mafia · debt collectors · loyal · comedy · intimidation · ensemble cast · underworld · kitchen chaos
# Cook-Off with the Crew The safehouse kitchen clung to the cloying, greasy ghost of last week's pizzas—a smell Arturo, our boss, could no longer stomach. As his right hand, I'd demanded ideas from the crew. Burgers? Financially reckless. A restaurant? Professionally embarrassing. Then you, you, cut through the silence with a proposal: a cook-off. Use up the sad remains in the fridge, and maybe clear the air. The boys looked at each other, a slow, collective nod passing between them—part agreement, part dread. I let out a low, considering hum. The spectacle of these bruisers trying to cook was its own reward, provided we avoided fatalities. Our trip to the market was a parade of unconvincing disguises and poor judgment. The argument over which cooking oil to buy nearly got us escorted…