Mobster's Vendetta by Amy Rachiele

calls
everyone to order, and we all take a seat. Chairs scrape along the
cement and the talking dies down. First order of business is to
mention the death of Luigi Prazzo.
    “The first defector, Luigi Prazzo, no longer
remains among the living,” Mr. Furlotti announces. “As for Tutti,
attempts are still being made by Don Delisi’s son to find him.”
    It is my duty and obligation, as assigned by
my father, to take care of Uncle Tutti. I relish the opportunity
after what he attempted to do to Megan and Pop.
    "If there is no new business, we will
proceed with the alliance,” Don Furlotti finishes.
    Pop stands with Don Furlotti, each at the
head of the table. Donny stands as well, as he is the capo. He
takes a switchblade out of his pocket and it clicks open. Don
Furlotti’s capo does the same. An incision is made on Pop’s and Mr.
Furlotti’s fingers. Per the ritual, each Don meets in the middle
and solidifies the alliance in a blood bond. An enforcer I don’t
know steps forward with rosary beads and a picture of St. Francis
of Assisi. He drapes the rosary beads over their adjoined hands and
places the picture underneath them. A bond is formed through blood
and family. Bottles of Chianti are opened, and wine glasses are
passed around. Pop makes a toast.
    “To our new family members, thank you. It is
an honor to become one with you. Salute!” Pop raises his glass and
everyone follows. A chorus of salute bounces off the walls.
    The meeting breaks up, and the group seems
pretty content with what went down. This alliance benefits
everyone. Demetrius stares at me coldly and I shrug it off.
    “How are things going, Tonio?” Pop asks me
as we step into a private corner.
    “I am making some headway. Hopefully, I will
have everything taking care of in a week or so.”
    Pop affectionately taps my shoulder. “Your
mom misses you. We look forward to having you back at home.” He
pats my face with his palm. “You’re a good boy.”
    “Are you leaving tonight?” I ask.
    “Yes. I have a meeting with Sommersville
very soon.”
    “How’s that been going?”
    “Now that Tutti took off, they don’t have
the backbone. Everything’s falling back into place...like it used
to be.”
    I see Donny waiting for Pop. Pop pulls me in
for a tight hug. “Love you,” he says. “We have to go.” I hug him
back.
    “Love you too, Pop. See you soon,” I tell
him.
    Vito’s disposition is marginally better as
we get back in the car.
    “That went well,” I comment.
    He shrugs his shoulders noncommittally.
    “What did Demetrius say?” he asks in a low
tone. I am surprised at Vito. He knows I’m not supposed to discuss
it. I don’t respond right away. “I don’t trust him,” he adds. “I’m
not trying to break any code; I’m just looking out for you.”
    “I know,” I sigh.
    We sit in silence. The hum of the motor and
the softened radio are the only sounds.
    “Have to go tonight at three a.m.” If I
can’t answer these types of questions with Vito, then there is
absolutely no one. Someday, he’ll be my head enforcer. He was born
and bred for it.
    *****
    Antonio:
    I catch a couple of hours sleep before I
have to meet Demetrius. Vito is snoring loudly, sucking the air out
of the room. I take a quick shower attempting to wake myself up and
throw on some old jeans, a T-shirt, and a jacket. I grab my keys
off the nightstand.
    I arrive at the docks and I let the car roll
along slowly in the darkness. I don’t see Demetrius, but I’m a
little bit early. I am well-prepared, with a semi-automatic rifle
stuffed under the driver’s seat and a glock in the back of my
jeans.
    Being part of a crime family, you would
think that crimes wouldn’t bother me, but they do. I find it easy
to shrug off what my father does...those people know what they’re
getting themselves into. People who take part in gambling and
money-laundering are typically their own victims. If they can’t pay
or get in to deep, it’s their own problem, their