Body of Trust - Jeannine Colette Page 0,44
we’re all very thankful for the quick thinking and for the … you know.” He makes a face that says Jesse should know what he’s talking about. It dawns on me that he’s thanking Jesse for killing one of the Lugazzis. “I know the boss has already talked to you about this, but we are all very grateful.”
Enzo takes an envelope out from the inside pocket of his jacket and slides it over to Jesse. “For your graduation.” His voice lingers with the last syllable, waiting for Jesse to show he understands that the card is a payoff. Clearly, Jesse hasn’t graduated from anything other than the up the ladder of my family’s good graces.
I maintain an expression of boredom at this because, frankly, I just don’t know what to do with my face. Jesse thanks the men, adding nothing more as he slides the thick envelope of money into his back pocket.
Enzo kisses me again, and then he and Joey walk off.
I sip my drink and make conversation with people as they come up to the bar and then depart for their dining reservations. The men disappear down the hall, toward the President’s Room, leaving me and Jesse as the only two in the bar for now.
“Do I want to know how much money is in that envelope?” I ask quietly as he wipes down the bar.
He keeps his head down, as if he’s not talking to me. “A simple kindness for doing something good for the family.”
I look at the ceiling. “I’m surprised there aren’t cameras in here, so they could have seen you take me to the cellar.”
He smiles. “Trust me, cameras are the last thing your uncles want in here.”
I narrow my eyes. “And now, you’re one of them. Promoted. First, Uncle Frankie offers you a job, and now, you’ve graduated. Do I even want to know what that means?”
“You might have been in the dark about your family, but you always knew money was exchanged in cards. You just never cared to ask why.”
“Are you saying I’m naive?”
“You know I’m not saying that.”
“I’m not naive enough to know that you just secured yourself a favor with the mob. For someone who is up against the mob, you’re certainly building them up to take them down.”
“Hey.” He beckons me with his word, as his actions aren’t allowed. “It’s part of the job. I don’t mean any ill will to your uncles. Their business is shady as fuck, but they’re good men. This”—he nods toward his back pocket—“is because you’re priceless. They love you, and I respect them for that.”
The other bartender walks in with a crate of glasses and restocks one of the shelves. I shake my head and take a drink. Just when I start to doubt him, he reins me back in with his actions and words. I can’t believe I was so foolish to not put the moves on him all this time. If the shoot-out hadn’t happened, I never would have crossed the line. Neither would he.
“So, Jesse, my friend is single and looking for a nice guy,” I say loud enough for the other bartender to hear. “Are you single?”
He stills and glares at me, then over his shoulder to the guy stocking the shelf, and back to me, wondering what kind of game I’m playing. “No. I’m seeing someone.”
“Oh,” I say, disappointed. “That’s unfortunate. My friend is pretty awesome.”
“So is my girl,” he answers easily.
“She must be beautiful,” I add.
“Gorgeous. And smart,” he says, and I smile, maybe too big. Jesse doesn’t seem to like this. He pats the other bartender and asks him seriously, “You’re single, right? Talk to Amelia. She has a friend for you.”
Jesse disappears to the other side of the bar, leaving me with the other bartender, talking about my imaginary single friend for way too long. He keeps his distance from me for the next hour, and I’m now on my third drink and scrolling through Instagram.
“Amelia.” A voice I know grabs my attention.
I look up to see Anthony Buonno, my ex-boyfriend, standing in the Oak Bar.
“Hi,” I say. “You haven’t been here for a while.”
“I know. It’s my old man’s birthday. He wanted to come up here with the whole clan. There’s twenty-five of us tonight. We’re in the main dining room if you want to join us.”
“Oh.” I’m taken aback by the offer. I haven’t seen the guy in a while, and here he is, acting like he didn’t cheat on me with