Page 127 of Cartel King

“Stop being a prick, Sal. You know you’ll be calling my future sister-in-law Mrs. Diaz soon enough. Until then, use Ms. McCann’s name. Being a little bitch about it only makes you look like you have nohuevos.”

Luis sounds bored, but no one misses his endorsement. I glance at Ellie, and she’s staring at Luis until she realizes he, Pablo, and I are watching her. She flushes, dips her chin, and smiles.

Whatever she said at the beginning set the tone, and we’re getting the info we want without having to beg or even issue that many threats. It’s almost too easy, but I won’t look a gift horse in the mouth.

“Salvatore, I have never struck your family because Tommaso never ordered it. But I don’t work for him anymore, and I’m not married to Enrique yet. I’m a free agent. If you’re fucking us over, my earlier threat stands.”

“I have no reason to doubt you, Ms. McCann.”

Did I hear his voice tremble for a moment? I’d like to think I did. Maybe a healthy dose of fear is why Salvatore’s being so cooperative. I doubt it, but I can dream, can’t I?

Pablo reaches across the table to show me his phone. I scroll a text before looking up at him. He shrugs, and I nod.

It’s not Jesus’s son after all.

Pablo’s headed out to Jackson Heights in Queens because Jesus is indirectly involved, even if it’s not his son. Cormac O’Rourke’s there, and he shouldn’t be anywhere near our neighborhood. Hopefully, Pablo can kill two birds with one stone and fuck things up for both families.

“This is your last chance to confess to anything else, Sal.”

“You’re the furthest thing from a priest, Enrique.”

“If I find out you’re more?—”

“Ms. McCann’s threat is more convincing than yours.”

I look at my brother, and he grins. I suppose seeing and hearing Ellie was what it took. I’m certain he saw her shoot down the drone, and we’ll hear about what Ellie, Luciana, and Margherita did in the backyard soon enough. All Luis and I know is that they helped our men from the guestroom. I’m not sure I want to know, but I have to.

“Sal, how’s Maria?”

“She thinks she’s over the worst of it. The doctor’s threatening bedrest if her blood pressure keeps going up. She’s never sat still in her life, but she’s been the perfect patient. Matteo’s the one who’s driving the doctor crazy. I’ve never met a man with more questions. His wife’s a damn doctor, and he won’t believe her unless her OBGYN says the same thing.”

Salvatore’s only niece by birth is pregnant with her first child, and it’s been high risk since the beginning. She’s unlike the men in her family despite being raised with six guys close to her age. She’s unjaded. She’s a radiologist and has a heart of gold. But she’s a Mafia daughter through and through. God help anyone who looks sideways at her children.

“Give her our best. Remind her she can always call Margherita if she needs anything.”

Luis speaks up, since our family sincerely hopes things improve for Maria. My sister-in-law’s a midwife. She wound up delivering Alejandro because Catalina got stuck at her house during a blizzard. Margherita braved driving from New Jersey into Queens rather than Catalina trying to get to the hospital.

The syndicate women don’t like each other any more than the men do. But they’re better at putting aside their pride and offering help when it’s needed. They can keep the peace and be civil when it’s the right thing to do. But I’d hate to see a fight between any of them. It’d be far worse than scratching and hair pulling. It’d be way worse than punches. As generous as all of them can be, none are nearly as forgiving as the men if they believe someone wronged their family. They’ll put a bullet through anyone and walk away with a clear conscience.

“Thank you. I’ll remind her. Ms. McCann?”

“Yes, Salvatore?”

“When you realize you’re too good for the ape you’re sitting next to, and you don’t want to help Tommaso, I’ll hire you full-time.”

Ellie scowls but says nothing. I can’t help myself.

“That many people trying to kill you these days that you need a full-time mercenary to protect your sorry ass?”

“You know I’m not one to settle for second best.”

Ellie pipes in, her hackles up in my defense. “Neither do I, Salvatore, so I definitely won’t settle for anyone in last place.”

“You say that now.”

“I wouldn’t keep insulting my future husband. I’m feeling mighty protective.”

Salvatore laughs. “All right, Ms. McCann. We live to fight another day, Enrique, Luis. Goodbye, Ms. McCann.”

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