“Two fifty-cent bets on number five.” He looked at the books, then said “Got a few show bets on the ten, but won’t cost us much.”
For the second race we dropped the odds on numbers five and seven and raised them on two and nine. Then we prayed and got ready for the next race. It turned out to be almost a repeat of the first, with number five winning. This time number ten came in second, and number two rushed to a third-place finish. Number nine again finished last.
Mr. McDermott and several of his firemen buddies came in just before the third race. It was a surprise he showed, but when he bet five bucks on number nine he shocked everyone. He had nine kids so we figured that was why. Tony nudged me and Bugs, then whispered. “Nine’s a dog. Got no shot at winning.”
We were still laughing when the sound of car doors slamming echoed up the alleyway. Mikey the Face stepped out of a Caddy, with his normal contingent of hangers-on. He pranced down the alley like he owned it, comb already out and messing with his hair. Paulie Shoes was with him, as were Tommie Tucks, Pockets, and Patsy Moresco, though how Patsy fit into that Caddy with four other guys was a mystery. The gate squeaked open, and Face came in, still brushing his hair as he walked across the yard. When he got to the odds board, he stared at it while he scratched his cheeks and picked at an imaginary beard.
“Number five’s won two in a row, huh?”
“Both of them,” Tony said. “Odds are going down on him, though.”
“Those odds ain’t going nowhere.” Mikey pulled a wad of bills out of his pocket, peeled off two C-notes, and plunked them down on the table. “Two C’s on number five.”
Tony almost shit. Even though the odds were even money on number five, we couldn’t cover the bet. Tony hesitated, looked up at me.
I shrugged, looked behind me. Pops stood against our fence, two houses away, just watching. I had hoped for support, but Pops turned and walked back into the house. My heart sank. Not that I blamed him. Who was going to stand up to Mikey, except maybe Doggs. Still, I felt a little ashamed. Pops hadn’t even come down to see the races. I turned back to Tony.
“Do whatever we got to.”
Face picked up the bills and waved them in front of Tony. “What the hell, kid? You takin’ the bet or not?”
“We don’t have that kind of money, Mikey.”
“What are you doin’ holding a race if you can’t take a bet?”
“Why don’t you bet less, Mikey? There’s ninety-six bucks in the till.” Tony stood up, faced Mikey. “We’ll cover you for ninety-five. Come on, we’re kids.”
Mikey the Face was usually all smiles. Today he looked mean. Word on the street was he lost big a few nights back at Doggs’ game. Maybe he was trying to make some of it back. Whatever it was, he was showing no mercy. He leaned in close to Tony, snapped the bills—crisp hundreds—then backed Tony right into his seat. “You either take the bet or you close down this piss-ant operation.”
The gate creaked open and Pops walked in carrying a cigar box. When he got to the table, he handed me the box.
“Cover the bet,” he said.
I opened the lid to a box filled with money.
“Holy shit. How much?” Suit asked, not thinking about the cursing.
It was an assortment of ones and fives and tens. I pulled out a wad and handed it to Tony. “Count it,” I said, while I started on the other stack of bills.
Tony finished first. “Two hundred seventy-eight.”
Suit and Bugs stared at me, waiting. As I rolled past the last few bills, my eyes lit up. “Two hundred forty-nine,” I said, and almost instantly Tony totaled it.
“Five hundred twenty-seven.” He turned to Face, grabbed the two C-notes from his hand and stuffed them into the betting box. “That’s two C’s on number five,” Tony said, and wrote it in the book.
I stared at Pops, proud as anyone could be. I didn’t know where he’d gotten the money, but it was the proudest I’d ever been of him, except maybe that day at the cop station.
Face snatched the bills back. “Decided not to bet.”
He turned and walked straight into Pops, who stood as stiff as Ciotti’s stone wall. Those hawk eyes he was known for burned into Mikey the Face. “You laid the money down. It was a bet.”
My pride turned instantly to fear. Face would kill him for this. “Pops, it’s all right. I—”
“Stay out of this,” he said. His eyes never left The Face.
