“Only when you stop deflecting what I’m saying, and if you keep looking at Matteo with lust, I will have to remove you from this house and place you with someone else.”
“I do not lust after Matteo.”
“Don’t play me for a fool, Micky, you are easy to read. So, please, control yourself, because I want you here with me.”
The Padre frowned, his gaze moving to me for a second, then back to his brother. “I will do as you say, but I assure you I wouldn’t have touched him, no matter what you think.”
“I didn’t think you would, but your stares would unsettle anyone they’re directed at.”
“Understood, but I still want to go to the club with him.”
“Nightclubs are for young people, and we are far from young, so allow Matteo to do his job without you distracting him.”
“But I wish to see Jagger’s brother.”
“I didn’t know Jagger had a brother?”
“Matteo mentioned it before. He said Jagger has a half-brother, who looks just like him.”
Christo grimaced. “I know exactly what you’re thinking, and you must be extra careful. You cannot allow your desires to interfere with what we’re doing. We must get our famiglia back and everything else needs to be pushed aside, including your sexual fantasies. I want no boys, men, or...” he looked over at Nino, “women in this house until we achieve our goal, then afterwards we can celebrate by fucking whoever we want.”
“Gabriel.”
“No Gabriel.”
“Then I will abide by my own rules until I have him.”
“Okay, I will get you your freaking angel.”
The Padre smiled wide.
Christo mumbled something under his breath, then flicked his hand. “I want to talk business with Matteo, so you and Nino need to occupy yourselves.”
Nino looked up from his phone. “What the fuck are you talking about? If there is any business to discuss, you will do so with me.”
“You’re not of use to me, Nino.”
Nino’s back straightened. “How dare you insult me?!”
Christo stormed up to Nino, making him stumble backwards. He put his face in front of Nino’s, the snarl on it looking vicious. “If you want to keep your tongue, I suggest you never speak to me in that tone again. You are to call me Don from now on, and if I tell you you’re a turd, you will fucking agree with me, because, Nino, my brother may fuck famiglia, but I kill them.” He grabbed Nino’s face and kissed him on both cheeks, then pushed him away.
He spun around and headed back to me, slinging an arm over my shoulder, his face seemingly content. The man was no less psychotic than his brother, he just preferred killing over fucking.
“Now, tell me your plans for tonight,” he said.
“I’m going to get some Landi pussy whether I like it or not.”
He laughed. “And?”
“I will talk the pussy into inviting all of her friends, including Mini-Jagger, to a party we will be having here tomorrow.”
“So, we can kill the Landi and use the boy to get to the D’Angelos?”
“Yup. Then we can crucify the D’Angelos.”
“Literally.” Christo extended his arms out wide, imitating a crucifixion. He threw a grin at his brother, who was now looking worried. “What’s wrong, Micky? Don’t you like our plan?”
“You are not to kill Jagger or Frano.”
“Oh, brother, I most certainly will, then I will dance in their blood under the moonlight.”
“You’re sick,” the Padre said.
“That’s a joke coming from you.”
“I don’t murder people for pleasure; I only clean up your messes.”
Christo smiled, the glint in his eye wicked. “You have drowned people.”
“As I said, I clean up your messes.”
“Well, I’ll let you clean up the floor after I have my blood shower.”
The Padre shook his head. “I love you, but you are truly evil. You need to start repenting before it’s too late.”
“I will only repent when I’m burning in the fires of Hell in a few months.”
“What do you mean in a few months?”
“I’m dying of cancer.”
The Padre shook his head, his face devastated.
Christo smiled wide. “No need to be sad, brother, because I’m extremely happy. It means I can do all the things I wanted without repercussions.”
“What things?”
“I’m going to slaughter all the mafioso on this island.”
“What?!”
“Except for our famiglia, of course.”
“You’re crazy!”
“Maybe, but I will get my dying wish, I promise you that.”
3
FRANO
7 years earlier
“This is Sophia,” Jagger said.
