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Chapter Text

Nino didn't know when it had started. Was it at first sight ? Or later on ? Had the boss come to her the first time out of mercy, curiosity or... something else ? Well, whenever this whole thing had started, it did start. Nino was sure of that. And whatever Benito could say... Nino knew best. He knew the boss. Knew his habits. Knew his routines.

And that was not habits nor routine.

"I'm telling you there's nothing." Benito whined. "Now, let's go back. I'm freezing."

Nino didn't even consider answering, all focused on the two persons talking in the distance. The lady had left her strange outfit to wear something more common. Something the boss had pay for... well, he hadn't exactly paid for. Officially, the lady had let them a ring in exchange of the money to buy herself new dresses. But Nino was there when the lady had come to make the exchange and whatever the ring was made of, it certainly wasn't worth the bundle of cash that the boss had put on the counter. In fact, it would have been a miracle if that ring was worth half the money she had gotten for it.

And also she was wearing the blue dress that the boss had recommended to her. And...

"See !"Nino piped.

"See what ?"

"Here: He's giving her a scarf ! He's making her gift !"

That was a proof !

"Nino..." Benito sighed." It's freezing. The boss is just being a decent man, not letting a lady die of cold. And you would be a decent man, not letting me die of cold. Just admit there is nothing and give me my money."

"There is something between them !"Nino protested."I know it"

"No, you don't know. That girl is just a regular customer of the pawn shop who interest the boss because... well, she's taken a lot of money in exchange of her jewelry. And because she's clearly a foreigner and the boss like to know what's happening in town. So now, you give me the ten dollars... until you get a real proof."

Nino frowned, unhappy. But he knew he wouldn't convince Benito right now. So he just reach out for his wallet and surrendered the precious ten dollars note, which Benito sized with an awfully greedy smile.

"And now, let's start the engine and go back to somewhere war..."

A knock knock at the car window stopped him and they both turned to face...

"Boss !" Nino's voice shook as he opened the window to answer properly to the poker face that was looking down at them.

"Nino. Benito;" Don Puzo greeted them."I guess it's a happy coincidence that you decided to stay longer the day I had to close the agreement with Mrs. Polignac."

"An... happy coincidence ?"Benito repeated stupidly.

"Exactly." stated sternly Don Puzo."You see, Mrs. Polignac does not have enough money for a cab and, in consequence, I need to accomodate for bringing her back home safely."

The two men in the car looked at each others a second. Then Benito offered:

"Sure, boss. We'll take the lady with us. Do you also need a driver ?"

And then the Boss smiled. Not a genuine, nor a polite smile. More... more like the smile of a cat, who just got two mouses.

"Tss, Tss..." Don Puzo stopped them."I never said I needed a driver."

"But..." Benito tried, puzzled.

"Just give me the keys. I will escort the lady to her home myself. I see you got ten dollars: that will clearly be enough for you both to take a cab and go back to your actual surveillance mission."

Benito gulped. Nino proudly managed to not blush.

"The keys." Don Puzo ordered while raising his hand.

Benito timidly gave the key to the Boss before leaving the car, together with Nino.

"Mrs. Polignac." Don Puzo invited the Lady as soon as the two guys went out.

He hold her the door and even helped her to tuck her dress inside. Then he closed the door and went to take the driver seat. The lady closed the window, but not before Nino and Benito could her calling the Boss "Vittorio."

And then the engine started and the car left both Nino and Benito behind. In the dark. Alone. Freezing.

"Ok..." grumped Benito. "Maybe there's a bit more than a supplier-client relationship between those too."

Chapter Text

"Mrs. Polignac."

The odd lady turned towards him and Nino had to admit she was... beautifull in her way. She hadn't quite mastered the local fashion but she was doing her best and her hairs, which she kept long and curved, were both exotic and innocent. A natural beauty from overseas, as some would have said. There were definitely good reasons for the Boss to be infatuated with her.

"Sir Ricci." the lady answered, making Nino smile.

She exited the car and looked at him expectantly, apparently waiting for him to enter the restaurant.

"Er... Mr. Puzo is waiting for you inside.

- Are you not cuming ?"

Nino blushed. And bit his inner cheek to not laugh at the infortunate accent of the lady.

"Cum... eh... No. That would be highly innapropriate. I will not cum... er, come."

Mrs. Polignac first raised a brow, visibly confused. Then her eyes lightened up as realisation washed over her.

"Io... comprendare, Monseigneur Ricci." she attempted in a mix of frenchtalian that was surprisingly attractive. She then left him and gracefully climbed the few steps leading to the restaurant. She was holding her dress weirdly; as if she was wearing some kind of old princess dress and not those tight loose gown women were wearing nowadays. Strana donna, Nino concluded.

He went to park the car, and, in an out of habit gesture, couldn't prevent himself but to go back at the restaurant and peered at the Boss and his date. Cause this was a date, wasn't it ? The Boss had denied. Said it was just a business meal to discuss how best to recover the - ridiculisly huge - amount of money he had lend to the girl. But Nino knew better. And also he had seen the boss buy a new suits and perfume during the day. And spend two fucking hours in the bathroom to prepare for this Business meal;

So it was a date. Point.

But it didn't seem to go so well.

Through the window, Nino could see that the girl had turned her head to the side, looking sad, almost desesperate. Mr. Puzo, on the other hand, was... well, he had his usual poker face, but ! but he was also nervously playing with his pocket watch. Which he was only doing when he was tensed.

