Blood Money

Chapter 3: Dinner Surprises

Date: Saturday, June 15, 2104

Time: 1:12p.m.

Location: Father's Mansion (In the woods on the outskirts of New Menesa)

Point of View: Third Party Perspective

The sound of jazz music filled the air as the smell of smoked meat filled the nose. An expansive back yard sat behind a tan-colored, cobblestone mansion with a green copper roof. The yard had trimmed floral bushes around the perimeter and a great oak tree in the middle of the back. On the left side was a small stage, where a live band was playing upbeat, swinging music. There was an in-ground pool on the right side, and even a large maple wood gazebo in the very center of it all. Dozens of people of all ages, shapes, and sizes filled the scene. Some cooled off in the pool with mixed drinks and beer bottles, while others listened to the band and danced with their wives. Only the bravest, though, sat in the center gazebo, talking to a chef cooking food on a huge stainless steel grill, Father.

"I hope you all want some good eats! Cause I'ma' cookin' up some tasty grubbin'!" Father said. He wore a white apron with red lettering that spelled, "Hot Meat."

Toro Occhio sat on a bench to the Father's right. He wore a green pinstriped suit with a matching, dark green tie. His hair was slicked back and full of gel. Toro propped a black dress shoe up on his left leg as he leaned back and took a sip from his martini. "So, what've you guys been up to?" he said, motioning to Pres and Elio, whom sat on a nearby bench.

Pres let out a sigh as his head dipped forward. "Just tryin' to make it through the week."

Toro chuckled and took another sip, grinning. "Oh? Why? Tough week?"

"So far it has been! Our 'clients' have been dealing in outside sources to dodge our payments," Elio replied. He took a bit of scotch from his glass, biting down on an ice cube.

"Oh yeah? How so?" Toro said.

Pres looked back at Toro, his expression hardening. "They're getting smarter." He looked briefly to Elio, then continued. "Just yesterday we caught one of the Third Arm members acting on our client's behalf!"

Toro's eyes widened. "You did? Damn." He bit down and stared at the leg of his bench, lightly twirling his martini around. "Well, I guess that's what I'm for, right?" he said, faking a weak smile.

"Not for long," a man said, walking over with a beer bottle. He had light brown hair that was a bit strewn around and a light grey suit with a red tie.

"Hey, Preda," Toro muttered, taking another sip of his drink.

Preda sat down on a black metal chair, facing it backwards. "Heard you really waxed Tom!" he grinned.

Toro looked into his glass. "I did my job."

"Yeah well...Not bad. But just wait until my next hit! You won't be running 'top gun' status for long!" he chuckled, taking a swig of beer. He then looked to Pres and Elio, hardening his stare. "Who the fuck are you looking at?"

Elio nudged Pres, grinning. "Just the same cocky bastard who couldn't really make it as a Governor, and who'll never make it as a Striker!"

Pres chuckled and Toro smirked.

"The hell I won't!" Preda replied.

"Tell ya what," Pres began, "After you fail this next job, I'll give you a job as my maintenance man! I'll let you polish my shoes here...after I shove them up your ass!"

Toro and Elio burst out laughing.

"Oh yeah!" Preda yelled, standing up. He reached down and pulled a pistol from his right pocket. "Who's the big-" He paused as a dozen pistols instantly raised and chambered rounds, Toro, Elio, and Pres included. "...man now," Preda swallowed. His heart stopped as a voice rang out from behind.

"Hey!" Father called, "Do we seem to have a problem here?"

Preda's hands shook as he slowly pocketed the gun. "N-No Father! I was j...just showin' off my new w-eapon!" He quivered, turning slowly to face him.

Father stood with both arms out, a spatula in his right hand. "Oh yeah? Well quit with all'a the ruckus! Will ya? It's very impolite to the rest of the crowd and Little C is displeased when the people at his party don't have a good time! Isn't that right Little C?" Father asked, turning his head. The fluffy white cat blinked lazily at him from a little bed near the back patio, shaded by a tiny blue umbrella. He then turned back to Preda.

"M-My deepest apologies, Father," Preda swallowed.

Father raised his right hand. "Aye...Don't mention it. But no more funny business at my party, capiche?" he said, pointing.

Preda nodded.

"Good. I don't wanna' have to 'reconsider' you for the position you're in. Now, let's'a all have a good time tonight, aye? Come on!" With that, the band started up again, and everyone put their weapons away.

Preda scowled at Toro, Elio, and Pres as he walked away. The trio tried not to laugh.

"What a mooch!" Elio said, shaking his head.

"What was that all'a about?" a voice called out. Two women approached the gazebo together. The first wore a red dress, matching lipstick, red heels, and gold bracelets on her left arm. She had green eyes and long dark curls. The second woman wore a white dress and white heels, with straight blonde hair. Both of them had a delicate figure. They were Rosina and Sonia, Pres and Elio's wives.

