Associates (18 page)

She gave him the finger with a smile on top. “You did this to me.”

“Yes, I did.”

“On purpose.”

He crawled to her side and rubbed her stomach. He gave her a kiss and then planted another on his unborn daughter’s shelter. “Sorry, but for that I’m innocent.”

“Do you think it’s safe to have sex, because having you home has turned me into a horny slut and I’ve cum several times?”

His eyes were smiling. “I’m sure we can. It didn’t stop us when you were pregnant with the boys.”

“Good, because if you said no, I would’ve jumped on your ass while you slept.”

Nico chuckled, lifting her gown, finding her pantiless and explored her vaginal saturation with gentle hands. “Hmm…you weren’t lying sweetheart, damn.” He kissed her neck and whispered soft endearments and then said, “Turn on your side, get comfortable.”

Ari obeyed eagerly, pushing her ass into his pelvis. The moment his tip touched her wet opening she moved further back, urging him on in.

Nico sucked her neck, slowly going forward, not rushing, loving the warm comfort she provided and the smell of pie emitting from her breath. “I love you Ari…so love you…sweetheart.”

“Prove it Nico by doing something for me.”

“What?” he asked as she clenched her cheeks, gripping and sliding on his rod so damn good he would’ve done anything. He sucked in his breath as she whispered, “Love me until I fall asleep and when I do, hold me.”

That’s exactly what Nico did, loving every minute of the task.

                                     
~

The night was thick. The air refreshingly light as the men discussed business in the backseat of Matteo’s car with a window slightly ajar. Matteo had come by at the late hour after receiving news of another protest which ended in a death in Mondello a few hours after a news conference in which Timpico urged lawful businessmen to refuse giving pizzo to crooks and to resist the mafia oppression. As a result, a shopkeeper did just that and shot a soldati who came for collection. The victim was one of their own, an associate’s son.

“He is riling up support for his cause.”

Matteo slapped the seat. “Do not do it!”

“He has become a nuisance.”

“Giuseppe, the time is not right. You will make him a martyr. Rethink this.”

Giuseppe waved his hand and exited the car. “My sister nags and now she has infected you. Vaffanculo!”

“Mangiare merda!” Matteo exclaimed to his brother-in-law’s back as he walked to the door of his home. The stubborn Don’s decision to eliminate Timpico would infuriate foe and friend. With Giuseppe, patience did not exist. The order was given and the assassin chosen. The only thing left to do was to wait. He blew out his frustration and tapped the seat for the driver to leave.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Days went by too damn fast. New York to Italy, with Sergio in tow was an event in itself. He’d taken the guy to his tailor in Milan and had him properly outfitted. He couldn’t have the dude in those street clothes. Shit, looked crappy on a grown-ass man. Polished and sophisticated got you in doors, even if you were broke as hell. He learned that before he reached Sergio’s age.

“We’re we going now?” Sergio inquired when they were back in the air. Hanging with Alfonzo was constant movement and he wondered where the dude got his energy. After the club incident with his sister, they’d said good-bye to New York and were on the move again.

Seeing Tonya was nice. She’d shaken a finger at him like their mom often did and told them to get the hell off the street. It’s funny, she seemed not to have any idea who Alfonzo was, but her partner sure did. He could tell in the eyes. The fear. Yep, it leaped
out of the suburban dude’s skin and he couldn’t conceal the flaming red on his white face.

When Tonya said she’d speak to him soon. All the tension ebbed away. Uncle Nico was not lying when he said he took care of the debt. It dawned on Sergio, maybe he should really get it together. These were hard ass men, true, but beneath the exterior he found they were far better than any of the guys he’d ever met…yeah…far better.

Alfonzo put up a finger, he was calling his babe and she’d just answered. “How you doing, babe?”

“Good and you?”

“Missing you.”

“Coming home soon I hope, the fundraiser’s tonight.”

“That’s what I’m calling about. Something’s come up, I’m in Europe and I won’t make it there in time.”

She sighed. “Is it urgent?”

“Yes, esposa. Muy importante.”

“I guess I can give you a pass. Some of the women and of course your mom and Bruno are attending. Ugh, I miss you.”

“You know I’d never leave you hanging if it wasn’t for a reason.”

“I know…I know.” She did a chortle and it sounded too funny. “Oh Jessica is pissed. She said Emilio is talking about going back to work for you. He missed the excitement.”

“Ah, she’ll get over herself. I sent him back knowing she’d spazz if he stayed away any longer.”

“Yeah, but what about
my
man, when are you bringing
him
back?”

“A day or two. We’re traveling together to the christening,” Alfonzo reminded his wife. “How’s the children?”

“Being themselves. They miss you, too.”

“Give them a goodnight kiss for me.”

“Okay honey. Love you.”

“Nah, babe, I love you
mas
.” When Alfonzo hung up, Sergio was staring at him in amazement. “What the fuck’s wrong with you?”

“Just shocked.”

Alfonzo’s eyebrow arched. “Yeah, shocked, why?”

“I’m just shocked that’s all.”

“Don’t be primo. I love my woman and there’s nothing wrong with having fun but staying true to your Queen. My dick stays in my pants until I get home.”

“Yeah, but you can have any chick you want man and she wouldn’t know about it.”

“I’d know.” Alfonzo leaned forward toward the youth’s seat. “There’s something called loyalty. When you fuck up and forget about what that means, shit rains down on you. My woman and I have had our share of storms young hustler and what I’ve grown to understand is when you have something special, protect and nurture it. I’m far beyond dazzled by random pussy. The novelty wore off a long time ago when I fell in love. Every day I feel blessed to have what you have yet to know.”

