HIDDEN WITNESS 4: DOMINIC'S STORY Read online

  “I don’t know how to feel. A part of me is angry. Why would God take Dillon away from us?”

  She gasped then wept again. Son, we will get through the loss of Dillon as a family. You know what?” she smiled.

  My lips curled upward. “No.”

  “How about I order meatball sandwiches in honor of Dillon.”

  My heart swelled. “That would be great, Mom.”

  She tussled my black hair. “I’ll call you down to the kitchen when lunch has arrived.”

  I jumped off the bed. “Sounds good, Mom.”

  My mother tried her best to bring our family closer after that day.

  The news of my mother having another child was scary, sad, and exciting.

  The moment my baby sister was born I vowed to protect her. If I ever caught wind of anyone fucking with her, they’d answer to me.

  CHAPTER TWO

  DOMINIC

  My father sighed as he sat in the leather chair next to me at the principal desk.

  I slouched in my seat, wishing this shit was over.

  “Mayor Magarelli, I assure you it was a last result reaching out to you. However…” Principal Pensalor glared at me then smiled at my father.

  “Dominic, isn’t interested in his education. He picks fights.”

  “My grades are fine,” I spat, glowering the principal.

  “Hey!” my father’s heavy hand slammed against my chest. “That’s enough.”

  He sat up straight and turned his attention back to the principal. “This is the first time I’ve heard about my son’s behavior. I am sure there was a good reason. This won’t happen again.” My father stood to his feet towering over the principal’s desk.

  He placed a fat envelope on the desk, probably filled with cash.

  The principal stood, slowly, visibly swallowing. “Mayor Magarelli, this isn’t necessary.” He placed his hand over the envelope.

  “Listen, he’s a sixteen-year-old boy. They get into trouble from time to time. If you have any problems with Dominic…” He turned his head, glaring into my eyes.

  “I will personally come back and handle…” His eyes were dark. “…the problem my son is having.”

  His head snapped back. “Do I make myself clear.” His eyes narrowed at the principal.

  He choked. “Yes, Mayor Magarelli. I understand.”

  We climbed into the Suburban. The tinted windows darkened the interior of the truck. My father balled up the front of my dress shirt and tie, pulling me close to his face.

  “Get your shit together, Dominic,” he spat through gritted teeth. “I don’t ever want to be called to your school again!” he roared.

  His bodyguards stood outside the truck, securing the area.

  “Dad, you won’t have to.”

  He shoved my body against the opposite passenger door.

  “Your mother loves you and keeps covering up for you. This behavior should have never gone on as long as it has.”

  I knew exactly who my father was. So did the kids in school. The taunting and jokes about my mob boss father turned mayor sent several boys, flying into nearby lockers by my fist. You don’t make fun of the Magarelli’s. They disrespected my family. I couldn’t stand for that. I’d have to think outside the box going forward when making the fuckers pay.

  My father carried on a phone conversation with someone who worked for him on our drive home. Staring out the window, I remembered a conversation I wasn’t supposed to have overheard at eleven:

  Uncle Mick turned to my brother. “Dillon, I’m going to be straight with you.”

  He smirked, glancing at him. “Listen Uncle Mick, I promise there’s enough wood back there to warm three neighborhoods.”

  He laughed. “No, listen.” His eyes darted back at me. My uncle thought I was listening to music through my headphones. His eyes returned to Dillon. “Soon you will become a made man. You are aware of your father’s position, correct?”

  “Yes.”

  “At twenty-five, you will take over for your father as the boss of this family.”

  Can you imagine how hard it was for me at that age to keep a straight face? My father is a made man and the boss of this family, I thought.

  My brother’s eyes were big as saucers.

  “Why me?” His eyebrows scrounged together.

  “Your grandfather made your father the boss. You are next in line, then, Dom.”

  What the…I am supposed to be a boss too?

  His hand slid around the back of Dillon’s neck.

  “Dillon, your grandfather wanted to ensure you knew all the ends and outs of our world, even if your father didn’t. Sergio wants you boys to go to college and not look back. He’s being naïve. Your future is already set. There’s no turning back.”

  My heart plummeted. Grandfather was pulling the strings of the men in this family.

  Dillon glanced out the window.

  His hand landed on Dillon’s shoulder. “It’s going to be all right, kid. Dillon, look at me.”

  His scared eyes met Uncle Micks. “I promise you will be the best boss. You have nothing to worry about. You’re learning from the best.”

  He threw the car in drive. “Now let’s grab some meatball sandwiches.” He chuckled.

  “Dominic, out,” my father said, slapping my shoulder, bringing me back to the present.

  Soon I will inform my father I have knowledge of my destiny.

  ~

  I nodded at my bodyguard Fabio as I approached the black Suburban outside of school. Once inside he closed the rear passenger door behind me and climbed into the front passenger seat.

