Paul woke up late this chilly morning. Walking over to his bathroom he brushed his teeth,jumped into the shower did a quick wash got out and dried off. Making his way to his closet he picked his suit and got dressed checking himself in the mirror making sure everything matched and was straight.

Looking good,my friend.

Paul picked up his piece off of the table and placed it inside his shoulder holster. He grabbed his hat off of the sofa and left his apartment. Exiting the front doors of his building he took a breath and coughed a little.

Damn city air!

Paul began to walk down the street towards the family hangout taking a different route each day so that no one would be able to set him up for a hit on a certain route. He didn't drive either so not to have to worry about any special packages awaiting him.

Paul got to the Cafe Gitane at 10:30 that morning, he usually was there around eight. As soon as he opened the door one of his associates Charles "The Clam" Enrico came to him and whispered something into his ear. Paul took his hat off and continued to walk into the building.

"They got'em, they got'em!"

Hold on a minute will ya. Not out here you know better.

Paul kept his cool calm voice and walked ahead of Charles and into the back room of the cafe. He took out a cigar lite it up and turned on the radio after turning it up to a good volume so that no one else could hear what they were saying. Paul turned to The Clam and motioned for him to spit it out already.

"They took out Jimmy,Angelo,and Christopher this morning! Got'em all!"

Who did? Where?

Paul puffed on his cigar and didn't let his facial expression's change a bit.

That little crew on the other side of town the ones that work with Stefano and his family. They've been making trouble for us for some time now. They got'em as they were leaving the house.

Charles stopped for a minute and took a breath.

Its alright, slow down. No need to rush now.

Okay, They got Jimmy as he got into his car,Christopher as he was picking up the paper and Angelo as he was walking here. What are we going to do?

Paul knocked off his cigar ashes and sat down at the table.

I don't know we got to get them back but we have to do it right we don't need a war right now. Business is good and we haven't had a war in years.

Paul just had three of his best friends wiped out none were "Made" yet so the family probably wouldn't go to war anyway but something would be done that's for sure. He had to take it up the chain and let the Boss decide what to do.

I'll take it to Frank and see what he thinks. You stay here and keep a straight head don't go do nothing stupid you hear me!

Charles nodded and walked out in front of Paul. Paul left the cafe and whistled for a taxi as soon as he stepped outside. He told the driver where to take him and he sat back and thought about his three friends laying on the street in their own blood. He couldn't stand the thought of it but its all he could think about. He grew up with them they did just about everything together. More than likely they would have been "Made" together.

The taxi stopped in front of the compound and Paul dropped him a twenty and got out. He knew no one was stupid enough to hit him right there on the street in front of the family compound. He walked through the gate and up the pathway as he reached for the doorknob he took a deep breath and opened the door.

Here we go.

Paul took his hat off and placed it on the hat hook. He walked past everyone else and into the kitchen where Frank always was as he was a large man who loved to eat. Frank was over the stove stirring up a pot of sauce and he had a whole loaf of bread in his hand chewing on it as he stirred.

Hey Frank I need to have a word with you if I can. Its a bit important.

Frank gave the sauce another taste by dipping the bread in it then chomping down on the bread. He looked up at Paul and shook his head.

"Sure kid give me a minute I'll meet you out back."

"Hey Johnny come here and keep an eye on this for me."

Paul went ahead and walked to the back of the house and outside into the garden. As he waited on Frank he lit up another cigar. Frank came out wiping his hands off on a rag.

"What is it kid? You need some money or something?"

Frank threw the rag onto his shoulder and began to reach into his pocket. Paul stopped him.

Thanks Frank but no. I'm good on cash. I..... I was just at the cafe and was told that Jimmy,Angelo,and Christopher were all hit this morning as they were leaving their house. They got hit by that little thing of a crew that Stefano has been using.

"What the fuck! I'm going to rip them to shreds. Alright I've got to take this to the Boss he's got to decide on this. This may end up in a war if I do or if I don't but either way got to get his word."

I understand,Frank. They were my best....friends,Frank.

"I know kid. No doubt they will pay for this and you'll be one of the ones delivering the payment. I promise you that."

