by Bobby Dennis
Ransom and the others walked out to the front yard and stopped.
“Drake, Trace, Tim, Blake, Lao, Prince, Turk, and me got this one.” Ransom said. “Lefty, Jose, Juan, Brooks, Cellus, y’all boys gonna back us!”
The men got in their cars and drove off.
When they got in town, they drove by the two parked cars several times.
“Damn these niggers are out in force tonight.” Franco said.
“It’s Friday night and ain’t but two things a nigger likes better than Friday night. And those are fried chicken and watermelon!” Luka said laughing.
Before their laughter died down a car swerved over and slammed into the side of their car with a thunderous crash that was echoed by another car slamming into Primo and Dom’s car.
The four men were shook up and stunned so they were really surprised when they heard a voice scream. “Don’t move a muscle!”
Dazedly the men looked up into the barrels of a small army of Thompson submachine guns.
“Holy Mother of Christ!” Franco shouted. “Hold on there guys.”
“Get out of the car with your hands in plain view or buy the farm!” Ransom said menacingly.
The men got out of the cars and were hustled into the trunks of the cars. Ransom and the others drove down to the docks and into the big warehouse. There the four men were taken from the trunk and frisked. Their pistols were removed and they were tied up and roughly shoved into a corner where the group of fearsome black men stood and stared at them.
* Carlo pulled up in front of the store and Nelson was down the steps in a flash. He opened the door for Sophia, and said. “Good evening Ms. Torronelli!”
Sophia stepped from the car and looked at the big handsome young man blessed him with a smile, then asked. “And who is the gallant young man that opens doors for strange women?”
Nelson blushed and introduced himself, then lead them inside. It was 8:40.
When the Torronelli’s walked in they were met by a sharply dressed Raven and Celia.
“So, this is the lovely Sophia?” Raven said impressed. “I’ve heard good things about you, but I must commend Carlo on his modesty because all of the things he told me about your beauty and character, dim in the light of your smile!”
“Alright, you rogue.” Celia said with mock seriousness.
Raven took Sophia’s hand and lightly grazed it with his lips.
“He’s a smoothie too.” Sophia giggled and blushed.
Celia came and embraced Sophia, and said. “You must teach me to make Cannoli.”
Sophia nodded and Celia looked at Raven and winked. She had answered the phone from Nelson earlier and the one from Ransom about 14 or 15 minutes ago, so she knew something was up. In her years as Raven’s wife she never really got into his business because he told her all he wanted her to know. She knew there had been killings, but never any of the specifics of the incidents. She waited a minute for Raven to give her a sign.
“Ladies, I fear we will be a few minutes later than I had intended. A very important business matter has come up and I’m the only one that can handle it. Sophia, can I borrow Carlo for say, 45 minutes to an hour?” Raven asked.
“Oh you men!” Celia pouted. “It’s always business. If you’re not back in an hour we’re going alone and will meet you there!”
“Nelson, keep your eye on the women.” said Raven as he grabbed Carlo by the elbow and guided him outside.
“I don’t know if we’ve got a problem or not, but a man was mighty interested in finding out where my place of business is. A white man. After he found out, he got 3 more men and they were laying in wait. I don’t know what their plans were, but they had high powered rifles in their cars, as well as side arms. We didn’t think they were your people, because your people already know where my place is!”
As they got into Carlo’s car, Raven said. “Drive to the docks. We picked them up and took them there. I’ll ask all the questions Carlo. If they’re your people we’ll let them go. If they’re not, then we’ll see what threat they pose to us and do what we have to, to extinguish the threat!”
* Raven and Carlo walked inside of the warehouse. “Where are they?” Raven asked. “Come on Carlo see if these are your people.”
Ransom pointed to the corner where the four men sat huddled together. Raven and Carlo walked over to the men and looked at them.
“How are you, Franco?” Carlo asked.
“These your folks?” Raven asked.
