Adversary (11 page)

“Beyond duty is my affection.” Nico kissed her, breathing heat into her mouth. Giving her life with each stroke, wanting her to find joy in their tragedy set about by a plotter’s hand. Alberti the witty mastermind of deeds knew exactly how this would play out. Nico could not release the woman; protection was his duty and Bianca’s fate lie in his hands. Unfortunately, he could not sever duty from desire the moment he tasted her fruits.

Her luscious lips parted at the feel of his hardness within soft wetness. Her eyes closed and then opened as she moved with his rhythm. “I have killed many Nico that was my duty. The hardest to kill was Leopold because of my affection,” she confessed as he stretched her arms above her head her head. A massive trunk in ownership of the feminine land.

“Did you sleep with him?”

“No…ah…ah…mio Nico…I have always been true to Alberti and I will remain true to you…mio Nico…ahhhhhhh.”

Somehow the latter statement pleased him. Talking during sex wasn’t a habit of Nico’s, strangely with Bianca conversation added to the intimacy.  “Tell me how you killed him.”

“Poison truffles.”

“Sweet death.”

“Mio Nico…sí.” She panted heavily as his mouth encircled her mound causing her words to halt in stagnated pauses with his deep upward thrusts. “I …I…was saddened…he was my friend….ah Nico!”

“A deceiver who killed my father.”

“Yes Protezioni Nico. Death to the enemies of our family.”

He found pleasure in her words. “You are art.”

“Death is an art as life is a song.”

At those words he pushed her knees outward, and furiously took her cream and returned with firm strokes like licks with his dick inside the seductress who shared his vision. An artful death was quite poetic to the ears of a killer as he possessed his spiritual bride. Nico’s eyes were very soft. He no longer experienced guilt in his actions. Keep her protected he would do because his affection for Bianca had become too strong. The duty had shifted and the dual parts ceased their battle in a truce. He accepted his plight.

Bianca smiled at the violent ejaculation spreading warmth below. In Nico’s eyes she witnessed ardor, and sadness spilled horrors intermingled. But, she remained dutiful. Honor is the wife and Nico was sent home to Ari. That is his love’s light. Bianca was only a gatekeeper Alberti used to guard a man who splintered when he lost sight of his vocation. Circumstances bound her now by death. To watch Nico, Alberti had asked. Bianca had not foreseen this sealing by flesh. Death she expected until Nico’s mother gave her a key to open a backdoor to life. What game of chess had Alberti and Sabrina played upon a widow and their son? Only a masterful strategist could leave an ally blind to such moves. Had Alberti or perhaps Nico’s mother set the pawns out of order but for what purpose? Was it to balance Nico’s covetous desires of another, keep him faithful to Alfonzo and not let him dream things that can bring the family undone? Why would the love of her life or Sabrina bond her so tightly to Nico to the death?

Her body throbbed where Nico’s hands had touched. A stickiness which was a mingling of Nico’s semen and her lust slid down her thighs. She quickly stepped beneath the shower. Her body shivered at the memory of Nico’s passionate love-making. Gasping pants occurred as a sudden orgasmic wave caused another discharge. She was water, liquid heat burning for Nico. This trickery of fate made her cry, “
Oh Alberti, amore mio che cosa hai fatto?

CHAPTER TEN

Loads of money flowed in to Sal’s private school. The comfortable auditorium seats, a tad small but nothing like the hard wood and iron ones Alfonzo remembered from his former elementary school in Harlem. These seats weren’t defaced with carved hearts and initials or nasty gum. He didn’t have to worry about anything sticking to his suit, that’s for sure.

Sal was graduating from an elite primary academy, an expensive institution with annual fundraisers that rich parents gave generous donations to. Secretly, he wished his son could experience the other side of wealth and mingle with all children, including the impoverished. He tried to keep the boy grounded, that’s why the trips to New York, hanging with his cousins in the inner city were important. His wife’s work fostered the lessons they sought to impart. Never think you’re better than anybody because you have money, a dollar isn’t worth a shit if you worship paper and discard the value of people. They had done something right…yeah…Salvatore Diaz was caring and smart.