  “Dominic, how was school?” Teck my driver asked, pulling into the flow of traffic.

  “Typical. Girls asking who I would spend time with at the party this weekend.”

  Teck and Fabio snickered.

  “I told them they would have to wait to see who I choose Friday night.”

  Fabio slapped Teck on the shoulder. “Listen, to this guy. Regular fucking Romeo.”

  They chuckled.

  “Teck, drive to my grandfathers. I want to see how he’s doing.”

  “Sure thing, Dom… Dominic.”

  “Teck, it’s ok. I’ll never get over losing my brother, but I think it’s time everyone calls me Dom, again.”

  “Good to hear.”

  Teck was six-five and stalky. Fabio was short about five-nine muscle bound type. Teck and Fabio were assigned as my bodyguards once my father took the mayors office. I thought back to the day I kicked the shit out the two guys talking shit about my family, I was burning hot as I approached the truck after school that day.

  Teck and Fabio rushed toward me. “What the fuck happened to piss you off?” Fabio asked.

  “Looks like you’re going to blow a gasket,” Teck said.

  He planted his hand on my shoulder.

  “These two fucks were talking about the Magarelli’s!”

  My chest heaved and my blood ran hot through my veins. “If a teacher hadn’t stopped me. I would’ve bashed their fucking heads in.”

  Fabio ushered me into the back seat of the truck.

  They climbed into the front of the vehicle, then turned their attention to me.

  “Tell us what happened,” Fabio ordered.

  “They said shit like: my family was dirty and corrupt. And how I shouldn’t walk through the halls like I’m big shit. I listened to those two bastards holler shit across the lunchroom for a whole two weeks.”

  My temper was like a furnace once it was ignited, I came unhinged. Dillon and I roughed each other up when we were kids. If he held my body down too long, I would explode. Slamming my fists into his stomach. My brother was the only person who pushed my buttons until the stupid fucks at school thought it was a good idea to mess with me.

  Holding my fists in my lap, I exhaled, hair dangling in my face. I glared at them. “I know who my family is. And I didn’t need those fuckers to tell me who my Dad was. I should have heard it from him. My fat
her is the boss of the Magarelli family.”

  Fabio’s eyebrows wrinkled and he pointed his finger at me. “You don’t know what you’re talking about, Dominic.”

  I cocked my head to the side. “No, I think I do. One evening three years ago, I scrolled my fingers across the library of books my father had housed in his office. Laughter and loud footsteps approached. Not sure why, but I grabbed the book and hid in the closet.

  “Have a seat, Gio,” my father said. “How are things going with you and Tone? Any problems handling the assignments?”

  “Not at all, Sergio. Tony and I work real, well together. We haven’t disposed of a body in the same place twice unless you requested us to do so.”

  My eyes grew and my mouth dropped open.

  “Good. There’s a guy who works for me at one of my construction sites. He’s fucking a made man’s wife. Jepo is a good friend of mine. I hate his wife is a cheating whore, but he loves her and I promised I’d handle the problem for him.”

  “Boss, Tone and I will clean up the mess. The fuck won’t know what hit him.”

  They laughed.

  “So, Teck and Fab, I know exactly who my father is. He is the boss of this family. No one gets away with talking shit about the Magarelli’s,” I snarled.

  “No need to mention my run in with the guys at school.”

  “Alright, Dominic, but you need to control your temper.”

  “Yeah, yeah.”

  I knew Fabio was right. Handling my anger was an uphill battle.

  CHAPTER THREE

  DOMINIC

  “Dominic, it’s good to see you. How are you?” my grandfather asked, wrapping his arms around me.

  “Grandfather, I am fine.” I stepped back and sat on the chocolate plush sofa. Four large square, chandeliers hung from the tall ceilings throughout the spacious rustic golden, brown, and black walled living room. Fab and Teck stood outside the front entrance chatting with my grandfather’s guards.

  “Are you hungry, Dominic?”

  “I could eat.”

  We walked toward the oversized custom kitchen. I sat at the spacious cream and brown granite countertop. Each end of the counter was held up by decorative rustic brown swirl legs.

  Chef Rye was in the midst of preparing dinner. He’s cooked for my grandfather for years.

  “Good afternoon, Dominic.”

  “Good afternoon, chef.”

  “May I offer you something to drink?”

  “Yes, I’ll have a cola.”

  Chef turned to grandfather. “Sir, what would you like?”

  “A cola also but make mine stronger.”

  “Of course.”

  My grandfather sat beside me. We watched chef bustle around the airy, bright kitchen.

  “How are your Mom, Dad, and Alexandria.”

  I smiled, sipping my cola. “They are fine.”

  “What really brings you over today. I sense an uneasiness about you.” He sipped from the crystal low-ball glass.

  “Grandfather, you know me so well. Before we eat. Can we talk in private?”

