CRYPTO: Infidelity (Book 1)

CHAPTER 6: ANGELO

I just had to forget about that day and move on with my life. My depression started to subside after the incident and I applied to a few different colleges. I still didn't know what I wanted to do, but my friends reassured me that most students my age didn't know either.

My friends were all accepted into the college they wanted. Neil even got into a really nice college that all the really smart animals went to, but it was across the country. I wasn't accepted into any of the colleges I applied to. I couldn't understand why and neither could my friends. I had good grades and I never got in trouble at school. I wondered if God was punishing me for turning my back on Him.

Months later, Uncle Blade had a friend over to watch some boxing. He made it very clear to me that I was not to let his friend find out that I knew about the mafia. In fact, he said it would be best if I just stayed away and didn't talk to his friend at all, but I was curious about this friend of his.

When the doorbell rang, Uncle Blade practically ran to open it.

"Angelo!" he greeted the stranger at the door.

"Blade!" said a deep, intimidating voice. A giant Anatolian Mastiff stepped inside.

I observed their interaction from a good distance away as Uncle Blade showed the massive dog to the snacks in the kitchen.

Angelo looked up and saw me. "Ah, you must be Blade's nephew!"

"Yes. That's Crypto," Uncle Blade told him. "He likes to keep to himself."

"Why don't you join his, boy?" Angelo invited me. "I don't bite... Well, most of the time I don't." He laughed.

It didn't look like he had a weapon on him so I came over.

"How old are you, Crypto?" he asked.

"Eighteen," I said.

"So you're done with school, or are you going to college?"

"None of the colleges have accepted me."

"Oh, well, who needs all that college debt anyway? Do you got a job?"

"No..."

"Got any plans for the future?"

"Not really."

"I told you he's-" my uncle started to say.

"How about a cop?" Angelo asked me.

"Huh?" Uncle Blade and I said, equally confused.

"You look like you'd be a good cop," Angelo told me. "All you need is a high school diploma and no criminal history."

"I never thought of that..." I said.

"I don't think that's such a good idea, Angelo," Uncle Blade said.

"Why not?" he asked.

"You know why."

"Say, you're not doing anything illegal, are ya, Blade? Are you worried about your nephew ratting you out? You wouldn't rat out family, would you, Crypto?"

"Of course not," I said, looking at my uncle.

"Good," Angelo said. "Because you know the saying. Snitches get stitches."

It sounded like he was threatening me.

"I think boxing is starting," Uncle Blade said.

"Did you learn that saying from the mafia?" I asked Angelo.

Uncle Blade closed his eyes and let out a sigh.

"You told him, Blade?" Angelo asked.

"No. He found out on his own," he said.

"He's not part of the Family."

"I know, but he's part of mine. He won't tell anyone."

"You know the rules, Blade. Only the Family can know, not your personal family. He needs to take the initiation."

Uncle Blade shook his head. "I don't want that life for him, Angelo. It's dangerous and messy."

"So is being a cop. Look, it's not my rule. He either takes the initiation or he's put on a hit list."

"Or we just keep this a secret," Uncle Blade said.

"I want to know what the initiation is all about," I said.

"See? He wants to do it," Angelo said.

"He doesn't know what he wants," my uncle said.

"This time, I do," I said.