by S. W. Frank
Jessica and Emilio had taken the kids for the day, giving Selange a much needed break. She heard the intercom buzz and walked back inside and removed the high tech device the size of a cell phone from its cradle on a kitchen wall. On the video screen she could see the security guard and simply spoke, “Yes?”
“There’s a visitor Ms. Diaz. He says his name is Mr. Johnson and he’s the father of your friend?”
Selange was given a visual of the man and there indeed was Shanda’s father, hands at his waist and an impatient scowl, “Okay let him in.”
The device returned to its place with a click, held securely once more by a strong magnet.
She answered the doorbell on the second chime after taking a deep breath because she had an idea what prompted the unexpected visit and wasn’t eager to face Shanda’s overbearing father.
As soon as she opened the door the imposing man scanned past her head inside the house searching for a sign of his daughter. There was no pleasant greeting, no hello Selange, how are you? What came from his terse mouth was, “Where is she?”
Selange stepped away from the door. He lacked manners, but she did not and invited him in. Mr. Johnson was a big-wig in NYPD. Work was his obsession and the years neglecting his family had finally paid off. The coveted position he sought came with the price of alienating his kid.
She sometimes wondered about the girl from Brooklyn who thought she had everything figured out. Most of her plans went astray. Life steered her on an alternate road and love led her here. The man she found actually found her. The package upon inspection was not the man she envisioned falling in love with. Hell. He was far better looking. The man like her father, holding down a 9 to 5 was a mafia son with multiple businesses. Yet, the qualities that mattered were there. He loved her whole-heartedly, was committed to family and generous. He was tough, too. Stubborn as hell but beneath the machismo, Alfonzo is a far better reality than her childhood fantasies and to think she almost blew it.
Her aspiration to teach in the inner city and shape the minds of the youth, shifted to making a direct impact on students by giving them what they needed to bust through the finish gate. They required financial support and concerned people who actually believed in their abilities instead of people studying them like specimens in a lab. Remove the economic barriers and the youth who are counted out can shine. The privileged students wouldn’t appear so special then, now would they?
Money gives the illusion of special.
Substandard treatment and low expectations is what occurs when you don’t have any. Rigid people such as Shanda’s father never change because they are followers of another person’s rules which are often applied to the poor.
“How are you Mr. Johnson?” She asked graciously, although her mood was sour.
“Where’s Shanda, Selange? I know she came here and we haven’t heard from her since!”
“She came to PR but she never left the airport. She said she had to return home because she felt sick.” Selange said and walked to the sofa to sit.
Mr. Johnson was not going to rouse her. His intimidation may work with his employees and family but Selange was neither. There were guards a click away if she needed and she’d throw his ass out on his face if she had to.
He puffed out his chest. Mr. Johnson was accustomed to getting answers and when he didn’t like the response, dug in deeper. “Well she never arrived. I know you know where she is.”
Selange’s tone remained calm. Unmoved and unemotional. She once felt affection for Shanda’s father but today she was rigid in heart and a pillar of stone.
“Then you know more than I do.”
The man glared, “Maybe Alfonzo may have knowledge about my daughter!”
“I’m sure he doesn’t. Your statement is bordering on accusatory, be careful.”
“Are you so in love with the guy you stopped caring about your friend?”
“I can love Alfonzo and care about Shanda. One doesn’t negate the other. It’s your implication that Alfonzo knows where Shanda is that I disagree with.”
“Then girl you’re a fool. The man’s a damn mobster. They make people disappear and my daughter’s missing and the last time I heard from her, she was on her way here.”
In the eyes of some Alfonzo was a criminal or infamous, it really depended on what color lens a person wore on any given day. To some he was charitable, a smart businessman, but to Selange he was more, he was an abstract painting. Her intimate knowledge of him made him a work of art. He had nothing to do with Shanda’s absentia. She was sure of it and Mr. Johnson was far off base. But, hey most rigid thinking people are.
The offensive words did not move her body, instead her mind clicked and loaded a mental gun to its chamber and she fired a retort. “In your ignorance it never crossed your mind your loving daughter packed up and left on her own free will. You’re the cop, all you have to do is put the pieces to together if you’re smart. She broke her lease, disconnected her cell and quit her job. This fool who doesn’t care knows that much.”
Mr. Johnson sputtered. He was unaware Shanda quit her job; he thought she took a vacation. But, he didn’t reveal this to the self-assured woman sitting there. Alfonzo may not have told her anything. Men like Alfonzo were not stupid, he’d not admit to harming her best friend. If he found out about the recording device, he’d handle it as his kind did, by killing.
“It’s tragic to see you like this. You had so much going for you Selange and you’re throwing it all away for a man who’s not worth a damn. I was glad my daughter had a friend like you around…” He scoffed, “I’d hoped you’d be a good influence and rub off on her, but eversince your mom died and you got with this hoodlum you’ve become somebody I don’t want to know or want Shanda around.”