  He smirked, then scooped up his glass. “Sure, follow me.”

  We walked down a long hall off the kitchen. He opened the door to his office. “Have a seat.” He closed the door behind us.

  I sat on the leather sofa and placed my glass on the coffee table.

  “What’s on your mind, Dominic?” he asked sitting at my side.

  I leaned forward cupping my hands. “Years ago, I overheard a conversation between Uncle Mick and Dillon.”

  He sipped the strong drink. “Go on.”

  “Uncle Mick told Dillon he would become the next boss of our family.”

  His lip curled at one end. “You’ve known this information for years and you’re just bringing it to my attention. Why?”

  “I understand I am next in line. What is the plan now that Dillon…” I paused. “Isn’t here anymore?”

  He ran his fingers through his silver hair. “Sounds like your father hasn’t had a conversation with you yet.” He picked up his glass, walked over to the corner bar, and prepared himself a fresh drink.

  “No, he hasn’t. This is my last year in high school. Soon, I’ll attend Stanford for six to seven years. Grandfather, I can handle my responsibilities part-time until I return home permanently.”

  Grandfather strolled over, drink in hand, wearing a devilish smile.

  Something tells me this is what he wanted.

  “Dominic, I have big plans for you,” he said, sitting beside me.

  My stomach churned at the realization of what I was getting myself into. The Magarelli family business. A life of crime.

  “Dominic, lets discuss your future role in this family. First.” His heavy hand landed on my shoulder. “You have to learn to control your temper.”

  I sighed. “I can control my temper.”

  He glared at me, swirling the contents around in his glass. “No, you can’t. I received a call from a teacher I have watching out for you. They reported how you behaved after being taunted about who your family is.”

  I dropped my head in my hand, rustling my hair.

  “They were fortunate I didn’t crack their skulls open,” I hissed.

  “How do you relieve your pent-up aggression normally?”

  “I play baseball, lift weights, and play video games.”

  Bringing the glass to my lips, I stared out the window.

  “I think we can arrange a series of projects that will allow you to help the family and at the same time release your aggression.”

  I sat back, resting my ankle on my thigh, sipping the cola. “Sounds good.”

  “New bodyguards will be assigned to you. They will accompany you to California. You will spear head any legal issues after you obtain your law degree. Your father will become the next Governor of New Jersey. Once he nears the end of his second term, you will run for office and become the next Governor.”

  My eyes widened at his words. I had no idea my life was planned out so precise.

  He stared into my eyes. “Are you with me.”

  I blinked twice. “Yes.”

  “Depending on how you, manage your anger will determine if you will become the boss of this family. At this time your father will remain the boss. You will become his muscle and brains while he is heavily in the public eye.”

  “Basically, I will control matters on my father’s behalf.”

  “Yes. Which means you’ll need to dress the part. Suits will become the staple of your wardrobe.”

  “Makes sense,” I said, running my hand along my clean-shaven chin.

  He sipped the liquor from his glass. “Good thing you decided to visit today. I have business dealings with Alvin Terenzio. He, his wife Vernice, and daughter Angelita will join us Sunday for dinner.”

  He gripped my shoulder. “I need you to cozy up to their daughter.”

  My eyebrows wrinkled.

  “Don’t worry. She’s a pretty girl. You need to make her feel special. Spend time with her, but don’t break her fucking heart.”

  I sat up straight. “That might be difficult. I like a certain kind of woman. Beauty and brains. I don’t have a girlfriend. College will be play time. No plans of settling down for a long time.”

  He stood. “I didn’t ask you to marry her. I said make her feel special. I know that might prove challenging to a good-looking boy like yourself.”

  I stood.”

  He shook my shoulder. “I understand the girls wait their turn to hang on your arm.”

  I chuckled. We walked down the hall back into the kitchen. Our meals were waiting in their respective positions on the countertop.

  “If a girl wishes that we spend time together she will wait her turn.”

  “Oh, what I would give to be young again.”

  “Sal,” a woman called out from the living room.

  My grandfather’s smile withered. “I’ll return in one moment.”

  He shot out of the room.
/>   I glanced at the chef. He focused on cleaning. Inching to the doorway, I peeked around the corner.

  The middle-aged woman with ivory skin and long black hair peered into my grandfather’s eyes. She laughed at something he said. The woman turned on her heels. He tapped her ass as she scurried off. I returned to my seat.

  My grandmother passed away years ago.

  My grandfather never brought a woman around the family. Maybe he thought we wouldn’t understand. He deserves a companion. He shouldn’t be expected to be alone.

  “Chef Rye, I’ll take another cola,” I said as I dug into my fried veal.

  He nodded.

  “Sorry to keep you waiting, Dominic.” My grandfather sat to my left.

  “Oh, in regards to the matters we discussed. Expect to hear from your father soon.”

  “Sounds good,” I replied between bites.

  CHAPTER FOUR