by S. W. Frank
Nico’s mind drifted to the man in the other room named Lorenzo Cuvato. He was Vincenzo’s blood and he came through. When Lorenzo was up and on his feet, they had a lot to discuss, until then Nico simply wanted to enjoy the reunion.
Family filled into the patient’s suite minutes later. Maria arrived with Alexandros, escorted by Yosef and Sophie sometime after and she put Nico’s son in Ari’s arms before going to check on her only child.
Alexandros squirmed, putting his hand on Ari’s cheek. The small fingers were warm and when he smiled at her, dammit she saw Nico. When she looked at her husband, her heart swelled. There were sparks in his eyes similar to the way he looked at all of his children –and his wife. Seeing his joy brought a silent pledge from Ari to be a good mother…a good wife…after all Nico deserved that much.
Ari stroked the child’s arm, and how amazing he reached for his dad.
Nico smirked. “Let me hold him Ari.”
“What about your injuries?”
“Just sit him right here then Mama Hen,” Nico replied with a grin.
Ari placed Alexandros on Nico’s uninjured side, and safely away from the IV. Nico smiled at the boy, holding his waist as he tried to pull on the rail, blubbering spit.
“Ari sweetheart,” Nico said slowly, “I have something to tell you before you find out from the loud mouth kids.”
Ari’s lip twitched. “Cosa?”
“Sergio’s my son.”
The entire room heard the loud gasp. “Well how many goddamn children do you have Nico because I swear the numbers are adding up to half a dozen?”
Yosef snorted. The drama of his bubelah and her family was similar to never-ending air raids. Bomb upon bomb fell, and at times there weren’t any warning sirens. He enjoyed the action; it was a thrill, somewhat of an adrenalin rush for an ex-military man.
Giuseppe stepped aside for Maria but not before slapping his fratellino’s face. “I am glad you are not dead because I would not want the responsibility of your disobedient wife and so many children.” Giuseppe’s lip turned up in a mischievous grin. “I suppose I must wait until you are well before giving you those punches I promised, eh fratellino?”
Alfonzo’s eyebrow arched. “Yeah, love you too, Geo.”
Then his mama moved closer. Her eyes were wet and the blush of red was more prominent on one side of her cheek, Alfonzo noticed. His chest heaved; up and down rapidly at the notion Bruno may have raised a hand to his mother.
“Oh hijo, lo siento for the many things I have said. I love you hijo so much…so much,” she cried and stroked his cheek.
“What happened to you face, mama?”
“Oh hijo, that is nothing you must worry about.”
His eyes narrowed and anger at Bruno’s treachery rose. “Where is that pendejo mama?”
She kissed his forehead, whispering, “You are my corazon, never forget that.”
“Where is Bruno? Answer me ahora!” Alfonzo repeated with flashing sparks of furious blue light.
“Ssssh, rest hijo. Bruno suffered a heart attack at dinner. Aye mijo, but I am here with you.”
Alfonzo’s eyes furrowed as he read between the lines.
“I will be delayed returning because I am here making certain my son will be okay. Te amo mijo.”
Alfonzo stiffened as she stroked his face. His eyes did not waver from his mother. “Mama?” he said and then his mouth closed. He’d hear the tale, later. Right now all he wanted was to rest.
Alfonzo’s eyelids shuttered jewel colored irises. He was tired, but he welcomed the love.
He smiled in his sleep at Sergio’s voice and that of Lucia. Then he heard his grumpy brother laugh and greet his wife.
“Ah, bella, you leave the gravesite for fresh air, eh?”
Nicole replied, “I’ve come to support my husband and his family.”
Giuseppe’s gruffness was lovingly irritating to Alfonzo’s ears. “Come sit on my lap, I plan to be here for awhile. These two, they are u’ pazzu and may try to leave.”
As Alfonzo slept he saw New York again, felt the asphalt and boisterous living. He went to a dream place wondering what transpired at the meeting he couldn’t keep and what his wife might think of returning to the city. He had an upcoming press conference to attend, somewhat of an unveiling of his heritage.
The painting of Semira and the King along with a priceless crown sat protected in a museums’ vault in New York. The items were their ticket home. They’d never sever the stigma of their mafia affiliations or walk away from the organization, yet the artifacts were provenance in support of their royal lineage that might dispel those unsavory rumors.
Sometimes legitimacy can be an illusion.
Selange’s heart had swelled at the sight of Maria with her son. Too bad for Bruno and his sons, that she struck a bargain that included his recently acquired port. To sweeten the pot, she also gave the committee access to a lucrative international scam, one of Ari’s in fact, which they loved. In exchange, her children and their future generation were released from Semira’s contract.
