Chapter One

An Unrelenting Dream

Vito shuffled his feet across the frost covered sidewalk as he unfolded the ruffled piece of paper in his mitten covered hands. His coat doing little to shelter his young body from the cold. The scribbled address on the paper was hard to make out as the sun was still barely coming up. The sounds of the morning in the distance. Reading the numbers to himself he sees a shadow loom over him then is suddenly stopped as he bumps into someone. Dropping the piece of paper from his hand as his gaze moved up to this mans face. 

"HEY! Watch where you're going kid!"

This imposing stature of a man snarled down at Vito followed by a glare that could freeze even the hardest of men. Vito shivered, not only from the cold but from the fear this man struck into him. Finally after a moment Vito mumbled..

"So... sorry, sir." 

His cold lips trembled. He quickly looked down to retrieve his fallen piece of paper. His eyes noticing dark red stains on this mans white shirt under his black coat. The strange intimidating stranger quickly grabbed his coat and closed it around his chest, covering the stains from Vito's eyes before scoffing and walking away. 

"Stupid kid!"

Vito picked up the piece of paper and unfolded it to read the address once more. Slowly continuing his walk along the sidewalk, looking for the address jotted down. Looking for the safehouse where his brother was supposedly hiding out in. His older brother Steven had gotten into some trouble with some people and Vito had managed to overhear his mother on the phone earlier. It's how he had gotten the address. 

He really just wanted to see his brother, not fully understanding the situation or the seriousness of the trouble his brother Steven was in. He walked as he read off the numbers of the buildings he passed to himself. Knowing he was getting closer until he found what he was looking for. The building was old and had seen better days, much like the rest of this part of town. The windows were boarded up and the front door was locked. His gloved hands went from knocks to bangs on the door but no one answered. 

Vito slowly made his way around the back, since he knew he was at the right place. Slowly he crept along the side of the building, calling out but to no avail. Only the sounds of distant cars and birds chirping filled the air. He crept around the corner and moved toward the back door, which was apparently open. 

"Hello?"

He called out as he cautiously moved toward the open door. His heart starting to race, he swallowed hard as he got a horrible feeling in the pit of his stomach. As he came into the doorway he spotted someone laying on the ground. Vito gasped as he stepped in closer, curiosity getting the better of him. He came over the body, breathing a sigh of relief as he realized it wasn't his brother Steven, the blood still fresh on this mans chest. He surmised that this must have been one of his brothers bodyguards and then got worried as he realized that if his brothers bodyguard is dead then what must his brothers fate be.

He lifted his gaze to look around and called out for his brother again.

"Ste.. Steven?"

His voice trembled, despite being indoors now and out of the bitter cold. His concern growing as he walked around the corner of the room only to find someone sitting in a chair, their back to him as he stepped closer. 

"Ste.. Steven?" 

He almost whispered , his voice breaking as he slowly stepped around the chair to see for himself what his gut was already telling him. His brother Steven sat tied to this chair, his head tilted back. A knife protruding from his dead brothers eye socket. Vito gasped and started to cry as he tried to grasp the sight of his brothers tortured mangled body tied to this chair. Blood running down his face. The initials A.S. carved into his brothers forehead.

Finding his older brother like was too much as Vito panicked and ran from the building till he reached the street. Gasping and crying and trying to catch his breath as he threw up into the snow covered grass. Suddenly it hits him. The man he bumped into on his way here. It was only a couple blocks away. Then he remembered seeing the blood on the mans shirt. Vito started hyperventilating and his vision started going dark as he got dizzy. Suddenly he hears a voice.

"Vito.. HEY VITO!"

The voice is muffled and low but slowly gets louder and clearer. 

"VITO, HEY GET UP MAN!"

Vito lifts his head toward the sound of the now shouting voice. His eyes blurred as his vision slowly comes to. His friend Joey standing over him yelling at him. 

"Hey, you alright?"

Joey asked Vito, patting his hand on his shoulder as Vito slowly woke. Looking around seeing he had passed out in local bar again. He cleared his throat and tried to get his focus as Joey continued. 

"You having that dream still?" 

Joey asked. Having been Vito's friend since childhood, Joey knew his friend was still having trouble getting over his brothers death, despite it having been ten years now. 

