Armored

by S. W. Frank

  Giuseppe snort before disconnecting. He did not want to be friends with Tony, Nicole is the person he sought an intimate friendship. He pointed for the driver to go and then settled back to return Matteo’s numerous calls and texts.

  “What is the emergency Matteo?” he asked. “I would think you would enjoy the peace and quiet with my sister out of your coiffed hair.”

  “You did not call to inform me of Sophie’s decision.”

  “I have been busy. My mama was given an ultimatum. I am certain she will do the right thing.”

  Giuseppe scrutinized the night landscape. Darkness can be beautiful when quiet.

  “This Yosef is not good for our families. There has been talk of dissension once news of his presence surfaced.”

  “People talk; it is their actions that concern me most.”

  “And what of this lunacy that has gripped Alfonzo?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “He has given valuables that were his inheritance to the likes of smugglers.”

  “What my fratello does with his property is not my business or yours, Matteo,” Giuseppe replied patiently. His mind traveled to Allie. Perhaps he should call the child before she goes to bed to say good-night. Today, he realized how truly amazing bambini are. They speak inappropriately but are not intentionally cruel. Ah, he felt such pain to think he injured his dear Allie.

  “Did you enjoy the outing with Carlo?”

  “Sí.”

  “And the donna, did she enjoy the day as well?”

  Giuseppe’s ears twitched. “Are you spying Matteo?”

  “No, when you didn’t answer after I called many times I contacted my cugino to ensure all was well.”

  Giuseppe’s hooded eyes were on the dark skull of his Capo dozing in the passenger seat. Perhaps it was a mistake to hire any of Matteo’s relatives. They forgot their loyalty is to Don Dichenzo; that is their pledge.

  “You and Amelda are meddlesome. You belong together. Do not involve yourself in my personal affairs Matteo or that of my fratello, capisce?”

  “Likewise stronzo.”

  Giuseppe tossed manners aside and abruptly disconnected. He preferred to say good-night to Allie rather than conversation with an officious Don.

   

   

   

   

  Chapter Fourteen

   

   

   

   

   

  “Come on gorgeous, everyone’s too busy drinking to notice we’ve disappeared.” Tony coaxed as he lifted his fiancée’s dress while pinning her to the wall of the bedroom closet. She’d gone upstairs to fetch her camera and he followed. She looked so sexy in the off the shoulder teal gown that he experienced a rush right before the hard-on came.

  “Tony what about the guests?”

  He stretched her arms over her head, sliding warm hands down her skin until they were on her hips, working down the strap of the flesh tone G-string. She relinquished the protest when he surged with a pumping motion almost to her stomach. The music covered her pant and her eyes closed to the rhythmic melody being crooned throughout the home.

  ‘I can hear her heart beat for a thousand miles,

  And the heavens open up every time she smiles,

  And when I come home to her that's where I belong,

  Yet I'm running to her like a river's song…

  She gives me love, love, love, love, crazy love...

  Tiffany’s arm went out to grab hold of the rack as he rocked within her as if pumping on a swing. His mouth sucked her neck when he rose high and she sunk with him on the descent, gripping like a gymnast the overhead bar filled with her clothes. She moaned loudly when masculine hands rolled her buttocks and he sang in her ear a lullaby during sex, “She's got a fine sense of humor when I'm feeling low down, and when I come home to her when the sun goes down

  She takes away my troubles, takes away my grief,

  Takes away my heartache in the night like a thief...

  Tiffany’s hand moistened. Perspiration trickled from the nape of her neck and went on a water slide using her spine. She pushed backward to find herself thrust forward and her mind cleared away everything but his voice as he fucked her good.

  “Yes I need her in the daytime, Yes I need her in the night, I want to throw my arms around her to kiss her, hug her tight…and when I'm returning from so far away she gives me such sweet lovin' brightens up my day, and makes me righteous…makes me whole…makes me mellow down to my soul.”

