Free AWAKENING by S. W. Frank

that you ?”
    “ Yeah, hey Nico . ”
    “ Whose goddamn orders , Selange o r her ex-husband ?”
    “ I’m only doing my job Nico. I’m sorry but y ou’re prohibited from the property.”
    Nico exited the car. The protective encasement was part of the high brick wall. Attached to it were the thick metal gates about eight feet high. Alfonzo ensured the design prevented anyone from scaling or fitting through the spaces and when he examined it, he realized even if he made it over the gate, he’d have to contend with armed men. He flashed his teeth, “Open the goddamn gate, now!”
    He saw a group of men heading his way led by Crazy Nicky. The man covered the distance quickly and halted on the opposite of the bars. “Get the fuck off the property Nico!”
    “I’m visiting, now open up.”
    “Don’t you think you’ve done enough damage to Alfonzo , do n’t you have any remorse?”
    Nico’s face tugged at his old comrade’s disappointment. “ Sure I do. It’s my blood…my goddamn blood…not yours or anybody else’s who got killed. I live with it every day –but I’ll be damned if I abandon my kids . Not you or Alfonzo can force me to do that !”
    Crazy Nicky reached at his waist, his eyes fanatical, “I should do you right here you cold -blooded bastard . That kid trusted you and you had a responsibility to look after him, not go humping his wife !”
    “He’s not a kid anymore Nicky and I’m not his savior.”
    “You were. Now everything’s a goddamn mess!”
    Nico’s eyes followed Crazy Nicky’s hand. The dumb prick actually decided to bring out the weapon and point it at him. “ You’ll pull a gun on me after the many times I saved your sorry ass, huh ? Tu mi conosci !”
    “The Nico I kn o w wouldn’t have let the lower head block his upper head.”
    “Don’t you judge me and don’t dare lecture me.” Nico scowled. His eyes were on the small army of enforcers. Individually, none were his equal, collectively he was outgunned.
    “Look, Alfonzo gave strict orders. You’re not to set foot on this property and if you do he said kill you.”
    This brought a smirk, “He did, huh?”
    “ Don’t get any ideas about calling the lady. S elange don’t need to know you ever came.” Crazy Nicky advised . He wasn’t letting Nico nowhere near the house. Selange didn’t have a say. He was doing this for his own good. If Alfonzo caught Nico here he was a dead man. “Just get out of here.”
    “ You’re not so crazy to start a war with me Nicky. Let me in to say hello then I’m gone.”
    “Like I said, g o! ”
    Nico’s eyes narrowed as he assessed the situation. Six guns were cocked and ready. Crazy Nicky’s weapon was pointed at his head . These weren’t survivable odds. “ You crazy fool, this isn’t your business!”
    “Do yourself a favor and start moving before I lose my patience.”
    Nico stared the man down. The metal barrier prevented him from cracking his s kull. Nico’s mouth contorted into a half moon. He itched to get at the old man, instead he turned his back on the gunmen, yanked open the rear car door and pulled out the shopping bag. “ Do me a favor and make sure she gets these.”
    “ I’ll think about it. ”
    “ Cazzo !”
    “ You’re a d ouble cock!”
    “She better get this ,” he said menacingly as he memorized the faces of the henchmen, “if she doesn’t I’ m coming back to put every one of you permanently to sleep, capisci?”
    The men didn’t like the threat. They wanted to kill Nico on the spot rather than let him return. They were aware of Nico’s reputation and a man like that issuing a warning shouldn’t be taken lightly. They watched the tall dark man standing indecisively on side of the car, hoping he went away without a problem. Silently, praying he didn’t cause a commotion . 
    Nico got in the car, casting a furious look over his shoulder. The anger was raw . His fingers clasped the handle of his piece . He flicked off the safety and