Vito groaned and nodded, answering his best friends question without a word. Sitting up as his vision cleared and he could see his friend standing beside him slipping his coat on. Vito slowly stood and did the same, grabbing his coat off the barstool next to him. Slipping some money form his wallet and dropping it next to his empty glass with a nod to the bartender. 

"Yeah.. and it's like every time I have it, it's a little bit clearer. I remember this guy now." 

Vito started as he slid his arms into his coat and pulled it around his chest. Following his friend Joey toward the exit. Flashes of his recent dream still lingering in his mind as they exited. 

"I think this guy I saw right before.. might have had something to do with it."

Joey listened as they got to his car. Pausing a moment as they both stood on either side of the car. The sun coming down behind the bar night rolled in.

"And I'm going to find him." 

Vito said with a look of dead seriousness on his face his friend Joey had rarely seen, but he knew his friend was determined. Joey slowly nodded.

"Vito.. You know you're like my brother.. and I miss your brother too." 

He paused a moment, Vito wiping one tear from his cheek. 

"So let's find this son of a bitch."

Joey smiled at Vito who tried his best to smile back as they climbed into the car. 

"Thanks Joey." 

Vito added as they closed the doors and Joey started the engine. Pulling his car out of the parking lot and driving along as Vito stared out the window thinking. Thinking about his brother and how he wanted to find the man responsible. Maybe it was vengeance that was consuming Vito, but he didn't care. He knew he had to do something to avenge his brother. His mind running through all the things that might happen if and when he found this person he bumped into ten years ago.

This was his mission now. His goal. He was going to find and exact his revenge no matter how long it took...

Chapter Two

A Job for a Name

"Hey Vito, wake up." 

Vito's eyes slowly opened to the sight of his friend Joey standing over him. Laying on his friends couch where he spent the night after last night at the bar. He groaned, his head slightly spinning as the sun from the window hit his face. Maybe he had drank a little too much last night.

"Hey wake up! We've wasted half the day. Listen, we gotta meet up with Vinny today. Said he's got a job for us."

Joey continued as Vito slowly rose. Vito sat up and rubbed and shielded his eyes, letting them adjust to the light. 

"I was thinking it might be a good idea to ask Vinny for some help. You know.. finding this guy of yours."

Vito's eyes adjusted quickly hearing Joey mention a chance and learning more about the person he so desperately wanted to find. 

"Sounds like a start."

He said as he stood up and grabbed his coat. His shirt slightly wrinkled from having slept in his clothes on his friends couch after a night of drinking. Patting his coat pocket to make sure his .38 was still there. Joey walked out the door to his apartment, lighting up a cigarette just outside while he waited for Vito. 

"So what's this job?"

Vito asked as he exited his friends apartment. The cool air hitting his still waking face. The sound of a dog barking in the distance as a cop car passed. The smell and smoke of his friends cigarette blowing over his face. He looked down over the rail of the second floor patio and stairs descending down to the parking lot below. His friend Joey took a long drag of his cigarette before answering. 

"Not sure. But I think we can get Vinny to help us get a lead on this mystery guy of yours if we do this job for him. Besides, who knows, maybe it'll be our break into the family."

Vito nodded, looking off before they began to head down the stairs to the car. 

"Sounds good to me."

He said following Joey down the stairs and over to his car. The doors opening and closing as they got in. The engine rumbling as Joey headed out of the parking lot and off to Vinny's place. A light sleet landing across the windshield as they drove. Vito's face staring out the window yet not focused on anything. His mind drifting back to that memory of when he found his brother. Mainly on the bumping into the man shortly before. Everytime he thought of it, he would see more and more. 

Vito looked up at the man as his mind took him back to that memory. The paper slowly falling from his hand to the floor as he stared up at this mans face. His deep dark eyes glaring down at him intensely. His lips locked in a scowl, his jawline giving him a solid look. A long scar from over his right eye came down to just above his lip. He could almost hear the man grit his teeth through his pursed lips. 

The fear he felt when he was just a kid came rushing back to him as he heard Joey's voice.

"Hey. Hey Vito, we're here. Come on." 

Vito snapped back as he turned to realize they were already parked. Joey stepping out the car already. Vito opened his door and stepped out to see the restaurant where Vinny kept his office. A popular little eatery well known for its mob connections with the Farelli Crime Family. One of the two major families that have been known to be vying for control of the city. Vito stepped out closing the door behind him. Walking over to follow Joey as they headed toward the entrance. Even in the parking lot he spotted a few obvious mobsters loitering around. Taking a reprieve from whatever nefarious activities they must constantly partake in. Vito wasn't sure as he and Joey were barely making their way into this family. 