Sergio liked what his cousin said. One day he hoped to have a woman he felt that strongly about, but until then, a player’s gotta’ play. “Cool, but I’m still pussy struck.”

Alfonzo laughed and settled back. “You know Sergio I’m proud of you.”

Sergio sat vertically. Shocked again. “What, you saying something nice to me, word?”

The sensual mouth snickered. “Yeah, I must have lost my goddamn mind.” His warm smile disappeared and his tone became somber. “You went out and got your certificate. You could’ve went right back to hustling but you didn’t and that tells me something. I know the struggle of the street primo and understand it’s a daily fight. You’re trying to avoid the punches, bobbing and weaving your way through life. Sometimes Sergio, a man’s guard does come down; he can’t hold his arms up indefinitely. When those arms drop, it’s when the hardest blow you ever felt in your life strikes.” The blue’s intensity made his cousin fidget. He felt his cousin’s message because only men who’ve walked in their ‘hood understood the hazards of the street. Alfonzo went on. “You have to be able to stand upright and absorb that strike. The shit’s gonna’ hurt, but at least you know you survived.”

Sergio nodded. “I feel what you’re saying.”

The gruff follow-up from Alfonzo caused Sergio’s mouth to pull sideways like a kid. “Bueno…now don’t open your motherfucking mouth when you see my brother, because that’s where we’re going and I heard you were popping shit. In this family it’s about respect and you haven’t earned that yet!”

Yep, they’re brothers.
He just switched from hot to cold like a faucet. But, damn they’re all like this. Is moodiness a family trait? Ah man, shit, I do not want to see that motherfucker Giuseppe. Yo, they’re all kinda’ bi-polar. Heck, what if I’ve inherited the same gene?

           ~

Dichenzo Waste Management is where Alfonzo found his brother in the late afternoon. Alfonzo expected to hear Giuseppe barking at the employees when he was allowed through to the back offices, but found Giuseppe talking casually to a secretary without brusque.

When he saw Alfonzo he stepped away from the woman, clutched him in a bro-hug before kissing each cheek. “Fratellino…ah buongiorno.”

Alfonzo stopped checking his brother about the displays of affection a while back. Giuseppe never listened. He did whatever
the fuck he wanted, including kissing a grown-ass man. “Yeah, yeah. You have a minute?”

The guards were visible throughout the building, which wasn’t unusual for a man of Giuseppe’s stature. The call from Matteo to visit, meant one thing, Giuseppe had done something or was about to do something which may impact the family. Thus, the emergency and why he had to miss his wife’s black tie event.

He followed Giuseppe to his office. A large spacious, functional room, with a massive desk for an intimidating man. Yes, his brother frightened people with his bulk and the size of his hands. But, it is the power which he wields at will that he sometimes misuse and brings trouble upon his head.

“You have come early for the christening. Did you get the days confused, little brother?”

“No, I’m stopping through on my way home, but I’ll be back on Saturday. How is my nephew?”

“Buono. He is growing. And yours?”

“Good.”

“Is business what you want to talk about?”

“Yes.”

Giuseppe sat and Alfonzo did as well. They faced one another, separated by a huge mahogany desk. Giuseppe leaned back in his chair. “Has Matteo summoned you?”

“Yes, brother he has.”

“Do not concern yourself. He has become more worrisome than a woman.”

“And what worries him?”

“A thorn which I have pulled out my ass and yours.”

Alfonzo did not like this. “We are to speak about matters which affect us and not act unilaterally, remember?”

“I do not ask your permission to do what is necessary with family.”

“Perhaps you should.”

Amusement danced on Giuseppe’s lips. “Fratellino, I am the eldest. It is you who should do as I say.”

“Age alone has no bearing on leadership.”

“A leader sometimes acts alone.”

“A leader is only part of a whole.”

“Who prudently acts for the good of many.”

“But intelligently weighs the end result.”

“A leader keeps his own counsel, an ass considers every opinion.”

“An ass gets pricked by a thorn, and bolts blindly in the street.”

“Yet, acts and does not sit on its ass.”

“And in impulsivity of the act gets struck by a truck.”

Giuseppe leaned forward angrily. “Cazzo, enough!”

“You do not like words hermano, they upset you too quickly?”

“I do not like your words fratellino; I have done this longer and know best!”

Alfonzo was not outwardly affected by Giuseppe’s outburst. “Longer does not necessarily mean best. I can pick apart your reasoning too easily big brother, it falters in parts. The family is the whole and you are not to act without my consent.”

“And did you seek my counsel when you visited Shanda’s father and ruined his career?”

Alfonzo scoffed. His brother knew of it. His eyes were not shut. They only opened when he chose. Yet, he did not know the entire story. He could have killed the man, but instead, for his family he did not. The man was more useful broken and brought down a peg than dead. “And you would have served him up cold. That is the difference between us hermano. I consider the family, which your woman is now part of.”

“It is what I have done as well. Timpico’s actions became a threat to family. He could not be allowed to sputter another negative word against us.”

The mention of Timpico flared Alfonzo’s nostrils. “You hot tempered sonovabitch; your actions will cause a domino effect."

"Let the chips topple over fratellino, I am tired of playing nice with others. You
are right, we are different; diplomacy has never been my strong suit. You wear the suit best."

“Exactly.”
 

A tap came to the door and Giuseppe bellowed, “Entrare!”

A man peeked in. He gave a perfunctory nod to his boss and the door closed with a click. Alfonzo stood. Giuseppe had received confirmation. Timpico had been removed from his ass. He had nothing more to say to his brother about business. “I will see you at the christening of my nephew.”