HIDDEN WITNESS 4: DOMINIC'S STORY Page 6

“Hello. Fedo, right?”

  “Yes.”

  I halted at the edge of the boat. “Step down a moment.”

  His brown eyebrow rose. “And you are?”

  I laughed. “You don’t think it’s rude to greet me from where you stand? Step down and I’ll formally introduce myself.”

  He climbed down the back of the boat and walked toward me.

  I extended my hand smiling. He placed his hand in mine.

  Tightening my grasp, I grimaced. “My name is Dominic Magarelli.”

  I pulled him closer, glaring into his brown eyes. “Do you think you are doing me or my family a fucking favor?”

  “No.” Beads of sweat appeared on his crinkled forehead.

  “Ok, I wanted to be sure. My age or whatever you thought could give you the right to disrespect me stops now. Myself and any of my men are to be treated with respect. If you ever disrespect me again, I will fucking string you up from this light pole. Do you understand?”

  He swallowed hard. “Yes, Mr. Magarelli.”

  “Now my associate and I have business to handle on my family’s yacht. You will guard the water and ensure we can sail without interruption. Can you handle that?”

  “Yes, Mr. Magarelli.”

  My lips curled as the short balding man in the navy-blue uniform scurried back to the Coast Guard boat. I took being a made man serious. Like I said I watched a lot of mafia movies. A made man gets respect instantly. And in this town, a town my family runs, if a motherfucker shows me disrespect, I’d leave dead bodies in my path. I won’t fucking have it. The fucker was lucky I had one body to dispose of. I didn’t feel like killing another tonight.

  ~

  I entered the dark house at two in the morning. The light in the living room popped on.

  “Hello?” I walked into the living room. My eyebrows rose.

  My father sat on the sofa in his black pjs, robe, and slippers nursing a short glass of whiskey.

  He brushed the wild strands of hair out of his green eyes. Only one man could put me in my place. And he sat on the sofa glaring into my eyes.

  “Dad, why are you awake?”

  He stood to his feet. “Are you happy now? Your grandfather is in all of you. Giving you his undivided attention.”

  “Why weren’t you there, Dad?”

  He sucked down the whiskey, then strolled over to the bar.

  “You two went behind my fucking back,” he growled.

  I stalked over. “That’s why you couldn’t be there for me tonight? I am the only son you have left.”

  He slammed the thick glass on the wooden bar and turned to me. “That’s fucking right!” He cupped his hands in front of him.

  “Right you are fucking the only son I have left. And you run toward fucking danger. You didn’t have to do this.”

  “Dad, please just stand beside me and accept I will run the business on your behalf.”

  “And school? What the fuck are you going to do about your education? The education I wanted for you.”

  “Dad, I will graduate with honors. You don’t have to worry.”

  He returned his attention to preparing his whiskey. “I don’t know, Dom.”

  “I bet if Dillon was here you would stand beside him all proud like.”

  His cold eyes fell on me. “Why do you think I loved your brother more than you?”

  “I know you did. It was the way you smiled at him.”

  He gripped my neck pulling me into his arms. “Fuck, Dominic, I love you both.”

  I closed my eyes and bit back the tears. All I ever wanted was my father’s love and respect.

  “Again, I didn’t want this life for either of you.”

  “Dad, you still could have been there for me last night.”

  I stepped back.

  The ends of his lips rose and fell. “I’ll be at the meeting with you.”

  My smile brightened. And I threw my arms around him.

  “That’s all I want.”

  He held me tight. “Come on. Let’s go to my office. Tell me everything.”

  He poured whiskey in a second glass. My father pushed the glass in my hand. I followed him down the hall.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CARMEN

  I thought I’d never see him again. Then there he was surrounded by blonde slender women in the corner across the crowded room. He flashed that perfect smile. Fuck, he was one handsome man. Every girl smiled and waved as they walked past him. He brushed his fingers through his black spiky hair. One of the women whispered in his ear. His eyes landed on me. His lips curled upward. My heart sank. I waved, smiling wide. He rolled his eyes then disappeared into the next room.

  Did he just roll his eyes at me? Damn, I guess the connection I thought we shared was all in my head. I know, I know he has a girlfriend. Or had a girlfriend. I didn’t remember seeing her here tonight. Actually, I’ve never seen her again after that day a year ago in the café. Maybe she didn’t attend Stanford.

  Mr. sexy and I didn’t have classes together. Although, I’d seen him a few times throughout the year on his way to class. He wore suits mostly. The first time I saw him and tonight were the only times he dressed in jeans and a T-shirt.

  “Carmen, Carmen!”

  I cut my eyes to my roommate. “Paisley, what?” I yelled over the blaring music.

  She raised her hands defensively. “Down girl. What’s got you upset?” She shoved a cup of beer in my hand. We brought the cups to our lips at the same time. The hints of amber shot up my nose.

  “Delicious.”

  Paisley eyebrows rose. “Don’t change the subject. What happened?”

