Kingpin (An Italian Mafia Romance)

by Ws Greer

  The only source of annoyance we have is from the two cock suckers walking into the room right now, Sammy and Alfonse Cestone. These two pricks are older than me, but younger than Frankie and my dad. They’re immature, and they want street cred, and since my dad and his crew are focused on bigger things with the casino now, Sammy and Alfonse have started really stepping up their street activity in our absence. They’re pulling a lot of robberies and taking a lot of trucks, which is fine as long as they don’t hit the one’s we already own, and they don’t touch the trucks that are on routes that belong to my father. They’ve abided by the rules for a couple of years, which is why Frankie and Dad have let them do it, but they’re getting greedy now, and that’s going to be a problem. Rumor has it they have serious ties to one of the Five Families in New York, which isn’t anything new because we all do, technically, but they seem to think they’re connections gives them a power the rest of us don’t have. They don’t know how wrong they are.

  “How you doing, Donnie?” Sammy says as he saunters in with his hands in his pockets. He has sharp facial features—a long jaw and a pointy nose and chin—and his brother looks just like him, except he’s a little plumper in the belly. They walk to the front of Dad’s desk and wait to be addressed. Still following the rules, for now. Sammy and Alfonse aren’t made guys, they’re simply a crew trying to gain credibility on their own, so rules must be followed.

  Dad blows smoke into the air and eyeballs the two goons. He knows why they’re here, and he doesn’t like it. Frankie takes a seat in the corner behind the Cestone brothers and folds his arms. Everyone is tense, even me as I sit next to dad and glance out the big window overlooking the casino floor.

  “What the fuck is this, Sammy?” Dad begins. “You coming over here unannounced? I don’t like it.”

  “I apologize for that,” Sammy says, remaining calm. “We don’t mean no disrespect, Donnie, we know you’re a capo now. We just had some business we’d like to discuss with you.”

  Dad exhales in annoyance, but he relents and tells them to sit down. They do, and Sammy gets started while Alfonse remains silent, looking past my father like he’s not even listening.

  “We had an idea. This casino thing is looking pretty lucrative. I mean, I don’t know how you pulled it off, but becoming owner of this place was fucking genius, Donnie, I gotta tell you.”

  “I appreciate that, Sammy, but what’s the fucking point?” Dad snips.

  “Well, I’m glad you asked. You know who my Uncle Carlo is, don’t’ you?” Sammy asks. He leans back in his chair and makes himself comfortable.

  “Why would I know who your uncle is?” Dad asks.

  “Because he’s the don of the Lucchese Family now.” Sammy throws one leg over the other and smiles. He’s trying to play the “my uncle’s a boss in New York” card, and you don’t do that without having an agenda. You don’t try to trump a capo with a guy who’s not even in the same state, even if they are related to you, and even if your relative is a boss of one of the Original Five Families of New York.

  “Okay, your uncle’s a boss in New York,” my dad says with venom in his voice. “What the fuck do I care? What’s that got to do with me?”

  Sammy exhales and somehow manages to sit back even further. Considering the tone of the conversation, he’s entirely too relaxed. He’s an arrogant asshole and it’s rubbing my father and Frankie the wrong way. He’s even managing to get on my fucking nerves.

  “The reason it’s important to you, Donnie, is because I know you don’t wanna piss off a head of one of The Five. You don’t need that kind of drama in your life. So, to avoid any unnecessary suffering to your thriving crew, I think it’d be a good idea if you and I went into business together. You know, kind of as a favor to New York.”

  Dad doesn’t say a word. Frankie sits up and taps his jacket like he’s looking for a pack of cigarettes, but he’s really making sure his gun is where he expects it to be.

  “You understand what I’m saying, Donnie?” Sammy asks, narrowing his eyes. “I don’t even need to be seen, hell I don’t want to be seen. I’ll just be behind the scenes. My brother and I were thinking you kick us seven percent every week and everything will be good to go. Everybody’s happy. Especially New York.”

