“That witness,” he says, exhaling. “The one who testified against Dario.”
Everything in me goes still.
“What about her?”
“She was spotted. In town.” He takes another drag. Slow. Making me wait. “Three separate times in the past two weeks.”
Fuck.
I keep my face blank. Years of practice. Don’t react. Don’t flinch. Don’t give them anything.
“Could be mistaken identity,” I say. “She’s in witness protection. New city, new life. Why would she come back?”
“That’s what I want to know.” Sal’s eyes are flat. “Maybe she’s got unfinished business. Maybe she’s working with the feds still. Gathering evidence.”
“Case was dismissed. What evidence?”
“I don’t know, Enzo.” His voice goes hard. “That’s why I’m telling you to find out.”
He turns to face me fully. And I see the thing underneath the casual conversation. The order he’s about to give.
“Find her. Find out what she knows. And if she’s a problem.”
He makes a gesture. Hand across throat. Quick. Final. Handle it.
My stomach turns over.
“You want me to.”
“I want you to do your fucking job.” He drops the cigarette. Grinds it under his heel. “She testified against this family. Against Dario. If she’s sniffing around causing trouble, shut it down.”
He steps closer. Gets in my space.
“Quietly. Dario doesn’t need to know. Kid’s soft about this shit. This is family business.” His hand clamps my shoulder again. Squeezes until it hurts. “You handle it.”
He walks away. I stand there.
Parking lot. Sunset. The smell of cigarette smoke and my own fear. Orders to hurt the woman I’ve been protecting for weeks. The woman who offered me cookies when I showed up to threaten her.
Who laughs at my stupid jokes. Who looks at me like I’m a person instead of a weapon.
Fuck.
I get in my car. Grip the steering wheel until my knuckles crack.
If I don’t do this, Sal sends someone else. Someone who won’t hesitate. Someone who’ll enjoy it.
I’ve seen what happens to people who become problems for the family. I’ve made it happen.
I can’t let that be her.
I drive to her apartment the long way.
Double back twice. Check mirrors constantly. Make sure nobody’s following, nobody’s watching, nobody knows where I’m going.
The family can’t know I’ve been protecting her. Can’t know Dario asked me to keep her safe.
If Sal finds out…
