A Mob Boss's First Love (Book 1 Of The New York Mafia Trilogy)

39. Convincing Him (Part 1)

Angelo was being lead to Francesco's meeting room by one of the guards through the corridors. Seeing the stony looks on the faces of the guards as Angelo was passing through was really bothering him. The guards looked totally emotionless and silent as always. It was as though their soul was sucked out of them as they were standing so rigidly and doing their job almost robotically. He was wondering when he was going to be turned into one of these guards and his eyes were going to become as cold. But was he going to turn into them? Was that Francesco's plan?

Angelo knew that he was a special employee of Francesco's. He was treated differently to others. The guards were always reluctant to mix with him and talk to him unless he addressed them first. In fact, he had overheard them talking about him behind his back outside his cabin at night time. They referred to him as boss's future brother in law. They mostly sounded fearful when warning each other off from approaching his cabin and inviting him to their card games or dinner time gatherings. There were comments such as " Don't mess with him", " Boss can only deal with him", " He could get us all killed" that really made Angelo laugh. He was no gangster. He was not even close. He just was a normal guy or was he? What was Francesco going to turn him into? He had no idea.

As the guard leading him, stopped at an open door, Angelo stiffened. It was his first time reporting to the boss. He had never become so nervous in his life.

Francesco was sitting on a sofa and had a glass of vodka in his hand and looking down at a piece of paper in his hand as he was listening to a man reporting to him. The man was visibly trembling as he had his head down standing in front of Francesco and speaking shakily "Boss, thank you for approving of my work. I hope that my next month's report would bear the news of more profits."

Francesco at that point turned his head and noticed Angelo standing lost like a dear in headlights motionless in his spot at the entrance of the room. Francesco sighed " Join the line of my men Angelo. You are next to report to me." He then pointed his finger to a spot in the corner of the room " Wait over there. Go on then."

Angelo just noticed how Francesco's men wearing black suits were lined up standing around the room in total silence, looking emotionless. They were next to report by the looks of it." He walked to the spot where Francesco had pointed to and leaned on the wall standing. He looked around the room. This was most probably only the first batch of Francesco's employees. Costanzo had told him how each employee had a time slot for reporting at the weekend before dismissal which was conditional on the success of the report. The employees could either walk put the door after reporting or get sent to the cellar. Angelo cringed at the thought. He didn't want to be sent to cellar again. Never again did he want to spend the night in that horrible place like he had done on his first night of stay at the mansion. But he still considered himself lucky. It could be worse. His boss was totally merciless.

Francesco looked at the man in front of him "I don't have any concerns regarding your profits, Ernesto. My concerns are regarding your son. He is eighteen years old and has started college but he has not accepted my invitation to the thanksgiving feast I am holding in one of my hotels for my employees and their families this thursday. I am not like other mob bosses who force families of my employees to hand over their sons to work for me when they are of legal age. That is only voluntary in my organisation and as a way for a father to retire so a son takes their place if they can't fulfill their duties to the day they die. But showing me respect is not something anyone can bypass. Your son has displeased me many times by refusing to come to show his respect. This should end today. Don't you agree?"

Ernesto was stuttering now " I ...... am .... very sorry. I won't ..... let him carry on like this...."

Francesco smirked " I bet you won't." He the shouted orders to his men " Bring me Johnny." He then turned to the man " My loyal Ernesto, you should have kept a closer eye on your son until now. Teenagers need to be controlled. If not then they must suffer punishment."