Shadow riders learned patience very early. As young children they were taught to be still, no matter how long they had to lie in grass or rock or whatever the circumstances and wait. They couldn’t fidget. They couldn’t be seen. They had to remain absolutely still, and if they were spotted, the exercise was often repeated over and over until they could do it before they were allowed to stop for that day. Then it was done the next day and the next. Learning not to move was drilled into them, and yet being ready to move at a moment’s notice was just as important as the next lesson to be learned.
Giovanni couldn’t remember when he wasn’t learning lessons. Granted, most of the earlier ones were couched in playing, just as what Stefano and all of the Ferraros were doing with Crispino, but they were still necessary life lessons to keep them all alive. He waited, knowing one wrong move could bring awareness to those inside the diner and not only end his life, or those of his cousins, but perhaps Nicoletta’s as well.
Victor and the other Demons at his table continued to talk animatedly for some time. It was actually one of the Demons in a plaid flannel shirt that suddenly frowned, slid out of the booth and stood to look out the window at the SUV with the door open. He indicated it to Victor and the others. Those in the second booth swiveled around so they could look as well.
Victor nodded his head and the three in the other booth immediately rose and came toward the door. Giovanni remained still, his breathing easy, his heart rate steady and normal. The three men had to come up to the SUV in order to see the dead men inside, and to do that, they would have to pass through the dark section, which would make it difficult for those inside to see them. Waiting for them was death.
His cousins emerged from the shadows on that side of the SUV, moving into the shrubbery closer to the building, waiting for the three men to come along the sidewalk.
“Danny!” one called out, hesitating as the others walked straight toward the SUV. The one doing the shouting hurried to catch up. “What the hell? Where’d they go?”
The three men stopped together, looking toward the other three vehicles. Vico, Remigio and Maximino came up behind them and simultaneously delivered the signature Ferraro kill. Rather than leave them where anyone could find them, the three were taken to the vehicle farthest from the windows and set inside with the other dead Demons.
Giovanni continued to watch Victor and the other two men. Victor had already signaled the waitress for both checks, paid them, and then was up and walking toward the door, flanked by his two guards, after the three he’d sent out to find his crew. He clearly didn’t suspect anything was wrong.
Victor shoved open the door, came out onto the walkway and looked around. For the first time he looked confused. He turned back to his closest guard. “Where the fuck is everyone, Zeus?”
Zeus shrugged. “Hell if I know.” He walked toward the corner of the building. “Try to get Danny on his cell. I’ll take a look out back.”
Victor pulled out his cell, but he paced along beside Zeus, as did the third man. He seemed more nervous, looking around him, standing on his toes to try to look into the darkened SUV.
“Victor. Wait. I think there’s someone inside.” The third man stammered when he delivered the bad news. “Laying down on the seat.” He was standing by the last vehicle, the one farthest from the diner’s doors, where Vico had put the last three men.
Victor and Zeus turned back toward him. As they did, Giovanni came up behind Victor while Remigio shadowed Zeus. The man facing them opened his mouth to shout a warning, but Maximino was on him, gripping his head while his two fellow Demons looked on in horror. Their heads were wrenched simultaneously. Three voices murmured at the same time, “Justice is served.” Vico opened the door of the SUV, and all three bodies were put inside. Vico closed the door and then went to the SUV with the driver’s side door open and closed that one as well. The four men immediately stepped into shadows to begin the journey home, three to Los Angeles and one back to Chicago.
I didn’t exactly invite you into my home, Stefano,” Eloisa said, staring coolly at her eldest son. “Nor do I remember giving you an invitation, either, Severino.”
“I believe you use the shadows to enter any of our homes at will, Aunt Eloisa,” Severino said. “As riders, it’s a fairly common practice.” He nodded his head at Henry, who sat looking extremely comfortable and at home in the overstuffed and very expensive French chair in front of the burning fireplace.