Something was not right.

The lady said something and the Boss lips twiched, in an unusual display of anger. He seemed to sigh, and then answered to whatever Mrs. Polignac had said. She turned back her head to him, with a hopefull expression. Mr. Puzo smiled gently at her, his eyes sparkling so much Nino could feel it through the glass. His lips formed words that Nino knew, even from outside, even through the windows, even if he couldn't hear a sound:

"Avete la mia parola"

That's what he was saying. You have my word. That was the highest engagement the Boss was capable of.

And just like this, Nino knew troubles were on the way.

Chapter Text

"So you want to rob jewellery shops." Nino summarize.

- Si. A lot of jewelry shops.

- To recreate a necklace that we will never be able to sell.

- Yes. The necklace of the queen.

- And that is for...

- To help a friend;

- Uh uh..."

Nino didn't retort. He somehow got the feeling that this dangerous idea was related with Mrs Polignac. Because... well, everything was related to Mrs. Polignac recently.

"To be honest, I'm not even sure there is so many pearls in new york. And... wasn't the necklace of the queen made of diamonds ?

- Si... we will also need diamond. And two silk ribbons" The boss retorted with the slightest frown ever.

- Ah... How much diamonds ?

- Six hundred seventy four. For a total of two thousands heigh hundred forty two carats."

Nino... didn't manage to respond.

"So you can start make the list of all the places where we can find pearls and diamonds ?" Don Puzo said with that weird ton of his that was looking like a question but, in real, was simply an order.

- Si." Nino abandonned the idea of convincing the boss otherwise.

And so started their impossible quest. Which would have been way easier if Juliano hadn't been spying on them and decided to buy out all the pearls of the city before they could do it. But, Nino noticed, Juiano didn't start running after the diamonds. So... either he hadn't spied that much, or he wasn't so much crazy as the boss had become under Mrs. Polignac spell.

At least, Nino tried to cooe himself, the two ribbons of silks had been easy to find.

Chapter Text

"And as the war between us and the Julianos created a pearl shortage in the city, we decided to move on culture pearls." Nino proudly said. "We have started our very own oyster farm, near the docks, and it's selling like hell. Soon, we'll be the richest guys in the city."

Nino nearly clapped his hands as he happily ended his report: the numbers were good, the future was bright and he just had bought himself a bright new car to celebrate their success. He had taken the most shining one of the shop just because it was pricy and he had never felt so right. Especially as he parked just in front of the Vosse Tower, where Alvaro would be forced to see it.

And now, as he was making his report and the Boss looked almost happy - well, he didn't look happy but he had that little twich on his lips that could indicate happiness. And that was rare enough to declare him happy. And he had reasons to be happy : Thanks to their new system, the robberies had stopped, the streets were quiet again, and they were just getting rich selling out culture pearls for all. And that was great.

"So now that we created a huge demand by making them rare, we can sell all the pearls that we want at the best price. And without bothering our politician friends with cleaning chores." Don Puzo summarized approvingly. " Congratulation. This is a clever move.

- Si." Nino confirmed. "And thanks to our clever plan, we will be able to make the necklace in no time."

Don Puzo crashed his cigarette in the ashtray. Violently.

Benito gulped. Nino's euphoria died immediately.

"Just to be sure..." Don Puzo started icily, all the praise and warmth gone from his voice. "... You are not planning to make my necklace with fake pearls ?

- Er... they... they are... they are not fake. Just culture pearl. There is no physical difference and... and we can even control the size so we are sure the rows are completely even.... I... no one will make the difference. Mrs. Polignac will be as happy with culture pearls as with wild ones."

Don Puzo was staring at him. Darkly. That was no good.

Maybe he shouldn't have mention Mrs. Polignac

- Mrs. De Polignac's opinion shouldn't be any of your concern, Nino. And I do not care that she will not make the difference. I will know there is one, and I do not accept it.

- Er... of course, Boss. We... will find wild pearls.

- But..." Benito foolishly shooted."It is hard to find wild pearl of the exact same size. Culture pearls would be more practical."

The Boss took out a new cigarette.

Then he took out his lighter.

He lit his cigarette.

Put back the lighter in his pocket.

Let the cigarette roll between his fingers

Then took a drag.

Then let out a long,

long,

long,

long string of smoke.

And then, finally, talked.

"We will make the necklace with wild pearls. Of the same size. And if it must be, we will rob all the jewelry of the city to make it. And as you don't seems to be so keen on taking that chore, Benito, I will release you from it. For the next week, you will be in charge of the trade with the medical factory.

- What ?! But... but, Boss... I... You know I don't...

- You can try negotiating with me, Benito. But I would like to make you aware, before you attempt at anything, that the medical factory is the best outcome you can hope for."

And then, Benito finally understood that silence was his best option. And he remained silent for the rest of the meeting and even after Don Puzo had gone away and left them behind.

"You know..." Nino attempted to cheer up his companion. "... the positive thing is... you won't have to be the one responsible for finding and assembling hundred of wild pearls of the exact same size.

- Sure." Benito acknowledged bitterly. " That would be you.

- Si... we're all screwed." Nino sighed.

- ...

- ...

- ... You know, I'm sure that if the Boss is interested in her she must be worth the trouble but... for all the troubles we are going through, I hope they'll have at least lobster and champagne at the wedding."