“No, but I do know them! Carlo said. “As a matter of
fact, Franco is a competitor in our new business venture.” Raven looked at Franco, and said. “Listen to me closely because your life hangs in the balance. I’m gonna ask you one question and one question only. If you lie, you’re dead. If the answer is not to my liking, you’re dead. I give no quarter to competitors and the only mercy I show is a quick death instead of a painful drawn out one!”
The four men looked up at the old man, who stood before them impeccably dressed.
“What were you doing outside of my place of business?”
“We were just waiting on some…” Dom began.
Raven pulled a small .38 snub nosed pistol from his waist holster and fired a round into Dom’s open mouth. The slug tunneled thru the roof of his mouth and exited from the back of his neck in a spray of blood. Dom slumped over on his side, dead. “He was lying!” Raven said coldly.
“Wait, wait!” Franco pleaded. “I’ve got $40,000 for my life. It’s in a safe at my house. All I need is enough to leave town and I swear on my mother you’ll never see me again!”
“Number one, you still haven’t answered my question and two, you’re a snake. But answer the question before you start putting a price on your life.”
Franco looked up at the black man, and said. “We were waiting on…” and Luka cut him off angrily.
“These niggers just killed Dom and you’re ratting on us to them?”
“Are you finished with your lecture young man?” Raven asked.
“Fuck you, black ass nigger!” Luka shouted.
Raven calmly pointed the pistol at the man and fired. The .38 slug crashed into Luka’s forehead, blew a hole from the back of his head that showered brain and blood on Franco and Primo.
“Kill these assholes.” Raven said calmly, then turned and headed for the door.
Carlo behind Raven was shocked by Raven’s violent display. He was a violent man and had encountered his share of murders, but never had he seen it done so merciless and remorseless. He thought of the things that Raven had shared with him earlier and knew that the same warrior who went out on raiding parties in days past, still lived inside of him.
“By the way, find out where he was staying and get the money he said he has!” Raven said to Ransom, as he and Carlo stepped out into the dark night.
* After they had gone to Club Havana and the 2 couples had returned home. Carlo and Sophia lay awake in bed both too excited to sleep.
“I had a really great time.” Sophia said. “I didn’t think the blacks had times like that!” “All of our dealings with blacks have been controlled and in environments where they have to wear masks when dealing with whites, so they’re restrained. But, in their own environment they can let go with no fear of being persecuted.” he said.
Sophia leaned into him and rubbed his hairy chest, then said. “I’d like to do that again some time.”
“Oh, we will sweetheart, trust me!” He said pulling her into his arms. He kissed her and caressed her back, then gently guided her over onto her back. He moved above her and she spread her legs wide. He slid between them and she reached for him.
“My, my, you’re so hard.” she whispered, as she guided him in her damp opening. “Ummm….” she moaned, as she felt his stiffness penetrate her.
* * * * Sal, was sitting in Carlo’s den the next morning with Pauly when Carlo walked in wearing silk pajamas and a robe.
“What the hell are you guys doing here this ear
ly?” he asked.
“I was dying to find out what happened last night!” Sal said. “I just know it was terrible.”
“Well, you’re wrong!” Carlo said. “I had the best time of my life! By the way, Franco is finito.”
“Franco is finished?” asked Pauly. “Did he leave town?”
“Oh yeah, he left this world!” Carlo said remembering how ruthlessly Raven had dispatched Franco. “He tried to hit me last night, but the Kanes somehow learned of his plans and stopped him. Not a thing goes on in La Villa, that they don’t know about. They know how to execute plans, plus they got Tommy Guns and plenty of them!”
“So they killed Franco?” Sal asked.
“Not just him, but his whole crew! The old man did two of them himself. You should’ve seen it. Those men are not to be trifled with on their own turf and they’d be hell on anyone elses. Blacks are our cooks, gardeners, butlers, maids, drivers and nannies. They could be anyone and you’d never suspect them. There’s a large group of them and they are all honorable men!” Carlo said. “The question I have is, how did Franco know I’d be going to Raven’s?” He looked over at Sal.
“How the hell would I know? I damn sure didn’t tell him.” Sal said defensively.
