Eye for an Eye Part 3

NOTA PER I MOLTI che hanno letto Parte 1 e 2 la storia continua, per i nuovi lettori un invito a leggere prima parte 1 e 2 che troverete qui sul mio BLOG

 

PART 3

It was a long week for Luke, following Vito, his brother’s killer and planning to ambush him.

      ‘Everything must be studied properly and nothing left to luck or chance. That was what I learned training with the commandos. I must plan every single thing to perfection. Failing would get me back in jail. And this time no parole and I’ll get out from there an old man. As a callous killer I would be sentenced to spend the full term, twenty years or more, segregate in a high security cell. By the time I get out no passion would be left in me. I would be empty. I would lose interest in life, no one would love me, and without family. My dreams would be gone and buried for ever. I would be old and rotten. Perhaps not so old in years; may be just over fifty, but my possibilities, would be gone for ever. Aspiration for a career and a happy life, with a good wife and some children would be nothing but dreams.

    ‘I would be branded with the mark of a criminal and the community would treat me as such. The stigma would be there for the rest of my life, alone, without friends.’

    Luke realized the grim reality in front of him and wondered if he should take justice into his own hands for the Family’s benefit, or should he refuse?

    Sure, it was a debt of honor, and his Family expected him to settle it. Something they said he must do. But if something went wrong he, and not the family, would be the one to pay the consequences of that crime. So that’s reason enough for him to be careful and not  leave behind any proof to incriminate him, proof that the police would use to implicate him, to put him back behind bars.

     Luke was digesting the possibilities of success in committing that crime,

    ‘Why have I to respect Cosa Nostra laws and belong to such a world? Why do I have to kill? Do I really have such an obligation to my Family? Why am I not free to choose my own way? Why don’t I listen to Rossana and divorce my family?’

    And finally going on with his thoughts, ‘I’m not a coward. I will do this and then I will go on my own way. I’ll live a free life as do others. After all, I am an Australian. I was born here and have never been to Calabria. So I’m not subjected to those antique laws of the ancient world.’

    Now that he had reached a decision, he felt free from the torment inside his soul. He had reached an inner calm.

     In a short time he learned about Vito’s habits. He worked as a bouncer in a bar near the Trocadero, and drove to work in his car. He parked it in a near dark back lane. He knew that Vito finished work at two in the morning. At that time, the lane, where his car was parked, was deserted and badly illuminated.

   ‘The right place, the right time, it will take me only a few minutes to do the job and I’ll be back in the Trocadero before anybody has time to notice my disappearance and I’ll create a strong alibi.’

          He asked the Family to deliver him a gun for the next night a few minutes before two o’clock. 

          He reached his hiding position at the time Vito came out into the lane from the back entrance and was partially blinded by the sudden outside darkness. It was working in the way Luke had planned.

    He called him, “Vito I’m here to revenge my brother’s killing three years ago. Time has come for you to pay.”

    Luke pulled the trigger twice. The sounds of the explosions were deadened by the silencer and only two short orange flames became visible in the darkness. The bullets entered Vito’s face and a muted rattle exited from his throat.

    He fell into the gutter at the side of the lane. His blood poured into a stagnant pool of dirty water and colored it vermillion. There was a death rattle and then silence. The Caruso’s debt was paid.

    Luke walked rapidly out of the lane to the waiting Family car. He returned the gun and gloves to the driver.

      ‘Tell the Godfather, the job is done.”

      Then he returned to the Trocadero. He checked the clock at the bar. He had been away eight minutes. He sat on a high stool, and ordered a double scotch on the rocks.      

                                                                       `

     Three days had passed since Luke had shot Vito. In that time he never tried to contact the Family and he just went about normal business. The next day on the TV news, Vito’s killing had been mentioned with the comment it was a possible war between drug dealers. But nothing else was mentioned later. So far the police had no clues to the murder, but just in case, Luke felt secure with his alibi at the Trocadero. In such a crowded place, the eight minutes he had been away wouldn’t have been noticed. People will tell they saw him there at the time of the killing.