  The air in the room is thin, and the tension is thick. Dad glances at me, then his eyes bounce to Frankie before he finally stands up and straightens out his suit. He puffs on his cigar and blows the smoke right into Sammy’s face. Sammy doesn’t flinch.

  “You got alotta balls, kid. Coming in here and thinking you can tax me on my casino is the ballsiest thing I’ve ever seen, and I admire that. It’s also the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen. The only fucking person I kick up to, is my boss, Leo Capizzi. Anybody else thinking I owe them something is a fucking moron, and that includes you and your ugly fucking brother. I don’t even know your fucking uncle, but if he has a problem with that, he can fly his ass down here and take it up with Leo. You fucking kids have no respect. This isn’t how we do business in Our Thing. Now, you two fucking idiots are gonna get up and get out of my casino, and on your way, you’re gonna thank the Virgin Mary that your uncle is a boss in New York, because that’s the only reason I’m not having both of your bodies thrown in the fucking Mississippi River tonight. Now, get the fuck up, and don’t ever let me catch you on this street again. Consider this a restraining order. If anyone in your crew comes within five hundred yards of River City Casino Boulevard, we’re gonna have problems.”

  Sammy’s jaw is tight and Alfonse just stares at my dad like he wants to kill him right here, but neither of them make a move. The last thing they want to do is have a problem in this casino, so they both stand.

  “Okay, Donnie. I apologize. I didn’t mean no disrespect.” Like twins, the two of them turn around and walk towards the door together. Frankie gets up and opens the door for them, but just as they exit, I see Sammy glance at me. We make eye contact only for a second, then he steps out and Frankie closes the door behind them.

  “Can you believe those little motherfuckers?” Frankie snaps. “If you want me to handle this, Donnie, just give me the fucking word. Those arrogant cock suckers need to learn a lesson.” Frankie is livid and pacing around the room. I know he’d love to get his hands on those two. Frankie would have no problem clipping them both.

  “It’s okay, Frankie,” Dad replies as he sits down. He turns around in his seat and watches the Cestone brothers walk through the casino towards the exit. “They’re just young and ambitious. But it’s gonna get them killed if they don’t keep it in check. I’m in a good mood. We’ll give them a pass today.”

  “Ugh, your mother is gonna fucking kill me,” Dad says as he looks down at his watch. “I didn’t even realize what time it is. Here Dominic, take the keys and go start up the car. I’m gonna wrap shit up here and I’ll meet you down there.”

  I take the keys to the Cadillac and make sure I have everything before walking out.

  “Later, Frankie,” I say as I open the door.

  “Take it easy, Boy Wonder,” Frankie replies.

  I make my way through the casino floor and the lobby and take the elevator down to the garage. It’s eleven at night on a Wednesday, so it’s pretty quiet down here. I can hear the echo of my steps as I walk through the concrete structure, and as I approach Dad’s car I pull the keys from my pocket, but I accidentally drop them.

  “Shit.”

  I reach down to pick them up, and as I’m reaching, I hear footsteps echoing, getting louder and louder as someone runs towards me. I go to look up, but before I can see anything, I feel the pain of a kick to my stomach.

  I can’t breathe. I fall to the ground in the fetal position trying my best to get some air into my lungs, but it’s barely working. My eyes, however, are working fine, and I can see Alfonse Cestone standing over me. He has a small knife in his hand and the look on his face says he’s ready to use it. He wants to use it, and there’s no way he would’ve touched the son of a
made guy if he didn’t plan to.

  “Dominic Collazo,” he says, glaring down at me as I gasp for air. “Didn’t expect you to be down here alone like this. Was waiting for Frankie to come out so we could give him a little message, but since you’re here, it’s even better. I think Donnie will really get the point if it’s you.”

