ECHOES OF US | 18+ ✔️

CHAPTER 4

DANTÉ

Ever since our conversation over a week ago, uncle Sal is always tiptoeing around me. In his interactions with me, he consistently shows respect, attempting to be mindful of his words and avoid snarky comments. Additionally, he diligently keeps me in the loop about the status of my requests. He should consider himself damn lucky, for I had every intention of utterly annihilating him if he refused to comply with my demands. I guess my don't-fuck-with-me attitude quickly established my dominance and put him right in his place.

But despite his pleasant demeanor, there is a glint of malice in his eyes that raises an unsettling feeling inside me, urging me to leave. While I don't find him intimidating, I don't trust him at all.

It just set off alarm bells when he immediately accepted my disinterest in the mafia. Unlike the mafia famiglia who sees a rebel as a traitor, he didn't try to change my mind to stay loyal to the mafia or take over as Don. {family}

It is clear that we are both in agreement about me leaving. Nevertheless, Aunt Rosa's reaction to the news of me moving out was nothing short of livid. I can still hear her voice in my head, urging me to extend my stay, even if only for a little while. It's possible she appreciates having me around because she sees me as the son she never had, given she only had daughters.

If it wasn't for her, I would've been gone the day Uncle Sal hooked me up with a car and my own place. It was her hospitality that compelled me to stay, out of both respect and gratitude. However, regardless of how upset Aunt Rosa may be, I have no intention of prolonging my stay once I have my documents in hand.

The best part is that arranging everything for the new chapter of my life, including my documents, is well within my means. Honestly, I don't even need that 500K or the fifty percent of the profits from Uncle Sal. With the provision papà made, I had enough funds in an offshore account to sustain me for multiple lifetimes.

The driving force behind my actions was a pure thirst for control and power, specifically to assert dominance over him. This is simply my Don instinct kicking in, drawing from the knowledge papà passed down to me about my dear uncle's true nature.

With regard to Vince, when I fearlessly asserted my status as the new 'Don' and refused to back down, I left him in a state of disbelief. Nevertheless, I had a candid conversation with him, reassuring him he would keep his position as consigliere, albeit under Uncle Sal's leadership instead of mine. I also stressed how the mafia life had sucked the life out of me and I desperately needed an escape.

It was important for him to understand that my decision was not a sign of disrespect towards my late father, but a chance to shield my future family from that life. Vince reluctantly came to terms with my decision to live independently and go to college, but I could sense he still held hope I would ultimately change my mind.

*

Finally, after three weeks in the US, I am excited to settle into my fully furnished apartment on 88th Avenue in Queens.

With a box labeled, kitchenware in aunt Rosa's handwriting, I ride the elevator up to the ninth floor. Had I not been so stubborn about doing this alone, she would have been here, lending a hand with the move. Once I arrive at the ninth floor, I waste no time to search for the door that is marked 905 and successfully find it.

This is me.

As I feel the bubbling excitement inside me, I place the box down on the floor and reach into my pocket, pulling out the key I collected at the reception desk. Eagerly inserting it into the keyhole and turning the key, a wide smile spreads across my face as my heart starts to race. Picking up the box, I step inside my apartment. I am immediately struck by the pristine condition of the interior and the ample natural light.