  Tony had a nice voice. The man sang. He could’ve screwed her until her pussy fell off with his fine ass, Tiffany smiled. She danced all right, all over his thighs like a shameless stripper in an erotica novel. When he stopped singing, made a choking sound, she knew he had peaked and that’s when her love came down.

  “What’s taking you so long finding a camera…?” The woman stepped backward when she realized she had interrupted an intimate moment.

  Tony growled. “Goddamn, in my own home I can’t even fuck without you barging in!”

  Tiffany was mortified. Tony’s mama was the most classless person she’d ever met. The woman didn’t have an ounce of respect for anyone or their privacy. Oh, their day of ‘bonding’ at the spa had been a series of embarrassments. That lady brought drama everywhere they went. From the steam room to the mud bath elicited a complaint. She even cussed at the workers, yes she did. The ghetto heffa treated people like garbage, why? Because the masseuse asked her to remove her bra before she began.

  She hurried around Tony as he pulled up his trousers. Tiffany decided she wasn’t going to intervene, nope. Whatever he said to that woman, she needed to hear.

  Tiffany went straight to the bathroom to freshen up, and then seized the camera from the dresser as Tony gave his mama a good talking to.

  Ari held on to Nico’s shoulders as they danced to the slow song. She smiled knowingly when Tiffany reappeared among the guests. Her hair was somewhat tousled, she smoothed her dress self-consciously with an ‘um that was a damn good quickie’ expression. Ari recognized the look all too well. She and Nico invented the thing.

  Most of the people in the room were close friends or family of Tiffany’s. Several sorority sisters and their significant others had traveled to share in the intimate celebration along with two of her cousins. Tony’s relatives were the obnoxious folks who inquired about the cost of the seared pork cutlets on ginger infused silver beet with Moroccan cous cous served on fine china. They fingered the meat and talked with their mouths full instead of chewing and using napkins. Nico didn’t give a shit about any of that, neither did Ari, they came to eat, dance and drink.

  “So how you know my son?” Tony’s mama asked Nico as he opted for water in lieu of wine. He let his wife drink for the both of them.

  Nico put his glass down. “We work together.”

  Tiffany held her breath, hoping Nico didn’t say anything to scare anyone.

  “Yeah, and what exactly does my son do?”

  “He’s in charge of security for Palazzo Enterprises.”

  “You mean he works for that fella in Forbes?” Uncle Willy asked spitting as he talked. “The Concrete Don…something or other…people keep sayings a crook. He does look like a crook.”

  Nico laughed. “What does a crook look like?”

  “Rich, arrogant, parading around with his chest all poked out, probably laughing his ass to the bank while stealing our money,” Uncle Willy replied jovially.

  “All rich people are crooks, wow I didn’t know that?” Tiffany interjected sarcastically. “That’s a strong assumption to make about someone you don’t know based on rumors, especially a businessman who along with his wife give generously to charities.”

  “Well rumors usually have facts,” Uncle Willy replied.

  “Not unless they’re proven, and none are,” Ari said shutting the nonsense down. “Otherwise it’s gossip.”

  “What
are you a lawyer?” Uncle Willy asked.

  “In fact I am.”

  “Well damn Tony, you got lawyers and whatnot up in here. I hope you aint told them nothing about when I used to buy cartons of cigarettes from the south and then sell them to those stores on the east coast. Made me a good profit when I did too,” Uncle Willy boasted, unaware he ratted on himself.

  Ari laughed at the small time criminal. “I’m sure you’re Public Enemy Number One.”

  Nico chuckled. His wife was a sarcastic ass. He loved it. He hadn’t had this much fun in a long time.

  An hour or so later, they nursed drinks after an impressive meal as Nicole entertained the guests with Chopin’s, The Bees, Étude No. 2 in F Minor. Nico was in love with the music and Ari smiled when Nicole transitioned to Beethoven’s, ‘Tempest’ Sonata in D minor. Ari enjoyed watching Nico’s face. He was having sex with music. If Nicole played Liszt or Scriabin, her husband might have an orgasmic fit.

