Bound By Blood: The Rise of a Mafia Prince Read online

  Helen slipped her bra back on and zipped up her dress. She didn’t want the nurse to catch them in an awkward position.

  “I told you we wouldn’t get caught.” Anthony smiled. His faces still flush from the intense passion.

  “I hope I didn’t cause you any pain.” Helen asked concerned. She noticed Anthony’s back, when he reach to hand her, her bra. Her well-manicured nails had left deep red scratches all up and down Anthony’s upper and lower back.

  “I didn’t even notice.” Anthony said, as he felt the lines that now began to form.

  Helen walked to Anthony’s side and ran her fingers across the marks on his back. “I’ll come back tomorrow and see how you’re feelin.”

  The following morning, the sun sparkled through the shades of Anthony’s room. Today he felt different, he felt alive, he felt exhilarated and he knew why. He was no longer a child; thanks to Helen, he was a man. He sat up in his bed and breathed in his newfound status. Helen’s perfume had transferred onto his hospital gown. He pulled the gown to his nose and inhaled deeply. Her smell even made him aroused.

  Meanwhile, outside his room his doctor was making the rounds. The good doctor walked into Anthony’s room holding a basket of flowers.

  “Ahh, for me doc? You shouldn’t have.” Anthony said with a smile.

  “I care for my patients, but not like that.” The doctor set the flowers down on the table by Anthony’s bed.

  “Doc, you hurt my feelings. I thought I was special.”

  “At least one of us is in a good mood.” The doctor began to remove the bandages from Anthony’s shoulder. He grabbed Anthony’s arm and raised it above Anthony’s head. “How does that feel?”

  “Painful.” Anthony answered with a stiff upper lip.

  “Where did these marks come from?” The good doctor asked, as he closely examined the whelps on Anthony’s back.

  “I had company last night.” Anthony said with a smile across his devilish face.

  The good doctor knew from the smile that Anthony didn’t need to be here any longer. “I don’t see any reason to keep.”

  “Doc, are you dumping me?”

  The doctor looked over his glasses and smiled. “Yes Anthony, I’m dumping you. I hope I never see you in my hospital again.”

  Meanwhile, Helen stood just outside Anthony’s room and waited for his release. She thought about the passionate night they spent together. She really loved the way he treated her. She felt comfortable around him. He was smart, sensitive and didn’t treat her like an object. She couldn’t wait to show Anthony the big surprise she and Mrs. Sakakini had waiting for him. “Remember, don’t say a word about his gift.”

  “Don’t worry my dear, I won’t say a thing. I just hope he doesn’t get angry with us.”

  The nurse opened the door and wheeled Anthony out into the hallway. Helen immediately noticed a look of frustration in Anthony’s face. She could see he wasn’t happy about the fact he had to be wheeled out of the hospital.

  “I can walk on my own! I don’t need you to wheel me out!” Anthony yelled.

  “I’m sorry, but it’s hospital policy.” The nurse was annoyed with Anthony’s attitude.

  Mrs. Sakakini bent down and kiss her son on the cheek. “How do you feel?”

  “I feel stupid having to ride this thing.” Anthony slapped the wheelchair. “I got shot in the shoulder, not my fucken leg!” Outside, Anthony continued to badger the friendly nurse. “I guess, now you want to help me into the car?”

  The nurse didn’t respond to Anthony, she just smiled and helped him climb right in. “Make sure he takes his medicine. I think that’s why he’s cranky.”

  When all three where in the car, Helen adjusted her rear-view mirror and stared at Anthony in the back seat. She could see he was in some pain. She hoped that the surprise she and Mrs. Sakakini had in store, would cheer him up.

  “We have a surprise for you.” Helen said as she smiled at Anthony through the mirror.

  “I’m not in the mood for a party and I don’t want to see the guys, not just yet.” Anthony could feel the pain in his shoulder intensify.

  “It’s better than a party.” Helen said, as she approached the exit to the apartment.

  “Helen, you missed the exit!” Anthony yelled. His shoulder was throbbing with pain. He franticly searched for the bottle of painkillers his doctor prescribed. He untwisted the top and popped three painkillers in his mouth. Anthony tilted his head up and swallowed hard. The pills gradually worked their way down his throat.