I shook, not knowing what to expect, certain only that Pops would be killed. I’ll go get Doggs.
Bugs tugged on my arm, whispering like we did in church. “Nicky, you see what I’m seeing? Face is scared shitless of your old man.”
I nodded but said nothing. No one made a move to help Face or back his play. Not Tucks, or Pockets, not even The Whale.
Face yanked the bills out of his pocket and threw them at Tony. “Put it on number five.” He moved to the other side of the yard, mumbling. “What the fuck’s two bills anyway?”
When people saw Mikey bet so much on number five, many of them followed. Soon we had almost four hundred bet on that one roach. Just as Tony was about to close the book and get Suit to announce the third race, a voice rang out from the back. “Don’t close the betting.”
I turned to see Sister Mary Thomas, her smile as bright as the sunshine. Tony looked up at me, as if to ask, “what the hell” and I shrugged. The crowd parted like the Red Sea for Moses, then she handed a one-dollar bill to Tony.
“Anthony, I would like to bet on number one, please. To win.”
Tony smiled, wrote it down and took her money. “You got it, Sister.”
She leaned toward him and whispered, “You should close the betting on number five.”
He nodded, then looked at her as if he forgot something. She leaned close, and he whispered, “Sister, if you’ve got any juice upstairs, ask God to hold back on number five.”
“Anthony Sannullo,” she said, as if indignant, then winked at him and walked over to stand beside Mrs. Donovan.
“Fix is in,” Tony whispered to Bugs.
Suit whistled, alerting them of the third race, then he put the coffee can on the ground. I made the “sign of the cross,” whispering in Latin while I waited for the lid to come off. “Go.” Tony shouted, and the roaches scattered. Like every other race, number five broke for the front, heading straight toward Sister Thomas. Numbers two and six were close behind. I heard a shout from the crowd and looked in the other direction to see good old number nine crossing the finish line. I could have kissed that roach.
In ten seconds, it was over. Number nine won, with number five coming in second, ensuring us of a very successful day. Face tore up his handwritten ticket and stormed out of the yard. Once he was gone, Pops headed for home. I ran to him, threw my arms around his waist. “Thanks, Pops. I can’t believe what you did.”
He tousled my hair. “Sometimes you have to stand up for what is right. Mikey was wrong. I reminded him, that’s all.”
We had three more races then closed down because one of the Donovan girls stepped on two of the roaches before Bugs could collect them. Two more got hurt legs when he scooped them up. That didn’t leave enough for good betting. After everyone left, and after we cleaned up the Schmidts’ yard, we went to my house and counted the winnings.
“Six hundred ten bucks.” Suit said.
“That’s…”
“One twenty-two each,” Tony said. “I’m saving mine.”
“I’m buying clothes,” Bugs said.
“Clothes? You got enough for three people now.”
“Hey, screw you. I like nice clothes, okay?”
“I’m buying my brothers a shirt so Mom don’t have to iron so much.”
“That’s doesn’t have to iron. You let Sister Thomas hear that grammar and she’ll kick your ass.”
“You let her hear that mouth and she’ll do worse,” Pops hollered from the other room.
“Sorry, Pops.”
“What about you, Nicky? What are you buying
?” Tony asked.
“I don’t know.”
Tony laughed. “Yes, you do. I can tell by that look in your eyes.” He punched me in the arm.
“Haven’t decided.”
Tony stared at me, then laughed. “It’s a gift for Angie isn’t it? I knew it.” He looked at the other guys, trying to stir them up. “What a pussy Nicky is. Buying a gift for little Angie.”
The laughing pissed me off at first, but I soon joined in the fun. It was far too good a day to get pissed off. Besides, I didn’t mind them making fun of Angie. But if anyone ever hurt her I’d kill them.
CHAPTER 15
FORBIDDEN FRUIT
Wilmington—19 Years Ago
I had been falling for Angela for a long time; it just took me a while to realize it. The truth probably didn’t hit me until I decided to spend my share from the races on a present for her. Not a ring—that would have been too obvious, so I opted for a bracelet. Doggs had a hot one that was worth four or five times the price, but I told him I wanted it “clean” for her, so he hooked me up with a jeweler who owed him money and got me a good discount. I had to borrow money from Doggs, but he said I could pay it back over time. I was about to leave, but stopped.
