab the lapel of his jacket, lifting him out of the chair. “You better not even fucking look at her. If I catch you ogling my woman, I don’t care that you’re my brother. You won’t like the consequences.”
Leo’s eyes are wide as I shove him back down onto the bar stool he was sitting on.
Luca clears his throat, looking pleased with himself. “How did it go with Axel?”
“He agreed not to cut it more than forty-five percent.” I shrug. “It’s better than I expected. But I told him if bodies start piling up, he can forget it.”
Luca and Leo nod in agreement.
“What can I get you, Massimo?” Darius, the bar tender, asks.
“I’ll take a scotch on the rocks.”
Darius nods and makes my drink before sliding it across the table to me. “Enjoy.”
I glance at my brothers, who lift their glasses. “To famiglia.” I clink my glass against Luca’s and the Leo’s.
“Right, and threatening to kill them,” Leo says, glaring at me.
“You speak about my woman. Don’t expect me to fucking take it. She belongs to me.”
Luca smirks. “Someone has got it bad for a feisty red-head. Where the fuck did you two go last night?”
“What do you mean?” I ask.
His brow raises. “I mean Paisley goes to the bathroom, you go out the front and suddenly you return together looking rather sheepish?”
“Paisley tried to escape out the bathroom window, but I saw it coming a mile off. I stopped her in the alleyway and gave her a good punishment for it.”
Leo shakes his head. “And what exactly did that punishment entail?”
“My cock rammed down her throat.”
Luca almost spits out his drink. “Not willingly, I assume?”
I shrug. “She moaned. I’d call that willing enough in my book.”
“You can be a real smug bastard, you know?” Leo says.
“Right, three bowls of pasta marinara for my three best customers,” Sal says, setting the food down in front of us.
“Thanks, Sal.”
He nods. “Don’t mention it.”
Sal is almost like a part of the famiglia, even if he’s not actively involved in the organization’s dealings. We’ve been coming here for so long, it feels like he’s a family member.
“Good shout,” Leo says, digging into the food.
Luca says nothing, already devouring the delicious pasta and sauce.
I glance down at my dish, surprised that I’m no longer as hungry as I felt when I entered. All I can think about is eating a certain delicious and unwilling beauty who is currently locked in my bedroom.
* * *