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My sister and I hand our phones to Sam, pass security, and all the usual bullshit that comes with entering Bianco’s organized crime sanctuary. I have to take a deep breath before we join him in the living room. This is going to be a long evening.
By the end of dinner, I’m surprised Bianco still hasn’t mentioned Jamie. He reminisced about his childhood in Sicily, talked business with Nate, mentioned a name or two to Sam. People I’m guessing are now dead men walking.
He checked with Rose if she was still doing ‘good at school’ and earned himself an eye-roll she couldn’t control. It was too late when she realized she shouldn’t have but he didn’t say anything. He asked me about Billie, asked if I was ready to go to school on the North Shore of the Falls. Nothing else, no complaint, no warning. Which is why I’m on edge. And when he takes a phone call at the table, I’m more suspicious than ever.
“Nate,” he says in a stern voice after hanging up. “I need you two to handle a situation for me.”
“Sure,” my brother replies before sipping on his glass of red wine.
“Now,” Bianco orders.
“What?” It takes a lot to surprise Nate, but it’s safe to say he didn’t see that one coming. “Where?” he insists.
“Downtown. I’ve got a couple of guys telling me there’s been a problem with our last delivery. Something about crates missing. Go find out.”
“You don’t need the both of us there,” Sam says as a pure statement that would have anyone else keeping quiet.
Bianco smiles his scheming smile as he replies to his enforcer. “I need someone for brains and someone for muscle. No need to tell you who’s who.”
Sam’s nostrils flare but he doesn’t reply. He just gets up slowly, looking Bianco dead in the eyes. “We will beveryquick,” he replies in challenge.
“I hope so,” Bianco grins back calmly.
“We’ll leave,” I say in a hurry. “Thanks for dinner, it’s best if we get back home. Who knows how long they’ll really be?”
Rose doesn’t say anything, ever so quiet in our ex foster parent’s presence.
“No. The guys can drive you back when they come back.”
“I’m sure you have a spare car we can use,” I assert.
“And I’m sure you can work on your patience. Sit down.”
I can’t help the growl rumbling in my chest as I sit back down. Between Bianco – at the head of the table – and me, Rose is playing with peas on her plate, not even trying to participate in the conversation. She hasn’t eaten any of her food. I need to get her to eat as soon as we get home. I know she won’t eat here.
“Rose,bellissima, do me a favor, will you?” Bianco asks and the uneasiness in my stomach deepens.
He’s got something planned, I know he does, I just don’t understand what exactly. He was meant to have all of us here and he’s slowly trying to separate us. Saying I’m on edge is an understatement. My control is freefalling down a cliff.
“What?” Ozy replies unenthusiastically.
I want to die because anyone outside of this house who would ever call her sweet names without her agreement would get a kick in the balls. The grip of fear he has on her eats me up little by little.
“Sirena prepared a delicious dessert for us. We took so long to eat though, she must have gone home by now. Will you go and get it from the kitchen for us? You know where it is.”
Rose looks at him deadpan for a few seconds before replying, “Sure.”
I guess she’s happy to leave this tense situation for at least a few minutes.
As soon as she’s out of the long dining room, through the carved wooden doors, Bianco turns to me.
“Just you and me now, I guess.”
I take a long sip from my glass. Making him wait for my answer. “That’s what happens when you send everyone away, yes.” I boil. “So what’s the plan? A good scolding? Threats? Actions? Go on, don’t be shy.”
“Now, now, why would I need to do any of that?” He takes a sip of wine, puts it down ever so slowly, and puts the napkin that was on his knees back on the table. “Did you do anything to warrant a scolding, Jake?”
“You’re not my legal guardian anymore,” I assert, ignoring his question. “You don’t make decisions for me. I have no obligation to do anything you say.”
