Page 126 of Forgotten Sacrifice

“Saw the kid running slips and asked around. The crowd loved him! It’s a package deal: you and him. Think about both your futures. I’ll give you some time to consider. Now, where to? I’ll give you a lift.”

My vision having gone completely out in my left eye, I snatch the envelope from him. “Take me to Doc Caruso’s.”

“Attaboy,” Uncle Joseph says with a smile in his voice.

Chapter

Forty-Seven

Vince

“Only when Uncle Joseph learned Aldo was my brother did he track me down and dangle the carrot of me becoming a made man,” I explain. “It was fraud, pure and simple.”

“But Antonio approved you,” Romeo points out.

“And that would’ve never happened but for Uncle Joseph’s sponsorship.” My fists are clinched as I continue, “I had no other ties to the family; no made man to vouch for me. I was played by a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and I fucking fell for it.”

Vince, eighteen-years old

“Welcome to the family,” Antonio Parisi announces, and I’m on cloud nine. No, I’m on cloud fucking ten.

Practically floating out of the ceremony room, everyone congratulates me. “Proud moment, my boy.” Uncle Joseph gives me a double cheek kiss.

“Thank you, Uncle Joseph.” We’ve had our ups and downs, but I wouldn’t be a Parisi family man without him. And I’d never tell him this, but I’m so damn lucky that our paths crossed.

“Vince, let’s go celebrate.” Mike, a fellow newbie soldier, slaps my back.

“Yeah, I’ll meet you at Sergio’s. I’ve gotta check on my brother.”

“Nonsense. I’ll keep an eye on him. You’re only young once. Go celebrate,” Uncle Joseph tells me.

“Yeah, alright,” I say hesitantly. “Tell Aldo I’ll be there to pick him up at midnight.”

“Midnight? Vince, my man, we’re partying all night.” Mike does a little dance.

“Midnight,” I tell Uncle Joseph.

I drive to Sergio’s restaurant, my mind on Aldo. His attitude has taken a nosedive here lately, but he won’t tell me why. No doubt he doesn’t get enough sleep. I’ve had to pull him from school and get him a tutor because of our late hours. Guilt gnaws at me because I promised Aldo he would get to be a kid, but the odds weren’t in our favor.

Arriving at Sergio’s, the party’s in full swing, with food and booze flowing freely. I shoot the shit with the guys before checking my watch. It’s not quite eleven, but I’m ready to bounce.

“I’m headed out,” I tell my crew.

“No!” The guys heckle me, but I smile and wave.

“Good, more pussy for us,” Sal says.

“Maybe you’ll have a fighting chance with me gone,” I agree.

“Sympathy fucks because of your eye patch don’t count,” he calls after me, but I ignore him. I get the feeling I’ll be doing a lot of that with loudmouth Sal.

Arriving at the sports bar, I get an uneasy feeling when Idon’t find my brother in my office. “Where’s Aldo?” I ask the bartender, who’s putting chairs on the table, readying the bar to close.

“I’m not sure. He was running slips earlier. Check the warehouse.”

I don’t like this. Aldo knows he’s supposed to hang out in my office when the games are over.

Walking across the street, I enter the empty warehouse. The light’s on in Uncle Joseph’s office, and I don’t know why my stomach is suddenly in knots. Quietly, I try the door handle, but it’s locked.