He glanced at his family occupying the adjoining seats. Giuseppe’s brolic frame slumped one the side of the connective seat, and he snored as if he were home in bed. That damn Vodka had finally kicked in. Aldonza sat between them and when her Uncle’s drool dripped on the floor she made a face. The saliva came too close to hand which she jerked away. The nostril flare of a girl rivaled her dad’s and so did the unmannerly scowl on shiny sparkly lips. Alfonzo frowned. He wasn’t feeling the child cosmetic trend and got tempted to wipe the mess off, but decided he’d tell Selange to handle the situation and avoid embarrassing the chica.

He relaxed and tuned out the monotone ramblings on-stage. Precisely one hour and thirty-four minutes elapsed. Children with eyes to the floor or scanning for relatives in the audience made him smile. Poor kids had to endure the torturous boring adult speeches and then sing chorus to dull songs. Ah, the memories.

Selange sat to his left clutching Angelia who mimicked Giuseppe’s narcoleptic ass and slept without a care. He noticed she was texting furiously and he smirked. Meanwhile, his mom insisted on keeping Vincent between her and Bruno, the dapper shipping magnate who acted like a husband of late but was only a
friend
as his mom stressed
. Friend my ass!

His mom seemed happy. In any event he was keeping an eye on Bruno. Duplicitousness isn’t always in business; the shit exists in relationships as well. Alfonzo refocused on the ceremonial mumbo-jumbo. Sitting close to the stage, he had an unobstructed view of the white scuff marks on Councilman Acevedo’s black shoes. The man’s suit had wrinkles, the kind you have when you hand-wring clothes. The Councilman gained weight since his re-election. He was already stout. Currently, he was bordering on becoming obese. Perspiration bubbled from his forehead and dark circles pooled around the armpits, which steadily widened each time he moved. The air-conditioning worked just fine. His anxiety came from the assembly of Mafiosi inconspicuously sprinkled around the auditorium keeping an eye on everybody. The sound of Sergio’s voice at his back brought him straight and stiff. Sergio’s voice began to grate on his nerves. The man didn’t know when to put brakes on his doggy ways. Every damn female without a man at her side he hit on and it didn’t matter the time or place. Sal personally invited him to the graduation. For some reason Sergio the dude got along well with kids. Even fresh mouth Aldonza sang his praises and that’s huge if anybody knew the girl. Maybe, the goofiness is what children found identifiable, who knows, but Alfonzo considered him irritable at times, although he genuinely liked the man.

“Yeah, we can go out and chill…a little this-that. I’ll treat you like a Queen mami because that’s what you are…”

Alfonzo’s ears twitched. Sergio never quit. He’d probably hit on a plantain if it had a pussy. He ignored the conversation and turned toward his wife when she released a forceful expulsion of breath before shoving the cell in her purse.

“Who’s that?” he asked.

“Shanda.”

His eyes moved up and down her face like a scanner. “Don’t sweat it babe.” That’s all he said on the topic. The former friends had been bickering for months ever since Shanda hooked up with Giuseppe -again. Shanda was a trip.

Selange clutched Angelia tighter and nodded with downturned lips. Maybe she shouldn’t sweat it, but she did. Shanda was Sal’s godmother and despite their differences, Selange thought Shanda would set the animosity aside for Sal’s sake. But, unfortunately that was not the case. Alfonzo hugged her around her neck. He must have read her mind and empathized. The offenses from Shanda piled higher at each of his wife’s attempts to reconcile a friendship.

“She apologized for not coming,” Selange shrugged. “I just feel sad. I don’t know…despite everything’s she’s done I still love her.”

“Don’t let anybody fuck with your head. That negative crap’s designed to do that,” Alfonzo stated. “Today’s about our son chuck deuces at everything else and focus on how awesome Sal’s turning out, feel me?”

“Yes, Mr. Motivational Speaker,” she said perking up.

Just as she finished the sentence the principal finally gave up the mike to a teacher who commenced calling names of the honor students. Adolescent boys and girls in shimmery polyester yellow trudged up the stairs to receive the certificates of recognition for their academic achievements. Salvatore Diaz got a total of four. The Chess Club Honors Award, Outstanding Achievement in Science, Outstanding Achievement in Math and an All-Around Athlete Award. Selange was on her feet. The entire family leapt up. Jessica, Emilio and Sergio applauded and shouted Sal’s name. Alfonzo’s loud whistle woke Angelia and Giuseppe. The sudden shouting in Italian by Giuseppe joined the already boisterous group who got mixtures of amused and snobby stares.

