But he knew he had to keep it together. He was more skillful at playing it cool than anybody he knew. He therefore summoned every ounce of that skill when he saw Grace. “Who’s your friend?” Sal was asking Jillian as Tommy and Grace tried with all they had not to show just how shook up they suddenly were. A twinge of jealousy shot through Jillian when she saw Sal’s eyes immediately move away from her, but that was the very reason she brought Grace along. In Jillian’s way of doing business, even the slightest advantage, no matter how ridiculously superficial, was better than none. “This is Grace,” she said to Sal. “She’s my chief of staff.” Sal smiled at Grace. He wondered if Tommy had ever tapped into that. “You could be my chief any night of the week,” he said brazenly, and Tommy immediately flew to his feet. “Sal!” he yelled angrily at his younger brother and Sal and Jillian both looked at him. Grace was already looking. “What?” Sal asked, confused by Tommy’s tone. Jillian was taken aback, too.
