by S. W. Frank
Ari expected Nico to get furious over their son’s switch-up. Instead, she laughed at his fancy footwork.
Then Sergio bogarted his way in their huddle to whisper conspiratorially, “You guys look zooted. That’s what I’m talking ‘bout. Happy birthday Unk.”
Soon everybody joined in on the fun. Ari danced right into the dining room, straight to the table of food. She nearly salivated at the selection. Seafood pasta, mofongo with shrimp, salame di tonno, and cassata stuffed cannoli and an extensive variety of other dishes she hadn’t asked for lined the table along with fancy dinnerware. Sophie outdid herself and Ari supposed her fondness for Nico was the reason for the lavish spread.
Ari wasn’t going to complain; instead she sat to watch the dancers while fixing a plate with one hand. As she stuffed her face, she smiled at Nico when he looked in her direction. Watching her husband keep step with the kids to that rap music was a hoot. Nico loved classical music and high is the only thing he could be to find the lyrics enjoyable.
Whenever the boys played the music too loud in the house, or the messages were demeaning, he’d say, “So, somebody calling a woman a bitch, bragging about shooting people is the type of rap you like?”
Smart mouth Aaron always tried to defend the right to freedom of speech and then deferred to liking the beat.
“Listen to the lyrics. Anybody boasting about the body count is either stupid or a liar. Guaranteed, he’s now a police suspect for some unsolved homicide. No smart killer brags about murder. Those punk’s bullets fly around the community hitting kids and innocent bystanders. Professionals don’t sing about their rap sheet. Trust me young buck, if they did, they’d have a very short career as a canary.”
Aaron had a pulse on the issues occurring in the states. On-line news provided an abundance of information. He liked music; not the negative politics involved. His response to his dad’s criticism, “Dad, there’s other genres of music where singers have bitten off a bat’s head, glamorized suicide, outrunning bullets, and really psycho stuff. Most teens are smart, and don’t imitate a song –the ones who do are probably unstable to begin with.”
She smirked between mouthfuls of food. Her family brought her joy, sheesh; she’d curtail her activity for their sake. Yeah, they were worth it.
Ari poured a glass of wine, grinning at how Nico’s hips didn’t appear to work on the dance floor but they swiveled quite well during sex.
Gosh he was delizioso!
Nico clapped his hands over his head when a throwback jam blared. The selection took to him to his youth. He and Vin had watched the rappers perform live in New York. Vin had surfaced to share in the celebration.
“Have fun fratello that’s the best part of living,” Vin might say.
Nico observed Alfonzo slip away during the festivities. He figured nature called, except the bathroom was in the opposite direction.
You sly sonovabitch, knock yourself out, but you’ll see I’m not going to break my vows –twice.
Chapter 6
“Aaaahhh!” Anna exclaimed.
The shriek brought the music to a halt.
Darren flew from somewhere to be at her side.
Ari grimaced.
Nico was right there with his son trying to calm the girl along with Sophie.
Ari held her daughter’s hand. “Is that baby coming today?” she asked nervously, rolling her eyeballs into her brain that the baby upstaged Nico’s moment.
“I think we may have an early arrival sweetheart,” Nico answered.
“We. Don’t give me any credit for this.” Ari scoffed. The girl wasn’t due for another couple of weeks. The reality the baby planned to arrive early hadn’t yet settled in Ari’s head.
Selange appeared at Ari’s side. She whispered. “We need to talk sometime this week.”
Ari snorted. Of course, Selange found out about the money. “I was about to tell you the same thing.”
“Look, it can wait. Looks like your grand wants to come early.”
Ari released Semira’s hand when Angelina and Vincent joined them. Angelina whispered to Semira and then the trio scampered to the sofa to watch Anna blowing while Sophie told the guards to bring the car to the front.
Selange had begun to walk away when Ari decided she might as well confess. From the looks of things, she’d have her hands full for a few days.
“Selange!”
Selange spun around. “Yes?”
