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“I can read Google reviews!” Lou retorts, tossing her head.
I bite back a laugh. “Then it’s settled,” I say with a smile. “If you’ll excuse me for a moment.”
I step outside, nodding at Marco, who is watching the streets like a hawk. “I need a reservation at Bella Note for four tonight.”
Marco’s bushy eyebrows knit together. “But Boss, they’re always packed.”
“I don’t give a fuck if they’re full. Make it happen.”
Marco nods and pulls out his phone, still keeping an eye on any potential danger lurking about
Satisfied with that, I call Romero, my enforcer.
“What’s up, Boss?” Romero says breezily.
“Romero, get Jimbo on the line. We need to call in that favor from Don De Luca,” I say.
There’s a pause before Romero responds, his voice cautious. “TheDe Lucafavor, Boss? Are you sure?”
“Did I fucking stutter, Romero?” I snap, my patience wearing thin.
I hear muffled voices, then Jimbo comes on the line. “Don Angelo, with all due respect, that favor was hard-won. We were saving it for?—”
I cut him off, my voice steely. “I don’t give a fuck what we were saving it for. I need security for Perfezione, starting immediately.”
“Perfezione?” Romero sounds stunned, but Jimbo stays silent. “But Angelo, that’s just a tailor shop. Surely, we can use our own men?—”
“Are you questioning my orders, Romero?” I ask, my tone deadly quiet.
There’s a tense silence before Romero responds, his voice subdued. “No, Don Angelo. Of course not.”
“Good,” I say. “Because the last time I checked,Iwas still running this family. Not you, not Jimbo, and certainly not whoever you were planning to use that favor for. Am I clear?”
“Crystal clear, Boss,” Jimbo chimes in.
“Perfectly clear,” Romero adds.
“Excellent,” I say. “Now make it happen. I want De Luca’s best men on Perfezione within the hour. And if I hear one more word of protest, you’ll both be explaining yourselves to me in person. Understood?”
“Yes, Boss,” they chorus.
I hang up, taking a deep breath to calm myself. As I look back through the shop window, I see Fee laughing at something Lou said, and I feel the tension drain from my shoulders. This might be unorthodox, but it feels right.
I head back inside, catching the tail end of a conversation between Fee and Lou.
“But Mom, why can’t we go? It sounds fun!” Lou is saying, her voice taking on a wheedling tone.
Fee sighs, looking torn. “Honey, we have so much to do here and you do have a bedtime?—”
“It’s all taken care of,” I interject smoothly. “I’ve arranged for some additional help at the shop, and our reservation is set for five PM. That should give us plenty of time to enjoy dinner and get Lou home at a reasonable hour.”
Fee looks at me, surprise and gratitude mingling in her expression. “Angelo, you didn’t have to do all that.”
I shrug, trying to play it casual despite the warmth spreading through my chest at her look. “It’s no trouble. Besides, I think we could all use a nice evening out after today’s excitement.”
Lou tugs on my sleeve. “Is it true that Bella Notte has the best tiramisu in the city?”
I chuckle, charmed by her enthusiasm. “It is. And if you’re good, maybe we’ll order two.”
