by Frank, S. W.
The old eyes became steel, “It is Roberto. He has not come home in several days. His family is concerned.”
“Roberto is a grown man. This is not the first time he’s gone off like a stray dog, and then wanders back.”
“Eh, but he often calls. He has not called his brothers or me. That is unusual.”
“Um.”
“Have you spoken to him, you are his closest friend?”
“No. Last we spoke he owed me several thousand euros in a friendly poker game.”
“Ah.”
Giuseppe looked at Roberto’s brothers who were staring him down, none smiled. He was not stupid; they suspected his involvement in Roberto’s disappearance. This was an exploratory meeting to confirm their suspicions. He chuckled, “Maybe, he’s gone to avoid paying up.”
Don Benaducci frowned, “We will cover his debt.”
“A man must cover his own debts. I will wait for him to return, to collect.”
Don Benaducci nodded, “Yes, you are right, a man must pay his own debts. Only in death are debts waived.”
“In hell a man cannot escape it. The payment is still due.”
The old man’s aged face pulled tight. Giuseppe was more ruthless than his father. He actually believed the wicked young man would travel to the underworld to settle a score. “Well, I will not waste anymore of your time Giuseppe. If Roberto calls, please tell him we are anxious to hear from him and we will not rest until we do.”
“Such a long message which you can deliver yourself simply by calling.”
“He hasn’t answered any of our calls.”
“Then he’ll call when he calls. Don Benaducci, I will have ears and eyes out for Roberto, if that’s what you’d like. Is it?”
“The safety of my eldest son is all I request.”
Giuseppe frowned, “Parents worry too much, if I hear from him I will tell him to contact you before you send a search posse. If that’s all this is about then I say good-bye. I have an important meeting to attend.”
Giuseppe turned his back on the men and marched away. He was certain his guards were far more cautious.
Don Benaducci stood with his sons watching Giuseppe’s retreat. Once he was in his car, the youngest son spoke. “He’s lying.”
“Of course he is, but we do not have proof. Before we retaliate against the arrogant cazzo, we must be absolutely certain he is responsible.”
“He was the last person to be seen with our brother. That’s proof enough!” One of his sons voiced angrily.
But, Don Benaducci understood the consequences of bringing war against the Dichenzo’s. To do so meant losing allies who would not dare sanction such a hit. They feared Giuseppe. “We must be smart. Giuseppe is no fool. We will wait for him to slip, arrogant men usually do. Meanwhile, we will keep vigil and wait.”
“Put a tail on the sonovabitch,” Don Benaducci ordered his son.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Nico ditched the car on a side of the highway overgrown with tall grass and a thicket of trees. He removed the plates, wiped the interior and door handles thoroughly then ordered Yei to the side then opened the trunk and took out a red container filled with gasoline and soaked the seats then torched it. The flames shot high, the heat flared close and he squinted at the intense orange-black flames.
He adjusted his backpack and scurried over the grassy incline to the darkened road. The port was a half hour trek and he wanted to get there fast and get sailing, he had a deadline to make. Yei, well, she better keep up, or he’d leave her. Fucking novice!
She dogged his steps, making an occasional grunt sound he ignored. His mind was not on the job. He’d finished it. His thoughts were on what Alberti told him. ‘Watch over Alfonzo’s family and yours.’ The statement worried him. He’d planned to return to Italy after this, but now he figured it was best to pop in on Ariana and make sure she and the kids were okay.
The power walk brought them to the pier in twenty-seven minutes and he jumped up on the boat and landed with a thud. Yei, used the ramp.
The boat Captain came out the cockpit of the O’day 32, “Hey, made it. We gotta’ get moving. Coast Guard’s come by twice.”
Yei leaned against the rail, breathing hard. “Can I go below?”
“Go ahead.” The Captain answered before Nico responded. Nico planned to dump the extra baggage right there on the port, but since he decided to head to New York, he figured he’d dump her there instead.
