You're My Peace of Mind

Part 11

"Cataldo controls the midwest, Fucci controls the south, Mazzone controls the west coast and DeLaruso was in control of everything and east entire coast." Emilio said to me trying to inform me of how the business was divided. I wasn't listening nor did I care. I gazed out the window, it was pitch black I couldn't see anything, the pilot announced that we will be landing in 2 hours. I couldn't believe it, it has been about 4 months since I was kidnapped and here I was coming back home. I haven't spoken to my mother since that day she was getting ready to go out with Frank nor I have spoken to Lo, but Emilio always tells me she said "Hi." I got up from my seat and walked to the bathroom, this private jet that Val owned was beautiful, last time I was on it I didn't really get to see it much since I was blindfolded. I entered the bathroom and looked at my self in the mirror. I looked like shit, my mascara and eyeliner no longer were in place but stained my cheeks from the numerous times I cried. I freshen myself up in preparation to land and finally go home. I long for a bed any bed just anything comfort where I could lay and hide until I can forget what happened earlier today.

Landing we got into a car on the runway waiting for us. Emilio, Duffy and Sonny were talking but Stephon just kept staring at me. I felt uncomfortable under his gaze like he was judging me for something. I shifted in my seat as I began to feel guilty. Noticing my unease Stephon spoke " I'm sorry for your loss Mrs. DeLaruso. Val was a great friend of mine, I meet him when I was 16, I was homeless and doing drugs. I had no family. One day I was buying drugs and my drug dealer was shot point blank right in front of me. It was Val, one of his soldiers, which was my dealer, was selling drugs which he didn't approve of. He saved me that day, he payed for a rehab program for me and gave me a place to live. I owe him my life, so I can't help but wish it was you that got shot not him." he said coldly. I gulped nervously I had a feeling not only him but a lot of Val's men would feel the same way. "What the fuck, Steph I should kill you right now for saying that." Emilio shouted. "Val is gonna kill you if he hears you say that." Duffy stated angrily. "Duffy past tense, he's dead. He would have killed him if he heard that." I said softly correcting his grammar. "Oh sorry Mrs. DeLaruso." Duffy said bashfully. "I'm not sorry, there's a fucking war about to start, and what the fuck does she know how to prevent it. She gonna get us all killed." Stephon stated while glaring at me. Its true I know nothing about this familia mafia crap nor do I want to learn or be involved in.

Not recognizing where we were heading I asked Emilio. He nervously laughed. "We are going to meet the Familia." he said. "Before you get all mad, I didn't want to tell you earlier about the meeting because I knew you would get mad and do something stupid, so we will be there in 2 minutes so be ready." he said with a smile. At that every moment I couldn't wish anything more than Val rising from the dead and saving me. I stared blankly at them, they were await my reaction. "Okay." was all I said not giving them the satisfaction of knowing I was a nervous wreak inside.

The car stopped at this empty beat up ware house. Black SUVs all lined up on the side of the building. Duffy got out and opened the door for me. As I walked in I smelled mold, must and cigarettes. About a dozen men were yelling in Italian, they all stopped when one man stood up and nodded his head to acknowledge me. It was Mario from the dinner. "Mrs. DeLaruso, my sincere apology about the death of Valentino DeLaruso, on the behalf of the Cataldo family. He was a good man that knew the value of loyalty and not one to cross. We had many differences but I promise you that his death his be revenge." Mario stated. All the other men agreed or nodded their head in agreement to Mario's statement. Emilio nudged me as if it was my turn to speak. I had about 12 set of eyes staring at me awaiting for me to say something. "Thank you." was all that I could muster up to say. I heard Stephon huff behind me. Then the men all started yelling again in Italian , pointing and gesturing towards me. Emilio looked at me and mouthed " Say something." I looked at him confused because I didn't know what to say.