Ari stepped to her with a frown. “Okay, let’s just clear things up now.”
The dimple near Selange’s mouth deepened as she pursed her lips. Goodness, Ari must have learned about her and Nico. Apparently, the rumor mill churned before she had an opportunity to explain what actually occurred. “He only asked about the book. So, whatever else you might’ve heard is garbage.” Selange blurted.
“Who? What book? The accountant?”
“What accountant? I’m talking about Nico. How else did I know he might be in trouble? We were in the room a few minutes because he wanted to ask me about the book in private.”
Ari blinked. She was lost or totally stoned. “Oh my god. I’m confused. Who cares about that? Nico already told me the story the night you fell on my damn arm!”
“He did?”
“Yes Selange. We do talk. Geez, I thought you wanted to discuss the charity money.”
Selange crossed her arms. “Yeah? Well, since you’ve brought up the subject, what do you know about the mysterious missing funds?”
“It was a stupid joke. I did hide some of you money but I returned it. I’m sorry.”
“Ari, you’re a lawyer. You’re aware large deposits like that are questioned.”
“Large deposits? I didn’t take big money and the small amount I did remove was discreetly returned. Do you think I’m stupid?”
“You consider a quarter million in the same day –small? If so, you are stupid!”
“What?” Ari smirked. “You’re joking now. I removed a fraction of that, stop kidding around.”
“Ari, you’re the one playing. You think this is a joke, don’t you? Taking any money from disadvantaged kids is despicable. You also set me in a precarious position. You’ve never spent time in prison, have you?”
“Can’t say that I’ve had the displeasure.”
Selange began seeing red at Ari’s flippant attitude. “Maybe, Ari jail might have you recognize some jokes don’t go over well with a particular audience, you hussy!”
“No thanks,” Ari replied. “The food there is crap and I’m not trying to catch clap from streetwalkers.” The weed elicited an inappropriate chuckle. “Seriously, I’m opposed to the idea.”
“You think this is funny. I can’t fathom why you tampered my money in the first place.”
“Oh come on, you know why, to get you to listen for a damn change and hopefully go in with me on a deal.”
“A scheme you mean.”
“Whatever. I thought you’d want the extra money to continue financing your little charities.”
“Really?” Selange scoffed. “And why is that when I can simply ask my rich husband? By the way,” Selange said and stepped closer to the woman. She had an inch or two over the smug attorney, “that little charity is in honor of my parents and Al’s uncle –bruja!”
Alfonzo put the empty glass on the side table. He’d consumed enough coquito for the night and began to feel the effects.
He crossed his arms as he settled beside Sal who leaned on the wall, observing the commotion surrounding Anna with bored detachment.
Alfonzo considered the teenage pregnancy drama a real life teach
ing moment. “Mijo, see, this is what happens when you boys aren’t wearing protection. Nothing’s wrong with loving somebody but at minimum have a high school diploma, a job and not living with your parents. You ever come home to tell me you knocked up a chica before you graduate, I’ll be real disappointed. I’m always going to love you but that’s the day you better start acting like a man, comprende?”
“Hey dad, I’m not stupid.”
“Bueno, ‘cause I don’t believe I raised a knucklehead. Too many motherfuckers out here having sex and when tie to step up, they run from responsibility leaving a chica to raise the kid alone. You don’t have to marry the mother, but son, you better help rear that child, anything else is foul hijo. You never want that kid to wonder whether you loved him and why you didn’t come around, especially the times he needed his old man…love them mijo…Como nunca!”
Sal looked sideways at his dad. His pop had gone far away, probably thinking about his old man and all the things he missed out on. Sal frowned, wanting to tell his dad how much he admired him. Abuela wasn’t right. She also scarred his dad by lying and now she was acting funny by not coming to the house.
His father did bad things, but he wasn’t a bad man. Whatever reason Abuela was mad at him, she should forgive and stop acting bitchy, Sal deliberated.
“Prometo,” Sal replied quietly.
