Atavus

by S. W. Frank

  “Al…Al!” she shouted in answer, but received no reply only voices. She silenced. Her husband was talking to someone. He accidentally called her didn’t he? Butt dialing is very common nowadays.

  The dialogue between Alfonzo and the other person was very clear. She listened; maybe he’d realize the line was open.

  ‘…he won’t know where we’re going. Have the guys cover his face with a pillowcase.’

  ‘Si.’

  ‘The sonovabitch is full of himself…he really thought I wouldn’t found out. How arrogant is that?’

  ‘They’ll probably think the wife might be involved with the disappearance…that’s a perfect set-up.’

  ‘It’s not like it’s a secret he’s always fucking around…that pendejo isn’t any family of mine…payback time…let’s get moving…I want to be the last voice he hears before I put a bullet between his eyes.’

  Selange leaped out of the chair, yelling in the cell for Alfonzo to wait. Nico isn’t wrong. She heard the music. Alfonzo had retreated inward, soothed by song.

  She quickly dressed in sneakers, yes dammit sneakers. She had to run fast. She dialed Ari, trying not to panic the woman, but Ari heard the desperation in her voice.

  “Selange what’s wrong? Look, if it’s about…”

  “Ari –please I have to talk fast, is my husband or Nico there?”

  “No.”

  “Do you think they’re together?”

  “Selange, Nico’s on assignment. I have no clue what time he’ll be back and he never answers unless I send a distress signal.”

  “Ari.” Selange was in the drawer searching for spare keys to Alfonzo’s cars. She needed the fastest one and the Porsche would do nicely. She would fabricate a story if anybody stopped her. She had to think fast. Those trash-talking sessions also served as brain exercises. You can think quicker on your feet in the ‘hood when stopped by cops or lie your ass out of a situation, a traffic ticket isn't written if you’re good. Shanda was damn good at that. “Can you meet me at a halfway point and I’ll fill you in? Hold on Ari. Let me call you back.” She synchronized Al’s location, he wouldn’t know if his cell were inside his pant or jacket. She saw he was heading toward the coast. There were nine Sicilian provinces near the coast, except for Enna, which she ruled out. Due to the direction, he traveled and the process of elimination she ruled out several others. She had an idea where he might take Nico. The village of Savoca, was situated northeast, between Messina and Taormina. He had commented that a scene in ‘The Godfather’ had been filmed there. He thought it would be ironic if a hit occurred near the Palazzo Trimarchi, for real. Then he said, no, the secluded coastal area at night is smarter, near the rocks, that way the killer could hoist the body out to sea.

  She had looked at him sideways, but now she believed he might have been serious.

  If Ari rendezvoused at that market outside Palermo, they could ride together and intercept Alfonzo before he killed another cousin. Although, Nico was a killer, in this situation he was –innocent.

  She had Ari back on line. “This is an emergency. I need you to meet me ASAP, it’s about Nico.”  She told Ari the location.

  “All right Selange, I’ll be there, but I hope this isn’t about you and Nico.”

  “No, Ari –damn, you’re still slapping my face over past tense mess. This is today and this is serious and Nico is going to need your help.”

  “Is it that bitch Bianca then? Don’t say anymore. I’m there!”

  Selange did it; she made it to the garage without arousing suspicion. When she reached the security gate all hell broke loose because. The guard had strict orders that she is ‘never’ allowed out unaccompanied.

  The guard wasn’t buying her tale that she had to meet Alfonzo at a café. She exited the car, went inside the security booth and manually opened the gate as he reached for his cell to notify the head of security. He wasn’t going to stop her and she apologized in advance for the tongue-lashing he’d receive from her husband before jumping in the car and speeding out between the huge iron bars, just as figures ran across the lawn, shouting.

  “Oh shit, sorry guys, but I need to go.”

  She checked the rearview mirror and didn’t see headlights, yet which meant she had a bit of a head start. She turned off the main road, switching gears as she slowed, and then took a turn to a shortcut to the rendezvous point with Ari. The only lights at her back were the stars and she made it to the side of the closed market ahead of Ari. As she waited, she checked the locator and saw Alfonzo had stopped. He hadn’t gone to that place, oh no, he was about ten minutes away near Cefalú where Ari lived.

  She called Ari, and prayed the woman had in her earpiece.

  “Yes, I’m almost there,” Ari, said breathlessly.

  “No, stop, I’m heading to you just flash your lights when you see a black Porsche, that’s me.”

  Lights flashed going in the opposite direction shortly after and Selange pulled to the side, waiting for Ari to turn around and park safely.

  Ari jumped in out of breath, eager to kick ass. “Okay, made it, what’s going on? I swear this better not be about Bianca because I have had my fill of that hussy in my brain.”

  Selange filled her in along the way with a summary of the book, Nico’s questioning, omitting the private room part, thinking it best to tell Ari she ran into Nico at Sophie’s and he asked her about the book’s contents rather than incur the woman’s wrath –again. Then she told Ari, “Nico is in trouble. My husband thinks he’s betrayed him and…”

  “Betrayal –death got it,” Ari said. “And since Nico screwed up before, he’s not giving him another chance…got that too. How many times is your crazy husband going to kill mine? I thought they squashed their beef –and shit, they’re cousins. Forget about it, this is mafia my cojones is bigger than yours machismos.”

