"BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG!"

Tommy sat up in his bed quickly realizing the bangs were someone at his door. He had been trying to get some sleep after the last couple of jobs his boss Angelo Scaletta had him do. Who could be banging on his door, he thought, and at this hour. Tommy looked over to his alarm clock on the dresser next to his bed. It was almost 2 in the morning.

"BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG!"

The door in the other room thudded once again. Tommy wondered who it could be as he reached over and slid open his dresser and pulled out his revolver. Still in his clothes from earlier today, he slowly crept out of his bedroom and into the living room towards the door. He was a little nervous. No one ever came around this late, and his last few jobs for his boss had been more than close calls. Tommy crept up to the door and peered through the peephole to see who it could be. The gun clenched in his palm as he looked out. 
A man. That was all that he could tell as whoever it was had their head tilted down, the brim from their fedora covering their face.

"Who is it?!"

Tommy spoke through the door. Hoping it wasn't someone after him. He waited and kept looking out at the stranger as he watched the man raise his head. Instantly Tommy's tension slipped away. A smile of relief came across his face as he loosened his grip on the gun. His other hand reaching for the lock on the door. He knew now who it was. It was his boss, Angelo, but what could he be doing here at 2 in the morning, Tommy thought to himself. 

He unlocked and opened the door to let his boss in. Angelo walked in and Tommy stepped halfway out into the hall of his apartment building, peering down both directions to make sure no one was around before he stepped back inside and closed the door. Turning his attention back to Angelo. 

"What are you doing here boss? Something happen?" 

Tommy quickly yet calmly asked. Setting his gun down on the end table by the door. Watching as Angelo walked over and took a seat on his couch. His boss always was a sharp dresser and Tommy watched as Angelo parted his coat as he sat to reveal his vest and tie, as well as his holsters where he kept his dual pistols, always on his person. 

"No, nothing to worry about."

His boss spoke up, his voice sounding concerned but calm. Tommy walked over to the mini bar he had.

"Can I get you something to drink?" 

Tommy asked his boss, watching him nod to his offer of a drink. His mind still trying to figure out why his boss was here. He had only visited a couple of times before. Then it hit him. Every time his boss came to his place, it was usually because there was new job for him. Tommy poured two glasses of whiskey on the rocks and went back over to take a seat across from his boss, handing one to Angelo. 

"Thank you, Tommy."

Angelo said as he took a drink then set the glass down on the coffee table between them. Tommy mirrored his boss's moves and set the glass down as well, waiting to hear what his boss had for him now. 

"Tommy, I just got done talking with Aureliano."

Angelo started as Tommy listened. The name his boss spoke flashed an image of the man he spoke of. Tommy sat back, listening intently as his boss continued. Clearly this was another job, and Tommy was always happy to help his boss with whatever he needed. 

"Turns out there was an incident tonight. Apparently, and I discuss this with you only because you're my most trusted bodyguard, but apparently there was a meet that went down out at our old warehouse. Well according to Aureliano, it went bad real fast. Turns out there was two new guys they had called and as it turns out he recognized them from when he was younger."

Angelo continued while Tommy just sat listening. Angelo paused to take a drink before continuing. 

"Anyway to make a long story short, because I don't know all the details, it turns out that the two new guys were from Aureliano's past. Turns out that when they were kids, they stumbled across something they shouldn't have and ended up shooting at him and his friend. Well they killed his friend and wounded him. So tonight when they ran into them again, Aureliano took it upon himself to get revenge for his friend." 

Tommy's eyes widened listening to his boss's story of what had happened earlier tonight. 

"So what happened?" 

Tommy asked his boss, worrying that he would get upset for being interrupted. He wasn't. Angelo simply smirked. He always liked Tommy and his curiosity, as well as his willingness to do whatever the family needed. 

"Well as I hear it, they managed to get one of the guys, but the other made a run for it and managed to get away by escaping into the woods nearby. Well needless to say, Aureliano want's this other guy found and taken care of. That's why I'm here. He has asked me to handle this for him and I of course said yes. That's where you come in, Tommy."

Angelo said as he set his glass down looking over at his best bodyguard. Tommy sat back and thought for a moment before speaking up.

