by K. Forest
My father, without looking up, says, “Casas wants the hotel or Dafne.”
My uncle slams his hand down on the table and roars. “How could you? Out of all our assets, the hotel? This is our father all over again. You’re repeating history, Anthony! You said you had him under control, how did he manage this?” My uncle says, standing up and angrier than I had ever seen him.
Wanting a clear answer, I raise my voice and ask exactly what hotel he is talking about. We own dozens around Europe and in the United States. He looks up, and my stomach gives a slight twist, knowing which one as soon as our eyes meet. “You mean this hotel, Hotel Grand Ferrari?” I say with astonishment.
Father continues, “Casas has been obsessed with your mother for years. He wants the hotel, your mother, and MY WHOLE GOD DAMN LIFE! He wants me gone forever. I wagered this hotel and was planning on a hit before it went through.”
“You careless, stupid, pigheaded man! Because of you, a man who was like a son to me is dead. And his wife, like a daughter to me, gone, in one sweep.” My uncle is now in a rage. “You always had the woman, you son of a bitch! She chose you and our sick world! How could you not see that you are the one pushing her away, not Casas? You played right into his hand, you fool! Your arrogance cost lives!” He’s now shouting.
I take the advantage now and speak. “I’m ending this once and for all. I want the contact information on this Casas asshole. I want the son of a bitch who killed my best friends. NOW!” My father looks at me and shakes his head with defeat in his features. “Now! If you don’t give it to me, you know I will obtain it on my own. I never wanted to inherit anything to do with your world. But we all know I never really had a choice, did I? By the time I exit this hotel property, I want the contact!” I state with great force. Not saying goodbye, trying to harness my anger into concrete power, I turn and walk out of the conference room. Angelo and Sam follow closely behind.
“Santos, what are you doing? Your father has had a long and complicated relationship with Casas. We need to act with great caution. Please don’t shut me out, I’m on your side.” My uncle says, rushing out after us. His hands are on my shoulders, shaking me lightly.
Clenching my eyes, I shake my head, not fathoming why the need for revenge feels so natural and justifiable. “GF, this was always my destiny. To finish at least this chapter in our dark, sick world. I took advantage all my life, reaping the harvest of Father’s money and power.” I spit out. “I always thought I could rise above it all and look at what that got me.”
“I’ll meet up with you at the boathouse in a few minutes,” he pleads. “I just need to talk with your father. You owe me that much, Santos.” I nod my head in agreement.
Trying to keep calm and clear-minded as we walk out towards the boathouse, I hear Angelo saying he’d never witnessed such defeat by Father. “Sonny, I didn’t even begin to know everything about what father told us in the room. I honestly don’t even think Tony knows everything. I saw his face as GF ripped him a new one. Tony just wouldn’t have let things get to the extent it did. I believe Father kept a lot of that crap to himself, especially if it concerned Mother.”
Sam suddenly pipes up, agreeing with Angie. He didn’t believe anyone was completely aware of the extent of the feud that had been going on between the two.
My phone beeps, and it’s from Tony texting me the information I requested. I show the text to the guys as I keep walking into the house and grabbing a beer from the fridge. I walk out to the terrace, and I lay on the lounge and gaze out to the lake. Not long ago, Mateo and Josephine had sat alongside me looking at this same view. We had laughed, shared food, and drank to our futures. I can’t believe how things so quickly fell to hell.
In the past year, Mateo had become more open in sharing some information. Maybe because we were both married and had children on the way. We had more to lose, but right now, I have nothing to lose. Mateo had shared that one night, he and Tony had an argument referring to our eighteenth birthday extravaganza. In Vegas, Tony, who was drunk at the time, told Mateo that the mess we had gotten into years ago on Casas’s yacht was finally catching up. Tony blamed Mateo for the whole mishap. It was unusual for a blow up between the two.
Mateo was beside himself and felt horrible about the accusation. I told him to blow it off and let the dust settle. When Tony got drunk, he sometimes said things that he was often sorry for the next day.
