The House Always Wins

Chapter Twelve: Starting Over

Even though the feds shut down the illegal gambling operation, Maxi still saw a light in the situation. Weeks after weeks went by, and Maxi could not find anything to shine the light on. A series of letters came to him from other Lestima family members, so Maxi thought that might be a good sign. He was dead wrong. They were notes telling Maxi that someone in the family had died. The rest of Maxi's twenty-year prison sentence went on and ended without any action. Proposed ideas that Maxi had thought of had their lightbulbs burnt out, many members died, and one was about to die because Maxi had learned that they didn't keep their Omertà. Maxi was checked out and left the prison. On his first step outside of prison grounds, Stevie greeted him with a firm handshake and a sorrowful look. Stevie was now completely unrecognizable. His once black hair had turned to light grey and the great voice of thunder and darkness had gone to a quiet voice of softness and sorrow. Stevie spoke news of the family. "I'm here. I got a bad case of liver cancer and the rest of the family died. They all got stabbed, beaten, or both. I'm dying, man. Sorry to tell you this but boy, I am happy I broke that Omertà. It got me out of prison and I can see you. Welcome back, Maxi." Maxi was reminded of the action against the family by Stevie and spoke stern words. "It's good to see you too, for the most part, but what you did put us all at risk. You're the reason I've got a target on my back. You're the reason I got no family to go home to. Heck, you're the reason everyone was killed. Me, I gotta look over my shoulder every minute to make sure I ain't gonna be killed. The boss on the other hand, well, let's just say that he and the rest of the family don't got that privilege. And you, my friend, will end up just like the boss as soon as we get outta here. Just remember, you died because of your own greed and stupidity. Those bullets that innocent people took, those were all meant for you. You're just lucky the shooter's a bad shot. You thought that you could rat us out and just walk away? Not on my watch. You sure as hell ain't walking away from this one. The only walking you'll be doing is to the car. Move." Stevie was taken by surprise at this tough statement. "Wow Maxi. I didn't that a numbers guy like you could deliver such a spiel. I guess being locked up for twenty years does something to a guy." Maxi found no humor or remorse in this statement and said tough words. "Yes, it sure does, but you never got to experience that. Now Move!" Stevie walked to the car and got in the driver's seat with Maxi right behind him, getting in the back passenger seat of a blue low rider. There was a tense and silent five-minute car ride to a nearby deserted gas station. Stevie pulled over and told Maxi he had to take a leak. As soon as Stevie stepped out of the car, Maxi unraveled a foot-long piece of thick rope, still hiding it from Stevie's view. Stevie finished his business and got back in the car. As soon as Stevie turned the ignition on, Maxi wrapped the rope around Stevie's neck. Stevie struggled to get out of the tight rope, kicking the windshield and unsuccessfully punching Maxi's head before cracking the windshield and dying.