Free Maggie Lee (Book 10): The Hitwoman's Act of Contrition by JB Lynn Page B

she want to sit? What would we talk about?
    Marlene reappeared, a handsome, flour-covered man with a wide smile by her side.
    I did a double-take.  For some reason, I’d been expecting her to introduce me to a senior citizen from the Old Country, not a young hunk who could pass for a model.
    “Maggie, I’d like you to meet my boss, Ferdinand.”
    He wiped some of the flour off on his apron and extended his hand.
    “Nice to meet you,” I said with a firm handshake.
    “The pleasure is all mine. We’re happy to have your sister here.”
    I smiled. “You’re lucky to have her.”
    “ I’m lucky that Doc knew Ferdinand was looking for a waitress,” Marlene interjected.
    We all laughed. Doc, Marlene’s boyfriend, was an E.M.T. who moonlighted as a male stripper. I couldn’t help wonder if Ferdinand did the same.
    “Two pups!” a heavily-accented voice called from the kitchen.
    “That’s yours.” Marlene disappeared into the kitchen.
    “Busy place you’ve got here,” I said to Ferdinand.
    He beamed proudly. “We’re growing. We’ll probably never be able to compete with Tony’s or DiNapoli’s, but we’re carving out a niche.”
    Impressed by his candor, I replied, “Half the battle is knowing your enemy, right?”
    He laughed. “That’s one way to look at it.”
    Marlene reemerged and handed me a steaming paper bag. I took it and held out a ten dollar bill.
    She shook her head.
    “Take it,” I ordered.
    “No.”
    “Table three!” the accented voice from the kitchen called.
    Marlene whirled around and dove into the kitchen to retrieve the order.
    I offered the cash to Ferdinand.
    “It’s on the house.”
    “I didn’t come here to mooch,” I told him.
    He smiled. “No. You came to check on your sister. That’s sweet. Next time you can pay, but not this time.”
    Realizing I’d lost the battle, I tried to concede gracefully. “Thank you.”
    “It was nice to meet you, Maggie.”
    As Marlene rushed out past us, a pizza pan balanced overhead, he ducked back into the kitchen.
    I made my way to the door as Marlene delivered the order to the appropriate table. She caught up with me once I’d stepped outside.
    She surprised me by throwing her arms around me, hugging tight, and planting a kiss on my cheek. “Thanks, sis.”
    “You’re welcome.” I snaked my free hand around her waist and squeezed.
    “Tell Katie I sent it?” she pleaded.
    “You bet,” I promised.
    “I’ve gotta get back.”
    “Go.” I gave her a gentle shove.
    With a grin and a girlie wave, she practically skipped back into the pizzeria.
    Her happiness was infectious and I found myself grinning all the way to the hospital as the aroma of pepperoni pizza filled my car.
    Katie was playing Go Fish with Delveccio when I arrived at her room, after first skirting past the steroid-fueled bodyguard Vinnie, who hadn’t even spoken to me but just waved me in.
    “Aunt Maggie!” Katie cried when she saw me.
    “Are you beating Mr. Delveccio at cards again?”
    She nodded excitedly.
    I suppressed a smile, knowing that the mobster knew she cheated and took delight in letting her get away with it.
    I pressed a quick kiss to Katie’s forehead before turning my attention to Delveccio, who was gathering up the cards.
    He raised his eyebrows, silently enquiring as to whether I’d managed to deliver the teddy bear.
    I nodded and he winked at me.
    “What’s that smell?” Katie asked.
    “Pizza,” I whispered. “Aunt Marlene sent it.”
    Katie clapped her delight.
    “It does smell good,” the mobster agreed.
    I put the two slices on two paper plates, down on the table Delveccio had just cleared.
    Sinking deeper into her bed, Katie frowned. “Only two?”
    “Only one for you, young lady.” I told her.
    “But what about Mr. D.?” she asked. “Why didn’t you bring enough for him?”
    Delveccio looked startled by the child’s generosity. He raised his hands in protest.
    “That is his piece, silly dilly,” I lied smoothly.