After that I did my own research on Mr. Casas and his employees out of sheer curiosity. He never married, dabbled in purchasing woman as good luck charms, and is a major gambler in many areas. There really wasn’t anything else to alert me to the fact he wasn’t an ordinary sleazeball or anything that pinned him to our family, so I hadn’t done any follow up.
I quickly texted Maria and asked her to dig really deep for any information she could find on Casas, ASAP. She had discretion to pay for any information if needed. This was very important to me, and no one was to know.
Days later, with Maria’s key information, I had a plan. It seems Casas has a secret penchant for Russian Roulette. It’s an underground, lethal game of chance in which a player places a single round in a revolver, spins the cylinder, places the muzzle against their head, and pulls the trigger, hoping that the round does not reach the barrel of the gun and fire. That was the deal to end all of this.
I told only Angelo and Sam of my plan, and they massaged it with their final requests. Sam took his role on security surveillance without question. He wanted this asshole dead just as I did. Putting our responsibilities aside, we were both grieving and not caring about our own lives.
“Santos, please don’t do this. At least let me be there.” Angelo says with his usual concern.
“This once, I need you to not be with me. I need you to watch over the family and keep everyone in place until you hear from Sam. We can’t both be there, Angie, you know that. Stay at the hospital with the Morrones, and don’t let anyone in the room. Anyone could dress up as a nurse or doctor. Oskar, Maria, and Bianca will stay at the estate to watch over Nicholas.” I reach for his shoulder giving him a reassuring squeeze. “I only trust you to watch her.”
He and I, along with Sam, have been going over every possible detail on our plan to meet Casas. Two days before the meet up, Sam brought to my attention a tiny but important glitch in the plan. Finally, I receive a text from Sam to let me know the neutral location. We agreed to allow Casas to choose the location due to the fact we have more guys vetted in our favor for the slight advantage.
“It’s show time, Angie. I’ve got to go, please have faith in me. This needs to happen.”
He grabs my arm. “Don’t do anything stupid, stay on the script that we agreed on. Sam will take care of everything. Trust him. I need you in my life. We came into this world together, and I plan to leave with you, got it?” He looks straight into my eyes, and then he gives me a solid hug before he lets go and walks away. Everything is in order, going accordingly. This will be the most important meeting of my unwanted criminal career. A vendetta that I can’t let be.
Chapter 26
As I back the bike into a space and turn the engine off, I see two figures approaching my side. It’s Sam and his guy. He quickly goes over the plan once again, step-by-detailed-step. His guy, along with some others, will stay out in the van doing surveillance while we go in.
It is literally game time. We walk through the first security check depositing all weapons and cell phones in individual steel lock boxes. Proceeding down a dimly lit hallway, we enter into to a large bar area. Green velvet walls and mirrors on the ceiling make up the décor, along with naked woman displayed in large silver cages. I take it all in as does Sam, who while never moving his head, surveys everything effortlessly. I can feel rage radiating off of him. He’s as anxious as I am to avenge Mateo and Josephine.
We walk around the bar until we reach a massive, gold, metal door. A giant of a man, who contends the gold door and looks to weigh in at close to three hundred pounds, s
tands guard before it. I notice he sports a tattooed spiderweb that covers his bald head and reaches down one side of his face. He gives us a curt nod before he does his rough pat down. Once he is satisfied, he opens the door to let us through.
Immediately, bright lights bounce off the large, white-walled room. Men and women surround a large boxing ring in the center of the room, their voices yelling out bets to place. There are men laying plastic down on the entire ring floor. Other men carry a large table, placing it and two chairs on opposite sides. Approaching is a familiar face. It’s the stocky, bald Spaniard who had mistaken me for Angelo in Florence. The only differences were the location and the fact that he has changed his bright red silk shirt for a blinding blue one. The bastard is once again dripping in gold necklaces hanging down his chest.
He points at me with his manicured fat fingers. “You are a sneaky devil playing the dumb twin game on me. I should have known.”
Before I could respond, Sam uncharacteristically steps up. “Quit the jokes, jackass. Where is Casas?”