Selange didn’t care. This was her son. A boy who despite the occasional taunts at school about his family remained grounded and excelled during the adversity. She almost cried at how proud she was of Sal and from Alfonzo’s wide smile, he was too. Of course Giuseppe had to take a poke at the faculty. Selange was glad they didn’t speak Giuseppe’s language not even a little because he’d said, “Congratulations nephew. Finally, these assholes publicly acknowledge you are smart. Their paper means nothing because family has known this about you all along my boy!”

Alfonzo chuckled and Aldonza pulled on her Uncle’s hem. “Did you curse Uncle?”

Giuseppe lied. “No little one that is your papa who says bad words, not me, bella.”

“Why your ass starting shit with mi familia, huh?” Alfonzo interjected.

Giuseppe gave a devilish smirk and peered down at his niece.  “See bella, we must work together to curb the profanity. It appears your father needs our help, si?”

And Aldonza agreed. “Sí, he does curse a lot.”

Giuseppe winked at the girl and when she looked away her father mouthed, “Payback’s a bitch big bro.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

The excited energy in the office stemmed from another million dollar donation, the third such contribution in a week after the foundation received a three page feature in El Espejo, a philanthropic magazine which listed Selange’s agency as one of the leading non-profits in America with a focus on youth and education. The receptionist could be heard laughing and clapping as she read the spread to Estefan who Selange suspected could care less. The man was solid rock, not a smile, idle chit-chat –nothing. He kept an eye on everything security and that’s all he was interested in. Unfortunately, the receptionist didn’t get the memo –pity.

Selange had a clear view of the receptionist area. Tinted bulletproof glass was the walls of her office and she could see out but no one could see in. To the visitor, this was a regular office building and suites, but in actuality the entire structure from the building materials to the security system could rival Fort Knox. Selange suspected her protection was likely better.

Her building was a block away from her husband’s. Alfonzo sold the previous headquarters after the incident with Franky years ago, besides he thought it was too far away and he wanted a proximal location in case of trouble. He used the term ‘
popped off’
and it had her thinking of bullets.

He initially suggested she share his office space, except she liked the feeling of independence and declined. Heck, Alfonzo’s sexy ass was a distraction and instead of working she’d gladly spread eagle on a conference table or floor like a backstreet hooker for that man. Selange chuckled at the delicious thought of a tryst in the office and the sudden twitches below caused her to click the enter button on the keyboard to neutralize the carnal thought. Then her assistant Cam knocked on the door. “Come in,” she said.

A magazine clutched in one hand and a coffee in the other, he entered and didn’t take a chair like a normal person but opted for a seat on the edge of her desk. The slanted eyes sparkled with mirth. “This is incredible.” He took a sip of coffee. “When I came to work for you, I didn’t have any idea the foundation would have such an impact. It’s a long time coming and I’m glad I hung in there for this leg of the journey.”

Selange looked away from the screen when her e-mail reply was received. “Thanks Cam, I’m glad you hung in there, too.”

“You deserve the recognition. I’ve seen your passion about kids. I suppose that’s the key to the foundation’s success. You genuinely care.”

“Awww, you’re making me blush with these platitudes. But, don’t forget your part in this. You’re my PR, my legs on the ground in New York and spokesperson.” She lifted the magazine and flipped to the page with his picture. “I believe I’ll need to raise your salary before the other non-profits try to woo you away.”

Cam laughed. “Not a chance. Money isn’t everything. In my family we believe good deeds are the measurement of spiritual wealth.”

“That’s wonderful, but we all must eat and unfortunately the cost of living’s increased and money’s the only way to prevent getting thrown out on the street.”

“My salary more than covers rent and savvy investments should keep me out of soup kitchens, besides if I ever get hungry or tossed out I can always stay here.”

Selange chuckled. “The amenities are five stars. A floor, some glass and functional furnishings makes for nice digs, yeah I can see that.”

“I’ll take it.” Cam smiled. He took another sip of coffee from the porcelain cup with his name embossed in Chinese. “Um, the trip to the orphanage for the deaf children, are you still going?”