I do what I have to do and that makes me more of a hero than any of these other motherfuckers on the streets. I’m an outlaw, a wanted man. But in the past, I was made. I was set to become one of the heads of my gang. They should make me a fucking saint for my act of martyrdom. Instead, I’ll most likely just be forgotten.

“Here goes nothing,” I laugh, shaking my head, as I walk through the cool summer wind towards Ricky’s place. I’ve done this walk many times before. I’ve cut through these streets. Back when I was part of the gang, I would come to his mansion to discuss business on a weekly basis. Now I’m coming to discuss the terms of my death. Funny how that happens to us mafia guys. We really have it made, don’t we?

Though it’s kind of a death march of sorts, I don’t feel as heavy as before. A certain weight has been lifted. No, instead, I feel comforted. I’m comforted by the thought that not everything has to go black. Not yet, at least. There’s more to my story.

I come to the gates of the mansion and I press the button on the black box. A voice comes out of the intercom: “State your business.”

“Get me Ricky,” I say without, flinching.

“Who’s speaking?” the man says.

“You know damn well who’s speaking,” I say, grinding my teeth with anger. “Now, get me Ricky or you just might find your head on a stick.”

The whole damn time I’m talking, I’m thinking about Bianca. Her smooth legs, those thick lips, her pussy wrapping around my cock perfectly… I need one last fuck. Why didn’t I fuck her twice? That’s the question I’ll be asking myself on the day of my execution. We’re born in this life because of sex and we die dreaming about sex. At least, I will.

“Very well,” the voice says back. The gates slowly open and I walk steadily on the gravel in front of me. Breathe slowly. Just breathe. I have to tell myself to do the most basic of all tasks because, the truth is, I’m starting to regret this decision of mine. I’m starting to think I should turn right back around and get Bianca. If we’re quick enough, we could make it to Montana. We could start a new life, on a ranch or something. I could wrangle horses and cows and she could tend to the farm. Everything would be perfect and we could raise eight beautiful children.

That’s just fantasy. That isn’t real life. Real life is the door to this mansion opening and Ricky pointing a silver revolver in my face. But, before I get to the door, I hear a rustling in the bushes to my right. “Who’s there?” I call out.

To my surprise, Giovanni shows his face and whispers, “Today’s your lucky day. Just keep being normal and everything will work out. I’m saving your ass.”

I simply nod and knock at Ricky’s door. I guess things might turn out okay. Only, I don’t rely on nice thoughts.

When Ricky opens the door, he smiles wide and crazy. “Today just gets better and better for me,” he says to me, gnarling his teeth together. “Get inside.”

I walk in, feeling my boots clack against the marble tile. “Nice place you got yourself here,” I say. It only cost him a bunch of people’s lives. Maybe mine can build a new spa for the outside pool area.

“Thanks,” he laughs. “I think the last time you came here was when my father was still alive. It’s a shame he had to pass.”

“Yes, it is,” I sigh. “He was a little more democratic about things.”

“Come off it,” Ricky motions for me to sit down in the main room, so I do. He continues to stand above me with his gun pointed at my skull. I wish he’d stop aiming that thing at me. I don’t like feeling like my sentences will get cut off with a bullet. If he’s going to kill me, he should let me stand with dignity.

“You would have died regardless,” he tells me as if I don’t already know that. “My father didn’t put up with traitors.”

“Right,” I say, hoping he’ll just get on with everything, but I know now that he’s going to make a big production out of this. It’s always been about his ego. Even before he was the Don, he was all about himself. He’s a terrible leader and I’m surprised no one has taken him out already.

“You know, you’ve made my life quite a bit easier,” he laughs. “You’ve killed all of my competitors!”

“I guess I didn’t think that through,” I mutter, leaning back against the leather chair. I grab one of the cigars on the table in front of me and light it up without asking. I figure one of them is at least for me.

“You really didn’t,” he waves his gun at me. “You see, now everyone will be coming to me for business. And your little girlfriend, Bianca—”

“Your cousin,” I correct him. He simply smiles wide.

“Right. My cousin,” he nods. “My beautiful cousin. She’ll be with me now. And I’ll have gotten everything I’ve wished for. So I guess, in essence, I just want to say thank you. You’ve really given me a lot, Hunter.”

“Great,” I say. I’m hoping that’s the end of it. But, of course, it’s not.

“Follow me,” he says, turning his back towards me, walking out to the backyard. In the corner of my eyes, I can see men in each section of the room, wielding fully automatic weapons. He’s protected well and I guess that puts him at ease. How the hell is Giovanni going to finish him off?

His backyard is at least five acres. He throws his arms up and shouts, “How do you like it?”

“It’s fine,” I say, shrugging.

“Good,” he nods in approval. “Because this is where you’ll die. You won’t be buried here, however. We’ve got a special place for you. Under the freeway bridge. Down south, near the water.

“Sounds perfect,” I cross my arms. Does he really think I give a shit about where he buries me? Why is he dragging this out so long? Where the fuck is Giovanni?

“You’re no fun,” he sighs. “You know that? You’re like a wet blanket. You killed the chase.”

“The chase?” I ask him, starting to feel annoyed. I have half a mind to end this right here. I could grab his gun and all the guards could blow my body to smithereens. That honestly is starting to sound better than listening to him talk.

