The New Boss

by Dash Attack


The Beginning of Part I: The Purple Diamond

I sat in Dad's office expecting a lecture.  As I waited I decided to take a look around.  It was filled with stupid Italian sculptures that you'd expect to be found in a museum or something. Huh, what a joke.  It seems like every time I came here there was one more stone penis to look at.  Man, what people call art, I call "gay as all hell."  Of course if I ever told him that he would probably put a bullet in my school despite the fact that it was my birthday.

        I'm being serious when I say this.  He literally would shoot me if I said that.  He's that kind of man.  You see, you don't get to be the Don of a large crime syndicate with out developing a pair of balls.  Yeah, my Dad was a genuine Italian mobster straight from the movies.  He even had the most cliche gangster name in the book, Tony Anello.  As funny as I'm making this sound, he was the real freaking deal.  If there one thing he hated more than anything it was disrespect, even from his own kid.

        I turned around and saw my good for nothing scumbag of a father walk into the room with two of his boys.  One of them was my friend David Price.  He was good man, despite his obsession with that old girl's show.  What was it called again?  My Little Horsey? I don't know but besides that he was an awesome guy to hang out with when any of us weren't getting shot at.  His little brother Rudy was also really good with my little brother Antonio.

        So, anyway old man Steve sat down in his big red chair and started staring at me like I'm the biggest disappointment in the world.  I swear my old man tries too damn hard to be Marlon Brando.

        "Stever." he says with his hands clasped, "At nine o'clock tonight, you will be twenty-five years old.  Since you graduated college, you have been a hindrance to this family and this business. You have been reckless and disrespectful.  Your mother would be very disappointed of you."

        I laugh hysterically and smile at my asshole of a father "Yeah, I don't think she’d be too thrilled either.  Seeing as how you killed her and threw her body into the harbor."

        This got him very angry, but he didn't do anything because he knew I was right.  I was a lot smarter than I let on sometimes.  About seven years ago when I was eighteen, Mom got into a very nasty fight with Dad.  I could hear them shouting while trying to get through my college work.  I forget what they were fighting about, I just remember it being about something stupid again.  However, what was stupid for me obviously wasn't always stupid for everyone else, because it was serious enough for Mom to threaten Dad.  She told him that she was going to tell the police where the "Warehouse" was.   The next day, Mom was nowhere to be seen.

        Of course , Dad would have you believe that she just ran off.  Yeah, she ran off without filing a divorce.  God I hate that lying sack of shit.  As if it wasn't bad enough that he killed her, he didn't even have the balls to own up to it.  I wonder if he tell's himself the same lie he tells me.  It's because of him Antionio will never remember what she was like, how beautiful she was, how caring she was.  As much as I hate bring it up, it feels good to see that scared look on my Dad's face whenever I do.  He really opened the door for it this time.

        "Goddammit Stevie, will you stop blaming me for that?  I didn't fucking kill your stupid whore of a mother."

        I just smiled as I leaned back in my chair. "Whatever you say pops, can we just cut to the chase.  Some of us actually want to celebrate my birthday."

        Daddy got really pissed and slammed both his hands on the desk before pointing at me. "Listen to me, tomorrow you're going to learn to take this business seriously.  We're going to go with these gentlemen to pull off an armed robbery at that shiny new bank, if you know what I mean."

        I looked at him in surprise. I must have really pissed him off.  He’s never sent me on the real dangerous jobs before.  Sure I've gotten into a few nasty turf wars and deals gone bad since I've been working for him, but  this was the first time he's ever asked me to do something this big.  Luckily for him, this is the sort of punishment I've been waiting for.  So long as the cops don't shoot me, I'll be one step closer to proving to him I can run this joint when he croaks.  God, I wished that would happen already.

        I know that was a terrible thought, but I'm kind of a terrible guy to begin with.  While it didn't help that my Dad was the biggest jerk-off this side of Chicago, I wasn't really any better.  The only difference is that I was willing to admit it whereas he would pass himself off as a selfish prick.

        I let out another laugh. "So you think by putting me in the line of fire you will put me in my place, huh.  Well at least I'll be able to raid the safety deposit boxes so I can add some more to my gem collection."

        My Dad laughed, "Consider that your birthday gift, Steve, but you're going to have to get them yourselves. Were going after the cash, not the boxes.  You're going to have to go down there yourself, without backup.  Sorry, but looks like you’re shit out of luck. Besides, don't you have enough fruity jewelry back in your room?"

        Dad was right. I had a whole hoard of stuff back in my room.  Ever since I was a little kid, I've been obsessed with diamonds and crystals.  I loved the way they sparkled with life, how they shine and glistened in the sun.  I even had my Dad bye me that stupid Pretty Pretty Princess game back just so I could have some jewelry of my own.  I never wore any of it, I just liked the way it looked.  However, nothing from my childhood could compare to the hard surface of a real crystal.

        "Meh, I can take it."

        "Suit yourself, the family will be in better hands with Antoine anyway. Now get the heck out of my office and go celebrate your stupid birthday.  You better not disappoint me, son, because if you fail and the cops don't shoot you, I will."

        I give him the bird as I stepped out.

-------

        That night me and some of the boys threw me a huge party here at the mansion.  I figured David played a big role in setting it up.  Poor guy.  His birthday always get's overshadowed by mine.  Sharing your birthday with your thirteen year old brother was one thing, but sharing it with your boss’ son was another.  Maybe I'll watch some episodes of the god awful show with him later.  Despite how much he hated the ending, he was constantly watching reruns on Netflix.