  We hit it off right away. She majored in English. My major was Chemistry. Paisley Daughhill was from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. A real-life southern bell. Her family owned a craft brewery. She persuaded her older brother to donate two kegs of the Amber goodness to the frat party. Living in California was a breath of fresh air for us both.

  We came from households where our brothers kept close watch on us. She and I focused on our studies heavily barely partying. Now that we were sophomores, we decided to attend a few parties this year.

  “I saw the mystery guy.”

  She stepped forward. I grabbed the spaghetti strap of her peach top. “Where are you going?”

  “I need to see Mr. Sexy.”

  My eyes widened. “Oh, no you don’t.”

  The colorful strobe lights danced over our skin as she leaned against the wall beside me.

  I gasped. “Mr. Sexy?”

  “Yeah, that’s the name you giggle and whisper in your sleep.”

  I gulped the beer. “You’re making that shit up.”

  Her cheeks turned a bright shade of pink and a chuckle rolled out of her mouth. “No, I’m afraid not.”

  I tugged a black strand of her hair. “Don’t tell anyone.”

  She wrapped her arm around me. “I wouldn’t dare. Do you want to find him?”

  I sighed. “No. He smiled, rolled his eyes, then walked off. The days of dreaming about Mr… I mean him are over.”

  “I will grab two more beers then it’s to the dance floor,” she sang, motioning her arms like rails on a train.”

  I tossed my head back, laughing. My eyes darted to the next room. College kids jumped around on the dance floor to the beat. I smiled. Losing myself to the music was what I needed.

  I no longer kept an eye out for Mr. Sexy. Especially after he rolled his eyes at me.

  ∞

  My different chem lab projects became my focus. Frantz Dutcher, the teacher’s assistant strolled throughout the lab. He halted at my station several times offering his assistance. His dark maple skin was alluring. Zooming in on the petri dish through the microscope was a bit of a challenge when I felt his eyes on me.

  Eventually, he asked me out on a date. Topics of discussion were our test subjects. I loved those discussions. He extended an invitation to study in his room one night, but I declined. Why did I turn him down? I thought I wanted
to lose my virginity in a frivolous fling. I sank into my twin mattress. If I never met Mr. Sexy’s green eyes maybe I could have sex with a random guy on campus or Frantz.

  The next couple of weeks in labs, Frantz assisted Heather with projects. He no longer volunteered to assist me.

  I exhaled. Realizing I dodged a bullet. Several college guys were like that. Interested in fucking all the women they can before graduation. My virginity was worth more, I decided. If a man doesn’t try harder to know the real me than he wasn’t worth my time.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  DOMINIC

  The convention hall crowd cheered as my father’s acceptance speech came to a close. He stepped back next to my mother, kissing her cheek. I gripped Alexandria’s hand and stepped to my father’s side. Our faces lit up as we waved at the crowd.

  My father did it. The alleged mafia boss was elected as the next governor of New Jersey. Were the great people of this state really naive? Not sure. But there wasn’t any doubt my father had his hand in the pockets of the right Politicians.

  In recent years his involvement in the daily activity of our organization lessoned. I’d been the man handling all the problems that a rose. There were times I considered transferring to Princeton. Less time spent flying. My father felt it was important I detox in California. Even though, he expected me to move to California get caught up in the culture and never hope to return to Jersey. Not sure how he figured that could happen. New Jersey was in my blood. I enjoyed the weather in Stanford and San Jose. But New Jersey was home. I wondered if my grandfather recognized that desire to be there for my family. Maybe my father chose to ignore that fact.

  Many times, my men detained the rat until I arrived. I was a savage in so many ways. One of which was killing.

  Graduating with the class I entered Stanford with wasn’t an option. My grandfather wasn’t joking. He said the business came first. Not to mention I had to appear with the family at various campaign venues. The summer after my father was elected into office as the Governor of New Jersey, I’d graduate with my under graduate degree in business.

  Late nights and early mornings were my way of life for five years. The woman who bumped into me the first weekend of school still haunted my dreams. I had no idea if she was a freshman or sophomore. Either way, she was probably long gone.

  Partying was needed so I could interact with men and women my own age and behave as a young adult. There wasn’t time for a serious relationship. Family and school were my priorities. I’d revisit finding the woman of my dreams becoming my wife after I obtained my law degree.

  Sipping the whiskey neat, I scanned the crowded ballroom. Chatter and laughter filled my ears. A heavy hand landed on my shoulder. I glanced to my right.

  “Dominic, what are you doing way over here?” Dad’s eyebrows rose. Cigar smoke and expensive cologne encased his gray suit. “We have tons of photos to take before you fly back to school tonight.” He grinned.

  Silence was all I had. He was sending me back already? I gulped the remaining contents, then placed the glass on the small tall table. “Hm, ok.”

  “I need to talk to you a sec.” He waved and smiled at his supporters as we squeezed through the crowd. My father ushered me into a private room. Gio leaned against the wall holding his hands in front of him.

