Associates

by S. W. Frank

  “Who do you think beat your Uncle at chest?”

  The smile was genuine. “You, beat Uncle Alberti?”

  “Often.”

  “Are you serious about my mother, or are you playing games with her heart?”

  “I am in love with your mother, young Luzo. Where your father failed you both I will not.”

  “I don’t need a father, those days are gone.”

  “But you do need an advisor, a Consigliere is what your father appointed me but I did not take the position, thus I never wore the ring.” He slipped it on his finger and his eyes bore into the younger man. “I wear the ring proudly now. My sons are in politics and keep me informed. Timpico meets with aristocrats who fund his campaign. Any one may be responsible for Alberti’s death.” He watched as Alfonzo poured more rum into his glass listening. “He may know who killed Alberti or it is just a ruse to flush you out. The anti-mafia speeches are not of his doing. He is only a mouthpiece for another who has orchestrated this unrest your brother faces in Sicily.” He drank the rum quickly without any ill effects. He was accustomed to spirits, both alcoholic and human. He watched and listened to the hearts of others and judged them accordingly. The ring from a friend he donned today, because unlike Luzo, in Alfonzo he saw a burning love for his woman and children. A family required a loving patriarch. Alberti died too soon. The young man still required his wisdom to navigate through the Italian wolves disguised in sheep clothing. “I will investigate further into the matter with your stocks. Until then I breathe life back to your companies. It is an honor to find a man with vision. Unfortunately, strife and murder prevails in the pursuit of power and wealth.”

  “Unfortunately.”

  “Have we concluded our talk, giovani Alfonzo. Are you satisfied of my intentions with your mother and of my loyalty?”

  “Yes,” Alfonzo answered honestly.

  “Bueno, I believe Maria may become anxious if we do not appear.”

  Alfonzo nodded. “Yes, she will.”

   

  ~

  “Yo, your mom is cool,” Sergio said as they walked down the concrete streets toward Domingo’s home.

  Alfonzo was full. He’d eaten so damn much, he needed to burn the calories. Uptown there were always clubs and lounges open. He figured, what the hell, Sergio and Emilio were young, they should be able to keep up with the over thirty crowd. He’d gotten Domingo out of the house, and he was stoked to chill with Alfonzo before he left town.

  The La Bamba Club on One Twenty Ninth Street and Lenox had a ladies free night every Monday and Alfonzo remembered the spot was always hopping with pretty chicas decked out in their finest. There were limited tables which was cool because it kept people on the dance floor. If Sergio had game, he’d snag a hot honey, rubber up and hit it in the bathroom. But, Alfonzo’s purpose of going wasn’t for any of that, nah, his motivation was altruistic, he only wanted to dance.

  He nodded at Sergio’s statement as they neared the doors to the club. The music was pumping into the street. His feet moved to the beat, tuning out the talk of young men and their obsession with a group of ladies who emerged from a car, short skirts and legs.

  Alfonzo held the door for the women and one chica blew him a kiss. “Gracias papi.”

  Sergio smirked when Alfonzo winked at the chick and she blushed. Damn, my cousin don’t have to do shit to get the ladies do he?

  Domingo pushed Alfonzo through the door. “Move your ass, I’m on a curfew. Teresa ‘aint feeling me hanging out all night primo. So I have to be home by two!”

  The guys laughed, except for Emilio because he sympathized with Domingo. Jessica was also the demanding type, no lie.

  The bouncer at the door gave Alfonzo a fist pump. “Yo, what’s up crazy motherfucker, I haven’t seen you around in a minute?”

  “There’s nothing like Nuevo York, I always gotta’ come home from time to time!” Alfonzo slipped the dude a few bills exceeding the cover charge and the group was waved in.

  As soon as they stepped inside the dimly lit club, the music was pumping and damn, nothing but hot ass women shaking their asses met Sergio. Alfonzo went straight to a chica, the baddest mamasita in the crowd and Sergio expected her to blow him off or something, but no, just like that his cousin was dancing with the woman and having a good time.

  Sergio scanned the crowd as the other guys split up to do their own thing. He wasn’t accustomed to hanging out with other fellas and being among these fun guys made him realize what he’d been missing. Alfonzo wasn’t a bad dude. Shit, a matter-of-fact, he preferred his company over his mean ass Uncles who always looked about to shoot somebody. Yeah, he can get with this, he thought as he sauntered to a pair of girls about his age dancing together.

  “Hey ladies, mind if a brother joins the runway?”