It was at that point, that Carlo knew he would more than likely have to kill his brother some day.
“I never said you told him.” Carlo responded. “I wanna know who did!”
“Who was in the area when we discussed it?” Pauly asked.
“Hmm, let’s see. We were all here. Sophia was here and so was Diego, but he left.” Carlo said. “As a matter of fact he was acting kind of strange and hurried off. He told Franco, I bet. Find him and kill that piece of shit!”
“Right now?” Sal asked.
“No you idiot, tomorrow!” Carlo shouted angrily.
The men leaped to their feet and rushed from the room, just as Sophia stepped thru the door. The men greeted her and left. She looked at Carlo, a question in her eyes. “It’s nothing love, Diego has been terminated. He has proved to be an enemy, understand?”
Sophia nodded her head, then said. “Come on your breakfast is getting cold.”
The phone rang and Cita their maid picked it up. Cita was a pretty, light skinned woman, who had worked for the Torronelli’s for two years. She was married to James Lewis, who was a heroin dealer that worked for the Sumners. She often brought her young son Jimmy to play with young Frankie Torronelli. Though Jimmy was a year older he doted on Frankie and was very protective of him.
Frankie would raise hell until Jimmy came around. Carlo was in the process of seeing if Cita and James would move onto the estate.
“Mr. Torronelli, Mr. Raven Kane is on the phone and he’d like to speak with you.” Cita called out.
Carlo touched Sophia’s arm, and said. “Go on start without me.”
He walked to where Cita held the phone for him. She could be no more than 30, he thought as he looked at her ever smiling face. Cita had big pillowy breast, wide hips and a perfectly round ass. He took the phone and held up one hand to tell her to stay where she was. “Hello Raven, you’re up early aren’t you?”
“Hell no! I’m up earlier than this. I ain’t got bankers hours son.” Raven said laughing. “We’re having a cook out today and I wondered if you and your people would like to come?”
“Sure we would.” Carlo said. “Can I bring them all?”
“That’s what I said son.” Raven replied. “We got 60,000 reasons to have a cook out!”
“I take it you found the safe then?”
“Yeah we found it and there was 60 in it, not 40. Plus some product!” Raven answered.
“How much product?” Carlo asked.
“I don’t rightly know, but they were the size of red bricks.
“Probably two kilograms or more. Which is plenty.” Carlo said.
“Where and what time do we meet?”
“At my place, as soon as you get here.” Raven said, then hung up the phone.
Carlo turned to Cita, and said. “Call James and have him get over here. I need to talk to him!” Cita nodded and he walked to the kitchen where Sophia sat daintily eating her breakfast.
“I hope you don’t have any plans for today.” he said smiling. “The Kanes invited us all to a cook out!”
“Oh goodie,” she said happily. “Can we take Cita and Jimmy too?”
“Sure, why not.” he said. “I’m gonna try to get James as my driver. Since we’ll be doing business with the blacks, I think it would serve me well to have him as my gobetween. A bridge that spans the present, past and racial lines.
Sophia hugged him and they finished their breakfast.
* * * * Big Larry, Baron, L.J and James Lewis sat in the office at the Velvet Club.
“Don Torronelli has been tryin to get me and Cita to move onto his estate.” said James. “I don’t think it’s such a good idea. I don’t mind bein his driver, but livin with white folk in the same house. I don’t think I could.”
Baron looked at the men, then said. “My pa genuinely likes Carlo. Says he doesn’t act like the rednecks we’re used to dealing with. My pa said Carlo is a man to ride with and I trust his judgment.”
“You’re sayin if it was you, that you’d do it?” L.J asked.
“Damn right I would!” Baron said firmly. “Hell, the only way you can go is up. The man is rich already and he stands to get richer. I’d go along for the ride. Another thing is this, you can be our eyes and ears since he doesn’t know you’re tied to us.”
“ I hate to say it, but Baron makes sense.” Larry said. “It can’t hurt and the man has been fair to you.”
“Alright then. In that case, I’ll do it!” James said. “He had Cita call me earlier and he wants to see me.”