Their family was Mafiosi. They dealt with many unpredictable characters that at any given moment may renege on a deal. However, a chess player assesses the board and makes a move that will not leave the king unguarded. The future was uncertain, but meanwhile she planned to enjoy the victory of having bartered for more time.
Selange watched as Alfonzo dozed and went to check on Lucia’s condition as well as thank the new member of the family after hearing from Sergio what he’d done. There was also a loose end which Sophie assured her, was being remedied.
“As we speak Selange, that stronzo Maher’s mama meets with a terrible accident. What a shame, the clumsy woman did not look both ways, sí?”
“Si,” Selange replied.
Sophie was lethal. Many men underestimated the woman, especially Mafiosi, with their chauvinist ways. Selange never had; she had seen Sophie’s strength in the first day they met. She also experienced Sophie’s loving heart. They were similar to some degree, because they’d do anything to protect their familia.
***
Lorenzo contacted Chocolate. He could use her company. “I am out of commission.”
“Where are you?”
Lorenzo looked around for a pamphlet or something with the facility’s name. He had an IV in his arm, fresh bandages and a need for private nursing.
Apparently, he had blacked out after saving Alfonzo, not from exertion but internal injuries he sustained at the hands of Chocolate’s former employer.
“A nice hospital.”
“Do you want me to stick around or visit?”
“How much must I pay for your visit?”
“Nothing?”
“What about sticking around? What is the price of that?”
“Breakfast, lunch and dinner and a weekly retainer.”
“Fair.”
“Okay, and the address is?” she asked.
A pregnant woman appeared in the doorway, she peered in at Lorenzo and he smirked. Yes, that was the designer, Sophie’s gorgeous daughter Amelda.
“What is this address?” he asked her since she was the only person in sight.
“And who are you stronzo?” she asked with a sneer.
“Someone who has no idea where he is.”
“The Luca Clinic,” she answered with a haughtiness he found unattractive before she exited.
“Chocolate?”
“I heard. That’s their private medical clinic. I’ll be there soon.”
Lorenzo smirked, a private medical facility? That’s impressive.
Lorenzo lay there watching people file pass his door. Had his family lived, he’d have visitors as well, he opined and then tried to make himself comfortable on the noti
ceably more luxurious bed.
Then he had a visitor, the Don’s wife.
She walked to the side of the bed, her eyes leaping with lights of happiness. “Thank you Lorenzo.”
“You’re welcome Donna.”
Selange bent, and planted a soft kiss on his cheek.
Lorenzo inhaled her cinnamon apple scent. He appreciated her kind gesture of acknowledgment, not every pretty woman was a flighty girl he’d learned over the years.
“You restored my heart. I will never forget that, neither will my husband. Welcome to our family Lorenzo Cuvato.”
The sneer was Lorenzo’s smile of deference.
“Grazie.”
A family is nice to have.
GLOSSARY
Italian
Ostinato-obstinate
Cazzuto-badass
Amichevole-friendly
Buona bello- Good handsome
Angry- arrabiato
Dog- cane
Fretta! - Hurry!
Scimmia- ape, monkey
Stiamo bene- We’re fine
Spanish
Bruja- witch, hag, bitch
Como nunca! –Like never before
Eres malo- You are bad
Llamar Sélange y eso mama ultimo! - Call Selange and that’s final mama!
Un poco de mí- A tiny piece of me
Sí, para que tal vez, pero no un Dios que perdona. –Yes, to you but not a forgiving god.
Sólo soy una madre triste- I’m only a sad mother.
Quanto costo? How much?
Mercato-market
Treno-train
Come stai? How are you?
Mezz’ora-half an hour
Yiddish
Bubelah-sweetheart, darling
Bubbe-grandmother
Shalom (Heb.) Peace, hello, good-bye
Yarmulke- (kippah) skullcap
Novels by S.W. Frank
Dr. Nebojsa
Missing Person
Man Made: A Novella
Luzo: Reign of a Mafia Don
The Sisters of Cain and Abel
Author Commentary
Alfonzo has matured since the days he inherited a Mafia Empire and learned he descends from royalty. However, throughout that journey he has learned there is no stronger bond than those of a loving family. Fans of Alfonzo have asked will this be the last volume in the series? If I am compelled by an inner voice to visit Alfonzo and his family, I will then chronicle and share with the public. Until then, may you all have wonderful adventures in many –many books.
-S.W. Frank
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