I smiled at Jagger’s girlfriend. She was a pretty young thing. No, that was an understatement; she was stunning. Her long red-brown hair framed a face that men would kill for, and her pretty bow mouth just begged to be plundered. I stared at it, wanting to do just that.
A hand thrust out at me, breaking my fixation on her lips. I focused on her delicate fingers, noticing that the pink nail polish matched her dress perfectly. I looked up at the girl’s maple-colored eyes. She was blushing furiously. She retracted her hand, probably assuming I had rejected it. I took a hold of it and kissed it, making the girl’s complexion even rosier. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sophia,” I said, letting go.
“Likewise, Frano,” she replied, dropping her gaze. I had never seen anyone so lovely, her shyness refreshing. All I had known were women who flung themselves at me or the puttane my father gave me to fuck.
Jagger coughed. I shifted my attention to him. He was looking at me with a mixture of anger and worry. Obviously he felt threatened, which I couldn’t blame him for, because his girl was looking at me with far too much interest. But the fact she was a girl meant he had nothing to worry about. I was twenty-four and she was probably sixteen like Jagger, which was far too young for me—no matter how enchanting she was.
“How old are you?” I asked her.
“Seventeen.”
I smiled at Jagger. “An older woman. I’m impressed.”
Jagger straightened, looking proud of himself.
I indicated to the other side of the room. “Mi scusi, I need to see my father, so I will take my leave.”
He nodded, the relief in his hazel eyes making me feel pity for him. It appeared that the girl preferred men over boys, and Jagger was far from a man. He was painfully skinny and his face was rather feminine-looking. I had actually thought he was gay, but with Sophia here, it looked like I was wrong.
Alberto called out to me. My attention shifted to him as he entered the lounge, holding his arms out wide, ready to embrace me. I had just returned home from America, my suitcase still at my feet.
My brother, the big man he was, bowled into me, giving me a bear hug. He pulled back. “I thought your plane was arriving later. I was planning on picking you up from the airport.”
“I decided to take an earlier flight.”
“Well, it’s so good to see you, Frano. I missed you.”
“I missed you too, Alberto, and it looks like a lot has happened since I’ve been away.” I indicated to Sophia. “Jagger has finally found a woman. So, how is your luck going with the fairer sex?”
Alberto flicked a glance at Jagger, then looked back at me. “I have a few women on the go.”
“Good man, the more women the better.” I glanced at Sophia. “No offense, bella.”
She frowned, not seeming to approve.
Amused by her expression, I put an arm around Alberto’s shoulders. “Let’s go catch up on what’s been happening while I’ve been slaving hard over my studies.”
“I can’t imagine you studying anything other than porn.”
I laughed. “So true.” I glanced back at Sophia one more time, then walked off with Alberto,
wondering what she would look like under me.
Alberto and I stopped as our father exited the passageway that led onto his study. He was sixty-two and looked like an older version of Alberto: heavy set with rough features, just with the addition of winkles and a permanent scowl, which was now directed at my brother.
“Where are you going?” he said, staring Alberto down.
Alberto dropped his gaze. “Just catching up with Frano.”
“Have you finished with that slave?”
“No, I passed her onto Raphael.”
“I told you to break her!”
Alberto flinched. “She doesn’t like me.”
“Of course she doesn’t, stupido, she’s a slave, and once you start a job you must finish it.”
“Mi dispiace,” he apologized. “I will go tell Raphael.” He smiled sadly at me. “Sorry, Frano, I will see you later tonight when I’m finished.”
I nodded, watching as he left, his shoulders slumped over. I turned back to our father. “Why is he training slaves?”
“It’s only one, and he was becoming distracted, so I thought this could focus him.” My father placed a hand on my shoulder. “It’s good to see you home, son.”
I smiled. “It’s good to be back.”
He gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze and lifted his chin in the direction of the lounge. “Have you met Jagger’s girlfriend?”
“Sì, she’s beautiful, they make a lovely couple.”