        Anyway, the party was pretty lively.  There was lots of booze, lots of heroin, and plenty of hot, sexy strippers.  I gotta say it was one hell of a party.  As much as I hated my Dad, his lackeys were alright.  They weren't the sharpest tools in the shed, but they were alright.

        I was pouring myself some vodka when I heard a familiar voice

        "Yo, Steve! These chicks are smoking hot!"

        I turned around to see David, with two topless babes in his arms.

        "This one's name is Jill. She really wants to give you a present, if you know what I mean."

        "This might sound weird and out of character, but I'm kinda not in the mood for sex right now."

        David let out I laugh that I swear remained me of Tommy Wiesuo from the room.

        "Whoa, that would be a first.  Is it about the job tomorrow?  Hey man, I'm nervous too, but I've done banks before.  Maybe not as big as the one we’re going to tomorrow, but believe me when I say this.  I've got your back."

        I smile a little. "It's a little bit more than that. Listen, can you meet on the balcony upstairs when you’re done with these ladies?"

        He shrugs. "Nah man If you need me I'm there. Bro's before hoe's, no offense ladies."

        "None taken." replied the the sexy brunette to David's left.  "We've been called worse."

        Me and David made our way to the the second floor hallway and opened the screen door.  We stepped outside to the cold night air. it was about 8:10 right now, just five minutes before the time David was born.  I leaned up against the balcony and looked up at the stars.  

        "Steve, are you sure this isn't about the job tomorrow?"

        I shake my head. "That's part of it, but it’s a little bit more.  I used to love my old man. He was my idol growing up, David.  But this job, this lifestyle, it's gotten to his head.  Ever since he killed Mom, and don't start saying he didn't because I know he did, I've been a real asshole to him and him to me.  You know this was the first time he's spoken to me in weeks and we live in the same freaking house."

        "Why don't you just quit? Leave Chicago and start over."

        I let out a loud sigh. "I can't Dave.  I can't leave Antoine alone with him.  If I leave, father would groom him to be the head of the family.  This lifestyle isn't for him.  As a big brother yourself I think you would understand.”

        "Yeah I know what you mean, ever since our parents died, it's just been me and Rumble.  I don't know what I’d do without him."

        I look at David quizzically. Did he get his own brother mixed up.?  As I stared, his eyes started to bug out.  At first I figured he was just really high, but then he grabbed my shoulder and held me over the edge of balcony.

        "David what the hell are you doing!?"

        "Tell me what you and that snake have done with Rumble or so help me I'll send you straight to Tartarus where you belong!"

        "Jesus Christ! It's me, Steve! David! Snap out of it man!"

        I looked up at David as a prayed for my life. He just blinked and shook his head.

        "Dude what just happened."

        I grabbed onto the railing for support and kicked David backwards in the chest.  That sent him falling to the ground. I lifted myself up from the edge of the railing and turned to face him.

        "What the hell did those strippers put in your drink man?"

        David shook his head. "What are you talking about?"

        "Are you being serious? You just threatened to kill me and now you don't even remember.  You were going to toss me over the edge!  And who the flying frick is Rumble?"

        "I don't know. But that name sounds familiar.  Listen, I need to go check on Rutty.  It's his birthday too and I promised I’d be there to celebrate it with him back at my apartment.”

        I took a huge deep breath. I was still in shock over what just happend.  Thankfully, David was able to snap back into reality. Still, I was really afraid he might tackle me any minute.  

        "I completely understand man.  Maybe we can talk about my messed up family life some other time.  I'll see you tomorrow at the meet up."

        "Yeah, thanks man. Oh, and happy Birthday."

        "Happy birthday to you and Rudy too."

--------

        After that heartwarming scene of counselling and attempted murder, I decided to retire to my room.  The party was still going on, but I was done.  Too much crap was dropping into my lap way too fast. I needed to relax.  I decided to just take a quick little nap on my bed.

        I opened the door to my room.  It was covered with posters of various metal bands and horror movie posters. Next to my bed was my private safe where I kept my hoard of diamonds and crystals like a dragon hoarding treasure.

        I hopped onto my bed and got out my iPhone.  I figured I could listen to some music. I sat there and played about two songs before looking at the clock. It was 8:55 P.M. In five more minutes I would officially be twenty five years old.  I figured I might as well celebrate even though I was still feeling really shitty.  I opened my unfinished bottle of vodka and stared at the clock.  When it finally hits nine, I'm going to chug this sucker down and go to bed.

         I stared at the clock, waiting with anticipation for the time. It was 8:59 P.M now, only seconds to go.   "Just pretend that once it was nine my life would be forever altered.  I would be able to collect all the crystals I wanted, and father would finally put a bullet in his head.  I would take care of the business, and keep Antoine as far away from this business as possible.  Best of all, I would have all the crystals I could ever dream of.  And all of dad's goons would become my slaves. Wait What?"

        The clock struck nine.

------

        I must of blanked out for a second. Damn why do I feel so cold all of a sudden?

        I looked around and got a sense of my surroundings. Everything I knew about this seemed wrong. For starters, I was buck ass naked and on the floor. Second, it looked like I had subconsciously decided to open my safe full of gems and bury myself in them.  Only I knew the combination to that safe, so I knew it couldn't have been an intruder, but why the hell would I do this? I mean, yeah, I liked shiny rocks but not enough to bathe in them, though the idea didn't seem to sound as strange as I would imagine.

        Wait, yes it did! What the hell was I thinking?

        Thirdly, I was apparently out of it for about 10 minutes.  The last time I checked it had just turned nine.  It was now nine ten.  

        The last thing I know I couldn't have done myself even if I was possessed.  Some asshole must have took advantage of my drugged out stage and tattooed a purple diamond on the sides of my ass.