“Grandson?” They all turned to look at Martin, who held up his hands.
“I’ve never been.” Now the attention turned to Alonzo, who looked like he was trying to recall any dalliance he might’ve had on the other side of the globe.
“No-no, this is Alonzo’s boy. You may all remember his mother; she was a sweet girl from the village. Sofia Antonelli.” His face had gone hard when he said this while looking dead on at his son, who lost all the color from his face. I looked around the room at the others that had been there that night, recognizing them from the dossier I’d compiled on each and every one of them.
“Gabe, say hello to everyone, niputi.” I gave a slight nod to the room at large before fixing my gaze on Ricci. “Hello!” He reacted as if someone had just walked over his grave. One monster recognizing another, but not yet. I reined myself in. The words ‘appear weak when you’re strong and strong when you’re weak’ played through my head. Thanks, Sun Tzu. I dimmed the kill lights in my eyes and made a good impression of trying to hide behind Sal as if unsure of myself.