Nero (Made Men #1)(26)

*

Nero felt his phone vibrate in his hand. Turning it over, he read the words, How about a trade?

Nero was intrigued. What do you want?

A minute later he read, If you want the schedule, then we will need to be at school early before Chloe gets there.

Nero liked that Elle cared for her friend so much. It showed him she was loyal. However, her loyalty didn’t change the fact he didn’t like that idea. Nero had never been a morning person. He was already going to have to get up early as it was to pick Elle up for school. No way was he waking up that early. He decided to counter.

*

Elle felt her phone vibrate in her apron while she poured coffee to one of her tables. She was going to make good tip money tonight; the diner had been full practically the whole night. She went to the counter and pulled out her phone, not understanding why everything had to be so difficult when it concerned Nero as she read his message. I’ll tell Amo to be there early. He can watch her.

Elle didn’t know why this was a discussion. She was the one with the schedule. No schedule then. She hit the word send.

Elle had refilled the coffee cups to the brim when her next message came back. Then no one there to look after Chloe.

Elle cursed his name. She should have thought about him using Chloe’s safety against her.

Elle decided to text Chloe first. Amo will be at school before you get there. Stay with him till I get there, okay?

Elle took an order from one of her usual customers. She always liked when he came by. He would tell her funny jokes and make sure she was tipped well.

When she put his order in, she read her message from Chloe. Please, no, Elle. I’ll be fine.

Elle thought realistically for a second. No, she wasn’t going to be fine.

She sent Chloe another message. Cassandra could be back tomorrow. Amo will meet you at your parking spot, all right? You know it’s the best thing.

After Elle dropped an order at a table, she went to the back again, laughing at Chloe’s reply. UGHH FINE!!

Elle decided to go back to the kitchen and take another picture of the schedule. She would let Nero win the battle, again. But from now on, she decided things were going to change. She was going to win the damn war.

*

Nero thought he was going to doze off in the oversized leather chair before Elle texted back. He knew he had her when he had texted her that no one would be there to watch Chloe; thus, he didn’t understand why it would take so long to reply. She already lost.

When his phone finally vibrated, he looked at her reply. So, Amo will be there?

Nero knew he had won again. Yeah, bright and early. You have my word.

A minute later, he read her reply. Tell him to meet Chloe at her parking spot then.

A moment later, the text was followed by a picture message. He clicked it open to enlarge the image. The picture ended up turning out to be better than he had thought; he could use this to his advantage.

When he went through the one-week schedule, Elle’s name definitely stood out. Dammit, she works every fucking night practically.

Nero thought about what he had gone through that evening. He figured if he didn’t get this job done, he was going to turn himself gray at an early age.

When the door opened at last and a familiar face walked out, Nero heard him say, “He’s ready for you now.”

Nero decided to hit send on the message he had made before the door had opened. Deal.

As he rose from the chair, Nero responded, “Thanks, Sal.”





Chapter Thirteen

How to Willingly Love a Caruso in a Month

The boss heard Sal say, “He’s been out there waiting for a while now, boss.” The meeting had just come pretty much to a close.

“He can wait. Why do you think he’s here, boys?”

“I saw her. She ain’t the usual. She’s the kind you marry then fuck.” He stared at his son, standing in the corner as he put a cigarette to his lips and lit the end with his metal lighter.

The lighter had actually been a gift from the boss the day his son had become the underboss. He thought that every man shouldn’t have just any ninety-nine cent lighter you could pick up at a gas station as you checked out. No, this lighter had been handed down over generations. He had used that very lighter for years. The only thing was, he wished his son lit cigars, not cigarettes. There’s a lot I wish he did differently.

“So, you’ve been following her?”

“Not exactly,” his son said as he exhaled and smoke filled the room.

The smell made the boss want to reach for one of his cigars, but he didn’t like to mix that shit with his good stuff. “So, what exactly were you doing?”

“I watched her for a bit.” He took another hit off his cigarette.

“What for?” He knew why, but he wanted his answer.

“I had to make sure things were going in the right direction.”

“Are they?”

“How about we ask him?” He nodded his head toward the door.

His son was right; not only was he a little suspicious on whether Nero could get the job done, but his own brother was, too.

“Sal, bring him in.”

He watched Sal open the door and head off to take care of some things. Nero came in and shut the door behind him. Unlike his older brother, he took a seat in one of the chairs.

“How was school today, son?” By the look on Nero’s face, he knew he understood what he meant.