Page 21 of Labria

“It’s true. I thought you had a better memory. Remember, my wife is Primo LaGrassa’s oldest daughter, Gloria.”

I didn’t remember Nicco’s wife’s maiden name was LaGrassa. How did I forget that? Nicco moved about the world like a single man. Gloria, his wife, was very easy to forget. Why didn’t Primo mention his other daughter at anytime through our dinner together? He led me to believe he only had two daughters.

“Lord, I’m not pressuring you to marry anyone. I can shake things up but I can’t change the rule about marrying an Italian preferable a Sicilian woman. Some of these rules come from the old country and to change them could cause friction or even a blood war. Alliances are formed when families marry off their daughters and sons. You can stay single for the duration of the time at your post if you prefer. But you obviously can’t marry a Black.”

“A Black? You mean Bria.”

“Yes, her. Just knock her up. I did it with the dark meat. Our father did it and we have our little oven roasted sister Alexis.”

I hated he thought the way that I did. A baby would keep Bria in line. “She’s not the type to have a baby out of wedlock.”

“Why not? There’s a huge populace of single Black mothers. It’s not like she’s going to need government assistance, welfare or whatever they’re calling it nowadays.”

“Why are you an asshole?” He was crossing so many lines.

“I’m just joking. I happen to like Labria. If I didn’t, I never would’ve reunited you two. She has spunk, and she has nine lives. Your girl is out here dodging bullets, evading car bombs. She’s fucking Wonder Woman with a tan.”

“She wouldn’t have to escape death if you were handling your business.” I barked.

“And you’re never going to let me forget it.”

“No, I’m not.”

“How can I forget she almost died because of you?” I felt tired and agitated. I looked over at Cenzo, and my words didn’t seem to stir any emotions in him.

“Brother, I gave you my humble apologies. I had no idea someone was coming after the family. I told you it would never happen again. What do you want from me, my left kidney?”

“We’re not a match.”

“You’re impossible and that’s okay. On another note, Cenzo may have knocked up his barely legal girlfriend.”

All my attention glided over to my silent brother. “Is this true?”

Cenzo shrugged. “I don’t have medical conformation but I’m pretty sure.”

“You got your half sister’s sister pregnant?” I don’t know why I asked a question that I had the answer to, but I did it. Maybe it was the shock of this revelation.

“Yes.” Cenzo answered.

“And what are you going to do about it?”

“Have a baby if she wants one.”

“Do you want one?”

“I don’t have an opinion.”

“You don’t?” I pressed him.

“I have Gio, a full blood Sicilian son. The spare kids don’t matter.”

“I want to have all my children with one woman.” I proclaimed.

Nicco chuckled. “Buon per te. (Good for you.)”

I could see Cenzo was serious. I knew had a secret daughter in college at UCLA. I don’t know what to say to men who had views so vastly different from my own. What were the chances we all were going to have children with Black women? In Cenzo’s perverted case, she was a girl.

Nicco took a drink from his glass. “So, Wu, do you think he has the means to deliver Ignacio?”

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