  “For goodness sake Ari, Nico’s far from sane.”

  “Who is girl?”

  “What’s up? Is calling people girls and kids a family trait with you Serano’s?”

  “Compared to me you are. I have seniority.”

  “But, you act like a girl with your manipulative games. You have a hard time accepting no.”

  “That’s because some people require motivation to do stuff.”

  Selange switched gears as she peeked at the light on her cell. “Ari, if stealing gives you kicks, own it. However, that’s not for me. I have enough drama with the kids and besides, I get my kicks in ways you don’t know.”

  Ari laughed. “Oh, I know. I spied your husband’s dick swag. Can you drive faster –woman before your crazy man kills my husband.”

  Selange pressed on the gas and rolled her eyes. Ari and Nico was a match made in hell on earth!

   

   

   

   

  ~

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Cefalu sits on rocky terrain that arches all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. That’s why Alfonzo chose the location. The charming seaside town at night is as beautiful to the viewer as it is in daylight. Yachts sailed on the black colored waters or sat in docks near the beaches where sloping rock homes carved from mountains looked down upon the sea in ancient regality.

  Nico’s secluded villa was further inland, perfect for a complex family man. Nico's home is not where the group traveled after parking their vehicles in the dense vegetation sprouting in large patches in front of rock formations.  There were treacherous spots where a dirt path led down to a patch of beach enclosed by jagged boulders and afforded Alfonzo the privacy he desired.

  The splashing sea cooled the heat rising from within as Alfonzo navigated his descent to the sand followed by an entourage of armed security. The
gusting wind blew his hair and it wiped his sweaty forehead.

  Alfonzo’s mind was on the task ahead. There were figures on the beach, one with a silk pillowcase over his head, firmly held in place by a person who witnessed him approach. That is where Alfonzo’s eyes focused when he reached the uneven grit.

  Alfonzo’s jacket and shirt were on the seat of the car. A black sleeveless T-shirt displayed his muscular arms. The tattoos running the length of one arm were a sleeve of beautifully etched symbols. Domingo sat on his shoulder, Selange and the flame of a phoenix all meant something –they reminded him of where he’d been, what he loved and the soaring flame of his future.

  The picturesque view of the sea was gorgeous and the thrashing waves were his raging temper.

   The elevated section of Cefalu with ruins and remnants of an immense fortification and ancient temple aren’t what he came to see.

  His fist struck the hooded figure and the person went to the sand on his knees. “Puto!” Alfonzo yelled and waited until the figure stood to strike him again.

  “Remove the hood Alfonzo. Look in my eyes you fucker if you’re going to kill me!”

  Alfonzo laughed. “Oh now you’re a bad maricón?”

  “Take off the damn hood!”

  “You play with my money and steal from me to put your lovers in luxury, huh?”

  “Bésame culo pendejo!” The angry man spat in Spanish at his kidnapper stepbrother.

  “I’d bet you like that, too. We didn’t get along from the onset. I guess marriages don’t make for an automatic happy union for the adult children, eh?” Alfonzo countered as his stepbrother screamed his demand to see the face of his hated new sibling.

  Alfonzo let his demands go unanswered. He wanted the traitor to see nothing…nothing at all, because that’s how he felt about the bastard’s grandstanding. “Big mouth and bold words you spoke not long ago, remember? You said, we can’t assign blame to our parents for our choices, remember that Corrado? Do you remember you also said my ancestor is a coward of a King who did not stand by his woman? Well, Corrado apparently to you I am a coward for not taking shit you said to heart and going on about my business. However, what I said must have fucked with your head for you to attack me with viciousness. I’m not taking off that pillowcase because I’m going to kill you the way you’ve been living –hiding in silk sheets. Before I do though, tell me, why did you arrange for your sister to marry your lover? Were you guys going to use Nico’s kid as leverage to extort money, huh?”

  “I will not tell you anything!” Corrado exclaimed.

  “You’re a terrible businessman. I can tell you that. Since you’ve taken over your daddy’s company, his stocks have declined. Were you and Matteo in cahoots, as well? It is hard trying to fill your dad’s shoes, isn’t it?”

  “Shut up!”

  “Too bad you weren’t as tough as your sister. Don’t worry Corrado your boyfriend will be in hell waiting.”

  The knife holstered at his waist was too good to touch contaminated flesh. Corrado was nothing more than an annoying thorn.

  There was a raucous above. Someone shouted a warning, guns turned upward at the approaching noises as they escalated. Alfonzo fired into Corrado’s skull before the intruders arrived, dropping the hooded figure to the sand on its face and then turned his weapon in the direction of the screams.

  His ears twitched and he yelled for the men to holster their guns when he recognized his wife’s voice. Someone had already fired. Alfonzo heard Ari screaming for Nico and then he observed his wife drop and women tumbling.

