OCtober Day 22: Vitale Vittore

I’d just begun my job with Acerbi’s Bar when I drew the apparent short straw of jobs. The Vittore mafia family were hosting an soiree, and required several bottles of Acerbi’s finest wine. Several of the staff offered me up, using it as a chance to test my mettle. At the time I was a little confused by their sentiment. Then again, perhaps my curiosity simply outweighed my fear. Thus, I accepted the task at hand with a smile, secretly thrilled to be getting a sneak peek into the lives of modern mafia.

Around the early eve, I rolled up in the van at the mansion gates. Tall and gleaming silver, brick walls with trailing vines surrounding the perimeter. Spotting the intercom attached next to the gates, I pulled over, leaning out of the window to activate. On the screen a figure appeared. She wore a dark purple suit, with a trilby hung low over her face.

“Can I help you?” she asked, her tone neutral.

“I’m here with the wine delivery from Acerbi’s”

“Come on through, but stay in the van when you reach the door. I’ll personally collect you”

She hangs up and I do as I’m told. The gates creak open, allowing me passage. As I slowly rumble down the path, I take a moment to admire the grounds. Vast stretches of green on either side path, dotted with carefully curated bushes and trees in elegant shapes. The mansion itself looks old, despite its actual age. Finely crafted architecture resembles the old fashioned homes belonging to the Italian nobles of yesteryear. Traditional would be a good way to summarise it. The Vittore family certainly seem to pride themselves on that. 

Parking the van, I find the mysterious woman already waiting. She motions for me to exit the vehicle, then circles round the back with a gun in hand, instructing me to open it. I show her there’s nothing suspicious, just a few crates. 

“Okay. Take one of the bottles and we’ll bring it to the Don Vittore so he can approve. If he does, we’ll bring in the rest”

“Of course”

Grabbing a bottle and locking the doors back up, I follow her inside. I couldn’t help but let out an impressed gasp as we entered the lobby. Beautiful, vast and intricate, artwork lined the walls around the dual curved staircase leading to the first floor. Beyond the doors at the end I can hear the symphony of glasses clinking, classical music and the chatter of rich people.

“This way” she barks, moving towards the right hand corridor.

As I move to follow, someone storms through the double doors. A dark haired man in a red suit, seemingly wiping away tears. He bolts in distress up one of the staircases. I catch a glimpse of someone else slipping back inside the room, with a cruel smile on their face. Realising I shouldn’t linger, I dash down the hall to catch up with the mafia goon, who’s stood outside a door marked ‘Recreation Room’.

“I saw him enter here earlier. Fair warning, if you’re squeamish might want to cover your eyes”

She swings the door open and I blush at what I see. Upon one the tables sits a well dressed man with his underwear hanging past his ankles. Kneeling before him is another man, head between the legs of the other. Although, he looks up as we intrude, quite bothered.

“Viola...what did I say about knocking?” he groans.

“The wine delivery is here” she replies bluntly.

The Don rolls his eyes, standing up. He pats the poor lad on the cheek.

“Come see me later caro”

The other man quickly buckles up his trousers, 

“You too Viola. Go tell the band I’ll be ready to perform soon”

She shrugs, leaving the room along with the strange man. I’m now left alone with the most powerful man in Gehenna. Glancing over him, I can say his stature certainly fits the bill of my expectations. He’s certainly a handsome fellow. A sharp dresser, his outfit consisted of a dark green suit jacket with a white undershirt and silver tie, black trousers and matching shoes. Golden tinted sunglasses hang off the shirt collar. Short black hair is brushed neatly, clear of those light brown eyes and olive skin. One gold earring hangs in the left lobe. His face gazes curiously over in.

“Vorrei scusarmi, I can sense that you are confused at finding me in such a state. Let me assure you, I’m quite the gentleman...most of the time” he apologises. His accent is fairly strong, though his grasp on English is competent. 

He extends a hand for me to shake. It's adorned with multiple rings.

“Don Vitale Vitale, and you are?”

“M, Sir. I recently acquired work with Acerbi”

“Ah, a fine woman she is. Come, M. Shall we bring this fine liquid to the hall so we try it properly?”

He words it formally, though I’m quite aware that it’s an order, not a request. With a friendly arm on my back, the mafia don guides me back down the same path and through to the party itself. As expected, many guests dressed in fine clothes are socialising or dancing. We make our way to a group of musicians by the stage. As we approach, however, Don Vittore frowns.

“Where’s Ricardo?” he asks.

Nervous looks are exchanged. Eventually, the pianist speaks up.

“He...went back to his room”

“What, why!?” Vittore exclaims, tone furious. “He was doing fine earlier. Did something happen”

I recall what I saw earlier.

“Apologies for interrupting, Don Vittore, but I think I saw your brother upon arrival. He was talking to someone briefly, before storming upstairs” 

Vittore leans in close to my personal space. All of the playfulness now totally eradicated, eyes narrows, he growls something at me.

“Point them out. Now”

Scanning the floor, I nod at someone in a dark blue suit that looks familiar. Don Vittore doesn’t say anything. He simply strides over to the stranger, and before they can react he snatches their glass and strikes them with it. Shards embed in their face, and screams echo, silencing all other conversation. It’s so quiet you could hear the blood dripping.

Not a soul in the room says a word as a couple of goons drag away the body. Viola hands the Don a napkin to wipe off his hand as he returns to us. Reaching for an unused wine glass, he holds it out to me. I notice he’s shaking.

“Would you kindly?”

I nod with understanding, pouring out some of the bottle I was still holding. He takes a sip, sighs, and places it down. Then, he climbs onto the stage, picks up the violin, and plays a short melancholy tune. It captures the attention of all in the room. When it ends, he looks to the awestruck band.

“Well...shall we begin?”