Chapter 83
God ignored my prayers.
When I drove the Mercedes into the warehouse, I groaned silently.
All the foot soldiers were standing around waiting to see what happened.
I got out… opened Mei-ling’s door for her… then walked gloomily around to the back of the car.
As soon as I popped the trunk, the laughing and catcalls began.
“What the fuck, Giorgio?!”
“What you got in there, man?!”
“You gonna have your new girlfriend use those on you?”
“You sure you even want a girlfriend? Maybe a boyfriend, instead?”
I gritted my teeth and prepared to start unloading –
But Mei-ling stopped me by touching my arm.
Then she snapped her fingers and pointed one by one at the foot soldiers, then at the bags.
The guys immediately shut up, and their faces went ashen.
Mei-ling stared at them, annoyed, then snapped her fingers again and pointed insistently at the trunk.
She was one of the bosses’ wives.
There was no way in hell they could disobey one of her orders.
One by one, they trudged forward and took a bag.
I just smiled at them as they walked past me. They all refused to make eye contact.
God might not have answered my prayers…
But Mei-ling certainly did.
We got Massimo to retrieve the big wooden sawhorse and carry it to the back of the warehouse.
As she walked beside Massimo, Mei-ling gave him directions in English about what she wanted him to do.
“…you’re sure?” he asked in shock.
“I’m positive.”
“But – ”
“Thank you,” she said, cutting off all further discussion.
“…okay…” he muttered doubtfully.
When we got to the office, the Camorra thug was still shouting obscenities about what he was going to do to everyone’s wives, sisters, and mothers. Then he switched to insulting Massimo as he began setting up the wooden structure.
I followed Mei-ling into the office, where we found Adriano, Roberto, and Niccolo.
“I need to change clothes,” Mei-ling said in English. “Is there a room I can use?”
“We can let you change in here,” Roberto said.
“No, I need to make an entrance. Is there any place I can change?”
“There’s a restroom back there,” Niccolo said, pointing behind him, “but it’s probably not the cleanest.”
“I’ve seen worse, I assure you,” she replied. “By the way, I’m going to need you out there to translate for me.”
“Okay,” Niccolo agreed. “I can – ”
“Do not say anything unless you are translating for me,” Mei-ling interrupted.
Niccolo frowned. “But what about – ”
“Nothing,” Mei-ling reiterated. “Once he breaks, then you can ask him whatever you want – but until that point, translate exactly what I tell you, and only what I tell you. Now… what are you going to do?”
Niccolo glowered at her, then sighed. “…translate for you.”
“And what else are you going to say to him before he breaks?”
“…nothing.”
“Good boy,” she said as she patted his cheek.
“What about me and Massimo?” Adriano asked. “You want us to just stay quiet while we’re out there?”
“Both of you will wait here in the office,” she replied.
Adriano looked like she was insane. “What?! You need us out there!”
“No, I really don’t.”
“Well, you need some kind of protection!” Adriano snapped.
Mei-ling looked thoughtful. “Actually… do you have a straight razor?”
Adriano grinned. “Now you’re talking.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a silver handle.
Mei-ling unfolded it, revealing a wicked razor five inches long. “That should do.”
“What the fuck do you have that for?” Niccolo asked Adriano.
“For situations like this,” he snapped.
“I’ll also need a very sharp pair of scissors,” Mei-ling said.
“Fuck yeah,” Adriano said, now happily on board. He searched inside the office until he found a big pair of scissors that could have cut through cardboard. “What about these?”
“Perfect.”
“Darling,” Roberto asked quietly, “do you want me out there?”
Mei-ling kissed him lightly on the lips. “No, I can’t have the distraction. Just know that whatever you’re about to see is work and nothing more.”
“What?!” he asked, suddenly alarmed.
“Don’t worry.”
“Let me come out there.”
“No – ”
Suddenly, Roberto’s voice dropped in pitch, and he became far more dangerous-sounding. I’d never heard him like that before. “Let me come out there.”
Mei-ling put a finger to his lips to quiet him. “Not now. Just trust me… please?”
He looked conflicted, but finally nodded.
“Thank you,” she said, then kissed him once more. She grabbed a couple of bags and headed for the door –
Then turned back. “By the way, I’m going to need all your phones. Massimo will come get them.”
“What?!” Niccolo asked, indignant –
But she was already gone.
“What the hell is she going to do?” Niccolo asked Roberto.
“I know what she’s going to do,” Adriano said with a grin.
“No,” Roberto told him. “Trust me, you don’t.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because I have no idea what she’s going to do.”
“She got the straight razor and scissors for a reason,” Adriano pointed out.
“Whatever you’re imagining, I can guarantee you, you’re wrong.”
“We’ll see.” Adriano smirked. “All I know is Signor Camorra Shithead ain’t gonna like it.”
“That,” Roberto said, “I’m in total agreement with.”