  Alfonse lifts his foot and sends it crashing downward, stomping me in the head. My skull bounces off the concrete and my vision immediately goes blurry. The pain is intense and I feel like I’m about to pass out. My hearing is muffled and I’m pretty sure I’ve lost all control of my body. I see Alfonse, but there’s three of him and they’re all dancing around and through each other. I think he’s talking, too, but I can’t make out the words. It’s like his voice is playing on a recorder in slow motion, deep and slow.

  I’m too confused to be afraid, but I see Alfonse drop to his knees and bring the knife to my face. The tip of it is near my cheek, then I can sense it’s near my neck. I want to move, but I can’t. He leans over me and I feel the prick of the blade on my throat, but then I hear a loud pop that makes me jump.

  Just one pop, and Alfonse is gone.

  I’m staring at the blurry ceiling of the garage with my back on the cold concrete. I hear muffled voices and words I can barely understand—something about sending a hand somewhere, and dumping something else in the river.

  “Dominic,” I hear a voice say. I think it’s my dad. “Dominic, are you okay? Come on, get up. We gotta go.”

  I feel my father lift me up off the floor, but I’m still groggy. Everything is still blurry, but as my father helps me walk to the Cadillac, I look back and see a body on the floor, and there’s blood.

  I know it’s Alfonse.

  Even through blurred vision, I know I just saw a dead body for the first time. More importantly, I just saw my father kill a man.

  Alannah

  “My goodness. You look beautiful, honey.”

  My mother snaps another picture of me in my off-white homecoming dress as I stand next to Marcus Smart, my date for the dance. Marcus is wearing a dark gray suit and he really looks great in it. He’s sixteen and just under six-foot tall, with skinny arms and short brown hair. Apparently I have a thing for basketball players, because every boyfriend I’ve ever had has played for the school’s team, and Marcus is no exception. We haven’t been going out for long, but he’s a nice guy. He’s sweet and is always going out of his way to spoil me, which can get a little annoying at times, but it’s better than dating an asshole. He’s definitely not a bad boy, though, and I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing.

  Tonight’s the homecoming dance, and it’s been a week and a half since I’ve seen Dominic. I don’t know what’s going on with him but he hasn’t been at school at all, and I haven’t even gotten an answer when I’ve tried calling him, which is unusual. I’m worried about him, but one thing I know for sure is that Dominic Collazo can take care of himself, so I try not to let it bother me too much. I’ve just been wanting to see him since my parents told me we’re moving to Alaska soon. I’ve tried to use the time to figure out a way to tell him, but I haven’t come up with anything.

  Marcus and I spend another half an hour posing for pictures before my parents finally let us leave. Marcus, a sophomore, is driving his mother’s red Honda with one hand like he’s been doing it his whole life, and he puts his other hand on my knee. I smile when he places it there and he smiles back, then looks straight ahead.

  When we get to the dance, there are people and decorations everywhere. The school colors are purple and white, and it’s like those two colors have taken over the world the second we step out of the car. There’s purple and white flashing lights bouncing off the walls outside, and even more of them dancing around the room when Marcus and I step inside. Purple streamers lay spread across the floor and music blares from gigantic speakers in every corner of the basketball court that’s been turned into a dance floor for the night.

  “Wow, they went all out,” Marcus says, raising his voice so I can hear him.

  “Sure did,” I reply. “You wanna dance?”

  “Not yet, let’s mingle a bit. I wanna see if any of my people are hear yet.” Marcus speaks to me without looking at me as he scans the room for his friends. He starts to walk away and I contemplate following him, but I see something out of the corner of my eye that makes me stop.

  I notice people looking in the same direction, watching as a figure struts into the room. It’s pretty hard to tell with the purple and white lights, but I’m pretty sure he’s wearing a black suit with light gray pinstripes. Everything about him is attractive: styled black hair, strong jaw, wide shoulders, and even his intimidating scowl. Every girl in the vicinity is looking over at Dominic as he walks in like he owns the building.

  There’s something different about him. I don’t know what it is, but it’s there. The way he holds himself is bigger, prouder, like something has changed him. He’s surer of himself, straddling the line between confidence and arrogance with absolute perfection, and it looks just as good on him as the suit he’s wearing.

