Page 22 of The Don
“Whatever happens, I’ll be close by.”
Her tongue peeks out and sweeps across her plump lower lip. Lips I want to use and destroy. No, she’s too young and I’m...darkness. “What if they arrest you?”
“They won’t.”
“But, what if they do?” Eliza sits on her hands and turns to look at me. “What happens then?”
“Nothing, because they won’t arrest me.”
“With all their surveillance and equipment, they might have something to get you on.”
“Amorina,” I say as I hold her frightful gaze. “They have nothing on me, there’s no need to worry.”
“But, aren’t you worried?”
“Not at all.”
“What if they want to talk to me by myself?”
“The choice is yours if you want to speak with them. If not, Joshua is already on his way. You can wait for him.”
“Who is he?”
“My lawyer.” Her eyes dart around the room as she worries her lower lip between her teeth. “What’s troubling you?”
“What if I say something that might be a concern? I don’t want to do that to you.” She takes a shaky breath. “You’ve been kind to me, and I don’t want to repay that by saying something I shouldn’t.”
“Either way, you know nothing they’d be interested in, and they’ll figure that out when they speak with you.”
She flashes me a concerned look before returning her attention to the eggs. “Signore,” Maria interrupts. “Mr. Burke is here.” She steps aside for Josh to enter the dining room. “Caffe, Mr. Burke?”
“Yes, thank you, Maria.” He walks over and shakes my hand, then glances at Eliza. He pulls out a seat and shakes his head. “You would think the FBI would make an appointment to raid you,” he says and laughs.
“That would be ideal,” I reply. “Eliza, this is Joshua, Joshua, this is Eliza.”
“Pleased to meet you.”
He stands and extends his hand to Eliza, who lowers her head and allows her raven hair to fall like a curtain around her face. Storm stands protectively in front of Eliza. “Hello,” she whispers.
Josh pulls his hand back, looks to me, then sits. “What time will they be arriving?”
“Any minute.”
“Signore,” Maria says, placing a coffee in front of me. She then walks around to Josh and lays a coffee on the table for him. “Hungry, Mr. Burke?”
“Certainly am.”
“Uno minuto.” She holds up a finger and hurries out of the dining room.
“Everything taken care of?” he asks as he simultaneously lifts his coffee and looks to Eliza who’s now pushing the food around on her plate.
“It’ll be a nice easy morning for you, Josh.”
“Great.” Maria returns with an extra plate and set of flatware and sets it in front of Josh. “Thank you.”
He reaches for the eggs and the bacon when Dante appears. “Sir.” I turn to see him extend all five fingers. I acknowledge his information with a nod before he leaves.
Josh piles the bacon and eggs onto his plate and begins eating with gusto. “I always enjoy Maria’s hospitality when I’m here.”