He pulled his coat closer around him as a cool breeze hit his face. Noticing the two suited men seated at a table by the front door. A large sign hung above the front doors.

  Santino's  

They were greeted with nods of recognition as they had been here before. Both known as some of the newcomers to the family. Vito followed Joey into the restaurant where the smell of delicious food and the sound of light chatter filled the air. He took a deep breath and couldn't help but smile as it made him think of his mother Cassandra's cooking when he was just a kid. He followed Joey as they made their way to the back of the restaurant and down a hallway. Passing the kitchen where he could see people hard at work. They came to a lone door with a small plaque on it. 

  Office  

Slowly the door opened as one of Vinny's men appeared from behind. He nodded and stood back letting them enter, quickly closing the door behind them. Vito looked around, his eyes moving from the door man to the elaborate furniture in this office quietly tucked away at the back of this restaurant. Past another two men seated at couches counting money on a table to the large wooden desk where Vinny sat behind. Vinny was Vincenzo Straccini. An enforcer and Capo in the Farelli Crime Family and had been the go to man for Vito and Joey since they managed to get their feet in the door. Vinny wasn't ashamed to show off who he was, as was evident by the decor in his office, not to mention the large pile of cocaine on his desk with a few well cut lines beside. A rolled up hundred dollar bill laying across the pile. 

"JOEY! VITO! Come in! Come in! Just the two guys I was looking to see. How you guy's been?! Where are my manners, Please sit, partake!?"

Vinny said loudly. He was always a loud one. His hands motioning down to the pile of white powder, offering his party favors to his two favorite recruits. Joey greeted Vinny shaking his hand and shrugging before leaning over the front of the desk and grabbing the hundred dollar bill to his nose to enjoy a line. Dropping the rolled bill back into the powder. Vito shook his head, not being a big user but Vinny took no offense. 

"That's some good stuff huh!"

Vinny said chuckling at Joey as he squinted before smiling and nodding. All three men seated after a moment to get down to business.

"Alright listen up guys, I got this package I need you to take over to a warehouse at the pier. Here's the address."

Vinny slid a piece of paper across the desk at Joey who picked it up to see where this job was taking him. He nodded at Vito and handed him the paper. Vito scanned the address and tucked the paper into his inside coat pocket. 

"Just grab the package from Eddie out back behind the restaurant, and take over to the pier and ask for Carlito. Oh hey, you got your piece on you right? Just in case. You never know." 

Vinny grinned and chuckled, which didn't make Vito feel any better about the job. The job was the job though, and if it could get them any help on finding the man who killed his brother Vito was going to see it through. He patted Joey on the shoulder as they stood, to remind him to see if Vinny could help in their search.

"Oh, Hey Vinny. We was wondering if maybe you could help us with this little problem. We're trying to find a guy."

Joey asked as Vinny lifted his head from taking another two lines. The residue of the powder still across his nostrils as he looked up at Joey and Vito. Nodding to Joey's request. Vito and Joey went on to explain the situation to Vinny about Vito's quest to avenge his brother. Filling him on the details they could or had, which wasn't much to go on but if anyone could find something out it would be Vinny, even if it WAS ten years ago.

"Tell you what. Get this package dropped off, and I'll see what I can do to help. Deal?" 

He asked. A request to which Joey and Vito knew they couldn't pass up. Vinny was far better connected in this city than either of them and getting him to help in their search for Steven's killer would be a great start. They both nodded and turned to head out of Vinny's office. The door man opening the door for them and bidding them farewell with a nod. 

They make their through the kitchen this time, the smell of delicious food even stronger now as they emerge out the back doors where a man with a clipboard stands shouting at workers as they unload a truck. Joey and Vito walk over as men unload pallets of food along with other non food related items from the truck.

"Hey! You Eddie?"

Joey almost shouted, trying to make sure he could be heard over the noises of the truck and the kitchen. Vito stood behind, watching the men unload. Noticing some pallets with bundles packages of what looked to large quantities of drugs. Obviously Vinny's preferred choice of work within the Farelli family. 

"Yeah! Who wants to know?!"

Eddie shouted back, a lit half burnt cigarette hanging from his lips as he jotted down something on his clipboard. His eyes not leaving the paper. 

"Vinny said you had something for us?!"