Frank went back inside with Paul following behind him. Frank picked up the phone and started dialing.


Paul stood just outside Frank's office while he talked on the phone to who Paul assumed was Johnny "The Head" Martelli Underboss of the family. The conversation was short and discreet as no one knew what lines may have someone listening on the other end.

"Yea,this morning Johnny. Three of them. That think of thugs they call a crew over on the other side of town. Right. Okay."

Frank hung up the phone and motioned for Paul to come in. Paul walked in and took a seat at Frank's desk.

"So kid this is whats going to happen you have been given the go on a hit on that whole fucking crew."

Paul shook his head in acknowledgment but said nothing.

"Johnny is going to inform Stefano's boss of what happened and what's going to happen if he don't like it then we will just deal with that when the time arrives. You go and select who you want to help you with this and we will find out the when and where. Get to it kid.

I understand Frank. I know who I'm going to be doing it with as well. I'll wait for the rest of the instructions at the cafe.

"Good kid. I'll call you later."

Paul got up gave Frank a pat on the back and shook his hand then left the house. He had someone from the family drive him back to the cafe and went straight in when he arrived. He told the waitress to bring him a double espresso to the back for him. Paul walked in and saw Charles still sitting there at the table he was watching a old western on the television. Paul pulled up a seat beside him.

Alright this is what is going to happen you and I are going to do the hit on the whole damn crew over there.

"What?!"

Keep down that's the way I want it and that's the way it's going to be. The go ahead has been given by the family. I'm waiting on a phone call from Frank to tell me when and where.

Paul looked deep into Charles's eyes and seen the little bit of fear there. He understood the feeling he had it to. Neither of them had ever had to kill anyone. Just did a bit of roughing up from time to time. Both also knew that its what had to be done not only to become "Made" members in the family but for respect for their fallen friends.

"Okay,Paul I can do this."

I know you can those sob's will pay for what they did.

The phone rang just when the waitress came in with the espresso for Paul. He took it from her and waved her off in a hurry. Paul picked up the phone.

Hello.

Paul just nodded as the other person spoke. Charles just sat there with anticipation on his face. Paul hung up the phone then say back down at the table. He picked up his drink and sipped on it a few times before speaking.

We go in an hour,the crew is over at Da Nico's restaurant having dinner. We hit them as they leave.

"Okay, no problem them bastard's are going to pay."

Paul and Charles sat around for the next hour just sitting talking and drinking as the time passed they both began to get nervous. Then Frank came in and told them it was time to go.

"Let's go you two its time. I got you two nice pieces in the car ready and waiting for ya."

Paul,Charles,and Frank left the cafe and got into the car Frank in the front, Paul and Charlie in the back where two Tommy-Guns awaited them locked and loaded. They pulled up across the street from the restaurant and waited for them to finish up inside. As they saw them getting up to pay and leave Paul opened his door and slid out Charles right behind him. They cocked their weapons and held aim on the front entrance.

"You ready to do this?"

Yea I've been waiting all damn day. Wait for them to get closer to their car before you fire don't want to hit anyone inside.

"Yea I was thinking the same thing. Here they come."

Paul watched as they left the building and started up the street towards their car. He could hear them talking and laughing. It tore him up on the inside.

Now Clam!

They both pulled the trigger and started blasting into them running into the middle of the street so they could get a better shot on them. Bullets flew everywhere into the corner of the building pieces of brick went flying,blood was squirting onto the building and street. When the guns started clicking as both were empty Paul and Charles ran back and climbed into the car as it sped off down the street.

"Good job you two looks like you got'em good."

Thanks,Frank. Thanks for this opportunity.

"Yea,Frank. Thanks."

They drove back to Paul's is apartment first and let him out.

"I'll see you tomorrow morning,kid. Get a good nights rest.

Okay,Frank tomorrow. Later Charles.

"Night Paul."

Paul walked into his building and up the stairs to his apartment and walked in threw off his hat and jacket and headed straight for the shower pealing off clothes as he went. When he was through he grabbed his gun and laid it down right beside him in the bed. He wasn't taking any chances tonight.

The End

Very well written, holds your interest to the end, hope to see more like this from you Sir