    Luke kept a low profile doing the usual things and meeting the same people and being in the Club in the evenings. It was time for him to think seriously of his future.

    Over the last few afternoons, when only a few people were around at the Trocadero, he sat at the piano and composed a new song. It was a song of love and hope, a sweet-sour melody that the public would like, with the good lyric and an easy to remember tune. He had composed it keeping Rossana in mind. It was his song of love for her.

  Rossana had always been sweet to him, since the old days, well before he met Lola, and she had always let him know that she cared for him.

   Luke was waiting for her that afternoon. He wrote the verses for her so she could sing them, while he played the tune on the piano. He hoped she would like the new song, and would understand the message written for her, the cry of the man looking and hoping for a new love after his life had been shattered by destiny.

    They spent the afternoon together. Rossana liked the song and they rehearsed it till they thought it was tuned to perfection. Then they sat with a cappuccino in front of them,

   “I will sing your song to my audience this weekend and I want you to be the soloist at the piano. It will create some popularity for you, my sweet man. And thanks to the thought and dedication of this song to me.”

    “Yes Rossana, you mean a lot to me. I made a mistake when I chose Lola, and married her. I should have asked you instead. You were the one that introduced me to her, do you remember that?”

    “It had always been the same way with Lola. Since we were at school, she took away my boyfriends. She had a perverted joy in doing that. The bitch was doing it only for the pleasure of seeing me cry.”

    “I believe that. I have finally come to know the real Lola.”

    “It happened in her usual way. When I talked about you the first time, I told her, that I liked you. She snapped you away from me and in no time she drowned my dreams. What I know was that within two months you were married. So I had to withdraw silently in a corner to weep. She is my sister, but I hate her for what she had always done to me. She is a Puta. The bitch never has enough men to satisfy her lust and greed.”

    “You are most likely right on that point. I realized recently her great lust and greed. A few nights ago, she told me clearly that I’m not good enough for her. She had used me in the same way she had used you. She will never chance.”

    “Within a week of you being arrested she had moved in with Garrone. He had been her lover for many years. Not because there was any love in her, only because he’s rich and he could buy her so many luxuries. She, even now, lives with Garrone only for the love of his money and power.”

    “One day I will settle this personal matter with Garrone.”

    “It is better you forget about him. He is too powerful and rich. I get the idea that he was the one that paid the contract to have you out of his way to be free with Lola. It’s only my thought and I haven’t any proof of this.”

    “It could be possible, Rossana. That’s always been my opinion also. One day I’ll get to the bottom of the matter. That day will be quite an interesting one, I’m sure.”

    “Don’t be foolish, Luke, I don’t intend to lose you a second time.”

    “Hey Rossana, what are you doing next Saturday? It will be Salvo’s, my nephew, tenth birthday party at the Calabria Club. Would you like to come with me?”

    “Yes, I’ll like to come with you. I hope in the future we can share many days together.”

 

     It was late in the evening when a tap on the shoulder made Luke turn around on his stool at the bar. It was Michael with his usual large smile.

   “You look much better since the last time we met. The fresh open air has done miracles for you.”

   “You are right there. I have also moved into the Trocadero’s life again, Michael. At least here lights and music go on for ever, and nobody tells me when it’s time to go to bed.”

    “You deserve a good time after all. But have you made up your mind how to earn some money? If you want good easy money, there is always a position available as a courier with me, Luke.”

  “Not for me Michael, that‘s a Liotta’s business. Remember I’m a Caruso, so I’ll not be welcome in.”

   “Yes, we are cousins but we sit on opposite sides of the fence. But our families can’t stop us from being as close as brothers, can they?”

    “You are right there. Our mothers had taught us that. We grew up together and we shared all our problems since we were kids. But tell me, where have you been in the last week? I haven’t seen you around.”

     “I was in Melbourne for some large deliveries. Some grass, which I fetched in Griffith. As you know the Italians living there are keen to diversify with their crops for a good profit.”

     “Well, I wish you luck. In such a job you need a lot of it.”