  “Good evening, Dom.”

  He stepped forward straightening his gray tie.

  “Hello, Gio.”

  Dad met Gio’s gaze. “Is it a go?”

  “Yes, boss, the room is clean.”

  His lips curled and he placed his heavy hand on my shoulder. “The casino in Vegas needs your attention.”

  My father stepped back lighting a new cigar.

  “On top of what I’m working on from Grandfather.”

  His eyes darkened. “Yes, on top of your other fucking duties.” He pointed the cigar at me. “Remember you chose this life. I wanted different for you.”

  My forehead wrinkled and I clenched my fists at my sides. “Get the fuck over it already!”

  Before I could blink my father’s, large hand wrapped around my neck and he slammed my muscled frame against the wall.

  “You don’t ever fucking disrespect me. Not only am I the fucking boss you are my son.”

  The blood boiled through my veins. “You hate me that much for wanting to pull my weight in this family.”

  “This has nothing to do with Dillon. Stop making it about him. I am talking about you. Dominic, all you had to fucking do was graduate on time. Become an attorney then the Governor. That was your plan.”

  “Say’s you,” I growled. He tightened his grip.

  “Yes, says your father, Dominic.” He released his hand and turned his back, running his hand over his black hair.

  Every bone in my body twitched. I wanted to slam my fist into his face. He wanted to be in control of my life.

  Gio’s face tensed. I was sure he didn’t know what to do.

  My father turned and stalked toward me. He clutched my face and leaned into my ear. “You are the only son I have left. Why can’t you understand, I wanted something better for you. He pulled me into his arms. My father and I had a love hate relationship. Even though he pissed me off most times, I’d walk through fire for him. He embraced me. “I love you.”

  “I love you too, Dad. Now what is this business, I have to rush back to the west coast to handle.”

  He stepped back, placed the cigar between his lips, and smiled. “Your grandfather is proud of you.”

  My blood was cooling. I popped my lapels. “Yeah?”

  “Yup, I can’t deny how well you’ve done either.”

  I smirked. My father never complimented how I’ve handled the business. “Thanks.”

  “So back to Vegas. Gio will accompany you. There is a dealer who’s skimming the tables and is now planning to rob the casino.”

  My eyebrows rose. “What? How did you find out?”

  “One of the cashiers overheard his conversation with a guy outside the team locker room. We haven’t made a move because we wanted to wait until the job was about to happen. I want you and Gio to intercept the job. Take him the fuck out.” He cut his hand through the air.

  “Understand. Nessuna pietà.”

  “That’s right. No fucking mercy.”

  “Not a problem Pops. Gio and I will handle the problem.”

  “Good.” He puffed the cigar. “I need you to graduate on time from law school. Gio will become your back up here.”

  My eyebrows rose. “But he’s your number two.”

  “Yeah, I know. As much as I need him by my side when I enter office, I need him to clean up the scum on the street so you can become a lawyer. I’m not saying you won’t return home over the next three and a half years. I am saying if you have a test you can’t miss, Gio will handle the problem.” You need to finish out this semester strong to ensure your spot in law school in the fall.

  “Grandfather won’t be pleased.”

  His heavy hand landed on my shoulder and he stared into my eyes. “Hey, I will talk to your grandfather.”

  “All right.”

  “Good.” He pointed between us. “You two should board the jet within two hours.”

  ∞

  “Angelita, not sure why you are upset,” I exhaled, sitting on her leather sofa in her spacious condo.

  She sat at my side clutching her arms across her chest. “I’ve been here for you. Five years, Dominic!”

  Grandfather asked me to continue this farce of a relationship with Angelita. She wasn’t my woman. I told her we could date, but nothing serious. She was pissed.

  Truthfully, I expected her to say fuck me. But she didn’t. Like I said before no one pulls my fucking strings. And when it came to Angelita, grandfather tried pulling my strings all for his precious shipping deal. He enjoyed being the only one of the five families with shipments moving in and out Terenzio’s shipping lot. If one of the bosses wanted to ship out of that lot, they had to pay grandfather a
nice fee. If my dating his daughter was what kept Mr. Terenzio happy, my grandfather was fine with that fact. He was ok with keeping our ties as they were. But bond by marriage he wasn’t pushing for nor would I do. We’re the Magarelli’s we hold the power. If her father ever attempted to persuade me to join our families, I just might end him.

  “We hang out when I am in town. You aren’t my woman so you being on my arm at my father’s victory party wasn’t going to happen. Listen, I am here now. I didn’t want to leave without seeing you. Because if I did, you’d be upset.”

  “When you became a made man, you sent for me.” She climbed into my lap, caressing my face, gazing into my green eyes. “Who else could you tell you were a made man, who would understand? Nobody. Because no other woman would ever understand your life like I do.” Her lips melted against mine.

  “I’ll wait, Dom. You’ll see those other bitches will never understand our world.”

  I gripped her ass. “I need you to stop saying you’ll wait.” I bit her bottom lip.