She winks at me and we both burst out laughing.
“Where is Mia anyways?”
“She left somewhere with Lorenzo this morning. Bash was in here earlier too. He told me to tell you that he would be back. I think he is arranging for us to go home today.”
“I don’t think I want to go home.”
I admit softly.
“Really?”
“I don’t want to put Uncle Tony at risk. Even Gina. I know I don’t care for her, but I would hate if anyone else got hurt because of me. I think I am going to ask Bash if I can stay here until we figure out what to do about the whole situation.”
She gives me a sly smile. “This has nothing to do with the mind-blowing sex you had last night?”
I laugh. “That certainly doesn’t hurt.”
“I don’t see why he would say no.”
I shrug.
“Don’t look into this as more than what this is. For some reason he seems to think he needs to protect us. It is probably because of us living in his neighborhood. We agreed last night. This is only sex. It won’t go anywhere. I am not in the market and I don’t think he ever will be. He seems content with his solitary life.”
She gives me a look like she doesn’t believe me, but she doesn’t say anything.
I feel a ping of pain at my words, but quickly move past it.
“How about breakfast?”
Chapter Eleven
Bastiano
“Thank you for seeing me today, Godfather.”
The elderly gentleman in front of me kisses my hand.
“The Godfather was my father. You can call me Don Bastiano. What can I help you with today, Mr. Ricci?”
Every Wednesday I set aside time for the community. An open call, if you will. They are allowed to make appointments to see me at Ivory, my Brooklyn night club. So instead of being at home with Sofia, I have listened to stories of neighbor disputes, unfair price gouging, and even a missing cat.
“I need a favor from the family.” The old man starts. “My granddaughter went to the city last week for a school trip. While there, a group of men snatched her off the street and forced her into an alleyway.”
Tears fill the man’s eyes.
“The things they did to her should never be repeated. A passerby heard her cries and called the police. They ran and left her naked, lying on the dirty concrete.”
“What can I do for you?”
His eyes harden and I see what he is asking in his eyes.
“She is 15 years old, Don Bastiano. Innocent and sweet. They took that from her. She will never be the same again. All she wanted was to learn and do better for herself. She was going to be a doctor one day. Now she is a quivering mess and barely speaks. I just want her to feel as safe as she can after what happened to her.”
I look to Lo.
“We could offer a level of… protection. Within reason of course.”
Gio speaks up from the other side.
