Page 148 of The Enforcer's Revenge

Nova nodded and took another long drag off his cigarette. He blew out the smoke as he considered Tino for another long moment. “Fine, but if I take it, you still gotta show respect. You can’t be this openly hostile toward him. We just brought Tony on, and the old man doesn’t trust him either—not at all. He will have all of us taken out.”

“Not if I take him out first,” Tino reminded him. “We have friends too—we have a lot more than he does.”

“He’ll start conspiring against us, and we don’t need that in our lives.”

“You’re making him sound like a threat to you,” Tino warned him. “And if you really believe?—”

“I’ll take care of it,” Nova cut him off before he could finish. “Just let me think about it. Give me a couple of days to figure out how I want to spin it.”

Tino studied him, seeing that he was serious, and then nodded. “I love you, Casanova. Sorry about your brother dying in a basement—again.”

“It’s okay.” Nova wrapped a hand around the back of Tino’s neck and tugged him down. He kissed Tino’s forehead. “As long as you’re still here, I’ll take it.”

Tino had to point out, “That’s probably fucked up.”

“Probably.” Nova took another drag off his cigarette. “Did you use something with Maria? I know it’s been a long time since you were a free agent.”

“Yes, I used something.” Tino snorted in disbelief. “I still remember how it’s done. Besides, Tony’s the one who taught me about it the first time around. He’s more serious about condoms than you are.”

“That’s some shit, Valentino. I didn’t know you two had that kind of history. Did we make a mistake bringing him into the fold?”

“Aside from completely fucking up his life?” Tino clarified and then shrugged. “It’s okay. We actually work well together.”

Nova let out a small laugh. “So, I hear.”

“We traded one Cosa Nostra game for the other, but it’s pretty much the same.” Tino sighed in defeat. “It’s all just getting your hands dirty and selling your soul for the Borgata.”

“It sucks,” Nova agreed with him. “I’m sorry too—for everything.”

“Just make it worth it,” Tino pleaded with him. “He really believes in it. He’s so loyal to you. He thinks he’s making the world a better place fighting for your ship. I owe him so much. Please don’t let him regret trusting us.”

Tino thought Nova was going to say something sarcastic, but he just nodded and said solemnly. “I won’t.”

CHAPTER FORTY

They went downstairs after Nova finished his second cigarette.

As usual, Nova was a little calmer and more together after he smoked. When Tino opened the door, he was temporarily stunned by how awesome the apartment smelled.

“Goddamn, it even smells sexy.” Tino looked back to Nova. “How the fuck does she do that?”

“What does it smell like?” Nova asked him with a questioning look.

“Like dark roast and garlic.”

“That doesn’t sound like it smells sexy.”

“I know, but it does.” Tino didn’t understand it either. “It brings up a primal Italiano response or something.”

“You’re talking about genetic memory,” Nova explained like it made sense.

Tino shrugged. “I guess.”

“I made you fresh coffee, Zu.” Maria came around the corner, still wearing her black silk robe. She reached past Tino and grabbed Nova’s hand. “Did you eat lunch?”

“Um. No.” Nova frowned but didn’t resist her pull as she dragged him to the dining room table. Part of being Zu wassocializing within the Borgata, generating loyalty by making everyone really believe their voice was heard, and Nova was usually great at it. A lot better than the Don, Frankie, or Monte. He was used to sitting at tables and making people feel like they mattered, but he resisted this time. “I appreciate it, but I’m not in a social mood. I could be disappointing company.”

“You don’t have to be social.” Maria pulled out a chair. “You just have to drink your coffee and eat a late lunch. We can turn on the television for you. It’s nicer to watch it with friends.”