She went down the narrow steps and when her head disappeared from view, Nico addressed the Captain. “Get me to the Carolina’s and we’re good.”
Nico changed the itinerary. In South Carolina he could rent a plane and fly in to New York. He had all his papers in order, albeit forged, yet he was a seasoned pilot. There were occasions when other means of travel were not viable or public exposure put him on law enforcement’s radar. In light of the current situation, he sought to minimize travel time with Yei. Get her to New York, sever their connection and go solo, as usual. He didn’t want the worries, shit, he had too many already!
****
The long flight hadn’t deterred Alberti’s resolve. He didn’t care the hour, he was determined to pay Sophie a visit concerning her clandestine meeting with Maria. She hadn’t breathed a word of it to anyone. Had she mentioned it to Carlo, certainly he would have told Alberti. They were close and something that important, Carlo would have shared.
It was mid-morning when his driver pulled to the front of the house behind another vehicle. He was out the door and ringing the bell like a man in urgent need of a toilet. The door opened and he stepped through it nodding curtly at the housekeeper, “Where is Mrs. Dichenzo?”
She pointed to the dining-room. His feet were quick as they hurried over the recently polished floors, anxious to hear Sophie’s explanation for the deceitful omission. All these years he believed Gina was the cause of Maria’s flight, as did Luzo. Yet, under their nose, the person responsible sat, smiling and oozing innocence. By the Greeks, what might possess her to do such a thing?
Voices met him before he entered and when the faces came into view Alberti’s expression transformed to stone. Don Benaducci sat with Sophie sharing talk and brunch.
She saw him and smiled, “Oh, Alberti, it’s you. I thought it was my son pounding the bell. Buongiorno, Fabio, and I were just finishing. Would you like something to eat?”
“Buongiorno Alberti.” Fabio greeted.
“Buongiorno.”
Her guest stood, wiped his mouth with the napkin and addressed Sophie, “Grazi, the food was as pleasant as the visit.”
“Visit again, you are always welcome and do tell your wife hello.”
“Of course, ciao.”
He nodded at Alberti as he passed and their eyes met, not as friends but courteous adversaries. The man soon exited and Alberti sank wearily into a chair. It was at these moments he missed Carlo and Luzo. “What did he want Sophie?”
The pretentious smile erased from the lovely woman’s face. She rubbed her cheek, “Oh, I thought my face would crack. He hoped to find Roberto here I assume.”
“Roberto, has something happened to his son?”
“He’s missing.”
“And do you know where he is, after-all he’s Giuseppe’s friend?”
She laughed, “Friends come disguised as enemies, isn’t that what we know Alberti?”
Alberti’s eyes narrowed to dangerous slits, “What has Giuseppe done?”
“Who says Giuseppe has done anything?”
“Do not fool with me Sophie, you have kept secrets and today you will put them out or…”
“Or, you will have me killed? Do not make threats to a wise woman, they are dumb to her ears. We are family, Alberti and whatever my son has done is for its protection.” She interjected sweetly.
“Protection is not starting scrimmages which may fuel a large war, woman!”
“Aye, you’ve grown old. Perhaps, the responsibility is too much.”
“Yo
u talk with a challenge, have you grown accustomed to power among your women you seek to test a man?”
“There is no test; the scale weighs in a woman’s favor. Our weapons are not muscle. Our battles are not fought in that way.”
Alberti leaned over the table, the glint in his eyes were of a wolf, probing the rabbit. He smirked, “You have become bored in your husband’s absence Sophie. Perhaps, what you are missing is a reminder of the artillery available to a man.”
Her eyes burned fire at the vulgar proposition, “You go to far.”
“As have you.”
“Why are you here, Alberti?”
He settled against the upholstered backrest, “Why did you send Maria away?”
Ah, this had become fun. Sophie was at a loss for words.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The morning presented with gray skies and a steady downpour which ruined Nico’s brand new clothes. He’d dumped Yei the second they arrived in New York. He’d taken a cab from McArthur Airport in Long Island and tossed her a roll of money to get her on her way. He’d gotten her to the east coast and now wherever the hell she went from there wasn’t any of his business. She had it in her head, what they shared in a night of lust meant more than it did. He was horny, they fucked and despite her thoughts of the contrary he wasn’t interested in rehashing the past.