"Of course, boss. I'll take care of it. Who's the guy? I need a name and description." 

Tommy asked his boss, wanting the details so that he could start his search for the escaped thug. Angelo went on to describe the guy to his bodyguard the best he could, given the only information he had was from Aureliano over the phone. 

"His name's Steven, Steven Landucci."

Angelo said clearly so Tommy could jot it down. Tommy scribbled his notes into a little pad of paper as his boss finished his drink. Tucking the pad back into his coat pocket he watched as his boss stood up, fixing his coat and adjusting his tie. 

"I'll take care of it boss, I'll find the guy. Any word on how Aureliano want's it done?"

Tommy asked Angelo as he stood up as well. 

"He doesn't care. He only said that he want's him to suffer and to know why."

Tommy nodded, acknowledging his boss's instructions. 

"I'll handle it boss." 

Tommy assured Angelo as his boss made his way to the door. This meeting was a quick one, then again they all fairly are.

"I know you will Tommy, I know you will." 

Angelo says as he heads out the door, closing it behind him and disappearing down the hallway. Tommy sat back down and pulled his little pad out once again. Going over the details that Angelo had given him in his mind, making a memorization of the info he needed to find this guy on the run. He took a deep breath and then downed his glass of whiskey before standing up and grabbing his coat along with his gun and stuffing into his coat pocket. 

"Might as well start tonight."

Tommy said to himself as he headed out his apartment door, locking it behind him. He was going to find this Steven guy, and he was going to make him pay for what he had done so many years ago. Tommy didn't care who he was.. much less what he had done. Tommy was always there for his boss and his family, doing whatever job they brought before him. This was no different. He was going to find Steven, and he was going to make him suffer...

Tommy stepped out of his apartment, locking the door behind him and heading down through the building to the first floor.
As he stepped out of the building, he felt the cold sleeting air hit him. He pulled his coat closer around him, flipping up his collar to keep his neck warm. His fedora covering his head as he peered down the street in both directions. The streets were nearly deserted save the one or two cars treading along the snow covered road. Tommy slipped his little notepad from his coat to review once more as he headed down the road trying to think where to look first for this Landucci fellow. 

Tommy decided the best place to start would be the local business around the neighborhood. If this Steven had made his way through the area, Tommy would find out. He had, after all, a lot of contacts and eyes on the streets. It was closer to 3 in the morning while Tommy went from whichever business's were open at this time, asking his contacts if they had seen the individual in question. No one knew anything about the incident or the guy he was looking for. He walked out of one business when he spotted a two guys walking along the sidewalk a few yards away on the other side of the road. 

Tommy knew that not a lot of people would be out this late and in this weather, much less without a car. He quickened his pace as he crossed the street and walked a distance behind the two men ahead of him. Watching them closely as he followed. He increased his speed to slowly close the gap between him and the two strangers. Coming up behind them Tommy spoke up in the cold night, his breath fogging before his face and swirling around the brim of his hat.

"Excuse me, gentlemen. Perhaps you could help me."

Tommy said just as he reached them. The two men turned and stopped to see who this was who crept up behind them so silently. Tommy could see the look on their faces, they were startled. Clearly they weren't expecting anyone else to be out on the streets at this time. 

"Huh?! What? Who are you?!"

The two men quipped nervously as they took a step back from Tommy. Tommy was an intimidating looking guy, that's probably why his boss Angelo always sent him on these kinds of jobs. Tommy stepped closer to them, making them even more scared as he opened his mouth. 

"Relax fella's, I just need some information. I'm looking for someone. Either of you know a guy by the name of Steven Landucci?"

Tommy asked, carefully watching both of the men's reaction as best he could given the weather. He could see them go silent, their eyes looking toward each other nervously. Tommy knew they knew who he was talking about. Still they tried to deny it.

"Who?... Never heard of em." 

One of them said, stuffing his hands back into his pockets to protect them from the cold. 

"Yeah, I don't know who you're talking about."