  Alfonzo stood still as stone as if he had seen Medusa.

  His vision went black at the sense of déjà vu.

  Men ran to aid the women. Pandemonium and shouts were all around their boss who stood rigid as the rocks. Even the crash of the tides striking his flesh was unable to move concrete feet.

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Chapter Thirty-Five

   

   

   

   

   

   

  “Ouch, I think it’s broken. Selange’s clumsy ass fell on me,” Ari cried when Nico lifted her into the car.

  “What the hell are you doing here love?” Nico asked with worried eyes.

  “I came to save you?”

  Her husband chuckled and shut the passenger door of the SUV, strolling around to the driver’s side laughing aloud. He climbed in and said, “Ah, this has been a very bizarre night, bella, I am flattered by your well-meaning actions but don’t ever do that again.” He started the car for the road trip to the special clinic where she would receive treatment without fanfare and sent home. He waved at Alfonzo and Selange, standing by the Porsche arguing. He couldn’t believe the happy couple experienced discourse, but then again only fairytales have dancing faeries and knights on white horses saving distressed damsels. In real life, valiant women appear from shiny black stallions…well okay…Porsches’ shrieking battle cries to save unworthy spouses.

  He glanced in the rearview mirror to see Selange, wild hair blowing, waving the parchment in her husband’s face, determined to have Alfonzo pay attention, but they were both very stubborn. They were a match made in heaven, yep.

  Yes, she did right and chose the best man suited for her castle and he had his prize sitting beside him.

  Nico said to his beautiful wife, “You know what you did was foul sweetheart.”

  “What do you mean?” she asked innocently, cradling her arm.

  “Creaming money from Selange’s account to coerce her into agreeing to partner in your latest scam. That’s sneaky.”

  “I put it back,” Ari, replied. She wasn’t planning to keep it, just give the girl motivation to say yes. Desperation is a wonderful inducement. Besides, she found another potential partner, well partners, Sophie and Yosef.

  “I made certain that you did,” Nico said.

  “Mr. Anaconda can you please stop hacking into my shit. I’m serious, that’s a violation of privacy.”

  He scoffed. “Tell me something sweetheart, how would you feel if Alexandros lived with us?”

  The fireworks erupted. “Are you out of your cotton picking mind? The only way I’ll raise a child you had with another woman is if she’s incarcerated for life or under the ground.”

  “I take that as a yes.”

  Ari silenced. “I’ll consider it.”

  He glanced over. “Ti amo.” He snickered. “But, maybe you need an inducement.”

  “Such as?”

  “I’ll arrange my schedule when the boys leave for college and spend more time with you and the small ones.”

  She didn’t need her husband up her ass every day. Contrary to unpopular beliefs, she enjoyed having her space. Having her husband more involved with childcare was nice, though.  “What else?”

  A mischievous twinkle occurred. “And I don’t tell Selange what you did and pretend I’m surprised when I walk in my party.”

  “Oh you know about the party, dammit who told you? Forget it. You better not rat me out to Selange, I swear Nico you’ll sleep in that shed.”

  “It’s called leverage sweetheart, remember?”

  Nico rolled the window down some more and turned on the radio to drown out the wind carrying the faint sounds of a loving couple’s debate.

  Back on the road, Selange did not relent. Alfonzo had an obligation. “You have to.”

  “You’re not listening chica. Get the hell in the car!” Alfonzo ordered.

  “You’re not listening honey. DeMarco’s name is on this but what if his son isn’t the one responsible for the financial troubles and Bruno was involved? Check out
the names, and you might recognize some of them.”

  “Babe, can you please leave this alone until tomorrow and get in the car.” Alfonzo ordered but she refused. He crossed his arms, rolling his back from side to side against the driver’s door impatiently while gazing upward to thank heaven his babe was okay. The damn woman was going to give him a heart attack. She ranted on and on about that old piece of paper when he had just committed murder. Evidence of his deed would be erased, but not from his mind. On holidays and visits, he would look in Bruno’s eyes without flinching, that is if he reconciled with his mother. Ah, man Giuseppe, how was he going to handle his brother? Then, he thought about Angelina and Vincent's IQ test scheduled on a Saturday. How about Nico’s party, was that still a go? His mind was on these musings as his wife continued with talk of conspiracy theories as if he slept all day long.

  Finally, he tired, hoist her ass off her feet and dumped her in the car. She had taken his Porsche and scratched the side. He cared more about her than a car.

  People write books, ledgers, journals, and you never know whether the contents are fact or fiction. Currently, he wanted a shower, food and sleep.

  “Neña, ssshhh.  I’m tired, comprende?”

  “But…”

  “But nothing. There’s always some shit with my family. Let’s go home.”

  She silenced and he leaned over to kiss her and then started the engine. It felt good being behind the wheel, even if there was a caravan of killers in the front and back. As long as he had Selange on his right, Nico on the left and his brother, he was doing okay.

  “You should call a meeting and…”

  Alfonzo increased the volume on the radio and she got the hint.

  “Te amo babe, te amo.”