“So, how are the wedding plans going?” Larry asked Baron.
“I don’t know, maybe you could ask Trish and she could tell you. And you let me know!” Baron said.
“In that case, I guess you won’t know. My only concern is that it gets done next Friday, like we want.”
“Mine too,” Baron chimed in. “By the way, did anyone tell you about the cookout my pa’s having today?”
“Ran called and invited us all and I’m going.” Larry said. “So are my offspring.”
“Well, I’d better get on out there and get this over with.” James said rising from his seat and heading for the door.
* * * * The cook out was a success. It was there that L.J met his future wife Rose Kane, the daughter of Tim and Lucy. Will came out of his shell and finally declared his affections for Lavern Sumner. She was Lois’ sister, who he would one day marry. It was a momentous occasion because quite a few other significant pairings came about.
Leon and Greta Mace, Drake and Lisa’s daughter. Prissy and Leonard, Prissy was Greg and Sparrows daughter. Spencer Evans and Liza Kane, Blake and Laine’s daughter. Jack Lee and Pearl Kane, Lao and Esmeralda’s daughter.
All of them would wed and the Kane line would increase in number, as the Sumners were soon drawn into the family. Baron and Lois’s wedding went without a hitch and was the talk of the town, until the other’s tried to upstage him.
The Kanes, Maces, Jensens, and Sumners ran the drug, alcohol, and prostitution rings in Jacksonville. Them, and Giancarlo Torronelli prospered. They had some of their shipments hijacked and always they retaliated ferociously, as well as decisively.
On October 26, 1939, Lois gave birth to a cocoa brown skinned, ten pound baby boy, who Baron named Bishop. Baron and Carlo became close friends as did their wives. Young bishop grew up as play mates with Frankie and Jimmy.
After Bishop’s second birthday, nearly two months later on December 7, 1941. The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and the U.S.A. was finally and officially in the war. Bishop adored his grandfather and Raven spoiled the boy.
In 1943, Raven’s health declined and the family was praying that he would pull thru. Raven had Nelson call all of the men together. The only outsider was
Carlo and he was considered family. Nelson and Baron helped Raven to the barn where all of the men were gathered. Though his body was weighed down by age his mind and voice were still the powerful force they had always been. Time had not dimmed his vision nor muted his ears. He looked over the men in them he saw the faces of his father, brothers and sisters. He saw Mace and knew that in time the Sumners would be seen in his descendants.
“I called y’all here today because my time is running out and it will be up to each of you to keep the family together. When I was a child it was drilled into me that the survival of the clan was to be the first concern, then my individual goals. I’ve done my best to drill it into you. Celia told me years ago, that I was the symbol of the family. I told her I didn’t want to be a symbol. I understand what she meant. The family is all I’ve ever stood for. It has never been about amassing riches, but about making sure that no one in the clan went to bed with an empty stomach or worry about where their next meal was coming from. I took care of mine first, then if there was more, my neighbors. I’ve tried to do my best for my people and by my people, I mean the blacks and Indians. Now there is a gulf between the two people and I won’t be around to bridge it. It’s up to you men gathered here. Troubled times will come, as they always have and you’ll do as your fathers before you did. You’ll stand and be counted and they won’t find any of us lacking. The family honor depends on it. Judge and discipline each other and never let anyone outside of the family settle a dispute between you. Don’t ever let anything, money, pride, or a woman cause you to slander each other or kill each other. Remember you’re family first, everything else takes a backseat to that. Family first! Teach your children and their children.”
“No one man among you is to make the decisions for everyone, let it be by committee. One man’s judgment can be faulty, but the chances of a group of men having a common fault in judgment is astronomical. Unless the group, thru respect, or fear, agrees with whoever leads. If the government gets a hold of you, take it like you did the good times, cause someone will do what needs to be done to get you free or make sure you live as comfortable as possible. Take care of that family until the man returns. We don’t need to worry if the home is cared for, that should be a given. Accept your responsibilities, even if they come from an irresponsible act.”