“It’s always been my favorite part,” he smiles. “The whole killing thing is pretty boring when you think about it. I like a good hunt. You were okay for a while, until you went and turned yourself in. Tell me, why’d you do it? I have to know.”

“I did it to get Bianca out of danger,” I tell him.

“Well then,” he starts, laughing loudly, “you should have killed me first.”

“It’s funny how you’re always assuming things,” I chuckle, looking at the perimeter of the building. It’s dark and muggy outside. The guards patrol silently, as if they’re ghosts. Something tells me that maybe they aren’t as loyal as they seem.

“Assuming? Me?” he asks me. “After you’re gone, she will become my wife. And then she’ll have my children. Three boys who will eventually take over this whole business. And after I’ve used her up like a dog, she’ll be there solely to raise the children, clean, and cook me my fucking dinners.”

“You dumb motherfucker,” I smile. “You didn’t even think when you let me in those gates. Did you?” His smile turns south. He’s suddenly looking around himself and slowly backing away from me. I’m walking forward and I continue to speak clear so he can understand what I’m about to tell him.

“You didn’t just let me in,” I say to him. “You let in all your enemies.”

“What the hell are you talking about? Guards! What the fuck are you talking about?” he hisses. “Guards!” he screams again. Only, the guards slowly walk up behind me, aiming their rifles at Ricky.

He swiftly checks his pants for his gun, but he’s without a weapon. “Looking for this?” Giovanni comes up behind him, aiming Ricky’s own gun at his skull.

“Giovanni? What the fuck?” he spits out, unable to believe what has just happened to him. “I gave you everything, dammit! You can’t betray me like this! You can’t.”

Giovanni simply moves forward. He places the barrel of the gun directly onto Ricky’s cheek. “When you took me on that ride the other day, you showed me what it’s like to be the boss of the family. Five star restaurants, all the women you can handle, and man those flashy cars seemed fucking nice,” he laughs and continues. “But then I saw how much you paid your men. And I saw how much you paid me and I thought to myself, why am I here taking orders from this guy when I could set up my own thing? I could do better for my men and my family. And my sister could live in peace with the man she loves.”

“Giovanni,” he starts laughing as if everything is alright. It’s a last ditch effort to get out of this alive. “You’re right. We can make a whole lot of money together. Think about all the possibilities. With my connections, we could run all of New York, Chicago, Detroit… You name the city and it’s ours.”

Giovanni smiles when I step forward. “The only thing you’ll ever own again,” I tell him, “is that suit you’re wearing.”

Giovanni backs me up. “You’re lucky you’re family,” he sighs, pulling his gun off him. “Otherwise, I’d kill you right now. You sick bastard. Do you think you’d really get away with touching my sister like that? You’re her fucking cousin. Don’t you have any decency?”

Ricky falls to his knees and starts pleading. “I’m sorry,” he cries. “I guess I got a lot of things wrong. I can change though. I can be better. I’ll serve under you. I’ll do anything you ask.”

“Fuck you,” he shoots Ricky right in the leg and Ricky lets out a blood-curdling scream.

“My fucking leg!” Ricky’s eyes light up with pain. “I’ll kill you. I swear to God, I’ll have you hung, you little bastard!”

“Get out of here,” I tell Ricky. “And never come back. The only reason we’re letting you live is out of respect. Consider this your exile. You’ll never run a gang again.”

“We’ll be keeping tabs on you wherever you go. It doesn’t matter how far you go. We’ll be there,” Giovanni laughs to himself, glancing at one of the guards. Soon, those men will be Made. They’ll get their shot at being real gangsters. “I hope you like working in fast food for the rest of your life.”

“I’ll never fucking do it,” he hisses at us. “You can’t make me.”

“If you don’t,” Giovanni says, “you won’t get another chance. I’ll come into where you’re living and I’ll kill you in your sleep. Don’t test me, Ricky. I’ve learned a lot in these past few years. I know what it’s like to kill a man. Remember, you showed me how.”

I motion for one of the guards to take him away. “It’s over,” I say. One of the men grabs him by the shirt collar, kneeing him in the chest and dragging him out of there. Of course Ricky screamed. He kicked and tried to squirm out of it, but deep down he knew it was over forever. He had his chance to be a real leader and he lost it all very quickly. That’s how easy big men fall.

I turn to Giovanni and I give him a hug. “Thank you,” I tell him. “I know it wasn’t in the plan. But I’m glad we arranged this. It’s time you lead the family name. You’ll be a better boss than any of the guys in the past.”

“Fuck it,” he says. “I’m glad he’s gone. I would have died if I kept working for that son of a bitch. Anyway, there’s someone you should get back to.”

Bianca. “Yeah,” I smile. “She’s probably swearing me off right this second.”

“There’s always time to fix things,” he laughs. “My sister is a hard headed woman, but she’s also a good woman who knows right from wrong. She’ll forgive you eventually. You just really need to put in the effort.”

“Don’t I know it,” I laugh. “Well, goodbye. I’ll be seeing you around, brother.”

He nods and I walk out of the building, disappearing into the night. No longer would I have to walk these streets. I could leave and become normal. And if Bianca decides I’m worthy enough to take back, maybe I could follow her to the coast. I’ve never been to California before.