“Got my license today and took Sofia out for a bit,” I explained cautiously.

My father’s friend stood and ambled closer. “You’re becoming quite the man, Nico. What do you weigh now, one eighty, one ninety?” I wasn’t sure how he knew me. He was well dressed in a long wool coat and shiny, pristine dress shoes—not the kind of person my father usually hung around. He exuded power, and I wasn’t about to piss him off.

“Two hundred, actually.” There was no boasting or pride in my voice. If anything, I sounded wary despite my attempt at being impassive.

“Beautiful—you’ve got the potential to be one hell of a fighter,” the man said, nodding approvingly at my father.

They seemed to be on the same page, but I had no idea what they were talking about. “Fighter? What do you mean?”

“This is an amazing opportunity, Nico,” my father cut in. “This will put you on the fast track to being a made man.” His eyes shone with hope and excitement, but I was stuck on the word fighter.

“You want me to learn to fight?” I asked, my hand rubbing the back of my neck.

“You’re old enough now to know how things work,” said my dad. “This city is run by important men, and Sal here is one of them. You won’t see his name in the papers, but he controls a fifth of the entire city.”

“Like a politician?” I glanced at Sal and confirmed that he definitely had the look of a politician.

“Not exactly, but close,” cut in Sal. “I’m a part of La Cosa Nostra—this thing of ours. Your father is also a part of our organization, and he thinks you would be a great asset to us.”

Dawning realization struck me, rooting me in place. “You’re talking about the mafia, aren’t you? Like John Gotti and the Godfather?”

Holy shit. I had a mob boss in my living room, and he wanted me to join them?

Nausea roiled through my stomach, making saliva pool in my mouth.

“It’s not like you see on TV.” Sal chuckled. “We keep things very quiet now. We’re businessmen, just like any other in the city. I’m in the business of making money, and I make a lot of it.” He grew more serious, giving a hint at the true gravity of our conversation.

“What do you want me for?” I asked Sal, ignoring my father entirely. He was the one who brought this shit to our doorstep, and it was the final straw. After this little stunt, I didn’t care if I ever saw his face again.

“We’d love to have you join our ranks. There could be a lot of money in it for you.”

Glancing at my father, I realized Sal was speaking on behalf of him and my father. “You a member of his organization?” I asked, eyes boring into my father.

“I am,” he responded proudly. “It wasn’t something I could talk about before, but now you’re old enough.”