Eddie's eyes quickly lifted, almost dropping his cigarette from his mouth as he looked up at Joey and Vito.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't know you boys worked for Vinny. Yeah, it's over here."

Joey and Vito followed as Eddie led them a few feet to his office where he pulled a thick envelope from his desk and placed it on top of a small box. 

"Here you go boys. You guys know where you're taking this?"

Eddie asked and Vito patted his pocket to where he had slipped the paper with the address.

"Yeah, we got the address. Thanks Eddie."

Joey said as he grabbed the box and envelope from the desk. Vito followed as they headed back through the kitchen and restaurant and out to the parking lot to Joey's car. Joey tossed the box in the front seat between him and Vito and slid the envelope onto the dash of the car as they closed the doors and started the engine. Pulling out of the parking lot of Vito noticed a car parked across the street with some men sitting inside, assuming it was just some more of Vinny's men since the area was crawling with loitering mobsters. 

Vito sat quiet, his face peering out the window as buildings and people and other cars passed as they headed to their destination. His mind was wandering but he knew he had to focus on the job so he shook his head and rubbed his eyes with his gloved hands. His eyes glanced over the little round mirror outside his window and did a double take. That's when he spotted the car he had seen back at Santino's parked across the street. Vito quickly realized they were being followed as the car stayed two cars behind them. 

"Hey Joey, take a right up here."

Vito said to Joey, his eyes still on the mirror watching the tail. Joey didn't question him, he trusted him and figured something was up so he took a right turn. Sure enough the car turned with them, staying a distance back to avoid being spotted but Vito had already seen them. 

"We got a problem Vito?" 

Joey asked, reaching up and sliding the envelope off the dash and onto the seat. Vito nodded turning his head back to try to get a better look at the car tailing them. Now it was obvious they were being followed as the car hung back despite there being no other vehicles between them. 

"We need to get out of this area." 

Vito suggested, his eyes glancing around getting his bearings on where they were. They weren't that far from the warehouse they were meant to take the package to but they couldn't go there now, not with these people following them. Vito knew they had to get rid of the tail but that would be difficult in the city. 

"Take a left up here!" 

Vito almost shouted coming up with a plan, remembering there was an abandoned gas station nearby. Joey nodded catching on to Vito's idea and stepped on the gas speeding off to the only place they could make a stand, since they weren't going to lose them. At least there they would have a chance at fighting back not to mention being out of the public eye and busy streets. 

Joey's car screeched around the corner down a desolate empty road. The tailing car following right behind them, not trying to be subtle now as Joey's car shook when the other car bumped them from behind. Vito looked back and saw the passenger reach out his window, a gun in his hand. 

"Look out!" 

Vito shouted as he ducked his head down as a shot rang out and a bullet shattered the back window, whizzing by Vito's head. The gas station lie just ahead as Joey swerved and turned into the parking lot just a few seconds ahead of their attackers. His car screeching to a halt as both of them opened their doors just as the other car came around the wooden fence, their tires burning into the street as they hopped the curb with a loud bang. 

Joey quickly grabbed the package and the envelope and darted around the front of his car for cover. His free hand reaching into his inner coat pocket to pull out his loaded gun metal colored Colt 1911. Watching as Vito exited his door doing the same while staying low. Vito gripped the handle of his .38 revolver and brought it from it coat pocket, aimed at the approaching car as they both darted from the car toward the front door of the decrepit gas station. Vito fired off two shots at the car hitting the hood and the windshield as they quickly got inside to get behind some decent cover. 

The front of the gas station's large windows were gone and shattered providing little cover as the two ducked down behind what they could. Peering over the counter Joey could see three men getting out of the car outside. Vito had spotted them as well as he crept to the other side of the gas station. Knowing two separate targets would be harder to hit. They watched from cover as the men split up and two headed around the sides of the building out of view. Vito knew they were trying to get the drop on them. 

"Hey boys! Listen up! We just want the package! Toss it out.... and we'll let you go!"

The voice outside shouted as the man crept closer slowly toward the front of the gas station ducking down behind the long empty gas pumps that both cars had missed when coming in. Vito motioned to Joey to watch the guy in front as Vito crept toward the back wall, knowing that the other two men would be coming from the back. 

"Alright fine, have it your way!"

