Killing The Rat (An Organized Crime Thriller) by Dani Amore Read Free Book Online Page B

Hollywood has perpetrated,” she said. “The whole Robert DeNiro, goofy, fun-loving guy shtick. It’s just not true. These are common criminals. What they do is support other criminals, prostitution, pornography, illegal gambling, burglary. It’s not some colorful fraternity full of guys that used to hang around with Frank Sinatra.”
    The hell it isn’t , Romano thought. I’m colorful and I met Sinatra a couple times. What a prick.
    Just then, Gloria walked into the room, and sat next to him on the expansive leather couch.
    They both watched as the reporter asked Rierdon what the public could do to help.
    “Support your local politicians who support what we do. Detroit would be a much safer, much better city without these common criminals. Show your support for us at the polls. And don’t believe what you see on television. These people aren’t the good guys.” She looked directly into the camera. “They’re nothing but bottom feeders who belong out at the Jackson prison, not in Grosse Pointe mansions.”
    “Bitch!” Romano shouted and snapped off the television. His face was slightly flushed. He stood, the pain in his chest momentarily constricting his movement. “What a bitch,” he said. His voice took on a high, singsongy falsetto. “They belong in Jackson prison, not Grosse Pointe mansions.” His voice returned to its normal deep baritone. His cheeks were puffed out, his breathing labored from the simple act of being royally pissed off.
    “I ought to sneak the bitch into Jackson, put her in a cell with some three hundred pound black guy for a few days. It could be arranged.” A smile crossed his face at the thought of it.
    “They have to talk tough,” Gloria said. “She just got a promotion, she has to show her superiors how strong she’s going to be. She’s just using the words everyone wants to hear. She’ll be no different than the others.”
    Vincenzo looked at his wife. She was still beautiful, he thought. And smart, too. It was too bad they’d grown apart, but it happened – especially in his line of work.
    “Job or no job,” he said. “She’s pushing it with that Jackson talk.”He looked at Gloria, but she was staring at the darkened television screen. Sometimes, he forgot to dial things back for her.
    He was glad they never had children. It was after a few years of marriage that they had learned it wouldn’t be a possibility.
    For awhile Gloria had been unhappy. So he’d figured out how to keep her happy. He bought her expensive jewelry, and eventually when he lost interest in her, he set her up with men like Big Paulie.
    Romano said, “You want some espresso? I’m gonna make some.”
    Gloria was still watching the screen. Romano was perceptive enough to understand that no one appreciates hearing their husband labeled a petty criminal.
    “Gloria,” he repeated.
    “No thanks,” she said. She didn’t turn her head to look at him.

13.
     
    Loreli took Liam to her mother’s house.
    Walking in the front door to her childhood home made her feel like a child all over again. She was ashamed. Hot, roiling shame in her stomach that gave her a constant fear of vomiting.
    She looked at Liam. How could she have a child when she herself felt like a child?
    Loreli’s mother brought a small plate with some cookies. Her mother went to the refrigerator and poured some milk into a coffee cup for Liam.
    Loreli picked up a cookie and gave it to Liam. She took one for herself, bit into it and sat back in her chair. She looked around the small kitchen. The cabinets were a light oak whose laminate was curling up at the edges. The countertop was a faded yellow and showcased a plethora of scratches accumulated over the years. The linoleum floor was clean but well-worn enough to reveal traffic patterns from the sink to the fridge, to the living room. The room was dominated by the table. It was a dining room table, passed down to Loreli’s mother from her mother. The table was too big for the