by Samantha Lee
Antony smiled at Sandra, it was one of his signature smiles, designed to make the person receiving it feel comfortable and welcome. “Good Morning Sandra,” he said, she looked up at him and smiled brightly. Exactly, Antony thought to himself. This was who he was. A fake. He made smiles, practiced them, used them, but he never truly smiled, unless he was with Yvette. She amused him, enthralled him, captivated him.
For the rest of the world, his facade worked. He was Pio’s good looking boy. He wasn’t known by the truth, Pio’s sometime killer.
Antony pointed toward his office door and whispered to Sandra, “Is he in there?” she nodded. “Thanks,” he said before he walked into his office.
B&E both on the legal and illegal side was one of the most lucrative investments the Family had. But Torre couldn’t reconcile himself to the fact that it wasn’t his place to run this operation, it was Antony’s. Torre’s place would always be under him never over him.
Antony entered his office and saw Torre sitting at his desk. Antony’s anger rose, he hated the way Torre lay claim on his office. He sat with his back to the door looking out the window. The chair was reclined and he was on the phone.
Antony cleared his throat, Torre spun his chair around. He raised a finger in the air gesturing for him to have a seat, in his own damn office. It never took Torre any time to escalate the tension between them. He was asking for Antony to kill him one day and one day given the right reason, he would do so gladly. After five minutes Torre cradled the phone and walked to the sofa where Antony sat. He sat down, he made a show of messing with his tie, his body language was dominant.
“You sure you are ready to come back to work?” Torre asked arching one brow in question, “You look pale, sick like.”
“I am fine. When are you leaving today?” Antony asked and leaned back against his sofa, crossing his legs, regaining the power structure between them.
Torre laughed. “You cut right to the point don’t you?” his laugh died and his tone became hard. “I wasn’t planning on leaving, I was planning on you taking that dead girl Yvette’s job, and I stay put.”
Antony pulled his cufflink and smiled, he dropped the veneer and let Torre see the darkness that lurked inside him. The devil that rose when he called. “You don’t really know me Torre, do you?” Antony asked, his voice steady and calm. “I am not a nice guy, not at all, quite the opposite actually. You see, I don’t really like you and that alone won’t get you killed, but the shit you just said coupled with that, well, that might.”
Torre must have saw exactly what Antony wanted him to see, the fact that he would seriously kill him. Torre sat straighter, loosened his tie, and began stuttering. “I-I didn’t mean it the way it came out. I meant that I could help you until you get on your feet, and maybe having a lighter burden by taking the President’s position might be helpful considering your recovery.”
Antony smiled. His smile was tight, he lost his patience with Torre long ago. “Torre, get up, go to that desk,” Antony pointed to his desk. “Get all of your shit out of there, then go to that closet,” he pointed to his walk in closet on the right. “And get all of your shit out of there. You following me?” Torre nodded. “Then go to that door,” Antony pointed to the door of his office, “and walk the fuck out of it. Do this right now, before I seriously lose my shit.”
Torre stood, and collected his things, Antony watched him the whole time. Torre walked to the door and Antony felt he needed to give him a piece of advice. “Torre,” he said placing a hand on the man’s shoulder, Antony felt him tense, “you need to know the players if you are going to play the game. But for now, just know, I am someone you will never use or beat, so,” Antony put his index finger against his head and pushed with every word. “Get. That. Out. Of. Your. Mind.” Antony reached between them and opened the door.
Torre hustled through the door. Antony closed the door and turned around, he frowned. His office smelled like Old Spice, and there were no windows he could open, he would have to live with that stench for a while.
***
Antony sat at his desk, pulled out a handkerchief, and wiped down his phone and desk. When he felt they were sufficiently clean he picked the phone up off the receiver and dialed Sandra.
“Yes Mr. Carbonaro?”
“Get the executives ready for a meeting, I have a lot to get caught up on. Who is the acting President?”
“The acting President is Areyanna Oliver, and you want that meeting when?”
