Page 10 of The Enforcer

“It’s not like Armani. He doesn’t know,” Brianna said in disbelief. “He’s selling tourist stuff.”

“I think it’ll look fine,” the guy behind the counter agreed. “First time here?”

“Yes, it is,” Carina said as he started ringing her up. “My brother lives here. Family business.” She looked at another tank top; this one was pink and stamped with,Trucks, Cowboys & Country Music. “Oh, I need this one too. I like country music.”

Brianna snorted. “Since when?”

“Bob Dylan is practically country. Folk rock. It’s almost the same.”

The guy behind the counter frowned, as if he might argue, but then he eyed Carina’s tits again and obviously decided he wanted to stay on her good side.

Carina wore her new pink camouflage hat and aviators out of the store after the cashier kindly cut the tags off. They clashed spectacularly with her designer jeans, high-heeled boots, and fitted black leather jacket, but as usual she didn’t seem to notice or care she was out of place.

She stopped to look at herself in the reflection of the BMW, tucking her short, bobbed hair behind her ears as if she was pleased with the overall effect even though she looked patently ridiculous.

Brianna laughed. “Why are you crazy?”

Carina gave her a smug smile. “Got you to laugh, though.”

“Anyone would laugh at that,” Brianna assured her with another snort of disbelief. “Do you see yourself?”

“I look good,” Carina announced, completely content to be a fool in a way only she could be as she opened the car door. “You’re the one who sticks out.”

When they got into the car, Brianna worked on folding and condensing their supplies into the large travel bag Carina bought. It was a nice distraction against every mile that brought them closer and closer to Tino.

She brushed her hair at least fifteen times.

She tried the concealer, but it was too dark for her fair skin.

She tried Carina’s lipstick, but something about the deep red hue had her rubbing at her lips with a tissue, trying to get the stain off because it looked all wrong in the light of day. It reminded her of stage makeup, which caused a fresh bout of anxiety.

“Oh my God, what am I gonna do about the show?”

“You needed a break.”

“Not this kind of break,” Brianna snapped at her. “This is a ‘lose my job’ break. I can’t just disappear.”

“It’ll make the understudy’s life. Consider it a pay-it-forward type of thing,” Carina suggested.

“Carina, I know you understand,” Brianna chastised, because Carina might not have to work another day in her life, but she did understand what it was like to have a gig she loved.

“I’m sorry,” Carina whispered, her voice cracking, making it obvious she was tinkering on the verge of tears like Brianna was. “I’m sorry my nonno is doing this to you. I’ll fix it. I’ll call him or—”

“That’s a bad idea.” Brianna instantly forgot about her job. “I don’t think you should trust him anymore, baby. I think that might be dangerous.”

“No. He loves me.” She sounded broken and childlike, which was helped along by the big glasses still covering most of her face. “He was just confused or something.”

“And Tino?” Brianna couldn’t help but point out. “Does your nonno love him?”

“My family is complicated,” Carina argued. “But things work out.”

“Usually with someone dead,” Brianna reminded her, because they were all still reeling over Nova killing their father a few years back. Moretti family disputes were deadly. “Do not call your nonno. Promise.”

Carina was quiet for a long time.

When she did talk, she whispered, “Fine,” because she was world wise and savvy about survival, even on days when it hurt her. “Don’t worry. Nova will probably ice him too and solve the problem. The way I’m going, I’m not gonna have any family left.”

“I’m your family,” Brianna said softly, knowing that Carina had a lot of reasons to be every bit as upset as her. “I’ll always be your family.”