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“I do. But I need it done quietly.”
“And in return, I get Florence.”
“Yes.”
That was exactly the plan that Fausto and I had discussed.
“Unless the Agrellas are fools, they’ll never trust me,” Mezzasalma growled.
“I’ll give them assurances,” Fausto said. “They’ll believeme… especially if Aurelio goes with you to Florence to speak with them.”
Mezzasalma looked at Aurelio contemptuously, then turned back to Fausto. “Why not you?”
“I can’t be seen in Florence. I’m too well-known. Word would get back to my nephews, and I can’t have that.”
“What,” Mezzasalma sneered, “your son’s not well-known?”
“He is, but as you’ve remarked, he has a distinctive hairstyle. He’ll cut it before you go to meet the Agrellas.”
That had been something we’d all decided on, too.
Well… Fausto and I had decided on it.
Aurelio had bitched and outright refused. He’d only given in when Fausto threatened to sideline him entirely.
“Good,” Mezzasalma grunted. “They’re not going to take me seriously if I walk in with afinocchio.”
Aurelio looked like he was about to explode –
And yet, he stayed silent.
“You think you can handle the Agrellasandmy nephews?” Fausto asked.
“Heh.” It sounded like a laugh, but was as monotone and gravelly as the rest of his speech. Then he said drily, “I don’t think it will be a problem.”
“Do you need weapons? Men?”
“No. All I need is an introduction to the Agrellas… and for you to get them to trust me.”
“Not a problem,” Fausto replied. “I’ll let you know as soon as I arrange the meeting.”
“You do that,” Mezzasalma said – and without any semblance of a farewell, turned and walked off into the darkness.
“Well… meeting adjourned,” Fausto said, and ushered us back towards the cars.
“Jesus,” I whispered under my breath.
“Indeed,” Fausto agreed. “Sort of like meeting the Grim Reaper, wasn’t it?”
“Fuck him,” Aurelio snarled. “I’ll bet he’s a fucking pussy.”
“Then you should’ve done something when he called you afinocchio,”I said with a barely suppressed smirk.
“Fuck YOU, too,” Aurelio whisper-shouted.
“No fighting in front of the Sicilians,” Fausto reprimanded him lightly.
I waited until we were safely inside the Rolls-Royce to say the next part. I didn’t think Mezzasalma was using long-rangelistening devices, but I didn’t want to take the chance of being overheard.