“Let’s set the meeting for,” Antony looked at his watch, “two in the afternoon, but send Areyanna to me now.”
“Yes Mr. Carbonaro.” She said and hung up the phone.
Within a few minutes, Areyanna Oliver stood in his office. She looked good, but her skirt was turned awkwardly and her hair looked a little messy, but it wasn’t his job to point out her clothing issues.
“Good Morning Areyanna, please have a seat.” Antony stood from his desk and walked to meet her at the sofas.
“Good Morning, Antony.” He almost rolled his eyes at the way she said his name. Her voice was laced with her desire. He had enough of playing with her.
Antony eyed her and played with his cufflink. She watched him and slowly crossed and uncrossed her legs. Apparently she didn’t have on any underwear. Enough.
Right before she crossed her legs again Antony said, “Enough, keep your damn legs closed.”
She straightened, she was offended. Antony didn’t give a damn.
“You are the acting President correct?” Areyanna’s head bobbed, her lips shut tight.
“Good, I am going to make you the President and not because you sucked my dick or fucked me. I am going to do it because you are actually very smart and capable, you should capitalize those assets and not your body. But I need you to understand something. I am not interested in you at all. I don’t want you to come on to me, ever. I don’t want you to use your body for any reason at all again. You are smart enough to rely on that, or you can leave my company. Is that understood?”
Areyanna’s head bobbed again, but Antony didn’t believe she understood him, “Repeat what I just said.”
“You said a lot of things.”
“I did. Repeat the part about our relationship.”
“You are not interested in me at all, and I shouldn’t try to seduce you, or anyone else.”
“Exactly, don’t forget that because if you come on to me one more time, I will fire your ass quicker than you can cross your legs.” Antony stared at her a flush rose across her cheeks, she opened and closed her mouth, speechless for the first time.
Antony didn’t hesitate to move the conversation forward. He had other shit to do. “Move into Yvette’s old office by the end of the week, and get me all the sales reports, and financial statements that have been produced in the last two months by the end of the day.”
“Okay,” she said.
Antony couldn’t help but sigh, “And when you have a fucking meeting with me, bring a damn pen and paper so you can take notes. I really hate repeating myself.” Antony waved for her to leave. He had been hard on her, but some women kept hope alive all the way until you married someone else, and he didn’t have the time to play that shit with Areyanna. He needed her head in the right place if she was going to be of any use to him.
He didn’t like giving her Yvette’s old office but he didn’t think she would be coming back to work for him, at least, not here. He smiled as he remembered the way Yvette’s body felt against his, and her confession. He didn’t need her to say she liked him, he already figured that out, but it was nice to hear her say it. In a few more days, they would see each other again for the first time. He wondered how she would take it when she found out he was her charge for the night. He was concerned that he wouldn’t be able to let her go at the end of the night.
***
Daemon went down hard and Yvette smiled, “See this is what happens when you underestimate me. I am not just good with guns but I am getting pretty good with martial
arts too.”
Daemon swirled on the ground and popped up to stand in front of her, “I bet you would be good at break dancing if you put your mind it,” she said.
“Come here brat,” Daemon grabbed at her, she dodged and ran away from him. Daemon chased her around the gym before he tackled her to the ground and quickly rolled off her. “Good fall, but don’t get cocky,” Daemon hit her in the ass. Yvette turned over and both of them lay facing the tiled ceiling. “So I have this mission in a few days but you haven’t told me much about my target. When will you tell me more about it?”
Daemon sighed, “It is a simple protect and disengage. One of our best resources is attending a party—” Yvette cut him off, “I figured that by the clothes and jewelry,” Yvette said.
“Right, well, his regular guards would stand out like sore thumbs at a charity event, so he asked us to step in for the night. Ice and I will be your backup on the outside, you are going in hot, but we don’t anticipate any trouble?”
