The Life: Sacrifice (The Life 3)

I just nodded and showed no signs of weakness, not that I have any. But, a man like Sal takes great pride in those around him being strong. Since I know his son and only grandson are not up to par, I go out of my way to show him just how different I am to them, how capable. “It’s no worry. They were just boys. They probably just saw the stupid American and thought I was an easy mark.”

“How did you change their minds?” I just held up my fist with a smirk. He nodded his head with a beaming smile. Are all grandfathers like this?

I didn’t think I would react this way when we pulled through the gates of his palazzo. I didn’t expect the hit to the gut or to feel choked up. It was here, twenty years ago, that I was conceived, though I hate associating such a pure word with the atrocities that took place here.

We drove down the long winding driveway, and it was all I could do to keep the rage contained. I folded my fists out of his view and gritted my teeth against the cry of rage that lodged itself in my throat. “We’re here. It’s okay, do not be afraid, I’ve decided what should be done. Alonzo will know now, but not to worry. I’m here.”

As if I’m afraid of his spawn. I hope he has a heart attack at the sight of me and dies. No, that’s too easy. It looked like every light was on in the gargantuan palazzo, and through the huge windows in one of the rooms on the first floor, I could see people standing around with flutes of champagne in their hands as they talked and laughed. Was it like this that night? I shook my head to dislodge those thoughts. I can’t walk in hot, or no one would survive the night. I didn’t come here for that, not yet.

No one seemed to notice our entrance at first, but as if pulled by some invisible string, they turned one by one to see the two of us standing there in the doorway flanked by his goons. The whispers started, and exclamations of ‘who is he’ rang across the room as they got a good look at my face. Even the live band seemed to have started playing lower until the music was barely above a soft din.

Alonzo started to come forward, his eyes glued to my face. No doubt he thought I was some long-lost brother, a bastard of Sal’s. “Everyone, this is my grandson, Gabe, from America.”

“Grandson?” They all turned to look at Martin, who held up his hands.

“I’ve never been.” Now the attention turned to Alonzo, who looked like he was trying to recall any dalliance he might’ve had on the other side of the globe.

“No-no, this is Alonzo’s boy. You may all remember his mother; she was a sweet girl from the village. Sofia Antonelli.” His face had gone hard when he said this while looking dead on at his son, who lost all the color from his face. I looked around the room at the others that had been there that night, recognizing them from the dossier I’d compiled on each and every one of them.

“Gabe, say hello to everyone, niputi.” I gave a slight nod to the room at large before fixing my gaze on Ricci. “Hello!” He reacted as if someone had just walked over his grave. One monster recognizing another, but not yet. I reined myself in. The words ‘appear weak when you’re strong and strong when you’re weak’ played through my head. Thanks, Sun Tzu. I dimmed the kill lights in my eyes and made a good impression of trying to hide behind Sal as if unsure of myself.