“Thirty minutes?” Andy choked on the other end of the line. “I’m good, Tommy, but I’m not that good.”
“I don’t have time to explain. You have thirty minutes.” His jaw tensed. “I’m warning you Andy, if you can’t make this happen you’re gonna have one hell of a mess to clean up for me. Make it happen.”
“What’s going on, Tommy?” he asked uneasily.
“Luca Santini is about to get buried alive. There’s gonna be nothing left of that prick when I finish.”
Forty minutes later, the black limo pulled onto the set. Tom sat in the back impatiently waiting, remembering the promise he made JC. I will not kill him. He watched with clenched fists as Luca sauntered toward the dark-tinted windows. The driver opened the door and Luca climbed inside, catching sight of Tom halfway in. The driver shut the door behind him.
Luca’s condescending smile, turned meek in a matter of two seconds. “Hello, Tom. What are you doing here? My agent said a producer wanted to talk to me about a film.”
“Shut up, Luca,” Tom commanded through gritted teeth. “I’m going to talk and you are going to sit there and listen. I don’t want to hear one fucking word out of your mouth. And if I do, I’m gonna go home, get my gun, come back, and blow your fucking head off. Are we clear?”
Luca sat directly across from Tom, color slowly bleaching from his face.
Tom leaned forward, his stance unyielding with fury. “To make it perfectly clear, the only reason I didn’t go home and get my gun first is because JC doesn’t think you’re worth the trouble. I, on the other hand, would have no problem taking my chances with a jury. Do you understand what I’m telling you?”
Luca nodded. His eyes narrowed. Agitation oozed from every pore.
“I’m not going to the police, yet. And, I’m not going to interfere with your career. I don’t need to meddle in your career Luca, because you’re a terrible actor and I’m sure this little cable series will be the biggest of your non-existent achievements. However, are you listening? I want you to understand exactly what I’m saying.”
Luca nodded again. His face turned crimson as anger began to boil to the surface. He slowly tilted his head to the side, cracking his neck with a loud pop.
“You don’t intimidate me, you little fucking piece of shit.” Tom leaned closer, inches from Luca’s face, ferociously jabbing him in the center of the chest with his pointer finger. “If you ever, ever, come near my daughter again, I will crush you like the fucking cockroach that you are. I will take everything you’ve worked for, everything you’ve wished for, and everything you’ve ever dreamed of. Hell, I’ll even take the clothes right off you back, if you come near her. If you so much as accidentally dial her phone number, Luca Santini, I’m gonna come after you! I don’t want to find out that you are even in the same country as my daughter. I’ll kill you if you come near her.”
Tom sat back in the seat, maintaining his rage. “Get out of my fucking car!”
Luca scooted forward reaching for the handle.
“And that goes for the rest of my family too. Stay away from Tracy and the Giovanni’s.”
Luca slithered out of the car.
Tom sat back in the seat as the car pulled away heading back to the airport. Fifteen minutes into the ride, Tom phoned Andy to thank him. He followed it up with a call to his niece, Shayla.
Shayla worked as Tom’s personal assistant for years until she had the twins. He could count on her for help when he needed it and he desperately needed help today. Tess’ birthday party was supposed to be a surprise. She assumed they were all going out to dinner at her favorite restaurant. However, caterers would be arriving in an hour and fifty of their friends would start showing up in two hours. Tom asked Shayla to handle the caterers and promised that he would arrive before guests started showing up.
Shayla asked sardonically, “What am I supposed to do with Tess? She’s in the living room. I don’t think I can hide all the food.”
Tom released a strained chuckled. “Just tell her to ignore it.” Shayla laughed and he asked, “What’s so funny?”
“I better write this down. You never screw up.”
“Thanks for rubbing it in. I’ll see you in a bit.”
The car arrived at the airport. Tom jolted up the stairs. JC was sound asleep in the chair. He eased into the chair across from her as the plane taxied down the runway. Watching her sleeping on the flight to Greece, Tom wondered what she’d gone through and how long had it been since she’d been able to rest soundly. Tears burned his eyes, speculating the nightmare she’d endured.