“You know, you still haven’t told me shit, who is this guy. Will his enemies be there? What are the damn details? I don’t like going into this without knowing everything. It is my ass on the line out there, don’t take it lightly.”
Daemon sat up and rolled on top of her, palms flat on either side of her head, he looked deeply into her eyes. She turned her head away, his hand slapped the floor, a little dust flew up and she blinked, “Don’t turn your fucking head away from me Yvette. Don’t say fucked up shit like that, then be a coward. Look at me!” Daemon yelled. Yvette turned her head back, she looked into his stormy gray eyes. “You know damn well I value your life. I am training you day in and day out for a reason, because I will give you the best chance of survival. I do not take your life lightly. I almost told you not to go but you are a big girl and capable, you are a natural.” Daemon rolled off of her. “I will not let you go in alone or without knowing everything. I planned a briefing before we left for your mission.”
Yvette sat up, “Okay,” she patted Daemon on the shoulder, he was the only person in her life that empowered her, made her feel like she could do whatever she needed to do to survive, even take on the Carbonaro Crime Family. Standing she extended her hand, “Lunch?” she asked as a truce.
“Hell yeah, I am fucking starving. I woke up late and missed breakfast.”
“Then let’s get something yummy…something that is not top ramen.” Yvette said.
“Then lunch is on me…again, but once you get paid for this gig you better take me somewhere nice for all of my charity.” Daemon said and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
Chapter Sixteen
Antony logged onto his computer, an email popped up from Sandra.
Your three o’clock appointment has been moved to two o’clock. And I am leaving for a few hours, is that okay?
He looked at his watch, it was eleven, he typed his response, Yes, that’s fine but why did my appointment reschedule.
Her response was immediate. He has a doctor’s appointment.
Who was his appointment at three? Antony wondered. He opened his outlook calendar. Oh, old man Gino, he typed, That’s fine, thanks.
Gino used the Family to smuggle money and goods and had been doing so for years. He looked like a harmless old man but he wasn’t. He could be ruthless when he needed to be, but he was also fiercely loyal to those he decided were ‘good people, from good families.’ Gino stuck to the old code of secrecy, and moving in the dark. He wasn’t like the newcomers, spending money everywhere, constantly on social media, obviously doing something illegal and bringing attention to the Family. The Carbonaro’s didn’t do that shit either. Carbonaro’s kept to themselves and made sure they stayed low. There was no real money to be made in prison. The Carbonaro’s for the most part were businessmen who kept their nose to the ground unless pushed, then we pushed back, hard. Gino worked with them exclusively because of the way the Carbonaro Family did business.
***
The guard came to Donato’s cell, “Um, excuse me, Mr. Belmonte you have two visitors, which would you like to see first.” Donato pulled down the silk sheets and peered at the guard. Donato’s father set him up well. He may have taken the plea to arson and conspiracy to commit murder, but he knew he would be out sooner rather than later on appeals.
Prison wasn’t so bad, he had enough street credit to not be fucked with, and what he didn’t have the people his father put in with him did. He had luxuries that made him comfortable, but being trapped inside four walls was starting to needle him, more and more. When it was almost unbearable, he hosted parties and invited people in the Family and people who wanted to be made. They kissed his ass, and made him feel like a god among men. No wonder Stefano was content with the small following he had from his boxing days. The power was a heady feeling.
“Who is it?” he asked.
“It is your sister and another man, who wouldn’t write down, or tell me his name.”
Interesting Donato thought, he didn’t want to see his sister the conniving bitch but his father would be disappointed in him if he snubbed family. “I will see my sister first. Make sure I have coffee and we will meet in the library.” Donato said.
“Yes, Mr. Donato,” the guard said and left. Donato sat up letting the silk drop down his naked torso, and stretched his hands over his head. He stood and went to the small toilet in his cell to relieve himself.
Donato walked into the library and saw his sister sitting silently. Her looks were deceiving, if anything, she should be the one sitting in the cell and he should be visiting her. She had a lot of nerve walking into a prison with all the people she killed.
