Gian (Trassato Crime Family #1)(4)

I’d been promoted from soldier to capo six months ago when our dad’s health had deteriorated to the point where he couldn’t work. At twenty-seven, I became the youngest capo in the Trassato crime family. If everything went my way, I’d be promoted to underboss or consigliere by the time I reached thirty-five. As for Dominick, the boss and my uncle, I wanted to position myself so I was on the short list to be his replacement when the time came.

Without question, my promotion had pissed off a few people, and I couldn’t risk adding fuel to the fire. My dad only agreed to step down if I succeeded him. Some of the older soldiers didn’t like it, especially Carlo, but he could go f*ck himself. Everyone knew he had the tendency to disappear when it came time to do the “heavy lifting.” He’d always make up some pathetic excuse about being sick or not knowing how to find the person.

While I may not have been around as long as Carlo, I’d earned the promotion. I’d been doing my dad’s job plus mine for a solid year after my dad was diagnosed with cancer. Dominick didn’t fight my dad, which didn’t surprise me. He encouraged made men to nominate their sons for membership, believing it incentivized the members to keep the omertà or the oath of silence.

However, Dominick didn’t play games. If he thought someone had been taking unnecessary risks and endangering the family, or by extension him, he considered it a direct show of disrespect, and there’d be severe consequences.

I sliced my hand through the air. “You can stop right there. I’m not interested.”

“You haven’t heard her story, Gian. How do you know?”

“I can’t have a personal assistant or someone working in my bar who will call attention to me or my business.”

Carmela shook her head. “Evie isn’t like Becca. She wouldn’t do that. She’s not looking for instant fame. She’s a hard worker. She’s landed a few big roles on Broadway, and her prospects were really promising until she hurt her ankle last year. She needs a steady income for a couple of months while she gets back in shape. When she’s not working for you, she’ll be at rehab and in the dance studio. She doesn’t have time for anything else.”

“She hurt her ankle a year ago?”

“Yeah? So?”

“Why is she still in rehab?” I’d fractured my wrist in a bar fight when I was twenty-one. I had a cast for six weeks, and I had to do a shit load of physical therapy for the next few months, but it sure as hell didn’t interfere with my life for an entire year.

Carmela fiddled with the cuffs of the white shirt peeking out of the sleeves of her bright red power suit. “She had some other things going on that diverted her attention.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Like what?”

“She got engaged and moved in with her fiancé. She put off her rehabilitation to plan the wedding.”

I raised one eyebrow. “Uh-huh, and where’s the fiancé now?”

“She broke off the engagement.”

“Why?”

“It’s none of your business.” Carmela lifted her chin and squared her shoulders. I knew that look. I had seen it countless times when she faced off with our mom. I wouldn’t get much else out of her. Her stubbornness drove our parents crazy.

“Is the ex going to be a problem?”

“No,” she answered without hesitation.

“Will I be dealing with a blubbering mess every day?”

“Absolutely not. Evie is a strong person with a good head on her shoulders, and she’s really talented. She just needs a little help right now.”

“So let her stay with you until she’s back on her feet.”

“She has been. She doesn’t want to be dependent on me financially until she starts making money. She wants a job, but if she finds a normal job, she won’t have enough time to train or go to auditions. If you hire her, she’ll have flexibility and a place to stay.”

My brows snapped together. “A place to stay?”

She shifted on her feet. “Well, yeah. I thought she could stay where you take your…your whatever.” She waved her hand. “You know what I’m talking about. The apartment above your club.”

I chuckled. “What are you, in kindergarten? You can’t say it.”

She cocked her hip to the side. “Screw you, Gian. The last thing I want to talk about is my twin brother hooking up with all those random…” She shivered. “You know.”

“You’ve got a point.” I chuckled. “I’m not sure I’m the person to help your friend.”

“Interview her, and if you like her, offer her a two-week trial period. That’s all I’m asking.”

Though my mind scrambled for a way to sidestep her request, in the end, I caved. I’d hire her for a trial period and terminate her when it was over. It’d be easy enough to scare her away.

“Bring her by the club tonight, and I’ll interview her. That’s all I can promise you.”

She pressed a kiss to my cheek. “I knew you’d help.”

“I have a feeling I’m going to regret this,” I grumbled. “Now get out of here. I need to shower.”

She held up her hand. “One more thing.”

“What’s that?”