Avarice (12 page)

“Why because I’m not a crazy motherfucker who goes around beating up people…or…blowing their heads off because they piss me off…huh?”

“When you are docile…fearful…you see crazy in someone like me.” Giuseppe closed the gap to stand directly in front of Sergio. “I am not afraid of death, but it is the fearful clinging with tentative fingers to life that are among the first to die. Respeta mio cugino is a code that our breed must live by. Any man who does not give you respect sees you as weak, capisce?”

The impact of Giuseppe’s words caused Sergio to look away for a minute. He became teary eyed at hearing the truth about himself.  For years he wanted respect but in the ‘hood he got none. Brothers tested his ass all day long. It’s true he couldn’t fight, not like Giuseppe or the others and that’s why he avoided confrontations with fists. He knew he’d lose, sometimes though …he won. “Then what’s the point Giuseppe, if I aint shit, then why should I try anymore?”

“The little ones have lied to their Uncle,” Giuseppe responded.

“Huh?”

“They said my English is better.”

“It is.”

Giuseppe palmed the back of Sergio’s head like a father. “Then cazzo you lack comprehension. I will speak plainly since you are somewhat of a simpleton.” He smirked and squeezed Sergio’s scalp. “You are a Giacanti. The son of a respected man in our family. Killing is not the only way to have respect, knowing your worth and reminding men such as Matteo of your importance does not require a gun.”

Sergio nodded. “He wants me to marry Lucia because she’s pregnant.”

Giuseppe did not blink at the news. He and Lucia were done. “And what are your views on marriage?”

“I don’t know.” Sergio was unable to articulate his thoughts. He really had a thing for Lucia. He just wasn’t sure if he was cut out for a permanent commitment. Becoming a father was scary enough. What if he fucked up? An unhealthy childhood is what he had. Not to mention he didn’t have any positive male model in his life. All he had were put-downs; arguments with his mother’s lovers and abuse were lullabies at night. It wasn’t until he spent time around Alfonzo and witnessed what family is supposed to be about that he realized the paradigm he’d accepted was wrong. Couples can be devoted, disagree respectfully without loud arguments or any form of domestic abuse. He learned a lot about fatherhood, love and brotherhood through observation just being with his cousin. Frankly, he was scared shitless he’d fall short!

“Humph!”

“What’s the damn humph about?”

“She will make a good wife, no?”

“But will I make a good husband?”

“Probably not.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

“Many men do not make good husbands; most women are not easy to please.” He released Sergio’s head. The affection Sergio had yet to observe finally shone through in the sparkly blue irises. “I shamed Lucia once. Do not duplicate my actions Sergio. Lucia is a sweet woman. Her faith in love was lost and I believe you have assisted in restoring it. Respect can also be gained by overcoming fear to do what is right, capisce?”

“Yeah…I do.”

“Bene…bene…now who are you?”

“A Giacanti.”

“I do not believe. The eyes reveal the truth. Who are you mio cugino?”

“Sergio. I’m a crazy motherfucking Giacanti!”

“Bene…I believe because you believe. Now, do not shame yourself again…do not shame our family. When next you meet Matteo, punch him hard. He will not dare kill you out of respect for this family. You will find I do not lie!”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Tony put away his coat and tossed his key on the table. The hum of the fridge blended with the silence and he figured Tiffany was asleep. He tried to be quiet as he went to see if she’d left out food and of course she did.

He’d sat after warming up the fish and rice; poured hot sauce on the stuff for an added kick before tasting it and blew fire because he used too much. Tiffany had already seasoned the hell out of the trawl with finely chopped jalapenos he hadn’t seen. That woman ate the hot peppers whole and must’ve thought everybody did apparently. All-in-all, when his mouth adjusted to the spice the meal was delicious.

As he ate, he thought about having to tell Alfonzo about what he witnessed tonight. Damn, there’s too much wrong on the world when even family can’t do right. He’d seen Alfonzo’s generosity, saw the man’s effort to lift brothers up, and it didn’t make any sense that Domingo would stab him in the back. Was there a coincidence that he would get involved in the drug trade and out of all the men to do business, why Don Vecchio?

No, Tony had a bad feeling; Domingo was being used by
Don Vecchio to get to Alfonzo. No genius I.Q is required to see where this was going. 

Maybe the aroma is what caused Tiffany to wake, who knows but she sauntered to the kitchen table in skimpy shorts with a bra for a shirt in the warm apartment and sat opposite him. Tony hadn’t shared the news that he decided to take Alfonzo up on his offer and relocate. Mainly because he was scared in a way she’d let him go to Italy alone and in his heart he prepared for it.

“Late night again?” she asked rubbing her eye and pulling on a single eyelash that poked her socket.

“Yeah.”

“You could’ve called.”

He finished off the beer, the beverage of choice with a meal at night. For some reason it helped him sleep. “I did, it went to your voice mail.”

Her lips went slack. “Oh.”

He stood, took the dishes to the sink and washed each one slowly, as he struggled with what to say. The timing would never be right, there’s always a reason to delay what the heart doesn’t want to voice to avoid getting hurt. “I’m taking a new position that requires a move.” There he said it!

“Tony, is this new position in Alfonzo’s company?”

“Yes,” he turned around after placing the dishes in the rack and leaned against the sink. “It’s an increase in salary.” He shrugged. “I also need a change of scenery. I’m hoping you plan to come with me.”

