Page 56 of Destino

“Nothing to say?” Calderone taunted. “Oh don’t blame me. Blame the Russians, like you did before.” Calderone laughed. “Your half-breed cousin spilled so much Russian blood you have enemies you cannot name. And for what? A lie. Our lie. Right Lorenzo?”

“State your business.” Lorenzo ground out.

“I went into this bargain knowing you had no authority. Doesn’t change the outcome. Our deal stands. I have another shipment to unload in Napoli in two days. Same Nigerians as before.”

“I won’t do it.”

Calderone paused. His eyes stretched in their sockets and his cheeks puffed, with nostrils flared like a bull. “Figilo di puttana! What the fuck do you mean you won’t do it?”

“The Albanians were using Francesco to run child hookers through my club behind my back. Then we’re raided? A coincidence? I don’t think so. More like a distraction to keep Giovanni off your scent. Problem is, you stupid fuck, he has shut me down, permanently, and Francesco is dead.”

“Not my problem.” Calderone shrugged, with a stiff upper lip.

“It is now your problem. I won’t deal anymore with you or the Nigerians. You need to work the transport out another way. The Amalfi is closed.”

“Bullshit! We do it my way!” Calderone pointed a finger up at him. It was almost comical considering his height compared to Lorenzo’s. “My way you stupid fuck!”

Lorenzo had more respect for cockroaches than he did him. If his father wasn’t feared and respected by the Cammora and Ndrangheta he’d have been put to sleep long ago. The bug actually mistook compliance for fear. Giuseppe ran his tongue over his coffee stained teeth, grinning at him. “Let’s not fight. What’s the point? You have no choice but to do what I wish.”

“Fuck you.” Lorenzo removed his gun. “I always have a choice.”

Calderone’s gaze dropped to the gun between them. He let go a loud gust of laughter. “You plan to kill me? Are you fucking insane? Do you know who my fucking father is? He’ll fucking skin you and your fucking half-breed cousin alive and burn what’s left of your fucking family to the ground. Put the gun away before I’m insulted.”

“I’m the nephew of Don Tomosino Battaglia, and you made a big mistake in forgetting that!”

Calderone walked away laughing, his round belly bouncing over his stubby legs like Santa Clause. He returned his oil black eyes to him. “Forget?” Calderone touched his chest. “You are the same man that ordered his uncle’s death? He wasn’t your Don when you came to me, crying for rank, for power. You are that man, are you not?”

Lorenzo aimed, and Calderone’s smile faded. “Don’t be fucking stup…”

One shot to the chest sent the man he’d loathed and served behind his own family’s back, barreling into the wall. Lorenzo marched on him and grabbed him by the throat. If Giuseppe was to die by his hand, this day, this moment, he would do it while looking him in the eye. He wanted to see the dead space fill in and the life drain from the weasel. The bullet had indeed pierced young Calderone’s gut. He spat up blood. Holding him by the throat he made sure they never broke eye contact when he placed the gun to Giuseppe’s heart. “Porca, puttana! For my uncle.” He unloaded and Giuseppe gave a dying squeal before slumping forward. Lorenzo stepped back to let him drop. He stood over him and emptied his clip. Coughing up a wad of phlegm he spat on the bloody stump that was once his nemesis and smiled.

“Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you.” Fabiana walked into the parlor. He turned and forced a smile. Seeing her did help. She was the only ray of hope in the sea of shit he found himself swimming in. He drew her into his arms and kissed her.

“Forgive me. I was on my way to find you.”

“Are you okay? You were gone when I woke this morning. And last night, you seemed stressed.”

Lorenzo wiped his jaw nervously. Her questions were wearing on his already frazzled nerves. He would normally never speak of his problems with a woman, but he desperately needed someone in his corner. “The day is ours. No more business. I plan to treasure you.” He brushed her lips with his. “Over and over and over again.” He felt her relax against him, and damn if she didn’t smell as beautiful as she looked. The woman was a dream. When he released her from another kiss, she held on to him.

“You need something, Lorenzo. I feel it. Trust me, talk to me. What is it?”

“I made a mistake once, and it cost me my soul.”

“Sweetheart.” She stroked the side of his face. “How?”

“I’m trying to fix it, Fabiana, but it may be too late.” Lorenzo sighed.

“I’ll help you Lorenzo, any way that I can.”

“You can’t.”

“Listen to me. You have a soul, it’s why I won’t stop believing in you.”

Giovanni walked into the parlor and stopped. He studied his cousin and Fabiana for a moment. Mira at his side, he kept his cool in check. Today at the lake he wasn’t waiting on his American bella. He was waiting on Lorenzo. “I need to speak with you.”

“Can it wait?” Lorenzo pressed a kiss to his woman’s neck. Her presence strengthened him more than he expected. He gazed down into her lovely face and reassured her with a smile. “Thank you.” He mouthed to her.

Lorenzo gave him a nod and then kissed Fabiana once more on the lips, before whispering something in her ear. She drifted from his arms and headed to Mira. The ladies gave them curious glances before they left. Giovanni drew both of the large doors shut for privacy. It was just after ten in the morning, and his cousin was on his second bottle of wine.

---