The voice outside shouted before three shots rang out and bullets hit the counter Joey was hiding behind. Joey ducked down lower gripping his pistol as debri bounced around his head as Vito came to the back entrance and stood to the side waiting as Joey popped off a few rounds back out the front windows. The sound of the shots hitting the metal of the pumps outside. 

Vito stood up being well behind the tall empty shelves that laid out the aisles of this once buzzing corner store, trying to divide his attention between the shootout his friend was in just a few feet away and the back entrance, knowing that any moment the other two men could be bursting in to kill them. He peered over the top of the shelf to watch Joey ducking down, clutching the package and envelope, the still smoking gun in his other hand. 

Vito ducked back down and to the side of the back entryway just in time to see one of the other two men step through. Vito waited for him to step all the way through, slowly standing up before jolting his .38 out against the unsuspecting man's temple with enough force to break his skin as the man bobbed his head in pain attempting to swing his gun hand around. Vito grabbed his wrist before he could bring the barrel to him and pressed the barrel of his .38 against the man's temple again smearing the blood from his fresh cut.

"DON'T! Don't even try it!"

Vito said firmly, his hand gripped at the wrist of his attackers gun hand feeling his struggle loosen now faced with a quick death. 

"Drop it." 

Vito demanded as the gun slipped from the man's hand and dropped to the floor. 

"Where's your other friend?"

Vito asked as another two shots rang out from the front of the store, making both of them duck down instinctively. Vito not loosening his grip and keeping his revolver pressed against his captors temple as he guided him from the cover, planning to use him as a bargaining chip. 

"Tell your guy to stop!"

Vito scowled at the man, pressing his barrel into his temple harder, the blood running down his cheek and neck. Both stepping into view as the man outside stepped from his cover. Seeing one of his men captured he stepped closer, keeping his gun in his hand but lowered. Joey slowly stood up, still holding the package and envelope. 

"Seems we have a situation here!"

Shouted the man from outside. Vito's heart was racing but he maintained his composure best he could, keeping his grip on this now unarmed man. Vito's eyes were locked on the man outside during this short standoff when he noticed the man smirk right before lifting his gun hand and firing a shot. The shot rips through what's left of the glass on the front doors and hits Vito's captor in the chest. A spray of blood shoots out of the mans chest as he gasps and collapses, Vito's grip slipping as he lets the man drop to the floor, the dark red stain on his chest growing as the man coughs up blood. Shocked Vito and Joey ducked down again quickly.

"You see, I only have orders to bring that package back!"

The man shouted with a smile on his face as Vito and Joey tried to come up with a plan out of this mess.

"VITO!" 

Joey shouted as Vito turned around to see the last missing guy come through the back entrance just as more shots flew from the front of the store. Joey lifted his 1911 quickly and shot two rounds at the man coming from the back, Vito square in his sights and already aiming at him. The lead tears into the man's stomach and chest as his gun fires off a shot with horrible aim. Vito nodded at Joey in thanks as the man went down by the back entrance. 

POP! POP! POP!

Three more shots rang out as the man out front unloaded, clearly getting aggravated. 

"JUST GIVE ME THE DAMN PACKAGE!" 

He shouted as he made his move toward the front of the store to close the distance between them, firing off another shot as he moved. 

"SHIT, VITO!" 

Joey shouted as Vito made his way around the empty shelf providing him cover as the man reached the wall by the front shattered glass door. The sounds of sirens in the distance made it clear someone had heard the shots. The man heard the sirens as well as he shouted at Joey and Vito again.

"Damn, Looks like it's your lucky day boys!"

He shouted as he darted back away from the store toward his car. It was clear no one wanted to be here when the police arrived, especially with two bodies already, and who knew what was in that package. 

"He's right Vito, we gotta get outta here! Now!"

Vito nodded as Joey gripped the package, slipping the envelope inside his coat pocket before darting outside just in time to see the man reaching his car. Vito glared and raised his .38 and fired a shot. Despite being a good forty feet the shot ripped through the man's calf as he grunted loudly stumbling against his car. The man glared back.

"You boys have no idea what's coming!"

He shouted before he climbed his wounded self into his car and started the engine. Clearly more concerned with getting out of the area than getting even. Vito and Joey knew they had to do the same. The attacker fled as his car screeched around the corner and disappeared as Vito and Joey rushed to their car and pulled out of the abandoned parking lot. Tucking their pistols away in their coats as they drove off. They weren't far from the drop off for the package as they drove, passing a police car on the way, their hearts still racing from the close call they just had from that unexpected situation. 

