Brennan said nothing.
“Angelo.” Vito cleared his throat again and sipped his wine. “Young Mr. Riley here’s telling me you threatened his girl the other day.”
Angelo heaved a laugh and slapped his ample thigh. “I wouldn’t call that a threat, Brennan. I would call it encouragement.”
“And I would call it something I didn’t request,” Vito countered. “So whose bright idea was it, Angelo?”
“I was just takin’ the initiative, Uncle V. I think he needed a little reminder of the score, especially since he was over there slingin’ high-dollar chips at the blackjack tables.” Angelo’s fleshy shoulders lifted and dropped in a shrug. “I’m thinkin’ if he’s got the spare change to toss around at Harrah’s, he oughta settle his scores.”
“Right, right.” Vito rubbed his chin. He slapped his palm on Brennan’s shoulder and then squeezed it. “And he is gonna settle his scores, right Brennan?”
Brennan bucked his hand off. “I’m thinking the score’s pretty settled. In fact, it’s so settled that I’m thinking you probably owe me now.”
“The score ain’t settled,” Vito said firmly. “You’re still in the hole, and you’re still gonna pay me.”
Brennan leveled his gaze on Vito. “If you think you’re ever going to get a cent from me after what you did to my girl, you’re senile.”
“Holy shit.” Vito guffawed. He slapped Angelo’s arm. “Listen to this kid, Angelo.”
Angelo laughed. “I hear him. I hear him.”
“First of all, kid. I am going to get a cent from you. I’m gonna get a lot of ‘em. I’m gonna get every cent you owe me.” He lifted a sausage-sized finger in the air and waggled it in front of Brennan’s face. “Second, I think if you’re gonna come in my establishment with such severe accusations like this, you might even owe me a tip.”
Brennan gripped his hands together, and his trigger finger was itching, and God damn, he wanted his old rifle. “I don’t owe you shit. You know what you did, and the score is settled.”
“Listen, Brennan. I can see you’re very upset right now. I think whatever happened to your broad is making you not think clearly, so allow me to clarify.” He grabbed Brennan’s collar, jerking him close. Vito’s breath was foul. “None of my guys laid a hand on your girl. And you’re going to pay me. You were supposed to pay me today, but I’m feeling generous despite how much you utterly disrespected me tonight, so I’m gonna give you an extension.”
Brennan set his jaw. “You’re telling me that even though your nephew came in there saying you guys were going to come after her, you had no hand beating her within an inch of her life?”
Vito released Brennan’s collar and flipped his palms. “I’m offended. You honestly think I would come after an innocent woman that I know is just your latest piece of ass and punish her for your debt. I’m appalled.”
“You’re full of shit.”
Vito slammed his fist on the table. “You’re stretching my generosity, Riley. And you’re making me angry.”
Brennan pointed at Angelo. “He threatened her, and then only a matter of hours later she gets nabbed and then thrown out of a speeding car, and I’m supposed to think you had nothing to do with it?”
Vito dropped his head back and uttered an exasperated sigh. “Angelo. Did you threaten Brennan's girl?”
Angelo chuckled. “I merely reminded him of how dangerous New Orleans can be so he could look out for her.”
Vito picked up the napkin and threw it at Angelo’s face. “That is not how we do things. Have some class, you fat fuck.”
Angelo shrugged and laughed. “Sorry, Uncle V. I was just trying to provide an incentive.”
“You can’t provide an incentive like that. You don’t know who she is. We don’t know where she’s from or who her family is. That’s the kind of stupid risk I don’t take, you moron.”
Brennan pulled his brow low. “Are you trying to tell me this was just some kind of twisted coincidence?”
Vito lifted his shoulders and turned his palms up again. “I’m saying I wouldn’t go after some random woman just because she’s on your arm for the night. If I need to make a point, I’m gonna hit you where it hurts. And I know these broads you pal around with aren’t it. Everyone in this city knows you blow through women like birthday candles. That wouldn’t give me any kind of leverage. And I’m frankly insulted that you think I’m dumb enough to fall for you playing the white knight right now and trying to use what happened to this one as a bargaining chip.”
Brennan’s head cocked to one side. “You didn’t do this? Even thoughhesaid you were going to do this?”
Vito laughed and waved his hands. “He’s a dumbfuck. He don’t call the shots. If I want something from you, you’re gonna hear about it from me. If I’m gonna do something, you’re gonna hear about it from me.” He reached to slap his palm to Brennan’s cheek. “Ain’t that always been the way I’ve dealt with you?”
Brennan swallowed.
“Yeah,” Vito answered for him, patting Brennan’s cheek hard and then pushing it away. “Well that’s still the way I’m gonna deal with you. I’m really sorry there was an unfortunate event, but it wasn’t me. And if I find out you’ve been spreading around that kind of dirt about me, we’re going to have an even bigger problem than we already do. And I’ll be honest with you, Brennan. I really think you made a bad choice coming here like this. You put a damper on my evening making these false accusations, and I’m in a bad mood now.But.”
