Chapter 21 #3
We lie together in silence as I drop periodic kisses on her shoulder and temple. I will never grow tired of the feel of her in my arms. It only takes five minutes before her breathing shifts, and I’m certain she’s asleep.
I know a couple of times she’s pretended.
Not to be deceitful, but because she thinks it keeps me from worrying.
I’ve watched her sleep now enough times I can tell the difference.
That sounds so stalkerish, but she’s beautiful when she’s awake, and she’s so peaceful when she’s asleep.
Her face relaxes in a way it doesn’t when she’s awake.
I extract myself from her like I did earlier today and move the pillows around to prop myself up before reaching for my laptop. I’ve always enjoyed putting together puzzles and Legos with Javier.
He was the one always excited to get a new set the day it released, so even though we can order them online, both of my brothers and I make our way to the toy store and wait for the doors to open on the release days.
It’s something we still do even though we’re in our thirties.
We share so much of our lives together as is, but it’s so often not anything positive or enjoyable.
This is one of the few things we can do together that makes us feel like normal brothers.
I’m unlike Javier because I don’t mind waiting to get a new set.
He always has to assemble it according to the directions the first time, then he’ll tear it apart and make new creations out of it before putting it back together and putting it to the side.
I enjoy coming up with as many creations as I can think of before assembling it the way the instructions say.
That creative problem solving has put me in good stead plenty of times with my hacking.
It’s also pissed the ever-loving shit out of our rivals.
Alejandro is our lead strategist. The man’s brain works in twenty different directions at a time, coming up with permutations and possibilities most people could never conceive of.
I’m along for the ride more often than not because I use those similar skills with my hacking.
I started in eighth grade and developed my skills, making them more and more sophisticated each year.
I’m certain many of my university classmates and professors guessed the nefarious side of my computer programming, but no one ever approached me.
Some of my classmates knew for sure who I was because of their own family connections to syndicates.
Others made assumptions thinking they were being funny with their stereotypes of wealthy, well-dressed, Latino men in New York. Either way, most were closer to the truth than I liked. But there was nothing I could do about it, and frankly, I never cared that much.
I log into several programs on my computer that provide me the anonymity I need to complete my work.
It’s nearly five hours before I’m ready to call it quits.
I’ve set traps with viruses and malware I designed, so they’re undetectable.
I’ve laid them for our New York rivals as well as all four of the main Boston syndicates.
I don’t believe it’s anyone in Tre’s family, but there’s always the possibility of mutiny in any syndicate.
I want to be sure no one working for Tommaso is getting too big in the britches, thinking they can oust the Vizzinis.
I also get into accounts for the four factions in Italy. I don’t stop there.
I scrutinize bratvas in Moscow, Triad in China, Golden Crescent in Southeast Asia, as well as the Yakuza in Japan. I need some sleep tonight, or I’ll be a zombie by morning.
When I get a chance, I’ll focus on Latin America next.
I don’t know that anyone down there is aware yet that I’m involved with Tre.
If she was the target because of me, I will rain down holy hellfire on anyone.
If it’s someone from Latin America who knows she’s my girlfriend, a side of me I’ve never released, but has always lurked within, will come out to play.
By morning I’m dragging myself out of bed.
I’d hoped for at least three hours of sleep, but I got nearly two.
It’s better than nothing. When Tre and I go downstairs for breakfast, Frank, Tommaso, and Santi are sitting around the table.
Having the three of them stare at me could be unnerving for a lesser man. It just makes me smirk as I greet them.
I can’t be too antagonistic though because I want to speak to them in private. Tre glances up at me before looking at her father. Kathleen’s already headed out to work, so we only see her in passing.
“Dad, I’d like to sit outside for a while. I can get some work done for Sera on my computer.”
I force my palpitations under control before I freak out and turn into a tyrant that locks her in our bedroom. That wouldn’t be a good look.
“All right, sweetheart. Just make sure you stay on the porch where you aren’t easily visible from anywhere on the wall.”
“I know, Dad.”
She offers him a smile before squeezing my hand. I watch her walk through the living room, grabbing her computer bag before stepping outside. I ease into a seat at the table. I’m not interested in prevarications, so I jump straight into it.
“What doesn’t Tricia know about Don Francesco? What is he holding over you that you conveniently left out when you gave her the mission?”
Out of respect and avoiding that antagonism, I use her full nickname. It tastes wrong on my tongue.
I know Tommaso doesn’t want to tell me anything. Santi’s in no rush either, but Frank stares at me.
“Tom, we need to fill him in on everything about this. I know we normally wouldn’t say a fucking word to him, but this is my daughter we’re talking about. I’ve already lost a child. Kathleen and I can’t lose another one. Neither can Tristano. You know how he dotes on Tricia.”
I don’t know what happened to their other child. I watch Frank as he watches me. His shoulders slump before Tommaso nods.
“Our son was thirteen when he was killed. Kathleen, Tristano, Alfonso, and I were out to dinner while Tori took Tricia shopping for her First Communion dress. She was eight at the time, and Tristano was eleven. We were at one of our favorite restaurants. Unfortunately, Alfonso was caught in the crossfire when one of our own guys held up the restaurant.”
Frank pauses, collecting himself before he can go on. He’s emotional in a way I never imagined he’d ever let me witness.
“The fucking baboon didn’t know one of our close family friends owned it when he came to rob it.
Alfonso had just gone to the restroom when the commotion started.
He must not have heard what was happening because he stepped out of the restroom.
If he’d been aware, he would’ve followed protocol and remained locked inside.
Just as the shooter stepped out of the kitchen, Alfonso pulled back the door.
Rather than wait to see who was on the other side, the shooter fired.
Put a bullet straight through Alfonso’s throat.
I’d seen the guy go into the kitchen and knew the doors to the dining area opened near the restroom.
I was running toward it with my gun drawn and witnessed what happened. ”
He glances at the table before locking his gaze with mine.
“I put a bullet through the guy’s head, but it was too late for Alfonso.
Nothing could’ve saved him. I can’t risk losing my daughter to a violent death.
I know what the probability is of losing Tristano to a bullet or a knife.
I don’t want to consider the possibility that the same could happen to Tricia. ”