“Oh Sam, you have found your voice. My condolences to the both of you. Your losses are really such a tragedy.” He says with a sneering smile. I clench my fist, and while reeling in my rage, I manage to keep it together.
“You’re a dead man.” Sam quietly says to the Spaniard.
Suddenly a loud whistle from the ring puts a stop to everything. Standing in the ring is a short but powerfully built man in a black suit. He wears his wavy, salt and pepper hair slicked back with gel from a large face with a hooked nose and the coldest black eyes I have ever seen. He had a definite air of authority as he looks at the crowd with a disdainful look. He is around the same age as my father and definitely has his same aura of power.
This must be Casas himself finally. I start my approach towards him, and the crowd parts way. As I get closer to the ring itself, the noisy room I walked into is now as quiet as a church.
“Santos Ferrari, I assume. Welcome to my ring. So honored that you would choose to join me,” booms out Casas for all to hear. His jovial manner reminds me of the circus ringleader. His arms are wide open, and he wears a cold-blooded smile as he stares at me. He’s only missing a top hat.
Sam grabs my arm as I am about to step up into the ring and whispers to me. “As planned, do not improvise, under any circumstance. I promise on my brother’s dead body that I will take care of the rest.” He backs a bit away, then repeats slowly yet again, still holding me, “Sonny, no improvising, no matter what occurs. Trust me, understand?”
I have never seen this commanding presence in Sam. I trust him completely, no question about it. “Understood.” I finally agree, moving between the ropes and entering the ring.
“You read the email?” Casas asks. I shake my head affirmatively. “Good, so you understand the rules of my game. Do you need the little boy’s room? Being a first timer, I wouldn’t want you to piss yourself.” He asks in a loud showmanship style. Laughing, he gestures with his hand for the crowd to join him in his humor. I never thought I had killer instincts other than in a protective way. For the past few minutes, I envisioned killing him in a hundred different ways. This man, Casas. is not only my father’s enemy, but he is also known as the Spanish Roulette Luck King. He’s started this sick game over twenty years ago. People think he has come upon some kind of superpower, dodging losing his life many times.
I’m as confident as possible given my situation. My insides clench with adrenaline as I keep telling myself that I’m doing this to honor my best friends. Not a complete lie because I am also doing this for selfish reasons. He’s tampered and caused havoc with my family for too long. I finally hear myself demanding to see the paperwork. “I see you have certainly inherited your mother’s looks. Always heard you were the smart son, but maybe you aren’t so smart after all. Maybe you are dumb like your father. We’ll see.” He sneers, attempting to bait and goad me into losing my temper.
Finally, he points to an old man holding a slim briefcase. Two beefy attendants help him into the ring, and he shuffles over to the table. Opening the briefcase, he takes out two documents. Deferentially, he places one in front of Casas and the other in front of me. I pick it up and read over everything that had been agreed upon. Looks like everything was inputted as requested. I sign, as does Casas.
The old man does the same and stamps in a few areas. I tell him to give my copy to Sam who is standing outside the ring. Sam stands ramrod straight, his face not giving anything away.
“Now that we are done with the formalities, shall we begin?” I hear Casas ask.
I don’t answer him with words, I just stare at him and give a nod.
“First, where are my good luck charms?” He asks loudly, looking around. Two very scantily clad females, one brunette, the other a blonde, approach him. “Do they look familiar, Santos? You were screwing my good luck charms on my yacht five years ago. The stories matched up when I heard you won the bike race so many years later. You realize the only reason you are not dead already is because of your mother Dafne. You look so much like her.” He says to me like he’s been spellbound. “However, someone had to pay a price. Nobody touches what’s mine without my permission. I waited, baited your asshole father, and finally thought I had killed him. Too bad it was only your man. His wife was just collateral; you know that happens in this business that we are in. Today, I will finish what should have been done years ago. You are just the beginning of the end of the Ferrari men.”
I finally break from his hypnotic stare and look at the two females. I barely remember them from our crazed time on the yacht. The only thing that looks familiar is their brown and blonde long hair. I am willing to bet their hair still smells of cigarette and cigar smoke. The brunette kisses each of Casas’s cheeks, as does the blonde. Then both stand next to him with their hands on his shoulders staring at me.