The other mumbled under his breath. Tommy simply smirked knowing they obviously knew something. He took another step toward them. The fear in their eyes increased as Tommy got within inches of the two men. Suddenly Tommy reached up and grabbed one of them by the neck. The other panicked and stumbled backwards, falling ass first into the snow. Tommy held the one guy by the throat as he struggled to breath.

"Now, listen to me and listen to me very carefully." 

Tommy started, menacingly looking at both the men. The one in his grasp, coughing and struggling as he tried to pull Tommy's hand of his throat to no avail. Tommy was much stronger than this little punk of a man who was trying to keep his friend Steven's whereabouts a secret.

"One of you is going to tell me where I can find this Steven. If you don't, well.." 

Tommy paused, his eyes alone speaking volumes of what would happen to the men if they didn't talk. His free hand reaching into his coat pocket to grip the revolver in his palm. Not yet pulling out the gun as he watched the man on the ground cower and crawl backwards against the wall of the building beside them. Squeezing tighter around the neck of the guy in Tommy's grasp he asks again.

"Now. Where can I find this Steven Landucci?" 

The guy on the ground stammered with his words. Tommy tried to make sense of what he was saying but it was pointless. His words a garbled mess as he even started to sob on the ground, fearing for his life. With good reason too, these two men had seen Tommy before. They had seen how violent and crazy he could get when provoked, and tonight they watched as Tommy grew angrier with both of them for not answering. 

"Quit your sniveling you punk, and tell me something useful!"

Tommy snapped at the man on the ground. His face tearing up as he trembled from both the cold and fear. Once again the man stammered and mumbled, his friend, still being choked by Tommy's grip coughed, trying to breath as he watched his friend on the ground. Tommy turned back to the man at his hand. 

"You know, your friend here isn't making much sense. Maybe YOU know where Steven is." 

Tommy asked as he loosened his grip just a little. Enough for the man to catch a breath and cough, attempting to speak. His other hand still in his coat pocket as he glanced behind the man then down the other direction of the street. Knowing no one was around, or awake for that matter. The man being held by the throat tried to speak.

"We don't know! We don't know where he is!" 

He tried to shout but it only came out as a gurgle and mumble. This aggravated Tommy as he tightened the grip around the mans neck once more. The guy on the ground, attempting to plead for his friends life. 

"Please, let him go! We don't know anything! I swear!" 

He shouts up from his seated position. Tommy sighs, knowing they are both lying. Turning back to the guy in his grasp, watching him turn slightly more blue than the weather would cause. He grits his teeth, getting agitated now at the lack of their cooperation. 

"Listen! I only need one of you to tell me where to find him!"

Tommy growls at the standing man. With that he quickly slips the revolver from his coat, clenched in his hand as he swiftly aims it over to the man on the ground. Without hesitation Tommy fires one shot without even looking directly into the mans forehead. Blood sprays from the hole as his head slams the wall behind him. A blank look on his face as he slumps over. The echo of the shot still ringing out through the cold night.

Tommy's eyes still on the man he's choking, not even turning away once even despite shooting this man in the head. He can see the man still alive start to cry and try to scream.

"What's that? You're trying to say something? I really hope it's the location of this Steven." 

Tommy growls again, loosening the grip on the mans throat. The man coughs and gasps to catch his breath as tears roll down his cheeks, his head turning over to his dead friend slumped over in the snow. His blood turning the snow around him red and pink. He stammers for a moment, shocked at what just happened. 

"Hey. HEY! FOCUS DAMN IT! WHERE'S STEVEN?!"

Tommy almost shouts, his hand moving off the mans throat. The man quickly realizes that if he doesn't answer he would be next. He knows Tommy isn't known for leaving witnesses. He attempts to compose himself as he catches his breath. Turning slowly back to Tommy, seeing the anger in his eyes, yet the rest of him was calm. 

"I'm only going to ask.. one... more.. time. WHERE.. IS.. STEVEN!?"

Tommy says menacingly. The man clearly terrified now as his ears still ring from the shot having been so close. He decides he had better give Tommy the information he wants so he clears his throat after catching his breath then proceeds to give Tommy an address where he might find Steven. Tommy smiles and pats the man on the back.

"See, now that wasn't so hard was it? Thanks kid. Run along now." 