He’d arrived in Manhattan and purchased some clothes from Bergdof Goodman’s, changed in the men’s room then stuffed his dirty clothes in the garbage before getting on the subway to stop by Ariana’s office.
He arrived at the building and went through the whole, sign-in, show fake ID shit then handed one of those cheap sticky name tags he suppose was to slap on his brand new suit. He balled the shit up and rode the elevator to the tenth floor.
The shiny doors opened and he stepped into a swanky lobby, where straight ahead in bold read A. Mattheson, Esquire, on a glass door. He could see the receptionist counter and a few people sitting in top of the line lawyer-type seats. They were likely clients, waiting patiently for his smart as a whip, ex-wife. Nico snickered, Damn woman sure made use of her cut of the killing money, hadn’t she?
He pulled back one of the doors and entered. Eyes gravitated immediately to the tall dark man in the expensive suit and the beyond handsome sinister looks. The receptionist actually blushed when he bent down, “I’m here to see Ms. Mattheson.”
“Do you have an appointment?”
“Ex-husband, didn’t know one was required.”
The blush grew deeper, “Hold on a minute please.”
She scurried from her desk then entered one of the varnished doors. Nico leaned an elbow casually on the counter and looked around. One of the women smiled. He gave her a grin and turned back around when the receptionist called out to him. He walked to the door being held, thanked the woman and stepped into Ariana’s plush office.
She took off her reading glasses when he entered. Apparently, she was reviewing a file before seeing her next client. She got to the point, always business, “Yes, Nico. What happened?”
“Hello Ariana, you look good.”
“Drop the bullshit, what do you want?”
He flopped in the chair in front of her stately desk, “Nothing, just wanted to come by and see how you’re doing.”
“See. Ex-wife is fine. The world goes on after divorce.”
He nodded, yep, no-nonsense Ariana. A trait he loved until he realized he needed more affection. “How’s the nerdy boyfriend treating you?”
“None of your business. I’m not talking about who I’m dating with you.”
“Okay, your choice but I’m in town another couple of days, I’ll come by and check him out anyway.”
“No you won’t, besides he’s in Tokyo on business.”
“Tokyo, huh?”
“Nico I’m busy. Seriously, are you in trouble, need me to launder your money, what?”
“Just came to take my gorgeous ex-wife to lunch.”
She sat back and dropped her pen on the desk. “Look, you don’t get to come here and charm me. I’m immune to the crap. Why are you really here?”
He chuckled, “Charming, you thought I was charming?”
“When I was a sucker. I’m not anymore. Now, you’re irritating.”
“Is that a yes, for lunch?”
“No, it’s a no.”
“I’m not taking no for an answer. I’ll sit here until I get a yes.”
She stood, “Fine, I’ll use the conference room.” She picked up her files and headed for the door, “knock yourself out.”
The door closed and Nico smirked, “Shit, that’s a first.”
****
Maria flitted around the house for days in a nervous excitement. The results were delivered. She read it and shrieked and nearly fainted. She scared poor Allie and Anita something fierce. She recovered and said she’d thought she saw a spider. That was two days ago. Today was Friday.
Last night she planned to talk with Selange, but her friend Shanda arrived and they sat up late into the night talking. This morning she found Selange outdoors doing yoga and timidly approached, but was interrupted by her son who came at the oddest of hours. Those two weren’t the typical divorced couple. They seemed to get along, very well.
Then, this morning, Selange and her friend traipsed off to the salon and Maria decided, perhaps it’s wise to wait after Allie’s birthday party to speak privately with Selange. Besides, tonight reinforcements were arriving. Her sister Carmen was coming with the children, along with Domingo and his family. She prepared breakfast for the little ones to give Anita a reprieve and focused on just being a grandmother. Lately, the preoccupation with the paternity of the babies had taken precedence over fun.
