Indecent Pawn: What price is too high to pay for another person’s debt? (13 page)

“I’m sorry!” Just then Antonio felt bad for startling her the way he had. From the frantic look she had at first, it must have been a flashback from her abusive marriage.

“We must get back to the villa.”

“Alright.” She said groggily. “Oh shoot, what will I wear?”

“Just throw on a pair of my sweats with the shirt you slept in. We will take the elevator down to the parking garage.” Antonio watched as Allison rose from the bed and walked to the restroom. “My shirt definitely looks better on you than me.”

“…” She didn’t have to speak to let him know she was soaking up every compliment he gave.

“Ready to go?” Gio asked walking into the sitting area of the suite.

“Yeah just waiting on Allison to come from the restroom.”

“Morning Gio.” Allison spoke confidently.

“Morning beautiful.” Gio responded. Antonio grunted at his consigliere’s greeting but was ignored. “You’re looking better than you did earlier. The limp is gone. Feeling better?”

“I am so sore but in time I know it will pass. You get used to handling pain after years of practice.” Allison absently stated but sobered. She’d said the last part kind of low but they heard. After sharing a look they let sleeping dogs lie and didn’t ask her to elaborate. Both men were thinking the same thing though, ‘if I just had two minutes with that figlio di una cagna, he would wish upon the death angel to take him away.’

The ride back to the villa was filled with silence. Roberto was in a vehicle bringing up the rear of the truck they rode in. Instead of the limo they went to the club in the night before, they were being transported in his large sport’s utility vehicle. The tent was dark and as bullet proof as the rest of the truck.

Allison was drifting off to sleep while Gio and Antonio were busy in their own thoughts. Each preparing to meet with the other bosses. They needed more information and a plan of action. Two problems quickly surfaced leaving him mulling over whether they were related or not. First someone is living foul taking money that doesn’t belong to them and lastly someone is trying to kill him. Charges keep adding up that is tempting the mean bear to come out of hibernation.

~

“It’s about time you all made it home. I was beginning to worry.” Carlina started as soon as they crossed the threshold.

“We decided to stay in town mamma.” Antonio soothed her spirit with a kiss to the brow.

“Cara, you look exhausted.”

“Thank you?”

“I only meant, it seems we have to put our brunch on hold as well as church service.”

“Oh. No, just let me get myself together.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes of course. Just give me thirty minutes.” Allison dashed up the stairs to keep her promise to return. Antonio had to admit it made him smile on the inside to see her go out of her way to please his mother. His mother has never been an easy nut to crack but somehow Allison seems to have found a secret passage.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Why is Allison wearing your clothes figlio?”

“Oh she accompanied me during one of my late night workouts.”

“What kind of workout that has her walking that way?”

“Mamma?”

“Forget I asked.”

“It’s nothing like that, mamma.”

“I’m sure it wasn’t. After all you keep reminding everyone that she is a married woman.” Carlina said with meaning behind her sentence. “What has you so riled up that you needed to work out? Is there trouble?”

“…” Antonio didn’t respond.

“Fine. I expect you to join us figlio.” His mother walked away humming. Antonio was thinking ‘what have I gotten myself into.’

The group sat down to for lunch with a brunch menu. Indulging in light conversation, nothing too heavy to keep everyone comfortable. Somehow Allison had been placed on the left side of Antonio as he assumed his rightful seat at the head of the table. While Allison usually sat next to Carlina, they insisted she sit there instead. It was clear Allison thought it was an unusual request but followed the request. However Antonio saw something totally different but he was determined not to voice his opinion about it.

To prevent any mishaps while they traveled into town, Antonio suggested they ride in the protective trucks with the excuse it had more room. A lot of people in the community who knew them personally were curious as to who the new comer was with the family. Rushing over with so many introductions, it became a little overwhelming for Antonio. He could only imagine what and how Allison was feeling.

“Mr. Mucciono, may I introduce to you my niece Alessandra De Vitis from Florence. She will be visiting me and my family for a spell.” One of Antonio’s associates approached. This was one of the main reasons he didn’t want to stick around too long after mass for the vultures would swoop in.

“Pleased to meet you Alessandra.”

“You as well Mr. Mucciono.” Alessandra wasted no time batting her long eyelashes. He wouldn’t lie and say she wasn’t beautiful. Tall elegant brunette, thin waist, and a moderate bust line was the typical woman the public is used to him being with. He is starting to think the onlookers assume this is the type he prefers.

“How are you enjoying our fine city thus far?”

“I have only just arrived two days ago. Perhaps I need a proper tour guide. My uncle and aunt haven’t the time yet.”

“Speaking of tour guides, we would be so honored if you joined us for dinner one evening. Perhaps afterwards you could show her around.” The brazen man suggested.

“Pardon me Mr. Mucciono.” He had never been so happy as to see Allison as he was at that moment. It saved him from blatantly refusing the offer.