Pres rolled his eyes and shook his head at Elio. "Oh god...The women are here!"

"Che sara sara," Elio replied.

Pres smirked.

"Omaggio Ralfanso Presa! How much have been drinking?" Rosina said, putting her hands on her hips.

"You'd better stop drinking too Elly," Sonia cut in, "because you've gotta' get up early tomorrow because we're going to church with them!"

Elio threw his hands in the air. "Oh, andiamo, donna!"

"Don't you use that language with me, Elly! Your mother passed away saying she wanted her son and daughter-in-law to be saved and we're going to be saved! Whether you like it or not!" Sonia snapped.

Elio threw his head in his hands as Pres looked up to Toro. "Spare yourself, my friend. This ain't gonna' heal up anytime soon."

Toro nodded and stood.

"These cows neva' shut up!" Elio chimed in.

The two women erupted at Elio's comment and Toro turned away, taking a final swig of his martini. He looked over at the Don, who was talking to another pair of women as he flipped a few burgers. Toro laughed to himself, then felt a sudden sinking in his chest. Scanning the party, he suddenly noticed the couples in the crowd. Some were dancing by the band, others frisked about in the pool, and others sat with each other and ate, talking amongst themselves. He shook off the feeling and made way for the punch table, where the mini bar was.

A black-haired, balding man stood wearing a black vest, white shirt, and red bow tie. The waiter was polishing a glass with a white cloth as Toro approached. "Hey there, buddy! What can I get ya?"

"I'll take another martini," Toro said, handing over his glass, "but go double on the alcohol."

"Are you here all alone?" a tiny voice asked. Toro turned around and gazed upon a beautiful young woman in a form-fitting black dress and matching strapless black heels. She had dark brown, wavy hair and icy blue eyes, light pink lipstick and silver bracelets on her left hand. Her ears even had diamonds in them. Toro swallowed and blinked, taken slightly aback.

"I'm just...taking in the night!" he said, smiling. He took the martini as the waiter handed it over. "Can I...get you something?" Toro asked.

The woman smiled sweetly, lowering her eyelids. "That's sure is sweet of you, but I'm okay right now," she whispered.

Toro nodded and took a big swig of his drink.

The woman turned and leaned back against the table, standing beside him.

Toro looked to her, raising an eyebrow. "So...What's your name?"

"I'm Maria," the woman said, smiling up at him, "What about you?"

Coughing, Toro cleared his throat. "Uh...Just...My friends call me 'T,'" Tora said.

Maria giggled.

"What?" Toro snapped.

"I like it," Maria said, "It's cute."

Toro felt his face flash red.

"So...T," Maria began. She trailed her foot along in a semi circle in front of her body. "Any chance you wanna' dance with me?"

He looked down into her sparkling eyes, lost in that sweet, innocent smile. Toro felt his own body move in time with her own obvious, anticipating breaths, and he smiled back as the woman reached forth and took his right hand in her own.

"Come on," she said, gripping onto his palm. A ringing suddenly went off in a small black purse she had along her left arm. "Oh...Shoot," she said, reaching into her bag. She picked up the phone and held it to her ear. "Yes Dad...Yeah, I know...Okay, I'm coming." Maria put the phone away and turned to Toro. "That was my dad. He's waiting out front in the car. I've...gotta' go for now," she said, frowning.

Toro nodded. "Thanks for the offer," he said.

"Hey, wait!" Maria said, grabbing his arm as he turned away. She pulled out a pen and wrote on a tiny slip of paper. "My number. Call me, okay? Please?" she asked, smiling sweetly.

Laughing, Toro replied, "Okay."

"Great!" Maria said. She turned to walk away, then quickly stepped up and gave Toro a peck on the cheek. "See you soon I hope!" she said, running off toward the front of Father's house.

Toro sighed happily and looked at the slip of paper, then tucked it into his shirt pocket. "Well...Maybe things won't be so bad this week...after all."

"Alright everyone! Come and get it!" the Don called. He stood smiling proudly and holding a great white platter filled with meat. There was a sudden clang as the platter broke it half, sending pieces flying. The Father stared for a moment, then hit the ground as several black-suited guards dove to cover him. Women screamed and ducked low, including Rosina and Sonia, who covered their heads as Pres and Elio crouched overtop of them, their pistols both drawn.

"Take him out!" Someone called. Toro, now running to the far side of the fence, looked up at a hilltop and noticed a figure darting across its crest. He withdrew his USP pistol and took aim at the man, opening up with a directed burst of ammo alongside a row of Father's guards. The man stumbled and fell, then rolled down the hill. As he came to a stop just ten yards from the back fence, several more shots were fired, ensuring his death.

Hope you've enjoyed reading thus far!

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STAY TUNED for Chapter 4: A New Hit...COMING SOON!