Affirmation (8 page)

“Gee
–sit
!” Shanda
ordered.

The puppy obeyed, and wagged its tail playfully.

“Good dog
…you listen better than most men.” She said and placed a doggy treat in his mouth before leaving.
There were
errands to run before nightfall
, however she
promised to play with the
obedient
pup when she returned.

She hit the remote starter as she sashayed down the drive toward her late model car. She recited the grocery list aloud and wondered why she just hadn’t written the items down. More gourmet dog food, sugar, milk, rolls, apples
, batteries for the flashlight, water
and rice. There was talk of a hurricane. The forecast
ers
warned
of a tropical
storm
expected to s
trike on Wednesday before going out to sea.
Island
people took storm alert
s
very seriously, unlike back home.
Everyone she talked to warned she should stock her cabinets and prepare.

Shanda drove out the driveway, oblivious to the flashbulb of a camera from a car stationed near a villa further along the road
as she turned up the volume on the radio and bobbed her head to a contagious rap beat
.

                       
      ****

Alfonzo did a walk-through of the garden as he chatted with Lou. The wedding planner earned his salary. The floral arrangements and outdoor seating were of the finest quality. Everything, including the gazebo where
he’d
exchange wedding vows
was
accented with
gold. He stressed to the eccentric
organizer
to keep it tasteful. The final outcome
properly represented h
im
and Selange. They were both low-key with fine tastes. Gaudy was not their moniker like many others with wealth.

“Nobody
’s allowed
through the
first checkpoint
without an invitation. Make sure you inform the men if there’s an asterisk next to a name on the checklist,
its
close family and I better not hear they were disrespected.”

“Sure thing.”

“You’re off duty today Lou. Today you’re
just the family friend.”

Lou rarely
smiled
, but o
n this occasion the
hard
ened
face softened, “I can do that.”

“Bueno.” Alfonzo stated and stopped walking
. His gaze went
to
the main house. Inside the women
were in charge.
They were dolling up the kids and Selange was getting the works
, h
air, make-up, unnecessary shit because she was beautiful without it. He’d marry her in a ponytail and jeans.

This morning his surprise went well, but his mind kept doing this ‘oh goddamn’ commentary
whenever
he looked
at Selange.
Besides the kids, Selange didn’t have one blood relative in the mix. For months he
scoured heaven
and earth to locate Selange’s aunt,
but
to no avail.
The woman’s
losses
were compounded
by Shanda’s
sudden
disappearance. Shanda gave Selange away at their first wedding
, which
was bold and
untraditional. He’d laughed his ass off later
. He
had his opinion about
Shanda, but
his feelings didn’t factor into the equation.
Selange and Shanda
were friends for years, way before he came into the picture. What he forgot is
blood doesn’t make family, loyalty does.
The
r
ealization stirred him into action and he asked Lou,
“Any news on Shanda?”

“Giuseppe’s
guys are
checking out a lead.”

“Is it promising?”

“
Seems so.”
Lou stated.

Alfonzo found himself between a rock and a hard place. Stand aside or intervene. With Giuseppe’s
on-going ill-
temper he feared for Shanda.
The girl was
Sal’s godmother and Selange’s best friend. He had an obligation to ensure she wasn’t harmed. “If the lead pans out, I want to know immediately. You understand Lou?”

“Gotcha.”

Alfonzo stiffened. There was another important matter nagging
at his brain and he needed it resolved.
“Wh
ere are we on
Alberti’s killer
?”

“
We’ve got n
othing boss.”

“That’s not acceptable Lou.”

“I’ll have the guys increase the pressure.”

“Do that.” A
lfonzo
scrutinized
the older man’s face.
Lou served his father for many years. He was considered an old school Mafioso, loyal,
and
unquestioning
.
“Lou, you’re privy to information concerning my father’s business associates. What’s your take on his relationship with Bruno?”

Lou’s jaw tightened. This
i
s the first time Alfonzo asked his personal opinion about someone.
Alfonzo
read a person better than anyone
.
Lou
figured he wanted a fresh pair of eyes on the matter, mainly because he couldn’t remain objective w
hen it involved
his mom. He couldn’t offer Alfonzo anything
other
than what he’d already told him
, which really wasn’t much
. “Luzo and Bruno were good friends. H
e onc
e
said
Bruno was his own man. He comes from old mone
y,
but
made his fortune by sweat and smarts and didn’t take a dime from his father to do it.
Your father
said he respected that.
”

Alfonzo snort, “
I asked
what
you
witnessed
and not
hearsay
Lou
!
”

Lou respected his young employer. He’d been with his father, walked side by side with Luzo and heard and saw a lot of things. A man standing in that position was entrusted with confidential information and expected to keep a closed lip. Death didn’t negate the confidentiality rule. See, there’s some information a loyal soldier never disclosed and took that information to their grave.