  The cute one with red streaks in her hair smiled. “You think you can handle two of us?”

  “Mami, bring it on.”

  That was three hours ago and after some partying and drinks, Alfonzo and the guys waited outside for Sergio smoking weed. Of course, Alfonzo asked the bouncer to make sure he sent Sergio’s ass out the club in fifteen minutes, he figured that was more than enough time for the kid to hit it and leave.

  Domingo always had the best shit, well, nah, not true. Those damn kids did. He was joking about it when he noticed a pair of blue uniforms turn the corner and look in their direction, undoubtedly because they smelled weed. “Fuck!”

  “You get rid of that shit primo.” Domingo warned as the officers began to head in their direction.

  Alfonzo snuffed out the bud with his fingers, and told Juanito and Emilio to go back in the club. Juanito was strapped and if the cops frisked his ass, they were going downtown. The bud was slipped in his mouth and swallowed after that. Domingo quickly lit a cigarette and passed it to Alfonzo, who he knew good and well didn’t smoke, but hell it’d cover the scent.

  The officers neared eyeing the pair. One was a female cop, too petite to be on the beat at this time of night. The other was a male. They both had rookie exuding from their pores.

  “Hey fellas, let me see some I.D please,” the female officer ordered when she halt in front of Alfonzo.

  Alfonzo smirked, gripped the cigarette in his teeth. The smoke got in his eyes and he squint while raising his hands in the air. “Lo siento policia, you have to get it. I’m not reaching for shit. I don’t want to be another Amadou Diallo up in this bitch.”

  Domingo laughed. The cop was so young, she probably never heard about Amadou Diallo. It was a case way back where an African brother was shot and killed in the vestibule of his apartment reaching for his wallet to show the policemen. The motherfucking cops got so scared; they opened fire numerous times killing the poor hardworking immigrant. Guys on the street, hustler and the working class people of color in the ‘hood continue to reference the incident, even today.

  “Have it your way. Where is it?”

  Alfonzo’s grin widened. He decided to have fun with the rookie. “Front right pocket mami. Be careful you don’t touch anything hard chica.”

  Her male partner stood with his hand close to his belt. He looked scared as hell as Alfonzo and Domingo chuckled.

  The door to the club opened and Sergio came out laughing, he took one look at the police officer and exclaimed, “Yo sis, what’s up, why you hassling our cousin?”

  The rookie cop’s hand dropped before it touched Alfonzo’s pants and she looked at the handsome Spanish man’s blue eyes sparkling jovially and undoubtedly high. And to think she was actually going to go there and touch his fucking dick on purpose to shut him up before booking his ass. “Cousin, this is our cousin?”

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

   

   

 
 

  Nico breathed a sigh of relief when the plane landed on the tarmac.

  Sicily denoted home.

  The time apart from his beloved Ari siphoned blood marrow from his bones. He missed the hell out of her and the boys. Sheesh, Sergio was a damn drain to be around. Hopefully, Alfonzo would rub off on the kid.

  He stretched his legs and arms. Twelve and half hours cooped up on a plane, no matter how luxurious is the equivalent of being caged. Once he disembarked a car waited. Sophie had sent one of her men; bless the woman for her consideration. Most of his life he’d enjoyed the nomadic wanderings, but today he was a weary traveler and yearned for the familiarity of a woman who welcomed him to bed.

  On the ride to Sophie’s, he thought about the tip he’d received. He’d check it out in a few days, but for now he needed to spend time with his family. Giuseppe was having troubles again. He was also another bane in the ass that required constant monitoring. Leave Giuseppe alone for too long and he’d set a torch to the city with unreasonableness.

  Backpack in tow, midnight shadow and droopy eyes are what Ari saw going up the stairs when she emerged from the kitchen with a very late night snack. “Nico, oh my goodness!” she exclaimed and went to him and they hugged. The pie was carefully held away from his body so it wouldn’t get crushed. 

  They went upstairs together and she filled him in on what he missed and he laughed as he undressed, watching her eat and talk from the edge of the bed. “Any day now, huh sweetheart, our girl is coming?”

  “Um, she better hurry because I swear Sophie won’t have any food left.”

  “She’ll buy more.”

  “Um, well damn she can come to my house and cook any time she wants. That lady is a chef.”

  Once Nico went and brushed his teeth, he returned to find her slapping the pillows and then she climbed in bed, sighed and rubbed her belly. “I’m fat.”

  “Yes, you are. Fat and happy.”

  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.”