  Everyone applauded when she finished and Uncle Willy who’d drank more than he should stood and nearly tripped just putting his hands together. “I don’t know what the hell kinda’ music that was but girl you looked hot strokin’ those keys!”

  “Uncle Willy,” Tony said, “Cool it!”

  “Oh you know how your Uncle gets. Don’t go actin’ high-and-mighty around your friends,” Tony’s mama interjected.

  Ari sipped her wine, enjoying the theatre. The pleasure of being around folks acting the fool had her missing her relatives in the states. She’d gotten the letter and soon she’d be free of the slew of caveats attached to deception. You can’t hit up friends, visit familiar places or be there when a cousin gives birth. Yeah, sitting among the group, she longed to see her Uncle Richard. The army vet with a penchant for raunchy stories was the equivalent of her family’s Uncle Willy.

  Soon she’d tell Nico what she’d done.

  Tiffany thanked every saint she could name that her parents were unable to attend due to her dad’s cataract surgery, but they were coming for the wedding in three weeks. Too bad, Uncle Willy hadn’t missed his flight; if by good fortune he had he would’ve arrived tomorrow instead of this afternoon. Tiffany frowned, when Uncle Willy decided he had a profound statement to share.

  He stumbled to the center of the floor, lifted his hand and a bullet ripped through his palm. Nico bellowed for everyone to get down, making sure he snatched his wife off the seat to the floor and covered her with his body.

  His hand felt for the weapon secreted at the base of his spine and unclipped the holster to grip the steel. “Stay down and crawl over there in the corner sweetheart,” he instructed in Ari’s ear as he pointed to a sturdy breakfront, peering from the dining room where they’d recently eaten.

  He watched as she made it safely to the next room and then behind the wall with the bulky furnishings. Nico took charge, telling everyone to stay low and go to the next room.

  “And stay away from the windows!” he added. But he didn’t follow the advice, because he needed to take a look at where the shot may have originated. By the bullet’s trajectory he suspected the patch of trees is where the shooter lie concealed.

  “Help me…I’m shot. Man, Tony I didn’t come all the way here to get killed!” Uncle Willy exclaimed. Similar to a beached whale he wiggled on the floor in agony from the minor wound.

  Nico shouted for Tony to hit the lights and to check the exits. More bullets blew the windows out just as he did and the women shrieked.

  Nicole stayed beneath the piano. She’d left her cell in the bedroom. She remained prone as Nico returned fire and a volley of shots toppled pictures and lamps. She wished she had her cell to call Giuseppe, damn, damn, damn, she reflected, he stayed strapped and right now the burly mobster is what she needed. Why after a wonderful day did the music end on the wrong key?

  Tony glanced at Tiffany; she was unharmed and comforting his mama who shook like a leaf as she summoned her heavenly Father, making false promises she knew good and well she couldn't keep. His mama called on spiritual aid for everything, even when she squandered the rent. He strained to listen. His mama’s wailing and Uncle Willy’s punk ass made the task difficult. The crybaby scrambled on his beer gut to the others and Tiffany’s friend Diane tended to his hand. Diane and her husband assured him the injury wasn’t life threatening. The guest improvised by tearing his shirt to make a bandage to tamponade the bleeding. Diane was a nurse; a useful person to have around during times like this, Tony opined.

  Then Nico joined him near the kitchen door. “Stay here and keep your eyes and ears alert. I’m going out.”

  “You don’t know how many shooters there are.”

  “I won’t know unless I look.”

  “Exit from the basement. The door isn’t visible. The brick wall there and shrubs are natural camouflage.”

  “Thanks, but I know the lay-out of the house.” Nico reminded Tony. It was his brother’s place. “Keep those women safe,” he warned. He glanced quickly at Ari, who blew him a kiss. He had a lot to live for, ironic how under other circumstances he wouldn’t have thought about the future, but happiness makes a person want more and he’d become a greedy sonovabitch.

  He winked, and then disappeared. 

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Chapter Fifteen

   

   

   

   

   

  “Turn here!” Aaron shouted when Darren nearly missed the exit.

