CLAIMED BY THE DON
Marcini’s tan bled to ash, Giovanni’s glass slipped and shattered, Dante’s hand went for the gun under his jacket—then froze when Matteo stepped out from behind me, his hands already on his gun.
I smiled the smile that made grown men piss themselves.
Marcini recovered first. “Enzo… Cristo santo…”
I closed the distance, pulled him into a hug that looked brotherly and felt like a threat at the same time. Over his shoulder I whispered, “Surprised to see me, brother? Sono tornado, Marcini. Non si uccide il Diavolo. Il Diavolo non resta morto.”
Translation: I’m back, Marcini. You can’t kill the devil. The devil doesn’t stay dead.