Page 155 of Made in Love and Blood

“Sounds like Nico.”

“Kid’s told me three times he’s got ADHD. The fuck, is that like a superpower? Because my daughter’s got that, and it is not the same. She barely sits still and needs fifteen things going all at the same time just to keep her entertained. I love her, and thank God she’s beautiful, because let me say...”

Salvatore laughed under his breath and scrubbed at his face with his palm. “I’ve seen some of Nico’s records. He’s got a brilliant mind that hyper fixates on things. It’s like he figured out how to use it.”

“Well, whatever. Nico is gold. Everything he touches—gold. He just made me millions all over again, Sal. So, I’m gonna pull supply from Anthony Carcoli’s territory effective immediately. And I’ll no longer sell bulk to him to his third-party deals. Just so you know, when shit pops off. Given the way Marco behaved at the party with his brother, that five and half mil meant fuck all in the grand scheme. Fuck, they burnt out two backrooms in my territory last week, but I just can’t prove it. Yet.”

Salvatore chewed over his thoughts. “You could absorb Anthony’s territory if you needed to, couldn’t you?”

“Are you suggesting I should?”

“I’m asking if you could.”

“Any day. He can get it.”

“Good to know,” Salvatore murmured.

“And Sal?”

“Yeah?”

Big Mike laughed a dark chuckle that sounded a hell of a lot like pride. “Get that kid his fuckin’ button, or I will.”

Salvatore eventually made his way outside after ending the phone call with Big Mike.

“Is that for me?” Carmen asked, bolting Salvatore’s way as he padded down the front steps at the sight of him with three cold treats.

“Yes, and ones to share, if they want some.”

“Frankie, do you want ice cream?” Carmen shouted across the yard.

His daughter kept a smile on for Carmen. “Sure, bring me one.”

Frankie didn’t acknowledge him. Salvatore didn’t even let that bother him.

Carmen grabbed Frankie’s after Salvatore had already opened hers, but she paused, glancing over at her big brother who stood restlessly in the net. Nico did his best to avoid Salvatore’s stare directly.

“Nico, you?” she asked.

“Uh—”

“Nico can come get his,” Salvatore interjected, making the Carmen look at him questioningly after said instruction. “You go take this one to Frankie.”

“Thanks, Mister Gallo.”

He smiled at the girl beaming up at him. “You’re welcome, sweetheart.”

Nico waited until his sister found a comfy spot to sit with Frankie on stone benches before coming over to stand in front of Salvatore. “You don’t have to give me that.”

“Do you want it?” he asked.

“I’m more of a gelato kind of guy, really.”

“Me, too,” Sal said, “but the women of the house like these, so...”

Nico took the ice cream, but he didn’t open it right away. “Do you want me to leave?”

“You’re not breaking the rules, are you?”