  “Don’t worry, we’re almost there. Close your eyes.” Helen insisted.

  “Do what?” Anthony was in no mood for cute little games.

  “Just close your eyes, your surprise is near here and I don’t want you to see it, yet.”

  “Fine.” Anthony played along. “But this better be worth all this trouble.” He leaned his head back on the leather seat and closed his eyes.

  “We’re coming to a stop, but don’t open your eyes until we out of the car, promise?” Anthony could hear the excitement in Helen’s voice. Both ladies walked to the back of the car and helped Anthony out on to the sidewalk.

  “Can I open my eyes now?” Anthony asked. He slowly opened his eyes, expecting to see all the guys standing in front of him with a big sign, but what he got was a direct beam from the sun. Anthony raised his hand to shield his face from the sun’s rays. “It’s a house. Why are you showing me a strange house?”

  “Do you like it?” Helen asked. “I know it’s not much, but…”

  “But what?” Anthony asked confused. “Why am I supposed to like it?”

  “Its’ your surprise, we own it! Thanks to Helen.” Mrs. Sakakini said.

  “Where did you get the money to buy a house?” Anthony asked.

  Mrs. Sakakini could tell her son wasn’t happy. She was excited about living in a real home. She was tired of the lousy apartments they lived in for most of their life. It was nice to finally have a place they could call their own. This is what she wanted and it was what her son wanted, before he was shot. Helen walked over to Anthony and wrapped her arms around his waist.

  “My dad left it to me and it was just sitting here with no one living in it, so I sold it to you and your mom.”

  “Surprise!” Both women yelled simultaneously.

  “I really wish you would have talked to me about this!” Anthony was a little angry with his mother. “What the hell are we goin to do with a house?”

  “Live in it, you stupid jerk.” Helen said sarcastically.

  “How are we going to pay the remaining balance? Did you think of that when you bought this house?” Anthony was now fuming with anger. He wasn’t really that mad, it was his shoulder that was causing him most of his discomfort. The pills hadn’t kicked in and he was taking his anger out on them.

  “What part of you own it don’t you understand?” Helen asked. “I don’t care if you don’t like it, the important thing is your mom likes it. That’s what counts.” Helen gave Anthony’s mom a kiss on the cheek. “I have to run, I’ll come tomorrow and see how you’ve settled in.” Helen waved to Anthony and got into her car.

  “Wait a minute? You can’t leave us here. I need to go to the apartment. I need my bed. I can’t sleep here.” Anthony watched Helen pull away from the curb, throwing dirt and gravel in his face. He turned back and stared at his new dwelling.

  It was a small one-story house with a brick exterior. The bricks where painted white. The sun seemed to have faded the color, from a white to a yellowish tint. The wooden trim around the house was painted sky blue. There where two windows on either side of the front door. Anthony glanced at the other homes in the area; they all basically looked the same. They only differed in color and texture. Welcome home, Anthony whispered to himself, as he walked up the path to the front door. Mrs. Sakakini unlocked the front door and escorted her son in to the entryway. Anthony could see a banner hanging above a black stained fireplace. In big bold letters, the words; Welcom
e Home, where written on a large brown paper banner. There where boxes lined on both sides of the living room stacked chest high. Anthony made his way across the hard wood floor to the living room, where there was a white frosting cake sitting on the coffee table. In the right corner of the living room was the small black and white television that was in his room at the apartment. On the opposite side of the tiny house were two bedrooms. Anthony flipped on the light switch and gazed into the tiny bedroom. He was surprised to see his bed was already set up. The headboard was facing the back of the living room wall. When lying in bed Anthony could stare out his window and up at the evening sky.

  “Well, what do you think of your new home? Do you like it?” Mrs. Sakakini asked.

  “Ma, are you sure this is what you want?” Anthony already could see the answer on his mothers face.

  “I couldn’t be happier, but is this what you want?”

  “If this makes you happy, then I’m happy.” Anthony hugged his mother and started for the kitchen. The side effect to the medicine he was taking made his mouth dry. He was craving a glass of water, like a junkie craves a fix.