“Hey, Doggs, how come The Face was afraid of Pops?”
“What are you talking about?”
“At the races. I know you heard.”
Doggs got that mean look on his face, and his eyes scrunched up. “You ever looked at your old man? He’s a fuckin’ beast. Strong as a fuckin’ ox. He could rip Mikey a new ass and shove it down his throat if he got pissed off.” Doggs poked my chest with his finger and stared at me. “Let me tell you something, Rat. Nothing pisses off Dante like someone fuckin’ with his kid.”
I couldn’t help smiling; in fact, I couldn’t stop. “Thanks, Doggs.”
“Yeah, get outta here.”
For almost three weeks, I had that bracelet in my drawer at home, waiting for the right opportunity. It arrived a few days later when a friend of Tony’s invited us to a party at his house Friday night. His name was Eddy Chinski and his parents were gone for two days, leaving him to watch the house. I asked Angie to come.
When we got to his house it was already crowded and most people were walking around with beers. I grabbed two bottles, opened them, then motioned for Angie to follow me to the living room. When we got there, I started up the steps.
“Where are you going?” she asked.
“Come on up.”
“I’m not following you to the bathroom.”
Chinski’s house, like all of the ones in the neighborhood, had one bathroom, and it was upstairs with the three bedrooms. The downstairs had a small living room, a smaller dining room, and an even smaller kitchen. “I’m not going to the bathroom,” I whispered. “Come on. I want to show you something.”
She eyed me suspiciously, almost like Mamma Rosa did, but then she started up the steps.
I looked around when I got to the top, then went into Chinski’s parents’ room, closing the door after Angie got in.
“Nicky, I—”
“Don’t worry. I want to give you something, and I don’t want everybody to see.” I pulled the small box out of my pocket and handed it to her. “It’s nothing much, but I thought you’d like it.” I shrugged, turned my head to the side. Looked for a reaction. She probably thinks I’m an ass already. Shit, shouldn’t have done it.
The box was black and looked classy, the kind girls like to keep. Angela opened it real slow then stared at the bracelet. It was gold with six small diamonds spaced around it. For a few seconds she didn’t say anything.
I shoved my hands into my pockets, fidgeted. “If you don’t like it, I can take it back. I just…”
She grabbed hold of me, pulled me to her, and kissed me. “Nicky.” Tears were in her eyes. “I can’t believe…I mean, really can’t believe it.” She kissed me again. “I love it. It’s beautiful. I can’t believe you did this. Where did you get the money?”
I shuffled my feet, embarrassed. I felt sure my face was red. “Remember when we had those stupid races? I saved since then. Just…I don’t know, just waiting for the right time.”
“This is the best gift I’ve ever gotten.” She kissed me one more time, softly, deeply. “Why don’t you lock the door.”
The way she kissed me, and the way she said that, made my whole body throb. “Listen, Angie, I didn’t give you the bracelet for that…I mean, I don’t expect you to do anything…”
“Lock the door,” she said. It was a command.
Under the right circumstances I knew how to be obedient, and this was one of those times. I locked the door, shut the curtains, and climbed into the double bed, then took off my shoes and socks. Angie climbed in next to me, pulled a blanket over us and got close, bare feet tickling mine.
“I can’t believe we’re alone,” Angie said.
“I know. Great, isn’t it?”
She kissed me softly. Slid closer.
I returned the kiss, tongue tasting hers. I felt her tense. Wrapped my arms around her, squeezing gently.
She giggled. Relaxed. “I can’t believe we’re doing this.”
I kissed her neck. Nibbled on her earlobe, dropped down to her neck again, started to bite her.
“Don’t make any marks. My father will kill me.” She pushed me back then reached down and pulled her top off. “Take yours off.”
I stripped off the shirt, snuggled in next to her. Her skin was on fire. “Take your bra off.”
