Gangsters
Part five
Gianni
laid down his coffee cup and beamed around the table at his family. Pia, at
twelve years old, had been considered old enough to join the family at dinner
instead of sharing tea in the nursery with the other children. She leaned
against her father's arm already tired.
"I
have a wonderful announcement to make," Said Gianni, "Today I have
been talking to Don Luciano."
"How
is he?" interjected Maria. Don Luciano was slowly dying, although he still
kept control of his family with the help of his son and his nephew Charlie
'Lucky' Luciano. Gianni frowned at Maria.
"He
is as well as can be, but the end is near." He said. "We have agreed.
That is Don Luciano, his son and myself have agreed that the way forward is to
merge our families. Become the strongest family in the area."
"How
are you going to do that?" asked Scott.
"By
marriage. Linzi will marry Don Luciano's son in two months time." Announced
Gianni. Linzi choked on her mouthful of coffee.
"What?
No!" she exclaimed.
"There
is no one else you want to marry is there?" asked Gianni.
"Well
no, but..."
"Good
then it is settled. He is coming round tonight to meet you." He finished.
Linzi stared at him horror struck, fighting for control.
"May...may
I be excused?" she stammered out. Her father nodded his permission. Slowly
she walked out of the room holding back her tears. They heard her footsteps
running up the stairs and then the slam of her bedroom door. Lissa and Chris
looked at one another and made their apologies before going after her. Chris was
faster then Lissa and was already sitting on his sister's bed stroking her hair
helplessly as she cried stormily into her pillows. Lissa sat next to him patting
Linzi's hand.
"Perhaps
it won't be all that bad." Ventured Lissa nervously. A pair of red rimmed
blue eyes glared at her fiercely.
"Have
you ever met Joseph Luciano?" Linzi demanded angrily.
"Umm...no!"
Lissa admitted.
"Joseph
'Tubby' Luciano," stormed Linzi, "Do you know why he is called
'Tubby'? Because he is fat. Fat, ugly and old."
"He's
only three years older that Scott," Said Kelley breathlessly from the door,
"And I'm your age. Damn those stairs and this bump."
"That
makes Tubby thirty four. Eleven years older than me. And you love Scott. I hate
Tubby. He's disgusting." Wailed Linzi. Scott appeared behind Kelley.
"Chris,
Papa wants you and Dionico to fetch Don Luciano's son." He said. The two
men went off downstairs.
"Kelley,
do you think perhaps if someone got in touch with Fingers?" said Linzi
hopefully.
"Linzi
it's been five years now. He isn't coming back. Let it go." Said Kelley
softly. Linzi's head drooped.
"I
suppose I'd better get ready." She said.
"Do
you want any help?" asked Lissa. Linzi shook her head.