  I watch him walk and I’m almost in awe of him. When he sees me, his demeanor changes. His scowl turns into a smile that’s only meant for me, and my heart seems to skip a beat. Dominic is gorgeous, and it’s like I’m seeing him for the first time right now.

  “Hey,” is all he says as he approaches, hands in his pockets.

  “Hi,” I reply with a feeling of nervousness I’ve never had around him before. “Umm, where’s your date?”

  He shrugs. “Don’t have one. Just wanted to come see what this was all about. You look beautiful, Alannah.”

  Another skipped heartbeat.

  “Thank you. You look . . . really handsome. That suit is awesome.”

  “Thank you.” Dominic glances around before settling his eyes on mine. “Where’s your date?”

  Now it’s my turn to look around. Marcus is nowhere to be found.

  “Oh, umm, I guess he walked off. I think he’s looking for his friends or something. I don’t know.”

  “Hmm.” Dominic pinches his lips together, just as Mariah Carey’s We Belong Together starts up on the big speakers. “So, you wanna dance?”

  I smile to myself, but then I take a second to look around for Marcus, but Dominic stops me.

  “He’s more concerned with finding his friends. I’m interested in you. So, how about it?”

  I twist my mouth to try to keep from smiling, but I lose the battle.

  “I’d love to.”

  Dominic smiles slyly, then he takes my hand and leads me to the dance floor. We don’t have to push our way through the couples that are already dancing, because they seem to move out of the way for us. Dominic couldn’t seem to care less, but I notice their eyes. They’re glued to us from every direction like we’re covered in pig’s blood, and Dominic walks us right into the middle of the pack. He faces me and puts his hands on my waist, still oblivious to the stares.

  “They’re really staring a lot,” I inform him, but he shrugs it off.

  “Fuck them. It’s just us in here. We’re the only ones on this dance floor.”

  I lose the fight to another smile as I wrap my arms around his neck and we start to dance to the music. It only takes a second for me to forget about the people glaring, and eventually they go back to minding their own business, so I give my full attention to Dominic.

  “So,” I begin. “Where have you been the past couple of weeks?”

  “I was in the hospital,” Dominic replies without hesitation. “I had a concussion.”

  “Oh my gosh. What happened?”

  He looks me in the eye, seemingly thinking about his response, but eventually gives it in the form of a whisper.

  “Some guys tried to move in on my dad’s casino. Dad wouldn’t budge, of course, so they tried to come after me. Roughed me up a little. No big deal.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Ain’t I always?”
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  I feel my heart start to race like something bad is happening right in front of me.

  “That’s crazy, Dominic,” I say, suddenly feeling overwhelmed. “Well, are you okay, at least?”

  “Fuhgeddaboutit,” he says with a smile.

  “What do you mean, forget about it? I can’t just forget about it. What did they do to you that gave you a concussion?”

  I hear Dominic sigh and he looks at me sideways.

  “Alannah, the last thing I want you doin’ is concerning yourself about me. Sometimes things like this happen, but I survived and I’m here now. I’m here with you, so everything’s good.”

  “We’ve been close for four years, Dominic, you can’t expect me not to worry.”

  “I didn’t know you cared so much all of a sudden.”

  “Well, I do,” I snip, my emotions starting to get the best of me. “And it’s not all of a sudden. I do care about you, maybe more than you realize.”

  Just as the words escape me, the music stops and it’s silent. All these people surrounding us and it couldn’t seem quieter than it does right now, with all this air and tension between the two of us.

  Dominic and I look each other in the eye like it’s a staring contest, like we’re trying to see who’ll turn away first, but neither of us budge until we’re interrupted by a voice.

  “Alannah,” he says quietly, almost like it’s a question. It’s Marcus, and he looks scared and angry at the same time—angry because I’m dancing with someone else, scared because that someone is Dominic.