Armored (24 page)

He had put Sophie in the cellar. There’s a well hidden area there. She went reluctantly of course and to make her feel better she was given a weapon with live rounds this time. She had kissed him, that fiery beauty and when he growled at the distraction she smirked. Maybe, she wanted him to have her on his mind and eat bullets, he thought as he waited for the group of former trainees to enter.

Yosef was well fortified. There was no window or door at his back, a heavy corner nook covered that wall. A fridge was a shield, the windows were shuttered, the front door blocked and the entry to the kitchen is the way in. He was the only defense to where Sophie was hidden in the basement. They’d have to pass his dead body to get to the cellar door slightly to the right of his foot.

He rechecked his ammo as he waited. Not much but enough to do damage. He had the spare gun loaded and ready at his waist. He’d only have a second to reload. T
he last couple rounds in the weapon gripped between his fingers had a magazine and tracer rounds. When he fired a couple of tracers he’d know he was almost empty. He’d get to change the magazines early, which keeps one round in the chamber of the weapon for one emergency and he wouldn’t have to chamber another round.

He heard the window shatter, movement.

He crouched listening to the feet and counting the number of steps. Two men were in. Yosef caught them by surprise when they stopped at the wall that didn’t stop bullets. He shot through it twice and reserved his ammo, listening to the thuds of the body. Yosef sighed. Cocky men disregard field manuals or basic common sense.

More footsteps sounded, these were lighter due to the evenly distribution of weight.
A pro, he scoffed.

Ismael.

The shots were fast and furious in his direction. The professional used a fallen comrade as his shield to absorb the return bullets. The fire exchange had Yosef withdraw his second weapon to use. He emptied the clip just as a bullet ricocheted off the fridge and struck him in the leg. He went down, recovered but by then Ismael had a gun to his cheek.

But Yosef’s skills are the professional’s tools. Closed hand
combat was taught to others and the years used in government sanctioned assassinations are what he used to dislodge the gun from Ismael’s hand.

Ismael crashed into a wall
. The remaining pair of soldiers had gained entry. They made too much noise. He didn’t waste time, going on the assault. To Ismael the knife he held was thrust. The renegade soldier and underboss in Yosef’s crime family avoided the blade by stepping out of its path in a quick thinking action.

Ismael dislodged the knife with a swift kick and ha
nd-to-hand combat ensued between the former comrades.

T
he gunshots Yosef expected during their fight, hadn’t surfaced. Ismael’s men were killed by Nico who spotted them advancing through the thin viewfinder, which was a space between the shutters covering an opposing window.

By the time
Nico and the others entered Ismael had overpowered Yosef and had him in a deadly chokehold. That is how Nico spotted the ring.

Nico advanced, he wouldn’t shoot the cazzo. That was too
easy; beside he could see the soldier’s only weapon was his hands. A man unarmed can still be deadly if he knows how to use his limbs. This was the killer of the Protezione and Nico wanted that sucker bad.

Yosef was dropped and stepped over. Ismael saw the challenge in the younger man and smiled. If he were to meet death, how glorious it is to do so in battle with the best.

Nico Serano.

Finally.

The blows came simultaneously. Tony and Sergio kept watch on the doors and windows as they also observed the bout taking place like a professional mixed martial arts fight in the adjacent room. Crashing and glass breaking and thunderous booms were like an earthquake in L.A or bombing in Beirut.

Nico was kicking ass that is until Sergio shouted, “That’s right Nico fuck him up!”

Ismael enjoyed the spectacle of cheerleaders, but in a deadly fight the distraction can cause an opponent to lose momentum. Ismael took advantage of his opponent’s fleeting lapse of concentration with a round house kick to Nico’s face. Nico’s head collided with a wall. Another succession of blows did further damage to Nico’s ribs. Ismael smirked.

“You want me to shoot Unk?” Sergio asked when he saw the tides had turned against his Uncle.

“Shut up!” Tony cautioned Sergio. A shot might hit Nico, besides Tony understood what the match was really about. In the streets, guys once fought fair. Nico went against this opponent to test whether or not he could still win in a hand to hand fight. Anybody can feel brave when holding a gun; it’s easy to pull a trigger and kill but harder to go one-on-one and do with your bare hands. Only good fighters do it well.

Nico’s eyes were slits. He let Sergio in his head, but the door was shut now and he was back in the game.
It’s arduous to stand when pummeled and beaten by a desire to do right –gone wrong. Vicious blows broke ribs, noses and pride. When Nico’s bloody hand reached for the cold steel and his body slowly rose in a mirrored action of his opponent who had retrieved Yosef’s blade. It wasn’t wounded arrogance Nico’s injured soul defended. Standing in front of him was the seasoned professional who ended a boy’s life. That boy was family.

Family...always family...divided or broken, there is a duty only a guardian willing to die honorably understands.
Nico’s thrust was quicker than his attacker’s. He spun around the man’s torso and shoved the knife in the man’s spine as he gripped his neck. He jerked hard, cutting upward like he was boning meat and across to the rear of the heart. From behind Nico could not see his opponent’s face in death, but Tony and Sergio had a front row seat.

Ismael’s
mouth opened in a silent scream. The pain so excruciating he blinked. His eyes were wide, his mouth contorted and he faded into nothing.

Sergio jumped back shouting, “Oh goddamn!”

Nico had thrust his blade through the heart and the tip protruded out the front of the attacker’s chest.

That is the strength of a father to avenge the son of another who died fending off an attack by a brutal man.

