Chapter Text
Risotto had been expecting this. While most teams in Passione had numerous members, La Squadra only had four people amongst its ranks. This was partially due to their job description of being professional assassins but he knew other specialized units had more members than them. Heck, El Dipartimento Tortura had their own subunits and research teams. While the simple deed of assassination was less complicated than torture, why they needed so much support still dumbfounded him. Though, maybe he didn’t really want to know. Either way, this call was inevitable in the long run.
As he set the phone down, Risotto could only hope things would go better this time.
___ ___ ___ ___
Prosciutto's glare did not lessen as the clock ticked away. In fact, it only seemed to grow intenser by the second. If it wasn't for the lack of smoke, he would’ve thought the grey hairs sprinkled amongst his blond locks were related to Grateful Dead.
"They can’t be serious."
"They are. Polpo said they should be contacting us within the week at least...You really shouldn’t be surprised Prosciutto."
This only seemed to get the other more angry. "They’re already paying us shit and now, they want to increase our numbers?! What a load of bullshit! Those fucks can fuck right off with their so called new recruits. They’re just going to die on the first mission and they know it."
"Big talk coming from the recruit who couldn’t even control their own Stand." Gelato's smirk did little to hide his true intentions.
"Is that coffee Gelato? You better hope it’s iced."
As smoke started to spread throughout the room, Risotto did the only thing that came to mind. He threw cold water on the both of them. Their exasperated expressions, however, took second stage to Sorbet's explosive laughter.
"Ahahahaha! Good one Risotto! I couldn’t have done better myself."
"Sorbet—?!" Gelato hissed but he was cut off by the accused.
"I know Gelato. I know but you got to admit that was a little below the belt, don’t you think?"
Gelato's face immediately softened at that and while he wouldn’t meet Prosciutto's eyes, he explained, "I was just pointing out a flaw in his reasoning."
Prosciutto huffed but replied earnestly, "I can admit I was a little hypocritical..." He paused. "...but at least I didn’t try to kill my teammate."
Before another argument could start, Risotto interrupted, "It was a mutual misunderstanding. Anyway, when this teammate finally contacts us, I’ll be handling the meeting. We're going to do this professionally and we’re going to explain how this all works. There will be no Stand attacks or infighting. Am I clear?"
Although it took them a second to all reply, they each agreed to his decision.
Quick to change the subject, Sorbet exclaimed, "Pushing that aside. Where’s the wine Risotto? I know you’ve hidden it since last time because it wasn’t in the cupboard!"
Risotto easily met his eyes. "I’m not telling you."
The quiet click of a camera and Sorbet's cheerful sprint to the closet immediately ruined his plans. Shit. He really didn’t want to deal with a drunk Sorbet already. At least, Gelato had to suffer too, the bastard.
Despite everything, Risotto could still feel Prosciutto's eyes on him. He met them and for a moment, they simple stared at each other.
Prosciutto was the first to speak. "Do you really think this new teammate will work out?"
He shrugged. "I haven’t met them yet."
The other sighed and turned away. "I suppose I’ll have to trust your judgement but if anything happens...I’ll make sure they’re six feet under within a day. People die from old age all the time."
While the threat was not directed towards him, he knew better than to doubt it. He simply nodded in reply.
___ ___ ___ ___
It had been five days since that meeting and he had yet to receive any word from the supposed new recruit. Maybe Polpo hadn’t given them his contact information? But that sounded ridiculous. Why wouldn’t the Capo tell the new guy where to go. He did it for every other team and while he knew La Squadra wasn’t seen in a good light by most of Passione, they could at least be a little polite.
But what was he expecting really? They only saw them as attack dogs. Nothing more, but maybe something even less.
At that thought, his shoulders immediately tensed. He could feel his heart racing and Metallica swarming through his bloodstream. Maybe he should take the next job when they got one. If they got one.
As his breath steadily returned to normal, he reminded himself of what he was currently doing. Groceries. He needed to go to the market and buy some groceries. And wine since Sorbet drank it all. How he still had functional kidneys was beyond him.
"He-help...Me-e..."
While the sound was quiet and helpless sounding, Risotto was immediately on guard. It was coming from the nearby alley.
"Plea-ease...Help...Me-ee..."
The voice sounded like a woman but it was distorted by its pain. It almost sounded inhuman if anything.
Despite this, it was familiar to him. He had heard it plenty of times from his dying victims as they suffocated from a lack of oxygen. With that in mind, whoever the voice belonged to wasn’t long for this world. The best thing he could’ve done for them was end their suffering.
"Pl-lease...Some—one...Help—help...me..."
However, he knew better than that. He couldn’t just waltz into a secluded alley. This had trap written all over it. For a few seconds, an uncomfortable silence permeated the air. The helpless cries of the creature had finally died down. Maybe it had finally died from its injuries.
"Wow! You really are an A-grade asshole, huh? Couldn’t even come to the aid of a helpless woman? But you know what? I dig it! I’ve learned a lot from you already Risotto Nero."
Yep. It was a trap. He knew it.
He only hoped that Sorbet wouldn’t mind waiting.