      “Sure, but remember, I got ten grand for only three days on the road. By the way, I have to warn you, Luke. I heard rumors, both in Melbourne, and from my family.  Someone has put a contract on you. The contract is huge, and I’m sure someone will be interested.”

    “Do you know who set the contract?”

     “I only know it’s someone from Melbourne, but I’m not sure who it is. As soon as I get his name I’ll pass it on. Take my advice Luke, it is better you go away for some time and let things cool off.”

 

     The Calabria Club was patronized by many Italian families. They used this place for their loud reunions and it was here that they kept alive the traditions and the folklore of their native country.

   This is a place where the young and the old met, and where they equally shared the pride and love of their original culture. A place of their own where they speak the same hard dialect, and where life reminded them of their villages rooted on the rocky Calabria.

     In this club of their own, they could re-enact their past, with men playing the bocce (bowls) on the hard court or cards in their loved ‘Briscola or Scopa’.

     They used to congregate at this place on Sundays, devoting at the Mass, in mid morning, celebrated by an Italian monk, and then sharing lunch together, eating roasted lamb with pepperoni and olives, cooked on the spit in their old traditional way. 

    Don Beppino Caruso was the life president of this Club. He was the one who came with the bulk of the money needed to build it, and it was now the place of reunion for his countrymen. They were grateful to him, and on this particularly Saturday afternoon, many of them, mostly the elders, came to present their respect to Don Beppino and to kiss his hand, as requested by the traditions of their land.

     Don Beppino loved Salvo, Salvatore’s son, as his own grandson. He had organized the best that money can buy to make him happy. He hired a group of Puppeteers, who were touring from Sicily, to keep alive their traditions. This characteristic puppet show was enjoyed not only by the kids, but well attended by many. Adults reunited into the hall danced tarantellas and sang their peasant folkloristic songs. It was here that Luke and Rossana cheered those present with their music and songs.

    The day ran away rapidly and it was getting dark. The courtyard, where the festivities for the children had taken place was empting as families returned home or moved upstairs to spend the rest of the evening.

    Luke offered to drive Maria and her son Salvo home. Salvo had received many birthday presents to take back with him.

    Luke and Salvo were walking to Luke’s car parked at the bottom of the lane, when suddenly a motorbike speeds from the opposite direction in the middle of the alley. Luke had just time to grab the boy’s hand and jump to safety.

      The bike had narrowly missed them, and then braked hard to a stop. Then the driver noisily revved the engine, skidded the back wheel, turning the bike in a cloud of dust. The motor screamed as he charged Luke, like a cavalryman, and this time he had a chain in his hand whirling it in the air.

    Luke attempted to protect Salvo from that demoniac driver, but the iron links crashed on Salvo’s neck. The injured boy lost consciousness and fell to the pavement and his blood imbued the road dust.

      This brutal attack was witnessed by several people, on their way home from the party, who ran to give their help. Luke was also bleeding and in a murderous mood. He left the boy in the care of the others and ran to his car to pursue the attacker. But half way down the lane he was met by two bullies, with chains in their hands, whom attacked him. Luke was injured, and fell unconscious to the pavement. The assailants thought he was dead, seeing blood pouring from a wound on his head. The two attackers, seeing many people had witnessed the assault, swiftly retreated to their bikes and rode away mixing in the city traffic.

   Luke, when returned to consciousness, lay on a couch in a room of the club. A paramedic had finished dressing his wounds and was telling Rossana, who held his hand trying to soothe him,” Your man is very lucky. He missed death by a fraction of an inch!”

   “How is Salvo?” were Luke’s first feeble words.  

    “The ambulance took him to the hospital in a critical condition. Only a miracle can save him.” Rossana gently told him.

   “I want to see him, Rossana.”

    “No point now. He is in intensive care and doctors and nurses are looking after him. And you need rest Luke. I’ll drive you home and I’ll stay with you for the night nursing you properly. Luckily it’s my night off, so no complaints and you do exactly what I tell you.”