She kissed my neck, biting lightly. “Undo the straps.”
I reached behind her, breathing growing more excited. Soon the strap was undone and she slipped her arms out. I pressed against her again, let her warmth excite me. The kissing grew more passionate. I went to her neck and down to her breasts. I let my fingertips trace up and down her side, lightly tickling her.
“Not much there for you to kiss.”
I thought she sounded embarrassed. “I don’t really care about tits.”
“If you don’t, you’re the only boy who doesn’t.”
I stopped, came back to face her, kissed her. “I’m serious. You’re the smartest and funniest person I know besides Tony, and I sure as shit ain’t kissing him.”
She gave me a little love smack. “So you’re just kissing me because I’m smart?”
“Your nice ass might have something to do with it.”
Angie laughed, then dug her heels into the bed and lifted. “Take off my pants.”
I slid her pants off, underwear too, and tossed them on the floor. After taking mine off, I moved beside her. We were on fire. As we kissed, my hand ran down her back, down between her cheeks, softly. Angie’s leg wrapped around me, her foot sliding up and down my leg. I felt like I would burst into flames. I moved down to her breasts, kissing, then lower, to her stomach, letting my tongue and lips work on her. God, but her skin was smooth. And she smelled so nice. I licked her navel while my hands tickled her sides. Felt the goose bumps on her as I did.
“Come back up, Nicky.”
When she said that, I hesitated. Part of me was relieved, wanting her to stop me. This was new territory, and despite my show of bravado I felt…inexperienced. I kept kissing her stomach, moving to the side. She never said anything else, so I went lower, below the navel. Let my hand slip lower too. Ran the tips of my fingernails down her thighs, just barely touching her, enough to feel me. No more.
“Nicky…”
I slowed down again, remembering what all the older guys said about girls, how they always said no but meant yes. I wanted more than anything to keep going, but I didn’t want to push her. My fingers gently caressed her as my lips moved lower.
“Do you want me to stop?” I almost hoped she said yes, but she said nothing. The silence gave me courage.
I kissed some more just below her stomach, slow, deliberate…then slid down her leg, inside her thigh. At that point instinct took over. I kissed her all the way down, all the way to her fo
ot. Nibbled on a toe, then let my hands run up and down her legs, softly caressing. Intermittent kissing. Then I went back to her thighs, kissed all the way up, gently pushed her legs apart. Very gently. Kissing all the time.
Angela grabbed my head, started to pull me up toward her, but stopped. I let my tongue flick across her. She moaned, lightly. I licked softly all around her. Up and down, then across. Traced a circle around her, then focused on the clitoris. Paying special attention to it.
“No,” she said, but pressed me closer. Spread her legs wider.
I touched her gently with my fingers, spread her wide, then used my tongue to explore her. I licked her silky smooth skin, tasted her wetness. “God, you taste good.”
Angela pushed herself into my face and held me there.
We made love then. When we finished she rolled over on top of me. We kissed and laughed, and then she lay her head on my shoulder, arm draped across my neck. “I love you, Niccolo Fusco.”
I kissed her forehead then her nose. “And I love you, Angela Catrino.”
I knew the moment I said it that my life was changing. I vowed again that if anyone ever hurt Angela, I would kill them.
CHAPTER 16
MORE CHARTS
Brooklyn—Current Day
Frankie got to the station before Mazzetti did, before any of the morning shift except Carol. It was tough to beat her in. “Morning, Carol. You’re looking sharp.”
“Compliments are not necessary, Donovan, but yes, I did get your tape. It’s on your desk.”
He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “You really are the best.”
Frankie pretended not to see the blush on Carol’s face; instead, he got coffee then hurried to his desk. He was listening to the tape when Mazzetti came trudging in. “What are you listening to?”
“The tape of Renzo’s 9-1-1 call.”
Lou waited while Frankie played it twice more, his ear in close. “Anything?”
Frankie sat on the edge of the desk. “I didn’t tell you this before, because I wasn’t sure.”
“Yeah, I remember. Crazy thought and all.”
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