Page 25 of Mafia Handbook

Chapter Ten

Sitting in the lone chair in her tiny apartment, Milena carefully turned each page of the magazine she’d picked up on her way home from work, attempting to memorize every word she read. The envelope her uncle left her had twice the amount of cash as yesterday, filling her with a new determination to learn as much as she could about surviving off the land.

“Knock, knock. Anybody home?”

Shoving the magazine between the arm and cushion of the chair, Milena jumped to her feet, planting a smile on her face as Gil came into the room.

“Come in, come in, you’re just in time. I was about to pull the casserole out of the oven.”

“I could smell it as soon as I got out of the car.”

“What is this?” Pointing to the white box in her brother’s hand. “You didn't have to bring anything.”

Crossing the short distance, Gil placed a kiss on his sister’s cheek. “This isn't from me, I found it sitting outside your door.” Handing the beautifully wrapped box to Milena, Gil stepped back to remove his jacket. “Oakley mentioned you spent the night with some guy last night. It seems you made quite an impression.”

Taking the box from her brother, “It wasn't like that, Gil.”

“And yet the evidence says otherwise,” Gil wagged his eyebrows. “Trust me, sis. Guys don’t buy shit for girls they aren't interested in.”

Moving to sit the box on the small card table beside the kitchen, Milena highly doubted the box was intended for her, or from a man like Bash. “Was there a card attached?”

“No, but it has your name, right there.” Gil pointed to the silver print on the white-satin ribbon. “Open it up and see what he sent you.”

Milena learned long ago not to get her hopes up when it came to receiving gifts. While her Nona made certain she had plenty to open at Christmas and birthdays, it was usually necessities like clothes and the occasional toy.

Tugging at the satin ribbon, she pushed the fancy bow to the side as she searched for a way to open the box.

“I think you lift it,” Gil ran his finger along the bottom edge, steering her attention to the tiny slit.

“I think you’re right.” She laughed as she placed her fingers on each side of the box and began to lift the lid off the box and over her head.

“What in—?”

Milena’s words died off as an ear-shattering alarm filled the room, followed by a thick cloud of smoke. Struggling to see an inch in front of her, Milena waved her hands to clear the smoke, when a second alarm sounded, followed by a spray of glitter shooting out of the top of the box.

“Motherfucker.” Milena heard her brother shout, opening her eyes wide enough to see his gaze locked on the still shrilling box.

Following his gaze, Milena’s hand found her mouth as she felt her heart stop. In the center of the box, pointed directly at her, was a plastic gun with a sign hanging from a stick in the end of the barrel which read, You’re next, bitch.

* * *

“Haven't seenone of these little bastards in a long time.” Slate whispered to Bash as he tapped the toe of his boot against the side of the silver box. “Wanna take bets on whether or not your hacker left us any prints?”

Dropping to a bent knee, Bash blew a breath over the top of the box, creating a cloud of silver glitter to form behind it. He and Slate had just started to narrow down the list of candidates when Milena’s frantic call came in. “No camera or GPS.” Looking back at Slate over his shoulder, “Either this bastard is getting sloppy, or isn't as skilled as I’ve given him credit for.”

Spinning on his heels, Gil gripped Milena by the tops of her shoulders. “You’ve got to call the cops, Milena. This is serious.” Tipping his chin toward the silver box, “There was a gun pointed at you.”

Standing to his full height, crossing his arms over his massive chest. “And add this to the list of shit they’ve kicked under the rug because of Frank Rossi?” Bash challenged, not entirely certain Gil was innocent in all of this.

“He’s right, Gil. The cops work for Frank, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s behind all of this.” Waving her hands around the room, her movements caused the glitter attached to her clothing to drift in the air.

“Which is why I need you to pack your things and come with me.”

“Why?” Gil demanded. “Why would I let my sister go with a stranger?” Moving to wrap a protective arm around Milena. “She can come home with me, I’ll protect her.”

Leveling him with a serious stare, Bash stepped over the box, coming to stand between the siblings. “With what, Gilbert Cortez? The handle to your favorite bong or maybe the gun you use to kill zombies on one of your video games?”

“How?”

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