Donato dropped down on his chair and stared at his half-sister across the plastic table. The guard came back and gave him a cup of coffee. He took a sip, “What is it Sandra.”
“I wanted to see how you were doing.”
“Bullshit.” Donato said.
“It is not, I did want to see how you were doing, but I also needed to tell you, that I have talked to father about him naming an heir.”
Donato’s stomach dropped. He had lived his entire life for the Family and his father, he tried to do everything his father told him to do and worked hard to stay in his good graces. If something had happened in the two and a half months he had been in prison, he wouldn’t be able to handle it. Knowing his future as the heir to the Family was secure, was what was getting him through some of the long days.
“Okay, and what did father say?” Donato asked.
“There is no easy way to tell you that, I have been named heir, and the new underboss.”
Donato hit the table hard, his hot coffee spilled onto the floor and over his hand. His anger, boosted his adrenaline, so he didn’t register the pain of the hot coffee scathing his skin.
Sandra sat calmly while he railed. “You! He chose you? Why would he choose a half breed bastard like you? A fucking bitch like you.”
Sandra’s head turned like a cat assessing its prey, “Watch your mouth Donato.”
Donato fell back into his chair. “You will regret all that you have done Sandra. This will not end the way you think it will.”
Sandra stood, “Clean that shit up,” Sandra jerked her head toward the spill, “and it will end the way I want, look at you. That ended well for me.” She left and Donato watched her go. Donato was rooted to his chair in shock. The guard came back into the room with towels and a mop to clean up the spilled coffee, when he was done he asked, “Do you want to see the second person?”
“Why the fuck not?” he said. “Everything is over now anyway.” The guard backed out of the room. Soon he returned with someone Donato didn’t think would ever take the risk to meet him in public. Donato snorted, shit must be bad for him too.
“Torre.” Donato said. Torre sat down across from Donato. “Did you hear my father named a new heir, my half sister.”
“Sandra?” Torre asked.
“Who else?” Donato asked. Donato ran a hand through his hair. “
What brings you here?”
“Antony needs to be eliminated. I don’t even give a fuck if I get the operation, it can all go to shit for all I care, I just want the conceited bastard dead.”
Donato made a show of looking around the room, then down at his orange uniform. “I am sort of busy for a while, otherwise I would love to have another shot at the motherfucker.”
Torre nodded, “I am sure you still have connections with the outside. If I provide you the right time and information we still have a chance.”
Donato glared at him, “Yeah, because I haven’t learned my lesson yet about trying to kill the little evil bastard.”
“It was a stupid move to try to kill him right after an attempt. Of course, Pio would have things tight around him, but now, things have settled and I heard there’s a benefit party or something he is going to, and leaving his regular guards behind. This would be the best time to do it.”
“You know Torre hindsight is 20/20 isn’t it? But, I have to say, having this discussion while I am already in prison doesn’t endear me to your plan. I don’t need the key thrown away. Get your own people to deal with this. I need to deal with Sandra.”
Torre and Donato sat in silence, “What if I deal with Sandra and you deal with Antony, then we can run this coast together?”
Donato shook his head, “Sandra is not someone who will go down easily. She is deadly.”
“Yes, but there’s enough Carbonaro’s that hate the Belmonte’s that finding a few idiots to risk their lives to take her out, won’t be hard.” Torre held his hand out to Donato, “Do we have a deal? Both of us will take care of the others loose end.” Donato shook Torre’s hand, “I need to know everything about Antony leading up to the day of the benefit, the color of his car, clothes, the location of the party, when he leaves his house. This time I will do shit right.” Donato said.
Torre nodded, “The party is in a few days. How do you want me to get the information to you?”
Donato looked at him quizzically, “Call my cell.” Donato reached into the breast pocket of his jumper and pulled out the latest iPhone and smiled. “It’s prison, you know the place you put a bunch of corrupt people and hope for the best. Obviously we are all bastards that don’t follow any rules.”