A piece? “You mean a gun?” I said, leaning back in the chair trying to figure out how I felt about that. I watched as he unbuttoned his suit jacket, pulling out the chair behind the desk to sit down. He crossed his leg over his knee and leaned back. I had never seen a more confident, relaxed, or controlled man in my life.
“Yes.” He said simply. “I meant what I said I want to give you a legit job I don’t want to corrupt you and have you work the streets. Your mother would be rolling over in her grave and I’m not so sure that your father wouldn’t either. However, you are working for me and I will not take any chances. You are connected to me Michael whether you like it or not my enemies will become your enemies. I will not have you become a casualty when I say I want you to carry a gun it is for your protection. I’m not suggesting it and giving you a list of people to use it on. I’m suggesting it so that if a situation arises, you’re not standing there with your dick in your hands helpless. You get what I’m saying?”
“Victor I’m not my father.” I felt at that moment it was time I made that clear. I think Vic saw me as a chance at reclaiming what he once had with my dad. Maybe he thought I’d be just like my old man, but the truth was having all this dumped on me, I wasn’t so sure I had the chops to be anything like my dad.
“I know that. I’m not expecting you to be your father.” He shook his head. “I don’t want you to be your father and by that I mean I don’t want you dead either. It is your decision, but know that I would never ask you to use that gun unless you were in danger than I’d ask you to do whatever the fuck you had to do to protect yourself.”
“I don’t know how to use a gun.” I admitted. I tried to picture myself with a gun. Anthony had no emotion when he held it last night in his hands. He wasn’t afraid it would go off in his hand like I was or that I’d aim it at someone only to discover it wasn’t loaded. Wouldn’t that suck? So much for protecting yourself. By the time, I would have figured out that I forgot to load the fucking thing my brains would be splattered on the floor. Yeah, I don’t know how I feel about carrying a gun. Maybe I should start out small like a BB gun. I swiped my hand along my forehead. Jesus Christ, I was breaking out into a sweat.
“I’ll have Anthony take you to the shooting range get you licensed to carry and everything. I said I want you to be legit and I meant it.” He paused for a moment and I took the opportunity to study him. He looked torn almost as if he was wrestling with his conscience or something. “Michael, I want you to feel comfortable with what you will be doing. If you aren’t comfortable than I will hire a guard for you.”
Against my better judgement or the voices in my head, I replied quickly. “I can do it. I’ll carry the gun.” I wasn’t about to be dubbed a pussy who wouldn’t carry a gun and needed a babysitter. No, I was Michael Valente’s son how could I dishonor my father’s name like that. There was some sort of code or something that I felt I’d be betraying if I didn’t take Victor up on his offer. I felt as if I’d be embarrassing my old man. “Just get it registered and all that. I don’t see the problem if it’s a registered gun and I’m trained to use it. It’s for my own protection right?”
“One hundred percent.” Victor said affirmatively.
“Okay then.” That settled that. “Is there anything else?” I desperately wanted to get the fuck out of there.
“Are you familiar with the night club scene?” Victor asked curiously.
Back home I wasn’t really a club goer. There weren’t any clubs in our town anyhow, which meant if you wanted to go to one you would have a drive out of town to go to one. I was more a neighborhood bar type guy. Give me a beer and a pool table and I was happy.
“Not really.” I said, shrugging my shoulders as I did so.
“It’s probably a good idea if you go to a few other clubs in the city. You know get a feel for what the competitors have that draws in a crowd. I’ll tell Anthony to go with you. That guy needs a night or two out anyway.” He waited a beat. “Or maybe Nikki, she’s always out hopping from club to club with that boyfriend of hers.” His lip twitched as he finished his sentence.
My lip curled in disgust at the mention of Nikki’s boyfriend, causing Victor to raise an eyebrow at me.
“I take it you’re not a fan?” He said, holding back a knowing smile.
I shrugged my shoulders. “I’m surprised you haven’t given that guy his walking papers.” I thought about it for a moment. “Or that she hasn’t either.”