Page 19 of Mafia and Gold Digger

“Fuck me,” I exhale. Looks like I’m going back to New York. Home fucking sweet home.

* * *

As soon as I land in New York, Christian has a soldier deliver an SUV for my use, together with instructions to head straight over to his casino.

I already feel worn out. Since Christian became Capo, it’s been one fucking issue after another with all the power plays going on right now within the Imperiosi.

I’m driving when my cell rings. Glancing at the screen, my heart sinks when I see it’s a video call from one of my stupido cousins, Ronnie.

The problem with our family is how many fucking cousins we have. I’m at least fourth cousins with this guy, although I can’t even remember exactly how we’re related.

I would definitely ignore the call if it was just some random relative, but Ronnie’s part of the Imperiosi, and that means his call is almost certainly work-related. I seem to recall he’s one of our younger members; he must be around twenty.

“Yeah?” I answer.

“Oh, um, hey there. My name’s Ronnie Mainetto?—”

“I can read, you know,” I clip. “Your name flashed up on my screen.”

“Okay, good, good. Well, I’m just calling you because you’re my sixth cousin twice removed via Great Aunt Edna?—”

“I don’t care how we’re goddamn related,” I snap, already regretting answering his call. “What do you want?”

“I’m with Christian right now, and he says you’re near Casino Venice…” He zooms his screen out so that I can see our Capo just behind him.

“Yeah, so?”

“Can you do me a solid and pick up my girlfriend who’s near there? Her name’s Emerald, and she should be arriving at the casino anytime soon.”

I take a deep breath and tell myself to count to ten, but I only make it to two before replying. “Do I look like a fucking Uber to you, Ronnie? What makes you think I want to be a chauffeur for your girlfriend?”

Before he can answer, I raise my voice a little. “Hey Christian, is this guy serious?”

Christian appears next to him on the screen. “He needs her picked up, and I told him you’re nearby.”

“I’m not here to be a babysitter or play fucking taxi driver for teenagers,” I grit out.

“We’ve just been informed by one of our contacts that the Feds might be about to get a warrant out on Casino Venice,” Christian says. “Emerald’s on her way to work there, so we want her picked up by one of our guys before she gets caught up in any raid and arrested by the Feds.”

Staring at the screen, I narrow my eyes at him.

“Can you just stop being a grumpy asshole for once in your life?” Christian says. “Em’s practically family. She and Jacquetta are best friends.” Jacquetta is Christian’s niece.

“One time, and that’s it,” I mutter. I’m busy enough and don’t have time to carpool some annoying fuck’s girlfriend. “Well? What does she look like?”

Ronnie rattles off a description. “Uh, she’s really pretty, slim, dark hair, and she’s got these amazing green eyes…”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. He could be describing any of hundreds of women in this huge city. It’ll just be easier to look up her photo via the background checks the Imperiosi do on all its members’ girlfriends and mistresses.

“And where exactly will I find her?”

“The location app on her phone says she’s riding the subway right now, so she should be arriving at and exiting the station by the casino in around twenty minutes.”

“Okay, got it,” I sigh.

“Can you tell her?—”

“You’re already pushing it by asking me to pick her up, Ronnie. Do I look like a fucking messenger to you? Use your phone and tell her yourself.”

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