She promised today she would simply enjoy their childhood innocence, it all went by entirely too quickly. She set the table and frowned when Alberti popped in her head. The man was scary. He seemed surprised that Sophie would be candid with her about Luzo. The woman performed a kind deed, in Maria’s opinion. She was the only one who told her the truth. She may have even saved her life and her unborn child from Luzo’s vindictive wife. Look what the woman was capable of. She was responsible for the death of her brother, all for money. The woman was evil. Yes, she considered Sophie the most honest of the family.
She heard the infant’s cries and knew who it was. Angelina. That one only wanted attention. Colicky, no, needy!
****
Alfonzo sat at his desk, glancing nervously at his watch. Selange was late. They arranged to meet today at his office, have a quickie then go on about their day. Sleeping alone drove him crazy and every time he went to the house his mother was lurking around like a damn hawk, acting weird, clutching those rosary beads and looking at him like a crazy woman. He asked her if everything was okay and she nodded, “Bueno, hijo, muy bueno.”
Well, what’s muy bueno about going loco? He queried. The woman truly needed counseling. He heard a noise outside the door and sighed, “Geez, finally.”
He’d given the office workers the day off and told Lou to make sure nobody got off that elevator except Selange. Nobody, he stressed nobody was to disturb them.
The door opened and Alfonzo jumped to his feet in relief, “llegas tarde, que pasó?”
Damn, she looked hot. She wore a slip of a dress and strapless high heels that brought the eyes right to those long shapely legs.
She smiled at his boyish anxiety, “Shanda happened. I had to leave her at the salon and pretend I had to run an errand to check on Allie’s cake.”
Alfonzo crossed the distance and backed her against the door, kissing her before she could finish. A hand moved hastily down her hips. His mouth sucked at her lips, and the other hand held her by the chin to make sure she didn’t escape the firm invasion of his tongue.
Selange was crushed by Alfonzo’s body and heat exuded from his pores, sucking the oxygen from the air. She experienced an almost syncope effect as the blood rushed too fast to her head, or maybe it ran to the
many vessels in her feminine apex, the place moistening and pressing at his thighs like a beggar.
“I don’t know how long I can sneak around like this, babe. Shit’s killing me.” he moaned in her mouth.
Her breaths were hot, as hot as his hands going between her thighs. She hadn’t worn panties, she wanted him to know her desire needed immediate satisfaction and Alfonzo answered with his own passion and more. His fingers caressed and entered the moistness, twirling and toying with her and making her climb the door. “Ummm…they’re…your…rules. I’m…doing…ummm….oh hun…ummm.”
He was rubbing her there, stroking the length of her pubic mound his torso pressing against her and her breasts strained forward, attracted to him and wanting his sensual mouth.
Alfonzo gripped the edge of her girly summer dress and pulled it up, exposing her full nakedness and his desire peaked to an erratic crescendo. She impacted with the door and it shook from the force from his body as it collided with hers, stretching her arms high above her head as he sucked her breasts. She thrashed under the heat-filled assault. She inhaled several times, murmuring how good he was making her feel and his arrogant answer between these scorching kisses were, “Lo sé…lo sé.”
He held her immobile with a hand pressed to her stomach and went down on her and Selange sucked in the air so hard when his thick long tongue started these wiggly motions touching nerve endings and like a dairy her cream flowed. There wasn’t anywhere to escape under the lingual onslaught and she bent forward holding to the massive shoulders whimpering under the oral caress.
Her mouth opened at the glorious sensation and she gripped him tighter as her inner walls twitched under the erotic wickedness of Alfonzo’s tongue. She was lost in him and the quivering vibrations throughout her body were a response to his skill. She recognized what she almost lost and thank goodness she got back because damn Alfonzo’s lovemaking is hardcore. He kissed and licked her like candy and she whined in ecstasy, a euphoric response to the strong love for her man.
