yolo by Sam Jones

Author:Sam Jones
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Simon Pulse

chapter 17

Balducci’s Pizzeria was in a strip mall, and as Emily opened the door, she half expected to see Tony Soprano and his entire family eating a slice and casually cursing at one another over beers and sodas. Instead, the most beautiful woman she’d ever seen was wiping down menus at the hostess stand. Her skin was the color of a vanilla latte and seemed to be lit from within. She had glossy black hair that hung in a short blunt cut right at her chin. And when she saw Emily, she smiled like a movie star.

“Welcome to Balducci’s. Table for three?”

Emily glanced around the room. It was deserted except for the hostess, a bartender refilling the ice wells with a giant bucket, and two men nursing beers at the bar. One of them was tall and thin and wearing a fedora, which, under the circumstances, seemed somehow ridiculous. “Actually . . .” Emily’s voice trailed off. She realized she wasn’t sure how to broach the topic now that they were standing at the drop-off point. What was she supposed to say? We’re here with your cocaine! She took a deep breath and smiled, then tried again. “We’re here to make a delivery.” She turned to where Brandon and Ana were standing behind her. Ana had Liz’s cell phone in her hand, and Brandon was pulling the black suitcase.

“I’m Nina,” the hostess said. She glanced down at the suitcase and took it in without even the slightest flicker of concern. “We’ve been expecting you. Follow me to your table.”

Nina led them to a booth in the back. Once they were seated, she brought each of them a glass of water. “I’ll be right back with Frank.”

As they watched Nina walk toward the men at the bar, Brandon leaned in and whispered, “These guys are total mafia.”

Emily rolled her eyes as she saw Nina indicate their table to the man in the hat, who appeared to be in no hurry to leave his beer. “Oh, c’mon. Don’t you think a fedora is a little . . . ?”

“What?” asked Brandon.

“I dunno,” Emily said. “On the nose? I mean, a pizza parlor, a fedora; what’s next? A production number from Guys & Dolls?”

Ana giggled at this, but Brandon just said, “Look, stereotypes exist for a reason.”

Emily guessed that he would’ve said more, except both of the men from the bar were walking toward them.

“Welcome to Balducci’s.” They guy in the fedora literally tipped his hat. Emily had to fight the urge to look around for a hidden camera. “I’m Frank. You must be Chestnut,” he said to Brandon, then looked back and forth between Emily and Ana.

“I’m Liz,” Emily said, raising a hand in a small wave.

“Ah, yes,” said Frank. “This is my brother, Vito.” Vito was about as wide as Frank was tall.

“Youse got something for us?” asked Vito, his Jersey accent so thick Emily wondered if he was pretending.

“Right here.” Brandon rolled the suitcase out from under the table, and Vito took the handle.

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