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In my office, I play the recording quietly. “…and nobody can stop me…”
But he’s wrong. I won’t let the past rule me anymore, even if it tears my family apart. Even if he still has it. Even if… but no ifs. I can do this. I have to.
CHAPTER 14
Colt
When they seem fine with me taking my own car, at least I know this isn’t a hit. I think about that sometimes since everybody who deals with mafiosi knows that’s how it usually goes with the people they trust—those you’ve worked with. Yet somehow, I doubt the Marino brothers would do that.
Does that mean I trust them? That’s pretty unusual for me, now that I think about it. I usually find it far easier to trust my four-legged friend.
We drive out to a diner, then all head inside. A man is waiting for us at the far table. He looks closer to Luca’s age than mine, his hair close-cropped and black, with a few hints of silver here and there. He’s got a pale scar down one side of his face, not immediately noticeable right away.
He stands, nodding to Elio. “Mr. Marino.” He nods to Luca, too. “Mr. Marino.”
“Dante,” Elio says, shaking his hand. “Sit down. Let’s get some coffee.”
Once we’re in the booth—me facing Dante, Luca beside me—Elio leans forward. “Dante, this is Colt. Colt, Dante.” Without any further introductions, Elio gestures for coffee. I wait, sensing there’s more going on here. All four of us are big men, all over six feet. Dante looks strong, his build apparent in his plain black tee.
“Dante is due a promotion,” Elio goes on. “He’s been with the company for a long time, but I need to ensure he’s…”
“Made of the right stuff,” Luca cuts in, and Elio nods.
Dante takes this with a blank face, but there’s something in his eyes. It hints at violence, at darkness. Maybe it’s what Elio said before we drove out here, but I don’t think so. I think it’s something wild in me recognizing something wild in him.
“So, we want you to work together,” Elio says. “Let him learn from your military background. Show him what it means to be a Marino.”
I smirk. “With all due respect, I’m pretty sure a man called Dante is more of a Marino than me.”
Dante stares at me with dark, cold eyes.
“But you’re a skilled operator,” Elio continues, “and that’s what we need. It’s not my father’s world anymore. It’s not even the world I grew up in. We need clean, well-thought-out, effective work. Things are too advanced these days.”
“Are you okay with that, Dante?” I ask. “With me teaching you how to be a Marino?”
He replies emotionlessly. It’s like he’s locked himself in a room in his head. A man like that can be dangerous. I don’t know anything about him, whether he’s good or bad, but if I want to make it out of the Serpente-Marino war while avoiding jail, it’s better to work with the Family, despite what I said to Elio about going on my own way.
“It’s not being a Marino that interests me,” Dante says. “It’s doing the right thing. Some of us have got family to take care of.”
There’s a pause as the waitress brings our coffee. Something’s stewing in me. Since the Serpents showed themselves, my mind has been dislodging too many memories. It’s like cobwebs and dust are being kicked away.
“The Serpents would kill one of their men if he said that to their faces,” I say.
Elio shrugs. Luca laughs. “Good thing we’re not snakes, then.”
“It’s a different time,” Elio says, “and we’re not them. I don’t need mindless soldiers. I need loyal men who work with us because they understand what we provide. To them. To the city. What, Colt? Do you want us to do that?”
“No,” I snap. “I just… You’re right. It’s a different time.”
It’s not that I want the Marinos to be anything like the Serpentes. Maybe I’m just pissed because I had to live through a time, a world, where that was the rule.
“I’ll work with you, Dante,” I tell him. “As long as you’re ready to do what’s necessary.”
“I’m always ready,” Dante says coldly.
“Hope you’re not too mad about being stuck with the intern,” Luca says, following me to my car, hands in his pockets.
“If he’s in your Family, I guess he understands violence. It’s always good to have an extra body… as long as he doesn’t become a liability.”
“He won’t,” Luca says. “Dante’s been caring for his mother since I met him nine years ago. I can’t remember the disease. Some listener I am, but yeah, it’s bad. Sometimes, it looks like she’s getting better. Then it’s back to normal. I’m saying, Colt, that he’s got the motivation to do a good job. By working with us, he can afford the best care, at least.”