   ‘Nice to have you around, Rossana. I love to be spoiled by you, do you know that?”

   “No kidding, Luke. I’ll nurse you, till you can stand on your own.”       

    It was only a short drive over to Luke’s home and this was the first time Rossana had been there. Till now they used to met and spent time together at the Trocadero.

    “It’s better that you lay down on the couch, Luke. I’m going to fetch some ice to put over your eye, or else by tomorrow it will be black.”

     Saying so, she disappeared in the kitchen and returned with a basin of lukewarm water and a towel.

    “Let me see. Blood has stained your clothes. Remove your shirt, so I can sponge you properly… let me have a proper look … No don’t complain Luke. I want to do it …Good, calm down. You’ll feel better afterwards…In the meantime keep the ice bag over your eye.”

    Luke closed his eyes without saying a word. He relaxed while Rossana sponged him. Her hand moved softly, like a gentle caress over his neck and back.

   Could he remember the last time a woman had touched his body in such a tender way? Yes, that what it was. He had missed a woman’s attention for too long. Rossana wiped his back softly and the warms of her breath was on his neck arousing him. Luke closed his eyes and let himself fall into a dreamy state. He wished to have her in his arms, cuddling and kissing her passionately. He knew that Rossana was his ideal woman, the one that he had always dreamed of. He must find the words to tell her his feelings, to tell her that he wanted to love her…

   “Luke…? Are you right? What’s happens to you?”

    He heard her voice coming from far away. It was a sweet sound and magically her words broke the barrier of his dreams. He wasn’t sure if it was real or if he was still far away in a world where the unconscious meets the conscious, where the unreal becomes real.

He compelled himself to raise and do something to catch the benefits of that precious moment or else, he will again miss the opportunity to tell her. He knew that physically he was a strong man, but when confronted with the opposite sex, he always found difficulty to find the right words to express his inner feelings. It had never been easy for him to tell words of passion.

     “Luke? Are you dreaming? Why are you smiling? Luke…?”

       Luke took her hands, pulled her to him and searched for her lips. Finally he locked his lips over hers in a long, hot, kiss of love.

      “Rossana, I know now… I have always been in love with you. But my senses were under the spell of Lola’s sexuality. With her I lost the capacity to compare what is real love and what is sexual lust.”

      “I know what you want to tell me, Luke. I have always hoped that one day you’ll come looking for me. Finally that day has come.”

      “I have many things to tell you. There are many sentiments inside me, but I’m not sure if the right words will spring out from my heart. I honestly can tell you that I love you, and I want you.”

      Rossana silenced him with a kiss. Her long fingers ran over his spine, creating a sweet arousal of his senses. Then her tongue penetrated his mouth softly, sweetly, and a fever inundated their beings. They ripped off their clothes, overwhelmed by their carnal passion, and they started to explore their bodies, hungrily, as if tomorrow would never come.  

       She gave Luke so much. She was a sensitive and a sublime lover, delicate and demanding.  Her body was hot with passion, but at the same time she asked him to slow down the rhythm of his urges.

     “I want you to stay in me for eternity. I like the feeling of you exploring the deepness of me. I want this night of love to last as long as it had been my expectation to have you as my lover. Gently Luke… Yes have me, but please, in a gentle and slow motion. I’m yours and I promise I’ll be the lover you have always dreamed of. But we can be at our best only after our senses have reached the complete satisfaction.”

    “Rossana it’s sweet sharing my body and soul with you. Teach me the way we can reach a new sublime sensation making love in your own way. I never experienced it in such a deep-rooted way before. It’s so new for me. I’m discovering the pleasure to make love to you in such a way. You are right, when I’m deep into you and motionless, I feel my senses completely exhilarated. Therefore, I desire to have you more and more, therefore I

desire to entwine not only our bodies but also our souls.”

     It was a long night of passion, and their bodies asked more. It was a night of revelation of discovering how well they fit together, exploring this new way of pleasure and finding that it was well above any other previous experiences in love; one lover to complete the other’s passions where their desires could reach the best of their possible dreams.