Anger Management [Meloghia]

Chapter 35: Aftermath

Prosciutto pushed open the door to the outside. They were at the dock in the back of the warehouse. He held the door open for Sorbet who clutched his arm. There was a boat on the water in the distance and the waves lapped at the dock. He hurried down the dock to the side of the warehouse and stepped off into the grass where the body of Tulmine lay bleeding. Ghiaccio knelt facing away from them. Prosciutto couldn't be sure but he looked like he was crying, his shoulders shook.

"Ghiaccio?" Prosciutto said as he approached him. Ghiaccio covered his face with his arm. "You okay?" He laid a hand on Ghiaccio's shoulder and he sprang to his feet.

"They're gone," Ghiaccio said in a low voice. "But I killed Tulmine."

"Good. That will make facing them easier next time. Sorbet and I found their boss. Her name is Andréa Pelosi." Ghiaccio spun around and faced him.

"What?" Ghiaccio was an ugly crier, his face was a mess. It was red, splotchy, and smeared in tears. Prosciutto wasn't sure what had happened, but he thought it better not to address it.

"Fugo said she was in anger management with you guys," Sorbet said as he walked up to them.

"Fuck," Ghiaccio said, wiping his face.

Prosciutto pressed the button on his earpiece and spoke. "Risotto. The targets have escaped."

"Damn it," Risotto sighed. Ghiaccio turned away from them in order to collect himself.

"But Ghiaccio managed to kill Tulmine."

"Well, that's some good news. Alright, I want you guys to regroup and head to Giorno. I'll call ahead and update him on the details," Risotto said. "Prosciutto?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you okay?"

"...I'm fine now. Sorbet removed Andréa's suggestion." There was silence from Risotto; Prosciutto knew he was still worried.

"Alright. Hurry back here."

"Copy that," Prosciutto said and lowered his hand. He looked to Sorbet who glanced back at him. "You heard him, let's access the damage."

They walked back in silence around to the front of the complex only to find Fugo and Formaggio helping Pesci to his feet as a woman stood arm and arm with Melone. Prosciutto ran over to Pesci who looked very weak.

"Hey, Pesc! What happened?" He said as he approached. He offered to take Fugo's place and Fugo gave him Pesci's arm. He walked away to join Ghiaccio.

"He kicked ass! You should have seen him, Pro!" Formaggio boasted. "Took that bitch right out of the sky with Beach Boy! It was epic! I thought he was gonna pass out but he got up and kept fighting! I mean real gangster shit!"

He looked to Pesci who looked back at him.

"We fight until the end," Pesci said. Prosciutto felt the tears from earlier threatening to spill from his eyes. He closed them and furrowed his brow in an attempt to keep it in. Pesci had probably saved them all. He nodded slowly.

"Good job, Pesci. You did great. You're a real gangster." He thought it was safe to open his eyes but when he saw Pesci's pure smile before him, he caved.

"Let's get to the car," Prosciutto mumbled as he wiped his face.

******************************

Melone felt strong arms wrap around him, pulling him out of Isabella's grasp. A face buried into his neck as he felt soft hair tickle his face. The strong smell of mint and sweat surrounded him. He knew who it was before he even heard a voice. He felt Ghiaccio trembling against him. Melone put his arms around Ghiaccio as he heard crying. Melone noticed the absence of a small, high-pitched voice.