A Mob Boss's Heirs (Book 3 of New York Mafia Trilogy)

124. The Prom (Part 3)

The dangerous glare made both designer brothers gulp. As Vincenzo let go of Paul's hand, he bowed respectfully and apologised. He then sprinted out alongside his brother and soundly closed the door.

Vimcenzo sighed as he put down his empty soda can. He then took off his coat and threw it on the sofa. He walked to the full length mirror and looked at his reflection. Then he reached inside his shirt and took out the cross. It was a silver cross necklace with diamonds. He recalled his memory of how he had acquired the cross. It was from his mother. It was at an Easter Sunday church service years ago. On an Easter Day midnight when he was five years old he remembered the big celebrations to mark the resurrection of Jesus after crucifixion lighting the candles with his mother to remember that Jesus rose to life after death to defeat darkness with light bringing hope.

His siblings couldn't go to church with their mother. They had chicken pox from what he recalled. They were down with fever. So she had taken him alone to church and had gifted him the cross as he was the eldest son.

He closed his eyes and held the cross in his hand as he remembered her words as she was helping him light the candles " When you think there is only darkness Vincenzo, there will be light appearing in your path. Remember that Vincenzo always. It's all about hope. We hope for light overcoming the dark. Never in your life lose hope... Light a candle today and have faith. Always have faith. You will find a way to make your dreams come true and overcome all obstacles no matter how hard it will be. We live with hope."

The place was covered with roses and lit up with candles. He still remembered the smell of roses in the church. His mother had gifted the roses to the church. She was always generous in donations. He was only five years old. He always believed in her words. He never lost faith. He never lost hope. His father had raised him to be strong, never give up and never lose. His mother had taught him to never lose faith and hope. Having strength with no hope was meaningless.

Vincenzo opened his eyes and looked at the cross as he was standing in front of the mirror. Vincenzo quickly hid the cross in his shirt. He didn't make it visible often. His mother had a special place in his heart and wearing her cross made him feel like she was with him when she wasn't.

His mother had given Vincenzo his life. So her place with him was above anyone else. He wished he didn't have to break her heart by being who he was but that was life. His mother didn't want him to take over from his father but he couldn't see himself becoming anyone else. He lived to follow his father's path. He was never going to turn his back on his father. He couldn't. He was who he was.

Vincenzo knew future was going to have many tests for him. Tests of loyalty. He put his hands behind his back as stared at the sunset.He thought of his father and his mother who he was willing to die for and his Terza that he loved so much. And then he thought of his grandfather who he was loyal to. He didn't understand his father's feud with his grandpa.

Paulo Rosario had taught Vincenzo so much. He was his idol. But they had their differences. He sighed as he recalled his grandfather commenting on his cross " Vincenzo. Don't turn into your uncle Angelo. You are a Rosario. Not a Lombardi... Take it off."

But he had refused. Even his grandfather knew not to push him on it. He had made it clear to him what his mother and his uncle meant to him. There was no ifs and buts. He wasn't having any insults their way. His grandfather knew that.

His grandfather had taught him so much. He had taught him to shoot before his father had. He had taught him to pull the trigger. He remembered how he had sat him down on a desk while facing a man with a sack on his head strapped to a chair. His grandfather said " This traitor must be punished."

Vincenzo was playing with his toy car in his hand " Grandpa. What's a traitor?"

Paulo had laughed and had faced Vincenzo running his hand in his hair " A traitor is your worst enemy Vincenzo. A traitor can't be left alive...."