Kingpin (An Italian Mafia Romance)

by Ws Greer

  John takes a seat with his crew, while Sal leads me to a seat closer to the head of the table. His crew greets me with smiles and open arms as I go to take my seat, and I feel even more questions being born in my head and crying for attention. Why the hell is everyone here? Why didn’t Frankie acknowledge me? And if he sent for me, why isn’t he saying or doing anything? What. The. Fuck.

  I sit down and look around the room at the made members of The Family. Some of these men are absolute killers who wouldn’t hesitate to put a knife in your throat if you rubbed them the wrong way, but I’ve known these guys since I was a kid.

  Jim Costello is the top solider of Frankie’s crew, and I remember meeting him when I was just thirteen. He latched on to the Boy Wonder bandwagon after he watched me hold up an ice cream truck at gunpoint, and he always told me I was going to be a big deal in this family.

  Then there’s Raphael Barissi, the youngest made guy in Big Sal’s crew. He was the first guy who was made after me, and we’ve been good friends a long time. We used to hang out a lot when Alannah left, getting into all kinds of trouble, putting our names on the map at the same time. We used to call him Raphy for short, because nearly everybody in The Family has some sort of nickname. Raphy’s only problem was that his father became a rat back when the FBI was all over The Family’s ass, and he got a lot of the old heads sent away for a long time. So, even though Raphy was a good kid and a decent earner, his father’s legacy always kind of stuck with him, like a ball and chain attached to his ankle.

  These are guys I haven’t seen in a while, and it’s good to see all of them in the same room again, but it’s also rare. Usually, it’s only the captains who come together like this, and it’s because Leo only deals with the highest members of The Family, and it’s our job to pass down the information to our respective crews. That’s the way the hierarchy of Our Thing works. We don’t get to hang out much, because it’s safer for us if we’re apart, but I’d go to war for the guys in this room, and regardless of what went on between me and Frankie, I think they’d go to war for me. Which brings me back to my original question; why the hell is everyone here?

  “Sal,” I lean over and whisper. “What the fuck is going on? Why is everybody here, and why isn’t Frankie saying anything to me if he sent for me?”

  Sal scrunches his big forehead in confusion.

  “It wasn’t Frankie who sent for you, Dominic,” he says. “It was Leo.” As soon as the words leave his mouth, our boss, Leo Capizzi, and our underboss, Jimmy Gravato, walk through the door.

  He was pinched only a few days ago, but it looks like Leo’s been away for a year or two already. His hair looks grayer, and his eyes look baggier. His confidence is gone, and I understand. Charges like the ones he’s facing are enough to stress anybody out, even someone as strong as Leo. He’s still my boss, though. He’s my father’s boss, and my level for respect for him is through the roof. The same can be said about everybody in this room. Everybody loves Leo. He’s always done what he thought was best for The Family, and we’ve thrived because of it. When the Feds and St. Louis PD torched The Family a few years back, it was Leo who survived it and brought us back to life. Our loyalty to him is unbreakable.

  Leo comes in and sits down in the head seat, and Jimmy stands behind him with his arms folded. He looks around the room at everyone, taking in all of our faces as the voices die down so we can hear what he has to say. Once again, I’m on the edge of my seat in anticipation, because so far, this isn’t going anything like I expected it to. I’m still alive.

  “It’s good to see you all here,” he begins in his low, raspy, Godfather-style voice. “We don’t do this often, and I’m saddened by the fact that this will be the last time I see you all together like this. As you know, we’re only here because we’re out on bail, and it won’t last long because the trial is set to start in two weeks. They pushed for the trial to start faster than usual because they wanna see me go down, and they want to be able to put my former consigliere, Danny Ramano, on the stand before something bad happens to him and they lose their case. So, this is going to be the end of my era as boss of this family. However, with the end of one era, comes the beginning of a new one.”

  There it is. The lightbulb in my head finally clicks on, and I realize why we’re here. Leo is about to push for Frankie to be the new boss, and we’re all here to show our support and pledge our allegiance to him. The Family is about to change forever.