Alfonzo’s ears twitched at the sound of his wife’s elevated voice. His eyes roamed to the far corner of the room where Selange and Ari appeared engaged in a heated conversation. He pushed off the wall when he noticed his wife’s fingers curling into a fist.
Ah shit babe don’t do it!
Alfonzo’s thoughts were faster than his feet. Selange decked Ari and the raucous escalated two-fold.
Ari careened against the wall, sliding down on her ass, and used her good arm to cushion the fall.
Alfonzo grimaced. Selange cold clocked the woman with an impressive right hook. He caught his wife around the waist before she threw a second punch at Ari who had begun to stand.
“Chill –chill babe, you’re hitting a woman with a handicap. Nomasmami…tranquilloprecioso.”
“I can’t believe you’d do that Ari!” Selange screamed over her husband’s shoulder as Alfonzo hoisted her in the air, carrying her away as she protested.
“If you hadn’t broken my arm I’d have hit you back Selange!”
“And I’ll break the other one, and this time on purpose –thief!”
Nico got to Ari’s side to aid her erect. He and the boys formed a trio of bodyguards, shielding the woman from going after Selange, but she gave Selange a piece of her mind anyway by yelling across the room. “It was a stupid joke –sis!” She snarled sarcastically. “Where’s your fucking funny bone?”
Alfonzo thought to say, there’s nothing funny about theft but refrained; Selange didn’t need his help. Ari must’ve forgotten Selange was not a push over, growing up in the projects; even the mice have a nasty bite. Those boxing lessons he’d given over the years were well served. If Ari had any sense she’d stay quiet before he let his wife loose to bust her ass.
“You want to feel that funny bone again, huh Ari?” Selange spat as she pushed at her husband’s shoulders. “Let go Al, I swear I’m going to show that woman how much I’m laughing!”
Selange struggled to get free from her husband’s grasp, but Alfonzo’s grip was as ferocious as a pit-bull with a fresh bone.
“I said I put your damn money back!”
“You shouldn’t have stolen it in the first place Auntie. You’ve got your own money. Ask Uncle Nico for some the next time you’re broke!” Aldonza shouted in response, taking her mother’s side. They were replicas, except she was shorter with a sharper tongue.
“Oh shut your trap cugina and mind your business!” Aaron said to his fresh mouth cousin.
“Don’t tell my sister to shut up Aaron!” Sal exclaimed in his sister’s defense. He stepped protectively around Aldonza and gave his cousin a mean stare. “She can say whatever she wants!”
“Everybody shut the hell up. All right, let’s go kids!” Alfonzo scolded as he rounded up his posse. Selange remained trapped with one arm.
“Al, this is one time I’m begging you to let me go –for real. That heffa thinks my little charity is a hobby like her petty scams!”
“Nah –nah babe.”
Selange growled. The rising anger at Ari’s foolishness caused a blackout. She wanted to break the woman’s other arm for defiling the memory of the deceased. Ari’s actions may have ruined her chances of staying out from under law enforcement’s lens. She could go to jail again from Ari’s prank and the thought sent her into a furor!
“It isn’t a joke Ari –you’re trying to hurt me –why Ari I thought we were friends? Why Ari? Do you hate me… is that it…you really hated me all along but pretended to be my friend?” Selange wailed. “Get off of me honey –dammit!”
Ari stood there, feeling crappy, especially with everybody staring at her as if she robbed graves. They probably thought she intentionally wanted to hurt Selange, when that never crossed her mind. She honestly believed with Selange’s contacts they could make a killing ripping off rich executives. The money could have gone to fund more of Selange’s charities, even the orphanage in Africa.
“Selange… stop… I’m sorry. We are friends.”
“Bésame culo Ari; our friendship is null and void!”
Nico frowned. He said quietly to his wife, “Sweetheart, I told you to let me handle the situation.”
“The cats out of the bag now,” Ari replied.
Nico exhaled. “Guess so.”