  “Where do you think you’re going? The doctor said you need your rest. Go lay down, I make you a nice dinner.” Mrs. Sakakini helped her son into bed. “You rest, I’ll be back in a minute.” She tucked her boy into bed and headed off to the kitchen to fix dinner.

  Anthony closed his eyes and relaxed. Before he knew it, he had fallen asleep in his new home.

  The next morning, Anthony woke up to the smell of freshly cooked bacon and sunny side up eggs. He walked pasted the cluttered living room and into the kitchen. Mrs. Sakakini already had the table set, when Anthony sat down.

  “I’m so hungry.” Anthony tore into his breakfast like an alligator tears into an African zebra. “Breakfast tastes better when it’s cooked in your own home. I hope you slept well, because I know, I did.” Anthony said in between bites. He did feel a whole lot better. Last night was the first night he could remember that he wasn’t awaken by a siren of any kind. Maybe he rushed his mother’s judgment, as being a bad one? As they both sat around their table enjoying their first cooked meal in their home, there was a small knock on the front door. Anthony got up and went to answer it, assuming it was Helen. He wanted to properly thank her for her generosity, but he was shocked to see Mr. Sabbetini standing there. Anthony thought Mr. Sabbetini had severed all ties with him.

  “Well, are you going to invite me in or am I suppose to stand here like a door to door salesman?” Carlo could see the surprise in his former associates face.

  “Please.” Anthony moved to one side and let Carlo in. “I’m sorry about the mess, but my mom hasn’t had time to empty out all the boxes. Would you like some breakfast or a cup of coffee?” Anthony pointed toward the kitchen.

  “Don Carlo.” Mrs. Sakakini said, with a surprised tone in her voice. “I am sorry, I did not know your where coming. Would you like something to eat? Would you like me to make you some coffee?” Mrs. Sakakini asked nervously, repeating everything her son just asked minutes, ago.

  “No, I wanted to talk to Anthony.”

  Mrs. Sakakini removed her apron and hung it on a hook by the back door. “I need to finish unpacking those boxes. I leave you two alone to talk.” She walked passed Carlo and her son. “It’s good to see you again, don Carlo.” She quickly shuffled off to the living room and began to empty boxes.

  Anthony pulled out a chair, so Mr. Sabbetini could sit down.

  “I know we left things unresolved the last time you and I spoke. I know I should have stood by your side and I’m sorry I didn’t.”

  “Mr. Sabbetini it was my fault. I’m the one who opened my big mouth, I’m the one who showed you disrespect. I’m the idiot who made the biggest mistake of a lifetime. You and Mr. Mazellie taught me better. If anyone should be apologizing, it should be me.”

  “Anthony, please let me finish.” Carlo took a deep breath and started over. “I spoke to Sal and told him that, that would never happen again. I told him that you had never fucked up like that and that you would never disrespect anyone deliberately…” Carlo reached into his pocket and pulled out one of his fine cigars. He lit the tip with a solid gold lighter Mr. Mazellie gave him on his last birthday. “I told him that I would take full responsibility for the way you acted on that awful day. I told him that Victor and I trust you and I trust that, that was just pure emotion and that outburst would never happen again.” The flame from the cigar burnt a bright orange and reflected off Carlo’s black-rimmed glasses.

  “I’m honored, but why would you put yourself on the line like that for me?” Anthony asked puzzled.

  “’Cause, we all make mistakes. You’re a real asset to our organization and I believe you could go far in this thing we have. Maybe, even get your button and run your own crew.” Carlo puffed on his cigar and stared at Anthony. “I’ll teach you everything you need to know about our business.”

  “What about Sal? You saw his face, I don’t think anyone has ever talked to him in the manner I did and lived to tell about it.” Anthony knew it wasn’t appropriate to smile, but he couldn’t help it.