After a few minutes they approached the warehouse designated for this drop off. Joey rolled his car up across the street scoping out the place first. It was a medium sized warehouse on the edge of the river, a tall chain link fence bordered all the way around. This was obviously the spot as it was the only warehouse on the block with power. That coupled with the numerous cars and suited men hanging around the front gate as well as the double doors to the building itself. They were already watching them as well. 

"Guess this is it. Let's go." 

Joey said as he emerged from his side of the car, package and envelope in hand. Vito followed across the street as the three men outside the gate stepped toward them, their hands in their coats, obviously ready for anything. Joey held up his hands and Vito mimicked. They didn't want to appear a threat. They had just been in a shootout after all. 

"Carlito?"

Joey asked with a single word. The men looked at each other for a moment before Joey spoke again.

"Vinny sent us.. over from Santino's." 

He added as the men slipped their empty hands from their coats. Their expressions changing as they realized who they were. Clearly they were expecting them as they stepped back and opened the gate.

"Right, go on in. Just tell em at the front and they'll take ya to the boss."

One of the men said firmly. Slowly shutting the gate behind Vito and Joey as they walked past. 

"Thanks." 

Joey said before the men returned to their post. Chatting while on lookout obviously. Vito followed Joey as they walked along the path till they approached the men at the front door of the warehouse. The same as before the men approached them, though slightly less aggressive since they were already past the front gate. 

"We're here to see Carlito." 

Joey said as the men nodded, one opening one of the big wooden doors as the other entered, motioning them to follow him. The door creaked loudly as it opened then closed behind them, two men staying outside while they followed this third down a hallway and up some steps. The sounds of machinery running on the other side of this long brick wall along with the sounds of men talking loudly. 

They followed silently as they approached a solitary door at the end of the hallway where another bigger more imposing man sat on a chair. He stood up before them, his head towering over Vito and Joey as well as the man they followed. Vito and Joey glanced up at this monster of a man as he smirked and opened the door for them that lead to a nice sized office. They followed the man inside, their eyes looking over the crates and blankets or sheets tossed over other unknown things. A nice dark green rug adorned the middle of the floor with a low glass table and a couch off to the side. In the corner facing the room was a simple desk with papers and items strewn about the top. Behind the desk sat a little man with a mustache. A pencil behind his ear as he closes a notepad on his desk. His eyes smiling when seeing Joey holding the package before standing to greet Vito and Joey.

"Ahh.. Is that mine? From Vinny?"

He asks bringing his hands together almost excitedly. A grin on his face growing as he looks at both of them. Joey nodded as he lifted the package and proceeded to bring the envelope out from his coat pocket. 

"It is. You must be Carlito?"

Joey asked respectfully as Carlito reached out and grabbed the package and envelope. 

"I am." 

He nodded as he set the package on his desk and opened the envelope. His smile widening before he closed it and opened a drawer to toss the envelope into before bringing his attention back to the two men standing before him. 

"Very good, very good indeed."

Carlito added as he handed off the package to one of his men who promptly headed out of the office with the box. 

"Please, give my regards to Vinny and thank you once again. Now, if you please.. I am very busy."

Carlito said firmly, his hand motioning toward the door as another of his men opened the door for them. Vito and Joey nodded and turned toward the door. Heading out and past the big imposing man outside who only smirked at them again. 

They made their way back down the hallway once again, still following the same man who led them in from the front. Making their exit back outside and out past the gate. Carlito's men simply nodding and letting them out. 

They crossed the street and got back to Joey's car and entered, closing the doors behind them as Joey started her up. The sun starting to go down already behind the buildings around as the air started to cool. Joey turned the car around and drove out of the lot and away from the warehouse. 

"Let's get back to Santino's and let Vinny know what happened and let him know it's done."

Joey stated as they drove. Vito nodding in confirmation, remembering Vinny's word to help them in finding the man who killed Vit's brother.

"Yeah, let's. This got a little out of hand." 

Vito added as they drove for about a half hour back into the city itself. The nightlife starting as Vito stared out the window watching people walk by as the sun set. It wasn't long before they turned the corner and Vito saw the familiar sign above the restaurant from across the street. 