Selange’s eyes stung from the statement. The self-righteous bastard!
“Okay, um-hum. I knew that was coming. It took years to say it didn’t it? Funny, when my mom died, you had the chance to show you cared, but you didn’t. I was on my own. Poof, no emotional support from you, just police jargon about Alfonzo and nothing about how I’m doing. Nope. Yet, Alfonzo the hoodlum was there. My tragedy is the belief you cared. Your daughter hung out with thugs and drug-dealers and you knew it. She was at risk every day, yet you turned a blind eye. The cop couldn’t see the evidence of his neglect right in his face. I guess if you were my father I’d give a damn about your opinion but you’re not. My father was loving and truly cared. You, Mr. Johnson are not my father and your thoughts don’t fucking matter!”
“Your devotion to that punk is going to get you killed one day.”
“We all die, even you.”
“Is that a threat, girl?”
“If you can predict the future then it’s only fair I respond with a known fact.”
“I feel sorry for you Selange, I really do,” he said disgusted.
“Save the sympathy for your lost soul. I’m not anybody’s victim. Feel sorry for the crack-addicted babies or the innocent children shot dead on the same streets your officers patrol. Don’t ever mistake me for a helpless victim Mr. Johnson. Matter-of-fact, when you can part the Red Sea, resurrect the dead and end world suffering, perhaps then you may preach to me. Otherwise, get the hell out of my home. You can go using your feet or landing on your head, but you’re getting the fuck out of my house! Estefan entre!” Selange scowled.
A man appeared from the adjacent room with his gun drawn and Mr. Johnson took a step back. He had no jurisdiction here and from what the FBI and DSS warned, the men working for Alfonzo were licensed to carry, none had felony arrests and most were Sicilian born.
This Estefan was massive and not on the FBI radar and he had a feeling there was a reason for this.
“Show Mr. Johnson to the gate, he’s overstayed his welcome, por favor.”
“No problema Senora Diaz. Vamanos!” The bodyguard exclaimed waving the gun toward the door and Shanda’s father stepped toward it. There wasn’t anything else he could do. He�
��d come for his daughter and instead found himself in a position many in law enforcement seek to avoid with a loaded gun pointed at his head. The bonds he once had with the girl were officially severed. As far as he was concerned Selange was an accomplice in Alfonzo’s criminal activity and when the time came to bring the bastard down, if she got in the way, he’d take her down, too!
He walked out.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Nico excused himself from the dinner table to take an important call. It was Thanksgiving in America and a holiday which brought family together. Ari’s family were gathered en masse. The instrumental prelude to a classic song by Ben E. King played in the background muffled by the boisterous laughter of the revelers.
He peered over his shoulder at Ari who appeared to glow from pregnancy. She laughed at something her uncle said and he turned away as he walked into the privacy of the living room.
“Talk to me.”
“It’s done.”
“Thanks.”
Nico slipped the cell in his pocket and stood there, staring at the mantel filled with pictures of Ari and her siblings in different phases of growing up. Elementary school, outings, vacations, high school prom, college graduation and in every frame he noticed the same determined look. She was a cute kid and grew into a lovely woman. He felt a touch on his side then a firm squeeze of an arm.
“Everything okay Nicolo?”
She said his entire name. With Ari it was a sign of worry, not anger and he gave her a hug. “I love you. It’s always been that way sweetheart. I’m sorry for not being there and doing you wrong. Ari, you are an incredible woman and I’m damn stupid, yes I am, because for a minute I forgot. There’s nobody I want more than you love. Nobody.”
The words were soft and tender. The detectives who questioned her about Nico and Alfonzo came by her office again, four days ago. This was the second time they appeared at her office unannounced and she suspected they were phishing. They were trying to intimidate her, hoping for a reaction or her to blab and incriminate herself. She would never do that, too much was at stake.
If they had concrete evidence of wrongdoing, they would have arrested her already. What they had were her stolen divorce papers found in Gregory’s home, which her lawyer expeditiously petitioned the caught get back. When it was returned a few days ago, she lit it aflame.
“I love you so damn much Nicolo. I need you in my life; you make it so much better. You’re funny as shit, smart and so good with those hands.”
He chuckled. “Yeah?”
“Um-hum.” She grinned, “It’s nice having a man around to fix the sink.”
He laughed hard, “To fix the sink…is that it?”
“I’m kidding, but you’re good at so much. You make me feel safe, too.”
“Tell me more. I like hearing this shit. It’s an aphrodisiac sweetheart.”
“You’re everything this woman needs and have always wanted. I’m so happy.” She leaned into Nico’s solid chest and inhaled his wonderful cologne. Knowing in her heart the mistake she made was not in loving him but believing she could go on without him and make a fresh start. He was telling her he loved her, telling her he was sorry for it all and she felt sad because she wasted every damn chance to say the same, until it was too late.
Nico moved with her to the slow song.