  “So, I won’t waste time or beat around the bush with this,” Leo continues. “I’ve spoken to The Commission, and they’ve given me their two cents on who they think has done enough for The Family and been a steady earner. They told me what they thought, and I informed them of who I thought was respected enough in this family to take control and start a new era. We all agreed, and we’re here now to make sure we won’t have any internal feuds or plays for power in the future. We’ve seen too many families in Our Thing destroyed because of that type of greed, so we want the support of all of you. Does everybody understand what I’m saying?”

  We nod along, and I’m wondering why we’re dragging this out. We all know what’s coming next.

  Leo clears his throat and continues.

  “So, after a lot of thinking and phone calls to New York, I’ve come to a decision, and I want to put my weight behind who I think should be the new boss of the Giordano family . . . Dominic Collazo.”

  The air rushes out of the room. My eyes bulge and stop blinking until they start to dry out. My stomach heats up and explodes into a butterfly-filled zoo, and I immediately feel nauseous.

  Did he just say Dominic Collazo?

  Everyone in the room turns to look at me, and I have no idea what I’m supposed to do now. I know Leo is getting up there in age, but did he forget Frankie’s name? Is the old man coming down with Alzheimer’s?

  I look around the room and to my surprise, no one looks shocked. Big Sal and John nod along like this is a great idea, and even Frankie nods his head like the person who was nominated for an Oscar but didn’t win. It’s like I’m sitting in an alternate universe where everyone is insane, but totally fine with it.

  “So, before anything else is said,” Leo continues, driving his point home, “I want you to know how we reached this decision. You all know Dominic has been around Our Thing his whole life. The Family is all he knows, and he’s been an earner for this family since he was eleven. His father, Donnie, God bless his soul, taught him everything, and you all know Donnie was one of our best guys. We chose Dominic because he’ll be around for the long haul, and he doesn’t rely on seniority. He relies only on the fact that he knows what he’s doing. I think Dominic’s era can last longer than mine did, and even though he’s young, I know he’s ready to lead this family.

  “So, I want to know, right now, who agrees with this decision. I want to see a show of hands in support of Dominic as the new boss of The Family.”

  I’m scared to look, because I know someone has to be against this. But I look around, and one by one, the hands start reaching for the ceiling. It starts with Big Sal, who raises his hand and smiles like a proud father, and it spreads down the table like a virus. Every single one of them raises their hand, and when the line reaches Frankie, he does something I never expected. He smiles at me, and nods his head as he raises his hand. There isn’t an ounce of anger or resentment in his eyes. Just like Sal, he looks proud of me. Once Frankie’s hand goes up, I know it’s official. I don’t know if it’s because everyone is so loyal to Leo that they’d go along with anything he suggests, or if this is a legit acknowledgement from the entire Family, but it’s happening.

  I’m the boss of The Family.

  “Alright then,” Leo says as he looks at me and smiles from ear to ear. He stands up, and everyone in the room stands with him. “It’s settled. Dominic, do you accept this responsibility?”

  My smile in uncontrollable.

  “Yes, Leo, I do accept it.”

  “Do you pledge to think of Th
e Family before anything else?”

  My heart could explode.

  “Yes, I do.”

  “It’s your responsibility to keep this family on the path to prosperity,” Leo advises as he puts his hands on my shoulders. “Don’t let your age hold you back. Think big, and go with your gut in all things. We didn’t come to this decision lightly. We trust you, and we can’t wait to see how you carry the torch.”

  My father would be so proud.

  “Thank you, Leo. Thank you, Jimmy.” I hug both of them, and it has never felt this good to be me. I have everything I’ve ever wanted now.

  “Now, as for the rest of you,” Leo says, addressing the rest of The Family. “Today is a new day. From now on, I am no longer the boss of this family, but I expect all of you to pledge your loyalty to your new boss. Let us all agree, any mutiny or disobedience will be punishable by death, as supported by The Commission and every made member of this family. Salute.”

  Every member in the room repeats, Salute, and it becomes official.

