The hooting and hollering starts as I make my way out of the main eating area. My name is chanted as I make my way back to my little cement box.
I spend the rest of the night in my cell waiting for my release in the morning. I refuse dinner because at this point I don’t trust anyone, guards especially. So many motherfuckers are on the take for everything, from just a little nose candy to underage pussy. Some of these guards belong behind bars just like the rest of these guys. I have my lists; I’ll have these bastards buried so fast if they try anything.
AFTER A BIG “FUCK YOU” smile on my face as I pass Diego’s cell, I exit the prison in cuffs and two guards. I’m being transported to the courthouse today to be officially freed. My lawyer’s ready to file suit for wrongful imprisonment as soon as they bang that gavel.
My friend and personal assistant, Martin Giuseppe, and my lawyer, Dimitri Stanislav, stand at the entrance of the courthouse as I’m escorted out of the prison van. There’s a small crowd of reporters looking for a scoop, but I don’t have shit to say to them. The officers lead me inside the building and away from the press before they undo the cuffs. After all, the motion is a formality and then I can finally go home.
There’s so much to do that I’m anxious to get started. As I make my way inside the courtroom, I notice that my family is nowhere to be seen. They should have come to make themselves look less suspicious in my eyes, but then again, perhaps they don’t care, or they expected me to be dead. “Where are my parents?” I ask out of curiosity rather than actual disappointment.
“Your father claims that the families are at war and they’d be a target, or so he said when I called to see if he’d be attending,” Dimitri says.
“Yep, I’m betting.” We take our seats and wait for our case to be presented. It’s insane how I’m not at the front of the line so I can gain my freedom. Every hour I wait, I’m telling Dimitri to add ten grand to the suit. It’s not the money. It’s the principle.
“The state against Mr. Santino Marchetti.” It’s my turn, and I’m brought to the front as they quickly read the statements my lawyer and the prosecutor prepared.
The case is over in less than five minutes, making me annoyed. “What the fuck? I waited hours for that shit. Adding insult to injury.” My men lead me out of the courtroom before I lose my fucking mind. There wasn’t a single apology, as if I deserved what had happened to me.
My friend that I’d met in prison comes up to us when we enter the hallway. We hug and then I say, “Joey, thanks for showing. Martin, Dimitri, this is my personal guard. He’s going to need the clearance like you and Dimitri, if you understand my meaning. Now, who’s outside?”
“The D’Angelos and the Avantis,” Dimitri says, knowing them all because although he’s got nothing to do with the mob, he’s been around it his entire life.
“Why? I thought that Rafael’s married to the Avanti daughter.” That’s how I knew my brother was in on it. He’s now tied to their family.
“He is, but they don’t trust any of the families.”
“Is there a contract on my head?” I question, knowing they would have that answer.
“No, but I’m betting they’re waiting for your father.”
“Or he made a deal with them to off me.”
Joey leans in and says, “Everything is prepared.” He pulls out two envelopes and hands them to me. I’ve gathered some interesting info about each family. It’s not a lot, but it’s enough to warn them that I’m serious.
“Pass the envelopes to both of them when we head out,” I tell Martin.
We exit the courthouse with Martin and Dimitri walking in front of me while Joey crowds me. I look right at D’Angelo’s man and say, “I’m not a mobster. Leave me alone or I’ll show the world what I have learned about your family.” I repeat that shit straight to the Avanti family and then look at both families and say, “Excuse me, fuckers. I have a legal business to run.”
I say goodbye to Dimitri who came in with Martin, but Martin will be riding back with me. Joey pulls out and we begin the eight-hour drive with the current traffic back to my home outside NYC. After two minutes we know that we’re not being followed, which makes me relax. The ride to my house takes longer as the traffic picks up. The release process took almost five hours, and it’s already two. By the time I get home, it’s going to be late at night, so I’ll have to wait until tomorrow to pay my family a visit.
“I need some food. I haven’t eaten much since you gave me the news.”
“What do you want to eat?” Joey asks.
“Let’s pop into a fast-food burger place. I’m not too picky about it, but I could really use something with fucking flavor.”
“Sounds good. We’ll do the drive-thru.”
“Okay.” Five minutes later we pull off on an exit and hit a burger drive-thru, and that shit’s no joke. It’s been so damn long since I’ve had a great burger. We eat in the parking lot away from all the other parked vehicles.
“So, I’ve managed to get my hands on the supplies you needed. They’re all at