  Carlo took a deep puff from his fine expensive cigar and exhaled through his mouth and nose at the same time. “Your right about that. No one has ever lived to talk about it. I’ll take care of Sal. You just come back and work for me.” Carlo put out his cigar and stood up and began to make his way to the front door. “ I came here today to ask you to come back. It’s up to you, but I want you to know you are greatly missed at the café. A lot of people have been asking about you, the ball is in your court, you do what you think is right.” Carlo walked to the front door. “Take care kid, I hope I see you at the café soon.”

  Anthony watched as Carlo drove off down the narrow street, toward the freeway. He stepped back into the house and closed the door behind him. He walked back into the kitchen, followed closely behind by his mother.

  “What did don Carlo want?”

  “He wanted to see how I was doing.” Anthony said as he finished his last bite of his breakfast. As he got up from his chair, there was another knock on his front door.

  “I’ll get it this time.” Mrs. Sakakini made her way pasted the boxes and opened the door. There, standing before her where two Asian men. “May I help you?”

  “Yes, is Mr. Sakakini here?” One of the Asian asked politely.

  “Why you want to know?” Mrs. Sakakini asked suspiciously.

  “Ma!” Anthony shouted from the kitchen. “Who’s at the door?” Anthony stepped out of the kitchen. “Is it Helen?”

  “No.” Mrs. Sakakini replied.

  “How in the hell did you find my house?” Anthony was startled to see Lee Hongs’ men standing at his doorstep.

  “Mr. Sakakini, please forgive us for the intrusion, but Mr. Hong would like the honor of your company.”

  “Really, why?” Anthony wasn’t ready to see anyone, not until he found out who tried to kill him.

  “Mostly to discuss your recent misfortune and the cause of that terrible incident.” Mr. Hong’s man made direct eye contact with Anthony.

  “I know who caused this, it was two assholes trying to hold up a flower shop for pennies.” Anthony wished he could get his hands on the guy who shot him.

  “Mr. Hong would like you to come down to his restaurant for some lunch. Once there, he will explain in detail all that he knows.” The Asian man pointed to a waiting car.

  Anthony looked beyond the front door, where another man was waiting by the rear door of the car. “I have to get dressed.” Anthony paused, before he got to the hallway. “How do I know this isn’t a hit?”

  “Mr. Sakakini…” Mr. Hong’s man smiled. “If this was a hit…”

  “Oh yeah, I forgot. I’d be dead already.” Anthony remembered the first time he met these clowns, they had a gun pointed at his head.

  “Please Mr. Sakakini, Mr. Hong does not like to be kept waiting.” The Asian man insisted.

  A
nthony walked into his room and put on his pants and shirt. Seconds later, his mom came in after him carrying his pain pills.

  “Are you sure you want to go with these men?” Mrs. Sakakini asked worried.

  “Don’t worry about these guys, I can handle them.” Anthony reassured his mother.

  “The doctor said you needed your rest.”

  Anthony gave his mother a soft kiss and walked back to the waiting gentlemen. “Let’s go.” While Anthony proceeded to the waiting car, Helen pulled up and ran to his side.

  “What are Lee Hong’s men doing here?”

  ”He wants to talk to me about the shooting. They say Lee knows who shot me.” Anthony pulled her close and caressed her long black hair. He was basically using her as a shield, so Lee Hong’s men couldn’t see what he was saying.

  “Do you want me to call uncle Carlo?” Helen asked softly.

  “No, I’ll be fine. Besides, he was already here.” Anthony sled into the back seat, followed by the Asian man who waited by the rear of the car. The car slowly pulled away, while Helen and Anthony’s mom watched helplessly.

  The leather interior of the car shined like it was bran new. You could tell the car was less than a month old, because it still had the dealer tags taped to the back window. In-between the driver and the passenger was an attached cellular phone. As they pulled away from Anthony’s house, the phone rang. The passenger began to speak in Chinese, then turned and asked Anthony if he could put him on speaker.

  “We have no secrets among us, go right ahead.” Anthony leaned back and waited for the person on the other end to begin speaking.

  “Mr. Sakakini, good morning. I hope my men have treated you with dignity and respect. I know you must be asking why would I want to talk to you in person. What I have to tell you must be done in person.” Mr. Hong’s voice faded in and out, as the car made it’s way up the ramp and onto the freeway.