  I stand behind the head seat at the table as each member approaches, one by one, and gives me a hug and pat on the back. I hug them all, and I can feel the love and respect emanating off of them. When Frankie approaches, it’s no different.

  “I’m proud of you, kid,” he says in my ear. “I really mean that. I’m sorry I gave you so much shit about the Russian. You did what you had to do, and you earned this. Your old man would be so fucking proud of you, too. The youngest boss in our history. Fucking Boy Wonder,” he says with a smile as he hugs me again.

  The old nickname usually strikes a nerve and sends me on a tear, but the look in his eye when he says it makes it alright. He never mentions the beef we had in the hospital, and it looks like I was worried for nothing. We embrace and pat each other on the back, and in that moment, I know it’s real. He’s genuinely happy for me, and I’m thankful I have him around, because he’s the closest thing I have to my dad. So, I let go of the bullshit.

  I have the whole family in my corner, and the woman of my dreams by my side. All the craziness I’ve been through all seems worth it now. I’ll never forget the day my dad was killed in the seat right next to me, but I know if he could see me now, his smile would be even wider than mine. I think even my mother would be proud of this moment. So, I pull out a Cuban cigar and light it up with a huge smile on my face.

  It usually doesn’t happen for guys like me. It’s rare for anybody to actually get all the things in life they really want, but it has happened for me. I have everything now, and nothing can stand in my way. I’m on top of the world. I’m the fucking kingpin.

  You better remember it forever. I’m Dominic Collazo.

  Alannah

  “What took you so long? I was starting to worry,” I snip as Dominic steps over the threshold with a smile on his gorgeous face.

  I haven’t seen him since yesterday when he dropped me off at work, and I had to get a ride home from a coworker because he was too busy to get me. After all we just went through, I worry easily. I hate to be the clingy girlfriend, but I was just tied to a chair a few days ago, so I need to be in the loop all the time.

  Dominic doesn’t answer my question. Instead, he keeps on smiling like the Cheshire cat and comes to give me a kiss before taking off his jacket and hanging it on the coat rack by the front door. The apartment is mostly furnished now, so it feels a little more like home. All I have to do now is forget all about the night I was tied up and Dominic was shot in the shoulder, and I’ll be good to go.

  “Are you going to answer me, or what?” I say as he keeps on smiling. He sits down on the couch across from me and leans back, but that smile doesn’t leave his face. “What are you grinning at? What’s the matter with you?”

  “I’ve got something to tell you,” he says. He spreads his arms over the back of the couch, making himself good and comfortable.

  “Okay. Should I be worried?” I inquire.

  He smiles more, even as he starts to answer.

  “No. No, you don’t ever have to worry again, Alannah,” he says.

  “Alright,” I say, dragging out the word. “Are you okay? Your face is weird.”

  We both laugh a little, but Dominic’s laugh is different, I just can’t tell why.

  “I’m fine. I’m better than fine,” he continues. “Listen, what if I told you that I could guarantee that the shit that happened with that psychopath, Abram, will never happen again?”

  I think about it for a moment, squinting.

  “Okay, keep talking.”

  “What if I told you that it was within my power to make sure that my business is completely legit from here on out? What if I told you that nobody would ever dare mess with us again? What if I could guarantee it?”

  I can’t stop squinting now.

  “Well, that would be awesome, I guess,” I say, too confused to say anything with certainty. “Dominic, what’s all this about? It’d be nice if you could guarantee that, but let’s be honest, the stuff your family is involved in kind of breeds violence. It’s a part of the mafia history that’ll probably never go away.”

  “Well, what if I can make it go away?”

  “How could you possibly make it go away?”

  “Because I’m in control now.”

  I pause, staring at him, hoping my face shows just how vexed I really am.

  “Alannah, I’m in control of the entire family now,” he says, the smile involuntarily returning. “They made me the boss.”

  My body freezes in its place. I don’t really know what to make of the announcement, so I just sit there, staring off into space, barely blinking. I’m not sure if I’m breathing or not. I’m just sitting here.