He shoved the lifeless body to the floor and then stripped the ring from its hand. Yosef stirred then and when Nico stared over at him, Yosef saw his mission.

“That is Ismael. Like Matteo he has double-crossed me.”

Sophie could not stay confined apparently and appeared with her weapon drawn. When she saw Nico, her eyes were of a loving mother and she ran to embrace him, rubbing his cheeks before skiing each one.

“Nico, you are a godsend. Aye, t
i amo.”

There wasn’t a smile. “Go outside with the boys guys I need to talk privately with Sophie!” Nico said over his shoulder.

Tony exited but Sergio didn’t. He’d come to know his Uncle pretty well and this was Nico the killer talking. He was about to butcher Sophie and Yosef and then cover it up. Sergio wouldn’t stand by and let him do it.

“Can I talk to you for a sec, Uncle
Nico?”

“No, go outside.”

“Not until we talk.”

Sophie was aiding Yosef to his feet as she did so she spoke aloud her foolishness for telling Matteo the traitor about
the location of the Protezione in Africa. “Ah, Nico I am very stupid. I did not know he was seeking to harm our family. Yosef has also told me Matteo’s uncle is who removed the shipment meant for Carlo that caused the feud with the Russians. Yosef had to use the protection of the Mafiya when he was expelled from his government position so that he would not be killed. He knew too much about the government’s assassinations of world leaders or people who they deemed threats to the security of Israel.”

Nico’s breathing slowed.

He cut Sergio a look. “You’re one irritating young man.”

Sophie smiled. “Ah Nico, that is not nice. Sergio is special to you, just as you are to me.”

Nico frowned. “Special?”

“Yeah, you know you love me Uncle Nico, admit it.”

Nico mushed Sergio’s face with a bloody hand. “Let me use your cell young buck,” he said. He needed to contact Giuseppe and let him know, his mother was innocent.

Their beloved Sophie and Yosef lived.

Now Yosef, they’d have to revisit.

C
hapter Thirty-Five

Nico’s update eased a son’s guilt. He was glad his mama had not been part of Matteo’s schemes for power. He rode in silence with his brother who snored. Yes, Alfonzo was very tired.

He rang Nicole again and she answered. “Buongiorno donna.”

“Buongiorno Giuseppe.”

“You did not answer my calls today, is there a reason?”

“I was busy Giuseppe. I do have other things going on in my life and a family. I can’t be at your beck and call.”

“I am aware of
this and respect your dedication to your career and to your family. Am I selfish to speak what beats in my heart for or you?”

Nicole was shocked at this declaration from the hard Don.

“Say something donna!" A loud roar of despair never exited the throat. It remained inside a proud Don and did not reach the donna's ears; he did not want her to hear. He did not want to plead that she return; he only wanted a chance to love again but she had gone. Already he had become emotionally naked.

“Oh stop whining.” She laughed. “I’m here with
Carlo; we’re helping Anita make special cookies for everybody.”

Giuseppe smiled
broadly; ah this donna was good for his heart. “I will be there shortly bella.”

“Good, because you and Carlo are my escorts to Japan. I can’t turn unprofessional and miss engagements
because I’m going out with a super fine…what’s your title –again?”

Giuseppe shook his head. “There is no title other than my name,” he answered. Somewhere along this journey with his brother he learned humility. He would not ruin his chances with this donna with his arrogant ways.

“Yes, we will gladly escort you, but I do not fly on commercial aircraft donna. There is a level of security that is always maintained. There are bodyguards as well that must accompany us, capisce?”

“As long as only you are lying beside me, I can accept that.”

***

Nico entered the house, pushing the boys in front of him. “You little pricks better not try that again!”
He had showered and changed into clean clothes. The bruises and aching ribs were part of the territory, he couldn’t do anything about that.

“Really dad
?” Aaron said, “If we hadn’t come you’d still be hiding in the dirt.”

Darren laughed. “Yeah.
Anyway if you can track us, then how does it feel when someone does that to you?”

“I’m your dad. I’m keeping an eye on you to keep you out of trouble.”

“Yep, and we’re keeping you out of trouble. We kind of like having you around,” Darren said.

“True, but not as much as mom.” Aaron agreed and then stopped to simulate pelvic action.

They were intercepted by Ari, Anna and Semira.

“
What are you doing Aaron, practicing how to use a hoola-hoop?” Ari asked and then waved her hand at the tall youth. “Never mind, come see what we were up to while you guys were out playing around,” Ari said excitedly.

Nico looked quizzically at his sons and wondered if their mother had any idea what they really up to, actually he hadn’t asked the boys what their cover story was this time so they were all on sync.

He shrugged and followed the females to a back room adjacent to the kitchen. It was once inhabited by boxes and other stuff he hadn’t gotten around to, except the girls had cleaned it out, painted and decorated the walls with pretty flowers.

“This is going to be Anna and the baby’s room until Darren and Anna decide whether she’ll join him when he goes away to college.”

Anna smiled. “Do you like Darren?”

Nico watched his son’s happy expression. “It’s cool.
Are you sure it’s okay mom?” Darren said to Ari.

“Darren I love you. We want you to go to college.
You and Aaron can attend whatever college you want with your real names. You don’t have to hide who you are anymore. We’re Serano’s and we’re not hiding ever again.”

“Now whoa…whoa…whoa slow down there sweetheart. Let’s not forget some serious issues that might bring.” Nico cautioned the overzealous woman.

Ari asked Anna to watch Semira for a few minutes. Semira liked Anna and the girl could cook, hell, she could use more female assistance around the house because Nico’s uptight ass didn’t want to hire strangers.