AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Arno puffed some air from behind the steering wheel. “The line at the rental company reduced considerably when this idiot told people he has a gun.”
“It worked, didn’t it?” He opened the back seat of the Mercedes SUV they rented so I could get in.
“I like your style, Santo.”
Arno made another sound. “Stop encouraging him. Where should we take you, Boss? We have reservations at The Nero. Straight to the hotel?”
I checked my watch and saw it was almost nine PM. I’d slept most of the day while we were at sea and the last thing I wanted to see was another bed, at least not mine, so I took out my phone and typed a quick message.
“You two can go to the hotel. Drop me off at the Roman Forum.”
“If you’re going out, we should be going with you.” Arno pointed out.
“I don’t need you to hold my fucking hand. Take the night off.”
“If you say so, Boss.”
I got rid of them as soon as we made it to the destination and saw my old friend, Luca Bianco. Luca was the only son of a rich family of merchants. His uncle needed a couple favors from ourfamiglia, so a friendship was born. Luca and I bonded over our mutual love of good imported cigars and women willing to please.
“Bianco!”
“My man, Garon Caputo.” We shook hands and he looked me up and down. “You look like crap.”
“You know how my Friday nights get.”
“Man, I missed that life.”
“What keeps you from living it?”
Bianco chuckled and shook his head. “This gorgeous brunette I met last year. The one whose name you’ll see on my wedding invitation when you get it.”
Now that took me by surprise. Last time I saw him, Luca made a bet with me to see who could collect more pairs of panties in one night. He won.
“Don’t tell me you’ve let yourself be castrated.”
“I’ve let myself fall in love with an amazing woman. She’s a PhD student, very delicate lady, and she wasn’t fond of my… previous hobbies.”
“So you just became a housewife?” I laughed.
“Not a wife yet. We’re getting married in October. What can I say, man. I love her, I want to be with her. It’s as simple as that.” I nodded, slowly. “But don’t worry, my friend, I’ll still show you a good time. Rome is still my town, I know all the good spots, and my lady gave me permission to take you to a special gentlemen’s club I’m part of.”
“Remind me to send your girl some flowers then.”
Luca laughed and grabbed my shoulder. “Come on, let’s get a drink in your hand.”
“Are you trying to get me drunk, Bianco?”
“Yes. From what I remember, drunk Garon is a funny man.” I sure knew how to have good time. “We’ll walk to the club.”
I checked my watch. “It’s too early for the club.”
“Not that kind of club. This is a private place. The music is not so loud, but the entertainment is far better. And they have a reserve of cognac I know you’ll like. Let’s go.”
We left the forum behind and walked down onVia Cavour, struggling to make our way down the narrow sidewalk through massive groups of tourists. The weekend was starting and with it, people sprung like mushrooms after rain.
“I don’t like this goddamn city.” I mumbled. “Too many people.”
“Yeah, because unlike in Palermo, they have something to see here.” Luca said back.