       Santino's       

Vito was relieved the day was almost over as they pulled into the parking lot. The parking lot slightly more full now since it was dinner time for the regular people in the city. Still, suited mobsters stood by the front door as Vito and Joey exited the car and headed inside. The men at the door greeting them and holding the door for them as they made their way through the now almost filled restaurant. The sounds of people talking louder and the smells of food stronger as people laughed and enjoyed themselves. Farelli's men scattered throughout the place as Vito and Joey made their way toward the back to Vinny's office. 

With a short knock the door opened again where one of Vinny's men stood behind to close the door behind them. Vito followed Joey inside and over to Vinny's desk, who was already smiling and standing up, white residue still on his nose making it obvious Vinny never slowed down.

"JOEY! VITO! Come in, come in!" 

He said loudly as they both approached his desk, taking a seat on the chairs placed before his desk. 

"Hey, Listen Vinny.. Something happened out there." 

Joey started but Vinny cut him off quickly.

"Yeah Yeah, I heard. I take it that was you all I heard about? My contact told me that cops were all over that old gas station out at the edge of town."

Vinny asked looking back and forth at both of them as Joey nodded and started to explain, filling him in on what happened. Vito nodding to corroborate Joey's words. 

Vinny nodded before quickly asking.

"What about the package, and the envelope? Did ya get that to Carlito?"

He asked visibly concerned, his thumbs tapping at his desk inches from the now clearly smaller pile of white powder. 

"Yeah, No worries Vinny, it's done." 

Joey answered. The look on Vinny's face changing from concern to happiness as his smile came back.

"GREAT! Great job you two! You've done real good today."

Vinny stated proudly as he stood up, turning to one of his men excitedly.

"Didn't they do great?! I mean outnumbered, a shootout, AND they got the job done!"

To which Vinny's man simply smiled and nodded in acknowledgment. 

"I got to say boys, You know, Don Farelli is always on the lookout for a couple guys able to handle things under pressure."

He added bringing his happy eyes back to Vito and Joey, who couldn't help but smile as Vinny kept talking. 

"Keep up the good work and you'll go far boys."

Vinny smiled big as he sat back down giving Joey and Vito a sense of accomplishment and pride. They all laughed and chatted for a few minutes, both Vinny and Joey partaking in some more of the white powder on his desk. 

"Hey Vinny.. about that thing we asked earlier, that favor..?"

Joey asked as the laughter died down a bit. Vito sitting up listening intently as Vinny sat back and sighed. The look on his face changed as he closed his eyes a moment. Vito glanced at Joey nervously. 

"Right right.. I remember. Listen I did some asking around.. and..." 

He hesitated to continue as Vito leaned forward. Joey watching and waiting. 

"and?"

Vito said as his hands gripped the armrest of his chair unintentionally. 

"The name of the you're looking for.. is Tucci. Tommy Tucci." 

Vinny finally said after a minute. The name meant nothing to Vito and Joey but it was clear that it wasn't good news by the look on Vinny's face. Vinny sat up in his chair almost leaning against his desk. His eyes locking on Vito's and Joey's. 

"Listen boys, this is out of your league."

Joey and Vito looked at each other curiously. Vito knew it always had to be someone serious but now he was getting confirmation.

"So who is this guy then?"

Joey asked, trying to get more information for his friend Vito. Vito nodded questioningly as Vinny sighed again.

"He's one of the Scaletta Family's top hit men." 

He finally said with a frown. Sitting back into his chair. Vito and Joey sat back as well, their hearts sinking as they realized who they were really after. The Scaletta Family was the other family fighting for control of the city against the Farelli's. If this Tommy Tucci was one of the Scaletta's top hitmen, then Vito knew this was going to be no easy task. They weren't in a position to do anything about it... yet. Vito knew he had to bide his time and wait for an opening. So for now he would work with Joey and Vinny and make his way into the Farelli Family. 

"The enemy of my enemy... is my friend."

Vito said squarely to which Vinny smiled and nodded. 

"Well said Vito. When the time is right... You'll have your revenge." 

Vinny added with a grin, grabbing a bottle from his desk and three glasses. 

"For now.. Let's celebrate, because you two, did a hell of a job today. I see great things for you two." 

He said as he poured three glasses of whiskey for the three of them, each taking a glass and raising it in a wordless toast. Vito tossed the glass back feeling the burn slide down his throat as his mind wandered. Flashes of that nightmare in his mind as the sound of Vinny and Joey talking faded.

Now having a name to go with that face he saw ten years ago. Now knowing who he was after...