Page 23 of The Don

“That you charge me for,” I say with a smirk.

“I have to make a living, Ruben. You can’t let a man starve.”

“At a thousand dollars an hour, I doubt you’re a starving man.”

He looks to me and says with a serious face yet a light voice, “I have needs, and you keep me in the lifestyle I require.”

Eliza giggles though doesn’t lift her chin.

The sound of the helicopter comes first, followed by Dante appearing and giving me a cautionary look. “Let the games begin,” Josh says as he inhales his breakfast.

“Eliza, let’s go to my office.”

“No, I’ll stay here, it looks more normal that way.”

Josh flashes Eliza a look, then turns toward me. “Normal is good.”

The helicopter hovers closer, and I lift my coffee to drink in irritation. This is all frustrating and has put me behind in my work.

“FBI!” I hear someone yelling from the front. “Where’s Ruben Sacco?”

“He’s in the dining room,” Maria says.

I stand, button my jacket, and walk around to Eliza. I bend and give her a kiss on the top of her head. “It’ll be over soon. You don’t have to be scared.”

She tilts her head up at me, her big blue eyes showing so many emotions. They well with tears when she’s hurt or sad. They smile when she’s relaxed. But right now, they’re dark and anxious. “I’m not scared of them,” she whispers. Her eyes show me that the FBI doesn’t frighten her.

“Ruben Sacco.”

I run my hand down Eliza’s cheek before turning toward the FBI agent. “Special Agent Tyler Lewis,” I say as I catch sight of the paperwork he’s holding. “Coffee? Breakfast?” I offer with a smirk.

Tyler Lewis is a young FBI agent trying to make a name for himself. He has no idea that he’s not going to be able to make it with me. “A warrant to search your house.” He slaps the warrant into my hand. This is the same dance we play whenever he decides to storm in here.

“I’ll take that,” Josh says as he jumps to his feet and rips the warrant out of my hands and immediately begins to read it.

Tyler arches a brow and looks to Josh. “I can’t fucking believe it.” Tyler runs his hand through his hair and shakes his head. “How is it your lawyer is here on the morning we’re going to raid you?”

Josh snickers, and as he’s reading the warrant, he says, “Because...” He points to the table. “Bacon. Whenever I’m told Mr. Sacco is serving bacon, I just can’t help myself.”

“When were you told there’d be bacon on offer?” Tyler’s fishing for information.

Josh lifts his head and slowly shrugs. “There’s always bacon available for me, Tyler.”

“It’s Special Agent Lewis,” Tyler says with an irritated sneer.

“Ah, Lewie...” Josh antagonizes Tyler. “But, like I said.” He pointedly looks to the table. “Bacon.”

“Who are you?” Tyler walks around the table toward Eliza where he’s greeted by Storm, who’s standing protectively in front of her. Tyler takes a step backward when Storm bares his teeth. “Call the dog off.” Tyler looks to me.

“He’s not my dog, he’s hers.” I gesture.

Tyler looks to Eliza and stands taller, trying to throw his weight around. “Could you call the dog off?”

“Why?” Eliza asks.

“So I can talk to you.”

“You can talk to me from where you are.”