Tiffany stared at her hand; the finger adorned with the engagement ring he’d given her almost a year ago but had yet to set a date. “Is this a permanent move?”

“Maybe.”

“So, am I supposed to stay engaged indefinitely while you cater to your career?”

Tony crossed his arms. “That’s why I’m asking you to come with me, we move together. We can always set a date for the wedding after we’ve settled in. Sweetheart, we’ve been fine without a legal paper and I don’t see why we have to rush anything.”

“And my career, what about that?”

“You can open a dance studio
anywhere and hire someone to run the business here and fly in quarterly or whenever you like.”

“So, you also made plans for my life without talking to me.”

“You never said where you’ll have to relocate for this job. Is it Puerto Rico?”

This was the part of the conversation he dreaded. “No.” His mouth tugged downward. “Sicily.”

Tiffany’s eyes widened. “Are you telling me, you plan to move to another country where they speak another language and you expect me to be okay with that?”

“No, I’m telling you I have an opportunity to get the hell out of here. Everywhere I look I see my past girl. Every goddamn time I pass a familiar street or see the NYPD logo on side of a car I get angry…dammit…I’m angry and I need a release!”

Tiffany was on her feet shaking her head. “I’m angry too Tony. I’m angry that you feel your life got hijacked. I’m angry that the courts failed you. I’m angry that you spent years hurting behind cell bars when you did what any man would do to defend himself against a mugger, but paid because a white man was killed. But baby, I’m tired of being an accessory in your life.” She took off the ring and slammed it on the table. “Go to Italy…Sicily or wherever the hell you want. When you’re ready to move forward in this relationship then I’ll be here waiting…I swear I will…because I love you enough to wait and I love you enough to let you go!”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Honking cabs, well-dressed pedestrians casually walking as they window shopped is what Nico and Bianca arrived to find in the Diamond District. Surrounded by New York City attractions, the famed Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the area was always busy.

Street merchants
were located in close proximity one another. And because this was where diamonds were cut and traded, jewelers offered a tremendous variety of precious goods at competitive prices while offering industry expertise.

They were let out of a cab on 47
th
and Fifth. Like many of the understated wealthy couples they strolled casually in midtown with determined strides to a specific destination.

Clad in a long black coat, an oversize Gucci bag, tinted shades and a blonde wig, Bianca was stunning. Nico observed the discreet glances at her and wondered if her appearance might prove disadvantageous. He adjusted his thick rimmed glasses which were actually video recording spectacles, checked his watch and walked faster. Bianca took his arm as they walked, which was something Ari often did. “Are we late?” she asked with a slight twist of her neck to look up at his profile.

“Six minutes early.”

“Bene.”

“English only. Do not forget.”

“Sí,” she said.

He frowned. “English.”

Natural ruby lips puckered. “I am sorry.”

He dismissed the apology when they reached a rectangular building with a polished glass window. On the ground level there was a display of quality gems settings. This was the place, it smelled of greed. This particular business was a block from the Diamond Dealers Club. Considering the value of a single day's trade on the block average nearly half a billion would usually have a higher police presence. However, today the uniforms were scarce especially on this particular block.

Nico pressed the buzzer, spoke a fictitious name in the intercom and they were buzzed in. They were immediately greeted by a clerk who expected their arrival. Here customers were given appointments, background checks and financial inspection.

Nico was a wealthy businessman from South Africa, originally from the Netherlands. Mr. Johansson and his wife were on vacation and the missus wanted to purchase a necklace. Tiffany’s and the other high-end retailers were out of the question because his wife was rather frugal.

“Welcome…welcome,” the man of average height said. Balding with droopy eyes from looking through magnifying glasses, his joviality and robust cheeks were in sync with the festive Christian holiday he did not celebrate. This was Seth Meyer’s brother.

“Thank you.” Nico smiled, discreetly taking in the one clerk behind a counter and the open door in a far corner which was the jeweler’s work station.

“I’ve prepared some items to show you, please come with me,” he said, leading the way to a private display room adjacent to a rear exit where a security officer stood with his gun.

Three total as expected. The plan if flawlessly executed would have them out before the next customer arrived at eleven. As discussed Bianca spotted an item in the display case right before they reached the backroom. “Dear, look that would be a lovely gift for my sister.”

She broke away and peered at a necklace which prompted the woman clerk to saunter down near the end of the glass case away from the emergency buzzer.

“Would you like to try it on?” The lady asked Bianca as she unlocked the clear door.

“Certainly.” Bianca smiled innocently as Nico and the jeweler waited outside the room for her to be done.

“My wife,” Nico shrugged like men do when women are impulsive and hold things up. He put his hands in his pockets, shifted slightly toward the guard with a harmless grin and fired the weapon concealed in his pocket without shattering the quiet. The man dropped and Nico grabbed the jeweler in a sleeper hold and rendered him unconscious.

In the act of dragging the man inside the room he
observed Bianca had rendered the saleswoman immobile by her gun. She directed the woman to the backroom where Nico dropped the jeweler on the floor.

Bianca gestured the woman to a chair, bound her hands and feet with the heavy tape removed her bag and then sealed her mouth. She used the woman’s silk scarf to tie her eyes before proceeding to assist Nico with the jeweler’s limbs which he tied with cord.

The guard was brought out of sight and secured as well. In silence they searched the facility, disabled the cameras, and ensured the entrances and exits were locked. Bianca took up post at the display case in the event anyone peered inside, minus coat and shades of course. To wear the outer garments would attract suspicion and that’s not what they wanted.