“Yes Miss Myers?”

“Your mother sent me to retrieve you.” The stone face she displayed was comical for it resembled jealousy as she darted her eyes from Alessandra to himself.

“Excuse me dear but I don’t think we’ve had the pleasure.”

“Mr. De Luca and Miss Alessandra De Vitis, may I introduce Miss Allison Myers visiting from the states.”

“Hello.”

“Ciao bella.” Mr. De Luca went so far as to kiss Allison’s knuckles as he perused her from head to toe. The appreciative smirk on his face let Antonio further know he found her attractive. On the other hand, Alessandra played the catty role.

“Mr. Mucciono , non vedo l' ora di vedere più tardi . Sì?” She asked in Italian to exclude Allison he was sure.

“Perhaps another time.” Antonio smoothly stated while silently enjoying the crestfallen look on the young woman’s face. “Mr. De Luca.” He nodded his head in a final farewell before walking away with his hand resting comfortably at Allison’s lower back. The gesture was meant to be exactly what it was. A tell-tale sign that she was off limits. To him and every other male whom had their eyes on the prize. She may not know it yet but she was going to be his. Even if it was only to fill his curiosity.

*****

“Zio Carmine.”

“Antonio ragazzo mio, è bello vederti.” It was always a pleasure to see his uncle. He and his late father resembled one another immensely.

“It’s good to see you too.”

“Your father would be so proud of you.”

“Grazie zio.” Antonio relished in the small praise. “Where is Ernesto?”

“Ernesto had some business meeting he needed to attend to at the last minute.” Carmine huffed and then shook his head. “Knowing your cousin, he is chasing some skirt. How I wish he was as responsible as you.”

“…” Antonio didn’t know how to reply to the statement so he chose to say nothing.

“I don’t know where I went wrong with that boy.”

“Carmine.” Carlina saved him from yet another awkward conversational point.

“Carlina amato. How are you sweet girl?”

“Carmine. I am doing wonderful and yourself?”

“Couldn’t be better.” Carmine noticed Allison as soon as she stepped into the room. “E chi è questa bellezza near?” He inquired who she was.

“Carmine, this is Allison Myers. Allison caro, this is my brother in law, Carmine Mucciono.”

“Pleased to meet you Mr. Mucciono.”

“You may call me Carmine and a pleasure it is to meet such a beautiful young woman such as yourself. What brings you to our lovely country?”

“A work opportunity actually.” Allison answered. Antonio was pleased she was quicker on her feet than when she first arrived.

“I wasn’t aware we had dealings in the fashion industry.” Carmine joked. The guys instantly got where he was going with that.

“She is quite exquisite isn’t she?” Carlina gushed. As if a light bulb went off over her head, she giggled and blushed.

“This is going to be a long night for sure.” Antonio groaned.

Everyone sat down to dinner enjoying the company. Carmine and Carlina told embarrassing stories of all the boys when they were younger. Antonio, Gio, Roberto, and some others not present grew up together. They kept up all types of trouble from toddlers to adolescents. Especially when it came to the little girls running home crying of a broken heart to their fathers about the mean spirited boys. Of course the fathers of the devastated kids weren’t about to approach any of their parents out of fear for their own lives.

Allison was actually enjoying herself and for that Antonio didn’t mind his dirty laundry being aired. Even if the smile on her face was at his and his friends expense, it brought her bit of peace. Although putting the pieces together to find out where the problem surfaced with the finances had to be put on hold for now, it was for the best. Like an annoying pimple, in due time the nasty shit will eventually rise to the surface. Antonio is all too ready to clean house by any means necessary.

*****

Chon was on pins and needles expecting a visit from Mucciono ever since he received his lunch. His overly sensitive obsessive compulsive disorder was taken to an all-time high seeing some cannibalistic stuff such as that. The intricate detail in removing a person’s face without nicks or overstretching took some skill and steady hands. There was only one person known for those type of messages or that type of skill and that was the ‘surgeon.’

He’d never seen the person in all of his years in the business. That hadn’t stopped the person from taking out a few of his scrubs. Some even say the ‘surgeon’ is a woman but those creatures aren’t patient. If it is one, she must be the last one on earth. Plus the scene of the crime had to be gruesome and to do a job like that, a woman would never be capable of something of that magnitude. 

“Chon, I am very disappointed.” Chon felt belittled and offended at his visitor’s assessment. He’d never failed an assignment before.

“The message received from your Don was very clear. He is coming.”

“What message was that?”

“FACEOFF!” Chon shouted. “The son of bitch is coming and there is no telling when that will be. It wasn’t supposed to come to this. You told me it would be an easy hit. Everyone was in place, how was this plan botched? Unless you double-crossed me.”

“Double-cross you? How would that benefit me? I hired you, remember that. There seems to be someone in the way that I know nothing about. According to a few spectators, there is a woman in his proximity. Somehow she managed to intervene.”