‘When the night has come and the land is dark,
And the moon is the only light we see,
No, I won't be afraid, oh, I won't be afraid,
Just as long as you stand, stand by me,
So darling, darling, stand by me, oh, stand by me Oh,
Stand, standby me, stand by me…
Her head pressed against the hardness, her growing belly protected and her heart warmed by his heat. She wasn’t stupid, far from it. The feds and DSS were working diligently to get to Alfonzo Diaz. He was the modern version of the Teflon Don and through her they sought to do it. They were using her connection to Nico, the notorious and elusive enforcer and attaching the links on the chain. Nico didn’t have to say a damn thing. His eyes were never as tender as they were now. He couldn’t stop Alfonzo, could he?
Blood doesn’t make family, loyalty does.
Her mistake cost them their future. She’d never get to see her family again. This moment was probably the last.
Alfonzo had to know about the investigation. He knew everything. Nico called in favors from his underworld connections to keep them all safe when he couldn’t be there? But, something about tonight bespoke an ending to her life and the unfamiliar after.
“Nicolo I’m scared,” then she cried for them and her children and what was to come.
“Sweetheart, it’s okay. You know I heard how you kicked ass out in PR. That’s some bad shit you did. A lady who can cap men like her ex-hubby is the real deal.”
She chuckled. He made her feel better with the compliment and her fear went away. No, she wasn’t afraid anymore, not as long as they were together.
“You know what we are, don’t you?”
Her eyes were on his handsome face, studying it, lovingly. “What are we, mi amore?”
His hands were strong around her, as he danced her to the melody and whispered, “An inseparable and indestructible team.” Nico smiled warmly and stroked her wet cheek, “You are the most beautiful and desirable woman. I love you to death. Come on, no tears. Let’s not waste this beautiful song, let’s dance sweetheart…let’s dance.”
She clutched at him, kissed his neck, not caring whether her family wondered where they had gone. The dark Sicilian whose hands were weapons of death held her tenderly, yet his kiss came with the passion of one condemned as they slow danced for their lives and stole comfort in between.
If the sky that we look upon should tumble and fall.
Or the mountain should crumble to the sea.
I won't cry, I won't cry, no, I won't shed a tear,
Just as long as you stand, stand by me,
And darling, darling, stand by me…oh, stand by me…’
****
Selange went in search of Alfonzo. There was joy in her step from the laughter coming from the assemblage of family. Alfonzo announced their wedding date and the congratulatory remarks flooding from the people she loved was music to a solitary heart. They were her family, every one of them and what she lost she gained in their acceptance and protection.
Carmen made dessert, a mouth-watering lemon meringue pie which Domingo was about to devour. Before he did, she wanted to give Lou a slice, which although he didn’t know it, was considered part of their family.
The pair had gone to the patio for beers and that’s where she found them, sitting facing the direction of the shimmery pool unaware of her approach.
“It’s going down tonight, right after they leave her parents’ home on the island.”
“Nobody knows anything about it, right?”
“Just the guys handling it. They’re in place now.”
“Fucking shame it comes to this.”
“Ari shouldhave known better. She got careless boss. Something’s gotta be done.”
“The boys must go too…we can’t leave…”
A crash interrupted the conspiratorial conversation. Lou had his gun in hand by time Alfonzo swiveled and spotted Selange standing there. The gun disappeared as Alfonzo stood and approached the woman.
Broken china which once held white and yellow crème lay at Selange’s feet. Alfonzo wondered how long she stood there and what she overheard?
Music and boisterous laughter muffled the fists pounding at his chest as
Selange screamed, “No…no…no….no…Alfonzo!”
He caught her wrists and held them, “Calm down…tranquilo!”
She was bawling and talking frantically, “You can’t….you can’t do it. I know you think you don’t have choices…but…but…you do. You think I’m the best part of your life. But, that’s not true…you’re the best part of mine…you’re not cruel. I know it in my heart.”
He pulled her into a tight embrace. The vibrations of her words seeped through his skin.
“You’ve saved me from the first day we met and…and…when I didn’t have anybody…when everybody left me…it’s your love that took me in. I believe in you, I trust you…honey she’s a good person…she is. Please Alfonzo…”
The hiccupping sobs tore at his resolve. He bowed his head to her hair and listened to her pleas.
“You’re Capo de tutti…you tell people what to do…stop it…please honey…save Ari, give her a second chance. Whatever she did wrong, let her make it right…”
He stood stiffly, squinting under the force of her distress.
“You can’t kill Ari and her kids…she’s a mother…goddamn you…she’s me…she’s me...she’s me…oh God…please…don’t do it…those boys…Ari.”
The blue of his eyes were brilliant jewels and the dark eyebrow ascending a contrast in hues, dark and light, like his life. He quieted her as one would a lost child who feared the stranger in the dark. He wanted Lucifer to snatch his heart out of his body for certainly there was no goodness in him if he caused the woman he loved such misery. She didn’t understand he’d already weighed his options. Self-preservation was the deciding factor. He’d lose life and tomorrows with her and the children.