Tommy turns to look down at the dead body painting the surrounding snow a pretty pink color, as the other guy takes off running down the street. He can hear his sobbing fade into the night as he stands for a moment taking in the sight, almost as if he finds it beautiful. He then takes out his little notepad and jots down the address the survivor gave him. Eager to find this Steven for his boss and do this job. Eager to get back home and get some rest. Tommy calmly walks off down the sidewalk away from the dead body. Heading in the direction of the address he was given. Looking forward to when he found Steven. 

The morning sun starts to rise across the city of Philadelphia.
The cold air turns to a brisk breeze as Tommy stands against the wall of an abandoned building across the street from the address that was given to him. He taps his cigar, dropping ashes into the wind as he watches the building across the road. A small building with no windows and two doors. One at the front and one at the back. Tommy knew this because he had circled the building when he arrived an hour before the sun came up to check it out. Now he waited for proof his target was inside. 

The neighborhood he was in was a quiet neighborhood. A perfect place to hide out if you were on the run. Tommy slipped his revolver from his coat, checking to make sure it was loaded and ready. He tucks it back into his coat as he watched a car ride by. Birds starting their routine of singing amidst the trees as he waited. Then he spotted the front door opening. Tommy ducked down to make himself less noticeable as he watched someone step outside. He peered across the road to see if it was his target. It wasn't. Though he knew he was at the right place as he watched the stranger look around as if checking if the coast was clear. Tommy spotted the mans gun tucked into his pants as he stretched and stepped back inside. 

"So, you're not alone, are you Steven." 

Tommy said to himself, realizing that his target must have hired a bodyguard. He wondered how many more men could be inside with his target. He looked down both directions of the street as he dropped his cigar and crushed it with his shoe before heading across the street while the coast was clear. He ran up to the side of the building and tried to listen through the wall of the building. With no windows there was no way for Tommy to anticipate what was waiting for him so simply busting in was not an option. Tommy made his way around the back of the building again. He crept to the edge of the building as he heard a cough. Peeking around the corner Tommy spotted another guard standing outside the back door. Tommy squatted and reached his hand to his right leg and lifted up his pants to slip his dagger from the sheath around his ankle. Blade in his hand he slowly he crept up behind the guard who was busy smoking a cigarette and taking in the view of the Schuylkill River that ran along behind the building. 

Tommy crept up right behind the oblivious guard and quickly stood up behind him, reaching his hand around and grabbing the guy by the mouth, his attempted scream turning into a muffled holler as Tommy brought his dagger and quickly plunged it into the man's side. The blade ripped through the man's coat and clothing and punctured right into his kidney. His muffled scream into Tommy's gloved palm as Tommy brought the blade quickly up and stabbed it into the guards neck as he pulled his head back. Blood spurting out into the air. Tommy removed the knife only to plunge it into his neck again a second time. As blood poured out of the guards neck, Tommy felt him collapse in his arms. Pushing him off and away the dying guard slumped over and fell over the ridge and down into the river, as there was no fence around this property. 

Tommy looked down over the river as the corpse slowly sank into the cold water. Blood had sprayed over Tommy's coat as he turned around and brought his attention back to the building and his target. Suddenly he heard another man's voice come from behind the door. 

"Hey Vinny, what the hell you doing out there?!"

Tommy watched as the door opened and the same guard he saw previously step out the front door emerged to spot Tommy standing there. He knew he had to act fast so without hesitation Tommy flung his hand forward just as the guard reached for his gun. Tommy's dagger flew from his hand and cut through the air towards the man. He watched as his dagger plunged into the mans chest causing him to drop his gun and fall back into the building. Tommy quickly lunged forward toward the building, slipping his gun from his coat in case the man didn't stay down. He reached the door and quickly brought his pistol across the groaning mans face, knocking him unconscious as blood poured from his chest around his blade. He reached down and pulled his dagger from the dying man's chest as he heard someone scream in fear. 