Emilio stood up "Gentlemen, from here on now when Mrs. DeLaruso is present we must speak in English." he stated. And the insults began but now this time in English. "What the hell does this bitch know." one screamed. " She should be the dead one." Another one said addressing me. "It's his wife she must know a little bit about the business." Another one spat back defending me. "This is not fucking going well." I heard Duffy whisper to Emilio.

I started to rise my hand for I had something to say. "What the fuck you doing?" Emilio asked me. " I have something to say." answered back. A gun went off, and I jumped reliving the flash back of earlier today. I turned to look at Sonny who had fire the shot. "What, it got their attention, better than what you were doing." He huffed. Now I had the men's attention. " Excuse me gentlemen, today my husband was shot, killed and buried. I flew from Italy to America and came straight here. I've had no rest so I'm extremely tired. I understand how you'll feel, I don't want anything to do with this business but I know Val wouldn't want you all to go to war to revenge his death. Now I'm going to go home since I haven't been in 4 months. I said sternly to them.

As I began to leave someone spoke "Well now with Val gone, I propose we start moving drugs. I can get boat loads of them from the Mexicans." The man finished. Emilio got so red in the face. "Fucci if I hear again that you want to move drugs I will kill you." Emilio said sternly. " Shut up, that was Val's rule but now that he's dead what difference does it make. He ain't coming back." Fucci finished. That last comment made me sick to my stomach I felt as if I was suffocating as I got up and walked away quickly. The cold fresh air hits me, as I start breathing heavily. "You okay?" I hear Duffy ask me. "I just want to go home." I said starting to cry again. Duffy walks me to the car and lets me in the passenger seat. He goes back inside and quickly comes out. "Where to?" he asks starting the car. "Home, please." I said. He begins to laugh, "Which one, Val owned about 5 homes." "My old one where I lived with my mom." I said frustrated. We drove in silence.

He pulled up to my old home. I told Duffy to go home and get rest. As he drove off I walked up to the door, I was nervous. I couldn't wait to see my mom and cry in her arms to tell her everything that has happened. In the past she would make popcorn, get some ice cream sit on my bed and hear out my problems. That was exactly what I needed after my day today. As I knocked on the door a man answered. "Who are you?" he asked in a Jamaican accent. He was in his boxers holding a beer can while leaning on the door. "Who are you?" I asked him confused with attitude. "Where is my mom?" I asked as I pushed pass him into the house. "MOM!" I called as I entered the living room. "Who do you think you are coming up into this house." My mom answered coming out of her room. She looked at me coldly. "Mom I'm home, I've missed you so much." I said as I walked up to her to give her a hug. She slapped me across the face. "Get out. Go where ever you've been the last 4 months. Your grandmother died not long after you left, she could not believe you would get into drugs and sell yourself for a fix. She died of a broken heart." My mom spat at me as she pushed me towards the door and down the stairs. She gave me a death glare as if to challenge me to come back again as she closed the door. Here I sat on the concrete with no where to go, no cellphone to call. It was cold and I had no idea where to go. I was so confused as of where my mom got this idea about me. Who would tell her that? I began to cry thinking of my nana, she was my light, she died and I had no idea.

Sobbing I saw a car slowly pulling up. I didn't recognize it so I began to worry. Looking at the driver it was Emilio. "Get in" he said through the widow. I got in. "I had a feeling she wouldn't welcome you with open arms." He stated. "She said something about drugs and selling myself." I said confused. He laughed "Good ole Val, he told me he took care of your mom so she doesn't worry about where you are, but that shit fucked up what he said." Emilio said still laughing. "He knew about my Nana too didn't he?" I asked questioning Emilio. He looked away, "Lets take you home." He said softly without answering my question. Looking out the window, the sky is now getting lighter as dawn is approaching, I noticed Emilio is speeding but not by much so I point it out to him and he lower his speed. Within a split second police vehicles cut him off in front and the car is soon surrounded by police offices pointing their gun and yelling at us to get out of the car and on the floor.  As I get out of the car and slowly get on the floor, I huffed think if I could have any better luck.