  “Alannah,” Dominic says. “This is a good thing.”

  “So, what you’re trying to tell me is you’re a mob boss now?” I inquire. I can’t even believe the words that just came out of my mouth.

  Mob boss?

  Dominic exhales loudly, then he rocks my world. “Yes, I am.”

  “Umm, what am I supposed to say to that?” I ask, as nervous butterflies come to life in my stomach. “I was worried enough when you told me you were a made member, which Wikipedia says is a big freaking deal, by the way. Now, you’re telling me you’re the boss of the Giordano crime family? Am I not supposed to be fucking terrified, Dominic? Because I am.”

  “Wait, wait,” Dominic pleads as he stands up and approaches me. “That’s what I’m trying to tell you, Alannah. You don’t have to be afraid for me. I run everything, and if anybody fucks with you, it’s fucking with me, and fucking with me means war with the entire family. Nobody wants that. So, you don’t have to worry about anything.”

  “Dominic, this is fucking insane. If there’s one thing I learned when I was in Alaska and looking up mafia shit, it’s that the boss always gets killed.”

  “Alannah, this isn’t the nineties, okay? Internal beef doesn’t happen anymore, and when Leo passed the torch to me yesterday, everybody in The Family pledged their loyalty to me. Everybody. In Our Thing, that’s a big deal. Loyalty means a lot to us. I’m the boss, and no one’s changing that. I made Tommy my underboss, and Frankie’s my consigliere. We’re a unified front that nobody would ever want to fuck with. You have to trust me, Alannah. I’ve never lied to you, have I?”

  I don’t even have to think about the answer, because I know Dominic has always told me the truth.

  “No, you haven’t,” I whisper.

  “Exactly. So, I need you to trust me. I know it’s scary, and I know you didn’t exactly expect this when you decided to come back here, but this is all I know. This Thing of Ours is all I’ve ever known, and I know how to do this. You don’t have to worry about me getting hurt, and you can rest assured that no one will ever hurt you. I’ll never let that happen. The days of elementary and high school are over. We’re grown up now, and we can have anything we want, because I’m the most powerful man in the whole fucking city.”

  I fight off a smile as
Dominic leans in and kisses me on the neck.

  “The most powerful man in the city?” I ask. Something about the way it sounds sends an excited chill down my spine. It’s that bad boy persona no woman can resist, even when we probably should. There’s something undeniable about a man who looks this good and has this much power. It’s almost unfair. How’s a girl supposed to resist?

  Dominic smiles as he kisses my neck again.

  “That’s right. The most powerful man in the city,” he says as I turn and kiss his cheek. “And the fucking richest, too.”

  He kisses me on the lips and I can feel myself giving in to him. By body temperature is climbing and I feel a new sense of adventure wash over me. This man has a spell on me.

  I watch him as he stands and walks over to the front door. He steps outside, and after a minute or two, he comes back and makes sure to lock the door behind him. I notice he’s holding a black duffel bag, and that Cheshire smile has returned.

  “What’s that?” I ask.

  “I gotta show you something,” he replies as he starts walking down the hall towards the bedroom. “Follow me.”

  I get up and follow him into my room. Once we’re inside, Dominic closes the door as if there’s somebody else in the house and he wants privacy. He unzips the bag, and turns it upside down over the bed. Countless stacks of money come pouring out and scatter across my floral-patterned comforter.

  It’s more money than I’ve ever seen at one time, and the sight of it takes my breath away. I’m filled with two emotions that are starting to become all too common: excitement and fear. I know eventually one of them will win the battle between the two, and I’m either going to settle into this, or run for my life. Right now, however, the combination of the two mixes into a heightened sense of arousal. It’s all so new to me. The money, the power, the love—all of it is addicting, and I feel like I’m becoming strung out. Something in the back of my mind screams for me to quit, but I can’t.

  Even when I know I should be saying no, and running away, I think there’s something in me that likes it. All of it: the excitement, the love, the fear. I like it all. I want it all. I don’t know what I have inside of me that makes me feel this way, but whatever it is, I like that too.