He looked up and saw his target. Tommy instantly recognized him from the description his boss, Angelo, had given him earlier that night. Tommy stood up and quickly made his way across the building toward the cowering Steven as he fumbled for his gun. Tommy was quicker as he reached him and pistol whipped him into a daze. Slowly Steven faded into unconsciousness. Tommy looked around to make sure there was no one else here. After clearing the room he grabbed and lifted Steven and propped his sleeping body into a chair, using some rope that was laying around the building to tie his hands and legs to the chair. Tommy smirked as he knew his job was almost done.
He looked around at the junk scattered around the room, looking for ways to make this Steven suffer on behalf of his boss's friend. 

After a few minutes Tommy had gathered an assortment of items with which to torture poor Steven with, and had secured the perimeter of the building, locking the doors. He had also started a small fire in the furnace to warm the room as it was rather cold. He removed his coat and draped it over some stacked boxes and rolled up his sleeves as he approached the unconscious Steven. He leaned over the the knocked out man and slapped him across the face a couple times until Steven groaned and slowly woke up. 

"Morning sunshine! Wakey Wakey." 

Tommy chuckled as Steven opened his groggy eyes, his head still spinning from being hit with Tommy's revolver. A large welt on the side of his head bled down his cheek as his focus cleared up and he saw Tommy's face before him. Suddenly Steven was terrified as he squirmed realizing he was tied down. He quickly tried to beg for his life, stammering with his words.

"P...p...please! P... please don't.. don't k..ki...kill me!" 

Steven managed to mumble out. Tommy simply smiled as he stood up, looking over this wuss of a man, pleading for mercy. 

"Your name IS Steven, correct?"

Tommy questioned. Steven could hear the seriousness in his voice as he trembled, still trying to get free from his restraints. He had managed to stay in hiding not even a day as he wondered how he could have been found. His mind racing back to earlier the night before when he managed to get away from those who wanted him dead. He knew Tommy had to be someone sent by them. He knew his time was up as he began to sob. 

"Oh quit your crying, are you serious? Man, they weren't kidding when they said you were pathetic."

Tommy chuckled as he watched this grown man slowly turn into a crying child. He stood still, draping his arms across his chest as he stared at Steven menacingly. Tommy walked over to the furnace and warmed his hands before the fire, he could really feel the cold now that he had removed his gloves. Silence filled the room save the mumbling and sobbing of Steven as he watched Tommy nervously. After a moment Tommy opened his mouth again.

"You know why I'm here. Don't you, Steven?"

Tommy asked, cocking his head to look over at him. Steven couldn't muster any words, only a feeble nod answered Tommy question.

"Good." 

Tommy replied, as he stepped away from the fire and back over to the tied up Steven. The fear in his face was intense as tears ran down his cheeks. Tommy reached over and grabbed a rag and balled it up then proceeded to shove the cloth into Steven's mouth, his scream turning into a muffled yelp as he watched Tommy reach over and grab a hammer from the counter. Steven's eyes widened, knowing that he was serious trouble. 

Tommy stood a moment, hammer clenched in his hand as he looked down on Steven. He then raised the hammer above his head as Steven clenched his eyes shut and bit down on the rag stuffed into his mouth, expecting it to be a quick smack to his head. Instead he screamed the best he could into the rag as he felt the hammer slam down on his left hand. A crunch is heard as the hammer smashes into his hand, breaking the bones underneath against the chair.

Again Tommy raised and brought the hammer down, this time further up on his forearm, the head of the hammer crushing his radius and ulna together and shattering the bones. Tommy paused and looked up at Steven. He could see the pain in his face as Steven balled like a baby, his muffled yelps barely heard. His hand and arm already swelling and turning purple as Steven mumbled against the now soaked rag from his saliva. His eyes slowly closing as he starts to pass out from the pain.

"Now now, don't fall asleep on me Steven. I'm not done yet." 

Tommy said calmly as he brought the hammer up again and this time bringing it down on his other hand, then up and down again, making his right arm and hand look just like his left. He then lifted once again, this time bringing the hammer down on Steven's left knee, shattering his patella. Steven groaned and got lightheaded as pain flooded his body. Some of the wounds bleeding as Tommy stood up and tossed the hammer aside. He cleared his throat before speaking to Steven again.