  Sigonella was the United States Naval Air Station near Catania. They had passed the military base, the last in Sicily. The land leased from the Italian Republic cost tons of money annually, which indicated the island's strategic importance to America.

  Many foreigners weren’t aware the United States government was the largest employer in Sicily. Military bases are not usually indicated on commercial maps, but the inhabitants of Italy were familiar with Sigonella’s location. That’s how Aaron knew they were about to take a wrong turn. Anna said Yosef lived past the base, further inland near the farms. She said Yosef’s secluded place had lots of foliage. The broken wooden sign with the word, RALLENTARE, which meant reduce speed to exit the roadway, was the marker that told Darren they were close. In this area the stradas were unpaved, more dirt and pebbles, motorists were cautioned to drive carefully due to the uneven terrain.

  “Shut up, I got it,” Darren replied because he did. The GPS system had been on point so far and Aaron needed to be quiet.

  Darren paid attention when Anna talked about Yosef. In a way he was jealous of the old geezer, especially when Anna said the farmhouse had pretty wildflowers and a picturesque view of the surrounding landscape. He cared about Anna. One day he planned to afford beautiful things. However, there was college on the horizon and with a baby coming he wasn’t sure when that’ll be. His mom couldn’t hide her disappointment; she cut into him and Anna about their irresponsibility. He didn’t have a defense; any debate with his mom better make sense or she’d tear apart an argument, quick fast.

  When she asked what they planned to do next and he replied, “I don’t know.”

  That wasn’t the right answer.

  “Well, Darren Augusto Serano, you and Anna better start figuring that out.  The only married adults in this house are your dad and me. Any hollering infants that didn’t come out of my vagina better have a place to sleep when Nana needs peace, capisce?”

  “Yes mom,” he responded; embarrassed. A man with a family shouldn’t depend on his parents for financial support or housing.

  His dad later eased his angst when he said, “Darren, you have a college fund, you also have a savings account that will help you take care of your responsibilities if you budget right. You don’t have to forego your dream of attending the university, what you have to do is begin
incorporating your family into the reality. Life’s going to throw you a lot of curve balls son, be ready to swing that bat.” His dad had said and then squeezed his shoulder and exited the bedroom, leaving Darren to contemplate the future.

  He watched the dark with somber vision, wanting to be a man, and needing to begin in defense of the girl carrying his kid. He didn’t want Anna afraid anymore, a man should protect the person he cares about and that was his purpose tonight.

  Yosef took long strolls in the evening they were told. He had trouble sleeping; caged beasts have to stretch their legs. Anna suggested Yosef had a sleep disorder which stemmed from war because she heard him talking in his sleep telling somebody there’s another bombing at the synagogue and then he’d awaken in a cold sweat.

  What made Darren angry were the old man’s threats. He didn’t care about a wicked man’s insomnia; only that Anna was petrified of her ex-husband. Darren saw the marks on her body, the masochist’s bruises bespoke of a sickness.

  Who but a sicko uses his teeth to leave Jewish crosses on someone?

  Well, Darren wasn’t afraid of the asshole. The background check on Yosef Glavovitz proved he was nothing but a douchebag. A former high ranking officer in the Israeli military, he received an honorable discharge in the height of his career. There were numerous news articles with the intimidating officer in his crisp uniform and snarl. Later, a promising officer plummeted to dishonor. Yosef had multiple arrests, mainly assault charges and then he faded into the bowels of society for a few years. Darren scoffed. He must have been real busy evading the police because it wasn’t until a major bust when Yosef’s name reappeared in the media. Arms dealer, human trafficking, heroin, prostitution, and many of the dirtiest crimes were intimately connected to the Israeli.

  He used Anna; took advantage of her innocence and tossed her into a world of cruelty. But, Darren wouldn’t allow her to become a victim of its harshness, he’d save her, yes dammit he’d do everything in his power to help her start again. First, he wanted the old bastard to feel the punches of payback on his evil skin.