Page 108 of The Enforcer

Carlo was the Moretti Borgata’s lead enforcer. He didn’t just make them strong; he made them terrifying. He was fearless and couldn’t care less that he had no friends in a way that was hallmark for any good enforcer, because no goodfella wanted to be friends with their potential executioner. He was one of the dark ghosts that hung out on the fringes of their world—an angel of death no one wanted to look in the eye. Not everyone could do it, but Carlo was a bastard. He didn’t want to socialize in mafia circles. Like Nova, he hated spoiled gangsters and was perfectly happy being feared and ignored.

It left him with virtually no weaknesses.

Or so they’d thought.

Tino hadn’t considered a woman, but if there was one edge the Brambinos had in the underworld, it was knowing how to use sex for profit, control, and destruction.

For the first time since the band ended up on Tino’s wrist, he wished Nova knew what it was all about. He wished he’d talked to him a long time ago. At the very least he wished he wasn’t high as fuck when he found out about this not-so-little problem.

He was still pondering it when Carina called from across the pool, “What are you doing up there?”

“Cazzo.” Carlo gestured to the joint in Nova’s hand. “Put it out.”

“She can smell it,” Nova whispered under his breath. “And she smokes too. She’s like a fucking chimney up here with Tino.”

“Yeah, but I’m her zio.” Carlo gestured to himself. “I’m not supposed to be smoking.”

“You’reourzio,” Nova reminded him. “And you smoke with us all the time.”

“That’s different. It’s a Lost Boy thing. The old man would go crazy if he found out I smoked in front of her. Put it out.”

Nova put it out with his thumbs and tossed the joint over the railing to land in the bushes. Then he pulled a pack of cigarettes out of his suit pocket. He lit one quickly and blew a large puff of smoke down the staircase, but the smile Carina gave them at the bottom was amused and mischievous.

“And what are we doing on the top steps this lovely Monday night?” she asked with false innocence.

“Smoking.” Nova blew more smoke at her to make his point.

“Smoking what?” Brianna asked as she showed up behind Carina with a knowing smile.

Tino shifted on the steps, feeling suddenly uncomfortable. He hadn’t showered since Mary left. Hadn’t even brushed his teeth, because Nova got home from work, and Carlo showed up to hang out the way he did sometimes after a long business trip when he needed to unwind.

If Tino had known Brianna was coming, he would’ve told them to smoke alone and scrubbed Mary off him.

“It’s a school night,” Tino said as he eyed Brianna.

“Yeah, it is,” Carlo agreed with a scowl at the girls.

“Who cares,” Carina answered for both of them, and she came up the stairs. “Ti voglio bene.” She kissed Tino’s cheek again and whispered, “Why do you look so miserable all of a sudden?”

“I’m not miserable,” he lied and shifted again, feeling dirty in front of Brianna.

“You sound miserable.” Carina pulled back with a frown and then looked at Nova. “Maybe he needs more of whatever you threw over the railing.”

Nova narrowed his eyes at her. “Are you looking for something, princess?”

“I’m out,” Carina admitted, and Brianna snorted from the bottom step.

“Well, doesn’t that suck for you?” Nova smiled. “No.”

Carina huffed in annoyance. “Do we have to do this every time?”

“It’s one of the rare joys in my life,” Nova said smugly. “Yes, we do.”

“Please, Nova,” Carina said in a singsong voice. “Share your candy.”

“Nah, I don’t give candy to little girls,” Nova said dismissively. “Fuck off.”

“Oh my God.” Carina was clearly done begging. “Tino—”