“I disagree. I thought he would have enough sense than to ask a Salvi over.”
“She’s a Salvi?”
“Unfortunately. That famiglia is bad news.”
I nodded, understanding what my father was saying. The Salvi don had once been friends with my father, but something had happened between them that my father refused to talk about. Still, I was surprised that he had allowed Sophia to set foot inside the house, considering how much he disliked them.
My father squeezed my shoulder again. “Have you been having fun in America?”
I laughed. “Fun? I’ve been working hard at my studies.”
“So, you’re telling me you haven’t been sowing your wild oats? Because, I must say, I would be disappointed in you, if you didn’t at least ruin some American figa,” he said, smiling.
I returned his smile. “I have a different woman for each day of the week. Monday is a blonde, Tuesday is a brunette, Wednesday is a redhead, and oh, I have twins for Thursday. You get the picture.”
He laughed. “That’s my boy. And, tonight you will be meeting with the Rosso girl.”
My smile dropped. “Now, why would I want to ruin my first day back?”
“You know why, Frano.”
“Father, I have no desire to marry her, nor any other female for that matter.”
“You don’t have a choice, son; we need to join the families together to make a stronger unit. Don Donatelli is pressuring me again, and I’m sick of butting heads with him. Yesterday, I sent him a present of one of his messenger’s heads, telling the bastardo that if he tried pressuring me again, the next time it’ll be his head.”
“That’s a sign of war.”
“No, it’s a warning. Though, we would be in the midst of war if it wasn’t for the Padre and his twin calming the waters. However, the situation is still precarious, so I want to guarantee that the Rosso famiglia are behind us, which means you must marry Angelica.”
“She is not my taste in women; she’s too prissy and annoying. Can’t you find someone else?”
“Like that bitch Camila Donatelli?”
I smiled. “Sì, I like the look of her, and if you want the Donatelli to stop fighting us, she would make a better choice.”
“Definitely not. You don’t know that girl like I do. She will slit your throat while fucking you, then open our doors wide for her famiglia to take over.”
“Can I fuck her at least once? She’s got a nice ass.”
My father laughed. “Always the comedian.”
“No, I mean it. Voglio scopare quel pezzo di culo.”
He grinned. “You really want to fuck that piece of ass even after my warning?”
“Sì.”
His grin widened. “Well, I guess someone has to fuck the Donatelli over, so it might as well be you. Just make sure you do it here and the bitch is tied to your bed. Though, only do her once. I don’t want that girl getting her claws into you. Anyway, Angelica has a firmer ass,” he cupped his hands, grinning wide. “I wouldn’t mind a piece of that.”
“You’re a dirty old man.”
“My oats may be sown, but my cock doesn’t know it.”
I laughed. “I’ll have to watch you around my soon-to-be-wife then.”
“Good boy,” he said, patting my arm. “I knew you would say yes.”
“But does she know I’ll be in America for another year?”
“That’s none of her business. You marry her, and if she isn’t to your liking, get a mistress. And anyway, she should be grateful. After all, she’s the one who asked for you.”
I grimaced. Back in high school, Angelica had followed me around constantly. I had made the mistake of fucking her once and ever since she’d been after me, and now she’d accomplished getting me with my own father’s help. Regardless, it was the best thing for both of our families if we married, because it would make us a formidable force against the Donatelli. I was just relieved that the Padre was around to calm the murky waters for the time being, my godfather truly a godsend.
Resigned to my fate, I indicated to the staircase. “I should get some sleep if I’m to meet with her tonight. I’m a bit jetlagged.”
“Good idea.” He excused himself, then disappeared into the passageway that led to his office. I headed across the dining-room and lounge, casting a glance at Sophia and Jagger. They were sitting on the couch, watching a movie on TV. Jagger looked awkward with his elbow on the couch, giving me the impression he wanted to put his arm around Sophia, but was too much of a pussy to do so. Sophia looked up at me as I picked up my luggage, her innocent smile so sweet that I couldn’t resist smiling back at her.
