MURDER TAKES TIME

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Forbidden Fruit

Wilmington—19 Years Ago

I had been falling for Angela for a long time; it just took me a while to realize it. The truth probably didn’t hit me until I decided to spend my share from the races on a present for her. Not a ring—that would have been too obvious, so I opted for a bracelet. Doggs had a hot one that was worth four or five times the price, but I told him I wanted it “clean” for her, so he hooked me up with a jeweler who owed him money and got me a good discount. I had to borrow money from Doggs, but he said I could pay it back over time. I was about to leave, but stopped. 

“Hey, Doggs, how come The Face was afraid of Pops?” 

“What are you talking about?”

“At the races. I know you heard.”

Doggs got that mean look on his face, and his eyes scrunched up. “You ever looked at your old man? He’s a beast. Strong as an ox. He could rip Mikey a new ass and shove it down his throat if he got pissed off.” Doggs poked my chest with his finger and stared at me. “Let me tell you something, Rat. Nothing pisses off Dante like someone messin’ with his kid.”

I couldn’t help smiling; in fact, I couldn’t stop. “Thanks, Doggs.”

“Yeah, get outta here.”

For almost three weeks, I had that bracelet in my drawer at home, waiting for the right opportunity. It arrived a few days later when a friend of Tony’s invited us to a party at his house Friday night. His name was Eddy Chinski and his parents were gone for two days, leaving him to watch the house. I asked Angie to come.  

When we got to his house it was already crowded and most people were walking around with beers. I grabbed two bottles, opened them, then motioned for Angie to follow me to the living room. When we got there, I started up the steps. 

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“Come on up.”

“I’m not following you to the bathroom.” 

Chinski’s house, like all of the ones in the neighborhood, had one bathroom, and it was upstairs with the three bedrooms. The downstairs had a small living room, a smaller dining room, and an even smaller kitchen. “I’m not going to the bathroom,” I whispered. “Come on. I want to show you something.”

She eyed me suspiciously, almost like Mamma Rosa did, but then she started up the steps. 

I looked around when I got to the top, then went into Chinski’s parents’ room, closing the door after Angie got in. 

“Nicky, I—”

“Don’t worry. I want to give you something, and I don’t want everybody to see.” I pulled the small box out of my pocket and handed it to her. “It’s nothing much, but I thought you’d like it.” I shrugged, turned my head to the side. Looked for a reaction. She probably thinks I’m an ass already. Shit, shouldn’t have done it.

The box was black and looked classy, the kind girls like to keep. Angela opened it real slow then stared at the bracelet. It was gold with six small diamonds spaced around it. For a few seconds she didn’t say anything. 

I shoved my hands into my pockets, fidgeted. “If you don’t like it, I can take it back. I just…”

She grabbed hold of me, pulled me to her, and kissed me. “Nicky.” Tears were in her eyes. “I can’t believe…I mean, really can’t believe it.” She kissed me again. “I love it. It’s beautiful. I can’t believe you did this. Where did you get the money?”