Ravaged By Passion

I nod once. “Yeah, I’m heading out.”

“You never stay for long.”

“I’ve got work.” I finish my drink and turn away.

“What happened to you, Uncle Gavino? What happened to make you move out to that house and never come back?” His tone isn’t hurt. It’s more curious than anything, and that kills me. Breaks my damn heart.

I pause at the door. How do I explain it to the kid? A woman betrayed me and left me a ruined shell of a man?

Another woman brought me back, only to leave me worse than before?

Hell, he doesn’t know a thing.

“Life happened, kid,” I say and step outside, sliding the door shut behind me.

I pull my phone from my pocket and dial Romano.

“Boss, you good? I didn’t expect to hear from you for a few days.”

“No bender this time,” I say, walking back to my house in the twilight. “We’ve got work to do. You know that bookie? The one with that postal worker asshole’s debts? We’re paying him a visit.”

“I thought we were done with that?”

“This shit isn’t finished yet. Make some calls. Set it up for tonight.”