"You know... you really shouldn't have pissed off the people you did." 

Tommy calmly explained to a whimpering Steven, continuing.

"Though I'm glad you did."

Tommy smirked looking into Steven's fluttering, tearing eyes.

"It's been awhile since I had this much fun." 

Tommy smiled, showing how much he enjoyed this part of his job as Steven struggled to stay awake. Watching as Tommy pulled his dagger out once again. The blade coming close to his face as Tommy flicked the tip of the blade across Steven sweating, tear covered cheek. A sliver of blood running down his cheek as Steven winced. He ran the blade down along the Stevens shoulder, down his arm and to his already smashed hand. Sticking the tip of the blade into the wood of the arm of the chair between Steven's fingers. Pausing just long enough to look Steven in the eyes as he brought the blade down across his index finger. The blade slicing down to the bone as blood poured our and down his finger tips. Tommy enjoyed seeing the pain in his victims eyes, especially when he could make it this close and personal. A grin on Tommy's face as Steven groaned in pain through the rag in his mouth. The pain was too much for him and caused Steven to black out.

Tommy's faced changed and expressed his disappointment with Steven's inability to remain conscious. 

"Oh come on now! Really?!"

Tommy said to himself, standing up straight and glaring down at the passed out, bleeding Steven. 

"Well that was short lived."

He muttered as he heard the nearby train whistle blowing. Tommy looked at his watch and realized it was almost eleven in the morning. He yawned, realizing he needed more sleep and decided that since Steven was out, he might as well finish up and go get some rest. Tommy sighed as he gripped his blade in his hand and leaned over Steven. The tip of his blade coming to Stevens forehead as he carved something into his unconscious head. Tommy chuckled as he finished up and stood back admiring his work. Looking at the initials he just carved out, blood dripping from the fresh cuts, running down over Steven's closed eyelids. 

"A.. B.."

Tommy smiled at his work, knowing his boss Angelo would approve before reaching into his coat pocket and pulling out his revolver then pausing, remembering that despite this being a quiet neighborhood, people nearby would hear the gunshot. He wanted to make a clean get away so he smirked and tucked this gun back into his coat. Looking at his left hand at the blood dripping from the tip of his blade. He transferred the blade to his dominant hand and clenched the handle. Knowing a knife would be the ideal way to wrap this up. 

"Well.. it's been fun Steven."

Tommy expressed as he stood up, lifted his hand with the blade pointed down at his victim. Steven groaned in his sleep as Tommy slammed the blade down toward him. Never seeing it come as the blade dove right into his eye socket, through his eyelid as blood squirted out, spraying over Tommy's shirt and tie. Tommy stood back, watching as blood poured from Steven's eye and down his face, drenching his clothing. The blade still protruding from Steven's eye. The initials A B on his forehead still bleeding. Tommy decided to leave the blade, as a message. 

"Good night Steven."

Tommy said before looking down at his clothing, sprayed with blood.

"Damn.."

He muttered as he looked around, spotting the dead guard by the back door. Tommy walked over and pulled the dead man's coat from his body and smiled before slipping it on to cover the blood as he transferred his revolver to his new attire. He walked toward the front door, looking back one last time at his victim. Still tied to the chair, motionless, lifeless. Tommy nodded as he opened the front door and headed out, closing it behind him. He looked up and down the street. People were starting to come out and go about their daily routines as he pulled the coat around him to make sure he covered the blood spatter on his clothing.

He made his way down the sidewalk away from the building that hid two dead bodies. As he walked away, only a few meters from the building, he bumped into someone walking past him. He glared at the young man as he noticed he was distracted by looking at a piece of paper.

"Watch where you're going, kid!"

Tommy snarled at the young man.

"Sorry! Sir!"

The young man replied as he excused himself. Tommy turned and kept walking as the young man glanced at the paper in his hands, then looked up and around as if looking for an address. Tommy glanced back as he watched the young man walk toward the building he had just left. Curious as to why this young man would be heading there, but knowing he had to get out of the area and fast. He ignored the young man and continued on his way, picking up the pace to get out of the neighborhood.

He just wanted to get out of there and get back home to get some much needed rest...