Ari stormed off to find a private place to cry. The kitchen worked. The tears she held in check streamed on Sophie’s pie. She cut a slice, it’s the munchies she told herself, but the truth is, she never felt so humiliated in her life.
“Tranquillo esposa ahora!” Alfonzo ordered when Selange held onto the doorframe, ceasing their exit. “We’re getting the hell out of here before you tear up Sophie’s house. Release the door, remember where you are and that our kids are present, comprende?”
“I’m pissed-“
“Be pissed, but time to get the children home. You made your point, feel me?”
Selange’s fingers slackened as she looked at her children and then Alfonzo. She nodded, and when Alfonzo released her, she spun around and marched out, head high and dignified except the bottom of her dress had parked on the top of her thong and put her butt cheeks on blast. The garter belt and stockings was an enticing picture that thank goodness only Alfonzo peeped. He discreetly covered his wife’s ass, aroused by the view. He planned to tuck the kids in bed early to go a couple of rounds with the sexy fighter to help alleviate her excess energy.
Sophie looked around at the mess and shook her head in exasperation. Many fights occurred in her home over the years, and she wondered whether the house sat atop ruins of an ancient arena. She placed a reassuring hand on poor Anna’s shoulder as the girl puffed quietly. The wide eyes darting around were those of a frightened house cat in a tiger’s lair about to deliver her litter.
“Sí, breathe –breathe,” Sophie encouraged, glad her childbearing days were extinct.
Darren’s lack of experience in childbirth resonated when he genuflected in front of Anna to ask if she was sure she didn’t have gas.
Anna slapped at him, hysterical that he’d jest when her back ached and she peed on herself during the commotion.
Darren rose. “I think we better get moving dad! Dad!”
Nico flew out of the kitchen where he’d gone to comfort his wife.
“Nico, the car is outside. I will watch Semira.” Sophie called over her shoulder to her nephew.
“Bene,” Nico replied and then called to his wife as he hurried to assist Anna to her feet. Darren moved too darn slow like his shoes were in concrete.
Vincent took Aaron’s picture while backing out the door after his parents.
“S
top taking photos you rug rat!”
Vincent stuck up his middle finger and Angelina laughed.
“Go home, Thing 1 and Thing 2!” Aaron sneered at the little brats.
The party was fun. Angelina giggled as she waved to Semira. “Adios ‘Mira, hasta luego!”
“Ciao Angie!” Semira replied with a happy grin.
Chapter 7
“You cannot leave Mr. Cuvato! Please lay down!”
Lorenzo gathered his belongings, shoving the items in a plastic bag embedded with the hospital’s name.
The nurse fussed. “You will be restrained. You have been shot and require further monitoring.”
Lorenzo ignored her speech.
When she threatened to call security, Lorenzo growled. “Shut the fuck up. You’re beginning to piss me off. Is this a hospital or a goddamn prison?”
The nurse gasped, spun around and fled to seek assistance.
Silence, finally, he thought. The hospital personnel couldn’t hold him without cause. Lorenzo wasn’t a danger to himself or the public, just a patient who didn’t want their fucking IV’s. They removed the bullets, stitched him up and used sedation to keep him until he awakened from the stupor and reality struck. His family was dead and the officers who questioned him were as clueless as the nurse. They weren’t looking for the people responsible, in fact they suggested they might not apprehend the killers. The dumb prick of a cop hinted in a mafia rubout the hitmen are professionals who are smart enough to disappear. Well, Lorenzo wasn’t a paid civil servant, and any hitman that killed children was a sick sonovabitch!
The pain of loss became an all-consuming anger. He had a duty to give his family an honorable burial before he began hunting and that’s what he planned.
He’d seen the killer’s face, and although it was night, he’d be able to recognize the features.
He flopped on the bed as he recalled Grigori had shoved something in his pocket before he died. He rummaged through the dried bloodstained trousers, digging in every pocket and found a rolled napkin. He slowly opened the cloth and squinted at the finger with Grigori’s ring with the Tsiakrokis crest attached.