The Family

"Aww please! I promise I'll pay your guys back just give me more time. Tell the big Boss I'll pay him!" The man cried behind the closed door. Meanwhile, I banged the door once again," no can do Marco, the boss has given you enough chances. Now you gotta pay up....either with money or your blood. He don't care which. Now open up!" I screamed.

Marco quivered in fear and sobbed,"P-p-please Val...just one more week." He sputtered. "What! Do you want me to repeat myself! I said open up!" I said, irritation laced into my words.

"Well then....w-what about I go talk to him myself." He spoke in a strained voice. I shrugged," you sure? The boss ain't as forgiving as me" I warned.

"Y-y-yeah" he said, hope slowly rising in his expression. "Fine" I said, backing away from the door. Marco slowly opened the door and shyly looked up at me. I spat at his tear-stained face and turned my back to him.

We arrived at my father's mansion and walked to the front where two guards stood on either side of the front door. "Evening, Val" they both said in unison. I nodded to them and walked inside with Marco behind me.

We walked through the house and finally reached the main office. "OK, here it is" I said as I opened the door and gestured for him to enter. He hesitated at first and fiddled with his fingers. I rolled my eyes and pushed him in.

He stumbled to his knees and looked up at the oak desk that dominated the room. The orange sunlight poured in through the room leaving behind an exaggerated shadow of my father's chair. His back was to us as he gazed out of the window.

"Papa, one em bottom feeders wanted to pay you a visit." I said. He sighed in frustration and gripped the bridge of his nose. "Please sir, give me one more week. I got a family and my bakery ain't doing so good and well-" before he could go on my father interrupted the shivering individual by snapping is fingers.

"Oh...no no no. Mr Vito, we had a deal. I fulfilled my part and you didn't. You see where I'm getting at here." He said in a low and raspy voice that could easily send shivers down your spine.

"Y-y-y-y-yes I know b-b-but I promise I'll pay your goons back by next week." He quivered hiding his face in his hands.

"Listen-" Father said before taking a puff of his cigar," I'm gonna give ya two options...you can either get a slow death here and make a mess on my carpet or you can start running and mess up the hallway." He said and calmly took another puff of his cigar.

Marco was shaking with fear at his words and crying for mercy. The room was silent except for the sounds of Marcos sobbing. No one dared move and after 2 minutes, Marco realized he was not getting out of this.

The thought dawned on him and he felt a slight pang at the thought of not being able to see his family....ever again. He shook his head and spoke. "Will ya do a dead man a favor?" He said as he wiped his tears away

"Of course...your an honest man Vito." My father said. "Tell my family I love em and tell my daughter that she'll be an amazing mother." He said. My father nodded and spoke,"of course"

He took a deep breathe and began running out the room. My father looked over to me and nodded, signaling for me to go after him. I nodded back and walked out the room.

By the time I was out the room, Marco was halfway down the hallway. I grabbed my revolver and steadied my aim. I controlled my breathing and took the shot, hitting the back of his skull.

A few thrusts and gurgles later, I told the nearby guards to get rid of the body.

My father summoned me again.

"Listen Valentine, I'm a man of my word. I need you to go to the Vito family and repeat the dead man's words" he said as he took a puff of his cigar.

I nodded in understanding and cringed at the smell of smoke that filled up the room. "I swear papa, if the other mobsters don't get you the smoking will." I said as I left the room. He didn't respond.

As I reached for the handle of the front door, I heard a loud squeal.

"VAL!" I turned to see my little brother running down the stairs. My expression immediately brightened.

"VAL! Guess what! Papa said that when I turn 13 in a few months, he'll send me on a job just like you!" He squealed.

My expression darkened at his words.

"But Dante, wouldn't you rather study and learn to become a doctor...you know....help people" I said.

"Well...yeah but dad wouldn't allow that." He said looking at his feet.

"Dad don't have to know" I said as I petted his head. "Don't worry" I said reassuringly and walked out the door.

"Don't worry Dante, I'll help you out of this horrible life" I silently pledged to myself.