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963 Words
~Flash back to that night at the casino~
The back doors of the casino burst open and a potbellied and short man stumbled out into the alley, a drunk mess. He finds a corner to take a piss, but fumbles around with his belt. Clearly pissed about the night. He just lost all his money, and he almost took a gun to the head for trying to pick up Vincenzo's date. How the hell was he supposed to know a girl like that was with a guy like Vincenzo?
“Such rotten Luck tonight.” he hissed as he stood facing the side of a wall, finally able to whip out his d**k out of his pants. But just before he could take a the much-needed leak after drinking himself out, his face met the end of an unforgiving fist that sent him flying into another set of waiting fists.
“What the f**k!” he cried with confusion as series of punches he couldn’t even keep up with rained down on him. A beating from two total strangers was all he needed to crown an awful night. Just as he was about to pass out on the floor, a sharp voice called out.
“Lucky! Sanchez! That’s enough.”
Through the man’s blurred vision, he tries to crawl away from his attackers. The first thing he saw were the tip of well-polished Italian shoes that reflected his pitiable state, then his eyes traveled up the strangers' legs. The suit he wore was clean. The man before him was nursing on a cig, taking slow deliberate drags from it, and when that orange ember glowed, highlighting the individuals face, the fat man felt his heart stop beating for a moment. He cursed his luck so hard.
“P…please.” his busted lips trembled as he reached out to touch Vincenzo's shoes “I-I didn’t-arghhh” his pained screams rang all around when Vincenzo stepped on his hand.
“I’d like to beg the differ. You touched my woman. And in my books, that a sin that even god can’t forgive.” Vincenzo's voice was cold and ruthless as he crushed the man’s hands.
“I swear! Please. I didn’t know she was yours!!” before he could finish his words, his face met the bottom of Vincenzo's shoes.
The man spat out blood and teeth, choking on a whimper as he crumpled against the cold, damp alley floor. The scent of piss, smoke, and iron filled the narrow space. His entire body screamed in pain, and yet, he dared to look up—just to confirm if the devil himself stood over him.
He wasn’t wrong.
Vincenzo lowered the cigarette from his lips, letting the ash fall with careless grace onto the broken man’s bloodied shirt. Then he crouched slowly, one knee down, until their eyes met—hunter and prey. Even in the shadows, Vincenzo’s face was maddeningly calm. That was the worst part. The quiet. The cold patience. The promise of pain but clearly understood.
“The next time I catch your greasy little mits near her again, or you in my casino…” He leaned in closer, voice dropping to a whisper that sliced like a knife. “You’ll be taking a swim with the sharks up coast.”
He flicked the half-smoked cigarette at the man’s face. The ember burned his cheek, and he screamed again.
Vincenzo stood and adjusted his cufflinks, his polished composure never cracking.
“Lucky,” he said without looking back, “break his jaw. I don’t want to hear his voice again.”
Lucky grinned as he cracked his knuckles. “With pleasure, boss.”
A sickening crack echoed through the alleyway as the man’s screams were cut off abruptly. A soft groan followed. Then silence.
Vincenzo looked toward the night sky briefly, his expression unreadable. The stars were bright above New york, but down here, he was god.
~end of flash back~
“It’s nothing you need to worry yourself about darling.”
That’s all he said to me, and although I knew there was more to his words, I also knew better than to push further than I needed to. So I just focused on finishing up the rest of my coffee.
VINCENZO
Sometime past 12pm, Lena and I were on the move again. The sun was high, and the temperature hot for this time of year. I was constantly checking up on her, making sure she was comfortable. I wanted to take her back to the hotel as soon as possible, but she wanted to explore Athens more. Athens was like a second home to me, and I knew it as much as well as I knew my backhand.
“Phew. It’s getting a bit hot, don’t you think?” Lena huffed. One of her arm was hooked inside mine, while the other held on to the brim of her sun hat.
“It is. But, I know something that can help you cool off a bit.” I said, as I led her to a shop just round the corner. There were chairs and an umbrella out front, the perfect place for my pregnant wife to rest while I got her a frozen treat.
It was almost hard to believe that someone like me could have actually met someone, and love them enough to put a ring on their finger. The truth was, Lena wasn’t just anyone, she was, is, the apple of my eyes. The very air that I breath, and I would die for her…or at least put a bullet in a man…or woman’s head, for her sake.
“Sit here for a second. I’ll be right back.” I made sure she was comfortable before I left.
- Writer