The organizers
add
ed
final touches to the tent. Circular solar lamps were being placed in strategic areas near the
entrance and walkway.
At night they’d cast an illumination skyward to give an illusion of gold balls.
Lou
observed the faces of the people and their mannerisms as they worked. He learned in this business, any one, at any time could do a man, but there were always signs, you just had to know what to look for and he did.
He answered his boss,
“Bruno
spoke forthright to
your father. He
never caged the truth even if Luzo
didn’t like it. He also gave
him
sound business advice on occasion. Overall, I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary.”

“Humph.”

“There’s another matter that’s arisen. Don Schifani is requesting a personal audience.”

Alfonzo’s brow furrowed, “
Why
?”

“His man didn’t say. He issue
d
a formal appeal invoking
the
Giacanti
name
.”

Alfonzo gave an exasperated
sigh;
h
e needed to speak
to Giuseppe
since Don Schifani was on his brother’s payroll. However, out of respect for his loyalty to
his grandfather,
he’d hear the old man
out.
“Schedule him after the meeting in Malta.
Make
certain he’s aware
Giuseppe will be present.
I do not engage in subterfuge when it comes to my brother.
”

Lou nodded,
“
Got it.”

“Good.”
Alfonzo replied.
His trip to Malta was very important. He planned to have a sit-down with five of the most influential families in Italy about Josef Timpico. There was something nagging the shit out of him. His gut was screaming. It wasn’t a coincidence another of his investments was seeing a significant drop in profits and he needed to find out what the hell was going on.

Alfonzo
ceased
talking shop
and scoffed. Business!

Lou gestured to the enormous tent. The silk material shimmering in the sun near the porticos flowed like silk drapes when a slight breeze blew. “It looks good.”

“Yeah, it does.” Alfonzo replied
. He started walking
and his
long strides were matched by the Capo. “Do a thorough check on the security and then I expect
you at
my
wedding
, minus the office ramblings
, comprende
?”

“
I hear you boss
.”

CHAPTER SIX

Amelda put the finishing touches on Selange’s hair and stepped back to view her masterpiece, “Bellissimo!”

The other women nodded their agreement. Selange’s eyes turned to the mirror, which Amelda forbid her to peek at until she finished. She’d even slapped Selange’s hand a few times when she tried to sneak a look at her reflection. “Wow,” Selange gasped when she stared at the flowing curls
, pulled loosely to the back
to accent her
oval
face and
high cheekbone
s.

Amelda
gave
her
a smaller
mirror to check out the
rear
.
Selange gently touched her hair, marveling at the impressive
intricate crisscross design
secured by a
diamond hairclip.
“What
can’t you do Amelda?” She asked
, blinking several times in an effort to adjust to the enhanced eyelashes the make-up artist put on.

It was getting close to the ceremony and Selange enquired about a special guest. “Are you sure your mom’s coming Amelda?”

“Yes, she would not miss this. She is coming with Bruno and his family.”

Selange grimaced. Maria was not going to like that!

Lucia and Crystalia were on the balcony giving Selange a play by play on the arriving guests. “Oh, look at her dress. Shameless hussy.”

“Who?” Amelda asked. The
fashion
designer’s curiosity
surfaced
and she deserted Selange to
join the
chatty women
. Amelda
followed their finger to a curvaceous woman wearing an inappropriate mini-dress
heading to the seating area
. “She is a prostitute!”

“Ladies, promise you’ll play nice.”
Selange said in a futile plea.

“Nice. What is that?” Lucia joked.

The women laughed and Selange smiled. They were
hopeless
!

The door opened and Maria entered with Aldonza. “You look beautiful Selange. I’ve brought you a gift.”

Selange stroked her daughter’s
shiny tamed ringlets. Teresa did her hair and it looked lovely.
“No more gifts Maria. My presents are right here.”

“But momm
y, Nana says it’s something old. W
hen you get married an old person has to give you old stuff
, right Nana?
”

“’Donza,
I did not say an old person has to give
the gift
. When did you hear this, eh?”

Aldonza pulled a face, “Well
,
where do old thing
s
come from
then
Nana?”