I ascended the main staircase and rolled my suitcase down the passage, heading for my room. I entered it, dumped my suitcase, then stripped off my clothes and lay down on my bed, falling fast asleep within minutes.
***
A loud cry woke me. I opened my eyes and sat up, wondering where the hell the sound had come from. A flock of seagulls flew past my window, giving me the answer. I pushed out of bed and headed for the bathroom, taking a shit, shower, and shave, then dressed in black pants and a crisp white button-down shirt, leaving the top few buttons open. Once my hair was combed back, I left my room, finding the Padre closing Jagger’s door, making me wonder why he’d been in there. The man as usual was dressed in a black garb and had his short grey hair combed back.
The Padre smiled at me. “It’s a blessing that the good Lord has brought you home safe and sound, Frano.”
“Grazie, Padre.”
“It’s just a pity that his light isn’t shining over your casa right now.”
“What do you mean?”
He indicated to Jagger’s door. “Gabriel is devastated over your father’s displeasure, but I’m afraid I have to agree with your father on this matter. It’s dangerous to get into bed with a firehead devil.”
“What’s a firehead devil?”
“A Salvi. Your father had a talk with Jagger, saying he couldn’t see their wicked daughter anymore. That’s why I was in his room, calming the poor boy down.”
“She’s not wicked; in fact she seemed rather harmless.”
The Padre frowned. “That demon is far from harmless, so make sure you keep her away from him.”
“I think he should be free to date whoever he pleases, and it’s not like it’ll last, he’s only sixteen.”
“That is coming from a man who sees an ocean full of fishes, whereas Jagger only sees the one on his plate. He gets fixated too easily, falls in love at the d
rop of a hat. He barely knows this daughter of Eve, yet is already talking about love and marriage. He is a romantic who will get his heart broken.”
I nodded, agreeing on that last statement, especially since the girl didn’t appear to be as interested in Jagger as he was with her.”
Crying started up from Jagger’s room. The Padre smiled at me sadly. “Don’t worry; I will settle the boy.” He opened the door and disappeared inside, Jagger’s crying picking up.
I turned to the staircase, grateful that we had such a kind man looking after Jagger. I headed down the staircase and called out for Alberto, stopping as my father came out of his office passageway with Angelica and her father, Don Luigi Rosso. I flinched as my stalker laid eyes on me. Angelica’s pretty face instantly lit up. She had long brown hair done in ringlets and a curvaceous body clad in a flowery dress, all of which I would like if it wasn’t for her insufferable personality.
She rushed over to me, giving me a hug. “Ciao, Frano.”
I refrained from grimacing. “Ciao, Angelica.” I gave her a kiss on both cheeks, then pulled away.
Both of our fathers walked over, looking very happy. I still didn’t want to go through with the marriage, but understood it was nothing more than a business transaction and a good one at that, it was just a pity I had to suffer the fool before me. My father directed all of us into the lounge. Servants came out, bringing refreshments. They placed it all on the coffee table, then disappeared, leaving us alone to talk. My father started discussing the marriage arrangement with Angelica’s father, while Angelica jabbered on about shoes, for some goddamned reason thinking I would find it interesting. I just wished she would shut up, not only because I couldn’t give two flying fucks about shoes, but because she had the most annoying high-pitched voice. It made my balls want to shrivel up and die.
The doorbell rang. I ignored it, expecting a servant to answer. It went again several seconds later. I glanced at the front door through the opening onto the entrance, wondering why no one was answering it. Angelica placed a hand on my lap, regaining my attention. My eyes went to her tits, her straining cleavage distracting me. Giggling, she placed a finger under my chin, prompting me to look up at her face. She smiled at me, then started talking about what her name would be when we got married: Angelica D’Angelo. She jabbered on about it meaning an angel of an angel as if I didn’t already know that, the woman the queen of stating the obvious, so when the doorbell rang for a third time I pushed to my feet.
My Masters' Nightmare Season 1, Episode 7 Connections Page 3