Page 124 of Cara & Gian: The Guzzi Duet

He pulled the rope tighter still, feeling the man’s fight finally begin to leave. “You taught me a lesson that Corrado never did. A lesson he couldn’t teach me. You have to be ready to kill absolutely anyone that stands at your side, because no one can be trusted.”

Gian still didn’t feel anything when Constantino’s body finally fell limp. He undid the rope, let the corpse fall forward, and then he covered the man’s head with the unraveled dish towel.

“Fuck you for being the one to teach me that lesson.”

He returned to his seat, popped open his beer, and ate his food.

Life went on.

It always did.

“Last chance to back out,” Chris said as Gian handed his gun over.

Outside the restaurant, the street was quiet. As though it—and the shops lining the streets—knew what was about to happen, and that it was better to be out of sight, safely hidden away.

“Why would I back out?” Gian asked.

The enforcer made a show of taking Gian’s jacket off, showing to whoever was watching inside the restaurant that he had no hidden weapons to bring to the meeting.

Chris handed Gian’s jacket back. “I didn’t think you would, I simply said the option is there.”

“Would you?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Legacy,” Chris said frankly. “The respect of it all.”

“Some might think that this is the ultimate disrespect,” Gian pointed out.

“Those people will never and could never make the choice you are making today.”

And that, at the end of it all, was exactly why Gian was doing what he was doing.

“Some men are made for this,” Chris added, “and some aren’t. Which one are you?”

“I’m tired of my ability being questioned.”

“Then good luck, boss. I will be waiting out here when it’s over.”

Gian gave the man a nod. “Don’t miss, Chris.”

“I never do.”

Gian waited as the enforcer crossed the street, and jumped into his vehicle. Then, he turned and entered the restaurant. This was the most dangerous part, he knew. Simply entering the place with no backup, no protection. It was a hostile environment, and he could easily become a target.

Inside, Gian was surprised to find the place mostly devoid of people. No patrons sat at tables, and no employees served the few men sitting at tables.

“Gian.” Edmond stood from his seat at a center table, facing the windows. Lucky. “I’m pleased to see you show up today.”

Gian crossed the space, ignoring the looks of the men waiting to see what he would do. Only a couple were men that Edmond had asked to come along, others were ones Gian told to be there because of the boss’s request. Apparently, Edmond thought having a few men witness their meeting would be better than a larger group.

Let word travel, Edmond had said.

Standing toe to toe with the man, Gian finally spoke. “I took care of the problem on my end, the one you let me know about.”

Edmond nodded, seeming pleased. “And come to your senses at the same time about the rest of this fighting and nonsense, I assume?”