“Don Mucciono never runs with women openly. This is a drastic change. Who is she?”

“Some black woman from the states is all I know at this point. There is a meeting called by the
king
himself at the end of the week. I will make it a point to introduce myself to the distraction.” Chon sat on the phone silently regarding what the man had to say for a few minutes, wondering just why he wanted to kill Don Mucciono so very badly. There seemed to be an underlining hate for the man that ran as deep as the Pacific.

“Your enemy is my enemy now. What is next?”

“He won’t make a move right now. A bug has been planted that we are under surveillance. He has even resulted to traveling by armored car. The plans are ceased at the moment.”

“Ceased? Meaning I am left to my own defenses.”

“For now.”

“This unfinished business does not sit well with me.” Chon stated solemnly.

“Is there a threat in there somewhere?”

“Take my words however you feel. Know this, I won’t miss twice.”

“I will be in touch.”

“You do that.” Chon hung up feeling he’d accomplished pumping a sense of urgency into the despicable man. He would not be ignored. Don Mucciono needed to be taken out before he took them all down. In the beginning they never had any issues with one another.

Always cordial when they did meet but an unwise decision to gain more ground to move merchandise into parts of Italy appealed to him. A great deal of business transactions would increase his revenue substantially. The Mucciono organization owned the pipe line. The ports and docks, all belonged to them.

They controlled what was allowed in and out by taking a set percentage. Eliminating the Don would open the doors for so many other bosses not just him. It seems he may have been overzealous in believing he could pull this off. There had to be another way. Even if he had to kill to stay alive there was no way he was going down without a fight.

*****

It had been a few days since his uncle had visited. He’d stayed clear up until the meeting took place about everyone relinquishing their rights of their books for review. Most had no problem turning them over while other’s requested a bit more time. Those were the ones that were hesitant at best to describe their behavior. His cousin Ernesto, held the title of underboss mainly because it was passed down from his father. Carmine had groomed his son the best he could before retiring.

Being that Antonio had already taken over the boss slot it was only fair that Carmine stepped aside as well. Although he took his sweet time doing so, he claimed that Ernesto was too busy chasing skirts and partying to take a job such as underboss seriously. Antonio and Ernesto were not the most compatible when it came to personalities. Even though they were first cousins they still never saw eye to eye no matter how many times Ernesto forced his presence upon Antonio.

Antonio hated to judge a book by its cover but Ernesto never seemed genuine to him. There was always a façade up and the smoke was too thick for Antonio. Meaning he seemed shifty, a little shady so to speak, and never realistic. Another one of Antonio’s pet-peeves was fakeness. Why fake it? He’d prefer for someone to express their disdain for him then to pretend. What saved him was they were still family and Antonio took family very seriously unless they betrayed him in any way. He prayed Ernesto wouldn’t betray him. It would break his uncle’s heart to have to kill him but if push came to shove he would.

Thanks to his mother, Allison looked the part of a classy business woman with something to say. From the dead shell of a woman to the almost confident woman with something to say before a group of important businessmen, Allison had certainly showed progress.

Most of the men in attendance were immediately smitten with Miss Allison and some even tried their hand, hinting they wanted to ask her out. Antonio immediately put a stop to all of the nonsense drawing suspicion that they were involved. The other’s whom didn’t see that type of woman entertaining their Don went on to protest how such a union was unforeseen in their culture. Antonio listened to the berating one by one of being a witness to an interracial relationship. In the end they concluded their opinions that it would be fine for her to be an easy lay but anything more was unheard of.

Antonio on the other hand neither confirmed nor denied they had any involvement outside of business. Leaving them even more confused and full of assumptions. Some saw it as a challenge to ignore his warnings and proceed to entice Allison. Sadly they never got the advantage to get her alone long enough to broach the topic because Gio or Roberto was always nearby. Thankfully she wasn’t privy to what all of them had to say for they spoke with him separately after the meeting was adjourned.

“Cugino. Lei è una bellezza. Dove diavolo hai trovato una perla rara?” Ernesto was being extremely nosey in wanting to know more about Allison. Wanting to know where he found her and such. He figured Ernesto had his vulture eye on her. His zio had even warned him that was right up his alley when he visited earlier in the week.

“She just fell into my lap per say.”

“When you tire of her, I am sure I can find some things for her to assist me with. All revolving around my lap as well.”

“Mr. Mucciono, is there anything else I can get for you and your guests?” Allison interrupted his violent train of thought.

“There are a number of things you could do for me. I could name a few if you have the time.” Ernesto butted in grabbing her hand placing a lingering kiss on it. Antonio wanted to snatch it away from him but refrained for he didn’t want to look like a possessive prick. 

“Mrs. Myers, this is my cousin Ernesto Mucciono.” He noticed she tried to wipe his kiss away inconspicuously on her skirt.