Clearly, that was a proper response. I got some approval from them. Nicolò and Emilio came and got me soon after that. They had both been playing poker with Brando and Antimo. They were ready to call it a day. I looked at the others at the table. "Thank you for playing with me. It was nice getting to know you." I said. They waved me off. "Now that we've bled you dry, it's time to really pick up the pace. I want to take the whole pot home." Ignazio joked. Auberto chuckled and said "All of that cash is staying here." They were having a good time with their brotherly antics. I left them to it. Following Brando and the guys out the door, we made it to the street. He shook a very happy Emilio's hand. "That was a great meal. It looks like we'll be in touch, Emilio Pecchia." Emilio nodded his head with a wide smile. Brando turned to Nicolò. He said "Keep up the good work, and I'll see what I can do for you." Nicolò also shook hands with him. Things were going great. That was, of course, until he turned to me. I saw him scowl. "Keep your hands off of Erica." he said angrily. "I could use some jobs." I said.
Dealing gently with this lieutenant was not working out well for me. I was going to be more direct now. He just raised an eyebrow at me. "Yeah!? And what's that to me!?" he snapped. I looked at him and said "Don't look down on me and lose the chance to have me on your side. It'll be too late if I get snatched up by a rival of yours." I was not pulling anything back. Brando looked like he was going to say something, but paused for a moment. I had him on the back foot now. "What the fuck are you talking about?" he demanded. I shrugged. "You have rivals. In your family and outside. You are a lieutenant. People want to take you out or take your spot. It would be a shame if a hit came for you. I know exactly where you live. I think you shouldn't keep looking down on me just because I am bisexual." I said. Threats were beyond the line. He got right in my face. "You seem to want to say something to me. Say it." he growled. I smirked and said "Hire both of us. We can do lots of jobs for you. We have our rackets in the Red Light district. You don't even have to risk all that much." His eyes narrowed.
Even I knew that I was being a massive dick right now. He gave me a smirk of my own. "You want a job!? Fine. I will give you a job. Kill Alfredo Marano and you can both consider yourselves associates of the Devil Crew." I did not know who that was, but he was as good as dead now. I took his head and shook it. He winced as if he was touching dog shit. "Consider him dead, boss." I said harshly. The 3 of then took our leave. I wondered who and where I could find the target. "Are you fucking insane!?" I heard Nicolò shout when we had crossed back into the Red Light district. I shrugged. "I'm so sorry, you guys. I tried being nice. You both saw how that whole family was treating me. I had to do something! He was being an asshole!" I said. Emilio was not happy with me either. "You were kissing Erica's hand like a hound dog. Where the hell did that come from!?" he demanded. I crossed my arms and said "Hey! You said not to do gay shit! I really had to play up my interest in women after how they were treating me in that damn house." Both of them shared a small look before bursting into laughter.