“Are we going to cut the introductions and start?” I’m getting fed up with his BS.
“Ah, he speaks. I was beginning to think you were mute like your friend down there.” He says, pointing to Sam whose jaw is clenched tight. “Very well, let’s start the show, shall we? Girls, distribute the guns.”
“Rodrigo! You son of a bitch!” In bursts my father with Tony next to him. My father enters the ring, rage blazing from his eyes. “Santos, son, please get up from the chair. This vendetta is between me and him.” He gestures between him and Casas.
I look at them both, two old bulls who have one last fight left in them. I stand up and look at Sam, who almost imperceptibly bows his head at me. So, this was part of the plan I wasn’t aware of. I might have gone head-to-head with my father the other day, but he is still the boss, and Casas is his great nemesis. He still makes the final decisions of all plans. Besides, the night will go forward as planned.
“So predictable, Anthony, you showing up here without an invitation. I don’t know who allowed you to sneak in, but I will take care of that later,” Casas says menacingly looking toward his men. “But I’m going to be a gentleman tonight in respect to the beautiful Dafne.” My father is like a stone, not reacting to Casas’s goading. Casas now looks cunningly at me. “Did you know Santos that I knew your mother first? Yeah, we all went to school together. We were all friends. I comforted her when your father was not around.” He looks at me deviously, waiting to be asked for more information. So, this is definitely personal between him and my father, and this moment confirms my friends were killed over this psycho’s infatuation with my mother.
“You are delusional, Rodrigo. Your sick obsession with my wife has caused enough heartache, especially to Dafne. We end it now.” My father spits out the words.
Casas falters a little of the sound of my mother’s name from my father’s lips. Casas drinks down two vodka shots in a row. Clearly, he had not expected this, and he must be questioning how my father and brother were able to get into the place. “Your son liked his time with my lucky charms many years ago. I gave him a free pass because of Dafne. He’s smart and wil
l learn quickly, unlike your other sons. I will shoot him again and break him when you are dead. I look forward being a father to your daughter.” Casas spits out his vitriol words, spirals of spittle running down his chin. He is having a hard time reigning in his hatred for my father and realizes he has perhaps lost his edge. The crowd remains completely silent as the final scene plays out. Motioning the blonde over to my father’s side, she carries the gun with the bullet over to him. Her part in tonight’s festivities would be loading and spinning the cylinder during each round.
The lights in the arena dim slightly, a bright spotlight shining on the ring. “Anthony, as the guest and first timer, you go first, yeah?” says Casas with bitterness.
“Rodrigo!” A clear and resonant voice calls out his name. The familiar voice echoed throughout the underground arena. Again, people shuffle around making way for the person moving toward the arena. What was just dead silence seconds ago is now filled with the hum of murmuring voices. Looking over, to my astonishment and fear I see Dafne Ferrari, my mother, being assisted into the ring by Sam.
She is dressed in an elegant yet snug, white outfit. Her hair, usually casually left down, is in a tight bun on top of her head. She is beautiful, stunning actually. Casas, my father, and I are looking at her in astonishment.
My wits coming together, I finally move to go protect her. Sam reaches up to me, holding me back, his face tightly controlled. As his eyes bore into mine, and I’m reminded that he asked me to trust him. Perplexed because the plan has gone sideways a couple of times already, I look at him questioningly. Instinct tells me to protect my mother, but I decide I will trust Sam as his stake in this is even bigger that mine. Looking over at my father, I see him frozen in his stance. I decide to hold myself back but remain ready to spring into action if needed to defend my mother.
“Dafne, what are you doing here? You shouldn’t be in a place like this.” Bellows Casas, still looking at her in shock. He is mesmerized by her. It is obvious he has forgotten the reason we are here. The strong, arrogant man just minutes ago is now replaced by a lovestruck, infatuated man. A couple of Casas’s men move in ready to remove her from the ring. Raising his arm, he bellows at them to back down.
