Ironically, Tony should have been able to refuse to honor such a draconian request from his father. His two brothers, had they been asked, would have told the old man to go fuck himself. But Tony, unlike his brothers who both had respectable careers in medicine, had followed his father into the family business and as a made man, refusing a request from your boss could result in you being on the wrong end of the hit parade.
But as the Dellasondro faction grew in power and influence, the Lino’s began to feel the heat. Recruiting took a nose dive as the flashy hard partying Dellasondro’s looked like the more appealing team to play for as opposed to the quiet and reserved pinochle playing Lino side which operated out of obscure social clubs and shunned news cameras.
But the marriage had given both sides ten years of peace, prosperity, and security as the two families worked together on a ton of joint schemes and projects.
The only thing it hadn’t given them was an heir to seal the deal for all time.
His phones ringtone zapped him out of deep thought and back to reality. He was being called on his burner phone that he used a few times and would discard shortly thereafter.
By the time the FBI knew what was happening, this current phone would be at the bottom of the lake.
In the kitchen, a very nude Tiffany Solomon lovingly prepared victuals for her man to enjoy. She was somewhat surprised that he hadn’t walked up behind her and reinserted his cock into her still dripping snatch while she bent over the island.
“I must have really put that “good good” on him this time.” She said to herself with a proud smile.
“Tiffany?” A somewhat subdued voice said from the doorway leading into the kitchen. She turned to see a fully dressed Tony Lino with a look of sadness, fear and uncertainty on his face. “I’ve…I’ve got to go.”
“Go? She said in shock. “But you just got here. The food is almost ready and…”
“It’s business Tiff. Just leave it at that. Serious business.”
“Tony? You’re scaring me.”
He walked over to her and took her in his arms. He didn’t kiss her, he just held her close to his chest.
“While I’d probably never admit this to anyone else Tiff. I’m scared too.”
Chapter 3
“So, what did you do in the army?” Store owner Dinesh Patel asked Calvin as he looked over his application.
“I…was a light wheel vehicle mechanic.” Calvin said as he tried hard to recall his “cover MOS”.
“Any prior retail experience?”
“No sir. My first job was in the military.”
“So, you’ve never dealt with the general public in any meaningful capacity?”
“Does traveling to foreign lands, meeting nice and exotic people and then killing them count?” Calvin thinks to himself.
“No. I’m afraid not.” He tells Patel.
“What would you do if the store was robbed?”
“I’d comply with the robber’s demands.”
“Very good. The job pays 11:50 an hour. You’ll work from 3pm till three am. You’ll get two five minute smoke breaks, and a thirty minute lunch break. I suggest that you use your break time wisely. Make it count. Any questions?”
“Does this mean I have the job?”
“Can you start today?”
“Yes sir!”
“Let me get you a smock.” Patel said to him.
“A what?”
“It’s your uniform shirt. I’ll have a name tag for you tomorrow. Any other questions?”
“Yes, Uh, what days am I off?”
“You’re not. The night job is seven days a week. We close on all major holidays.”
“No off days? But I thought that…”
“Forgive me for saying so Mr. Jefferson. But you don’t look like you have anything better to do. Do you?”
Calvin weighed his options. Even at seven days a week, he’d still have some struggles with rent and utilities. But perhaps in the future, he’d get a raise and maybe find a better living situation.
Or he could always move in with Dennis while he runs women through his loft like it’s Union station.
“I’m ready to start boss.” He said as he donned the newly delivered smock.”
Not far from here in a Lino Family stronghold, a gruesome discovery had been made.
“Benjamin “Benny Bingo” Gatto, age 36, a Lino Family mob soldier and member of the crew once headed by Tony Lino was found dead in this garbage strewn alley right behind me. His former Capo and good friend Tony Lino is on the scene. Let’s see if we can’t get a word.
Tony? Tony! Mr. Lino, would you care to comment on this macabre discovery? Was this a power move against the Lino family?” A heavy set female reporter said into the news camera while putting the microphone into Tony’s face.
“The only “power” here is the power of the press to lie and malign. My family owns several business; all 100% legitimate. We are the Lino family, small f. Not the Lino Crime Family. Just because my last name ends in a vowel, it does not make me a Wiseguy.
Now, if you’ll excuse me…” Tony said to the reporter as he walked back over toward his waiting crew.