Viva Las Vegas

[Vercetti21]

Thanks guys!

 

I made a more "elaborated" story outline for this today in school while pretending to do my work, so I pretty much know exactly where I'm going from here. The story will continue for (I'm approximating) 6 more chapters, which would leave 13 total. I don't want to spoil anything, but the last chapter is going to be epic! The next few chapters, as well, are going to be extremely fast-paced and juicy, so I'm sure this will turn out great and meet, if not exceed, expectations.

[Oxidizer]

SQUEE! Can't wait man.

[Vercetti21]

Chapter 8: Night on the Town

 

Vincent Mariano nervously entered the room where Benny Vitale was waiting. He leaned against the door, lifting his head up and exhaling a fume of smoke, which had been produced from the cigar in his hand.

 

“What is it, Vince?”

 

For a moment, it was silent. “You’ll never believe who I just spoke to.”

 

Benny sat quietly, waiting for him to continue.

 

“Apparently Aces wasn’t sh*tting us when he said he’s got some powerful friends…”

 

“You’re sh*tting me.”

 

“No sh*t. Eddie ‘Aces’ Gambini is the one and only son of the Don for the Gambini Family in Brooklyn.”

 

The room was quiet as both men struggled to take in the astonishing information.

 

Benny sneered, rubbing his eyes in frustration. “F*cking Aces f*cked us over too many f*cking times. And now your saying Aces – the guy we thought was just a nobody – was next in line to be Don for one of the five families of New-f*cking-York?”

 

Vincent nodded, staring into space. “The Cosa Nostra is f*cked, Benny. These guys are not happy, and they’re coming here – to Vegas.”

 

“So we fight them!” Benny outraged.

 

“Benny, you don’t know who we’re dealing with. We’re outnumbered – and besides, think about it – these guys got nothing to lose.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“What do I f*cking mean? I mean we f*cking killed a highly-ranked member of one of the most powerful families in America, and now that family is going through the trouble just to come here – to Vegas – to f*cking kill us off one by one. We’re going through tough times as it is, and now we’ve started a war we can’t win.”

 

“And to think,” Benny added, “with Sterling gone, the streets of this city are free for us to take. Now we got to deal with this!?”

 

Vincent shook his head. “F*ck taking the city over. Now all we can do is put up a fight and hope to survive.”

 

--------------------

 

It was almost 11:00 – exactly 24 hours after the casino shooting. Michael Sterling was thought to be dead, but was secretly laying low with his long-lost brother Jack. They had both agreed to visit Lana at Pink Flamingo, the nightclub where she worked.

 

Jack steered his car – a rusty, yellow 1971 Pontiac Firebird – into the crowded parking lot and pulled into an empty space near the back. He yanked the key out of the ignition and the brothers sat in silence.

 

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Michael asked, “I mean, me going out in public? People think I’m a dead man, and if I show up somewhere, well, it kind of contradicts that. I don’t want people knowing who I am until I find out who’s after me.”

 

“You worry too much, Mikey.”

 

Michael glared over at the small, heavy-populated building. He had never been to the Pink Flamingo before, much less a strip club or bar for the lower class. He was used to the flashy lights illuminating The Strip, formally-dressed gamblers, and expensive liquor, but this was something new to him – a casual bar just outside of town.

 

“Don’t worry about it,” Jack added, “I imagine you don’t hang around this crowd much; they won’t recognize you. Besides, half the people in that place are drunk, anyways. Are you ready to go inside?”

 

Michael hesitated, but nodded his head. The two brothers exited the vehicle and walked up to the front, where they opened the creaky door and stepped inside.

 

The club was just a small room crammed with people; some dancing, others drinking, and some doing both. Techno music vibrated the scene, and the vivid-colored lights from above reflected off of the cloud of smoke which hovered within the bar. In the distance against the wall, four poles were lined up parallel to each other, with dancers tending to them. One of those dancers was Lana.

 

As Jack and Michael maneuvered through the crowd, Jack’s eyes scanned the entire room, as if they were searching for someone in particular.

 

“There’s Lana!” Michael spoke over the amplified club ambience, pointing to a dancer with her shirt off at the pole in the far corner of the bar.

 

“I’m not looking for Lana!” Jack responded. He stood on the tips of his feet, glaring over the dense crowd. “There he is.”

 

Jack began to move away from Michael, who grabbed his arm to stop him. “Where are you going?”

 

“Oh, Mikey.” Jack mumbled as if he had forgotten completely about Michael. He unfolded a five dollar bill from his pocket and handed it to his brother. “Here, buy yourself a drink. I’m going to go say hi to a friend of mine, but I’ll be right back.”

 

Before Michael could respond, Jack disappeared into the crowd. Michael looked down at the bill, and back up at the bar towards the back.

 

He moved into the crowd again and came out on the other side, finding an empty barstool and propping himself onto it. On the other side of the club, he watched Jack approach a tall, black man, who stood firm and still as if he were waiting for someone. Jack patted him on the shoulder, and the two men moved through the door to a private, back room after suspiciously glancing around.

 

The techno song quickly ended, followed by the cheering of the crowd. Michael glanced behind him to the far wall where the dancers were and watched Lana climb down from the pole and into the club. She maneuvered through the audience and approached Michael from behind.

 

“Michael!” she smiled, wrapping her arms around him. She had apparently become comfortable around him quickly. “Where’s Jack?”

 

Michael tried not to notice Lana’s exposed breasts, which bounced playfully as she pulled herself onto the barstool next to him. “I don’t know,” Michael coughed, “he went to go meet a friend of his.”

 

Lana’s smile slowly disappeared and she nervously glanced around the club. “Sh*t.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“Was it a black guy? Tall, reserved?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Sh*t! Where’d they go?”

 

“Into one of the back rooms. What do you mean? Who is that, anyways?”

 

Lana shook her head and locked eyes with Michael. “That’s Samson Wells.”

 

“Samson Wells?”

 

“He’s a drug dealer. He operates through most of the nightclubs around this part of town.”

 

“You mean… Jack–”

 

“Yeah, Jack’s a druggie. A cokehead.”

 

“You’re sh*tting me…”

 

Lana brushed her long, blonde hair out of her eyes and blinked, speaking softly into Michael’s ear. “You know, when I first met your brother, I was a wild girl. I got him in to all that stuff, and I’ve regretted it ever since. We spent almost every night getting wasted, but then it got out of hand. Jack nearly overdosed, and had to be rushed to the hospital. I swore I would never do any drug after that, but Jack – he simply doesn’t care. I swear he’s going to kill himself…”

 

“Have you ever tried to stop him?”

 

“All the time, but it’s no use. It’s like he chooses drugs over me. Whenever I get on to him about it, he says he’ll quit, but then gets at it again the next day. I’m sick of it.”

 

Michael shook his head and stared down into his lap. Jack had been the hero of the family when they were kids, but now it was as if he had given in to everything. For once, it seemed like Jack was the one who needed to be saved.

 

“Michael?”

 

Another feminine and all-too-familiar voice from behind sent a chill down Michael’s spine. He turned in his seat and saw her, wide-eyed and staring at him. It was Claire.

 

“Claire, what are you doing here?” Michael was too shocked to notice the handsome man standing beside her.

 

“What am I doing here? What are you doing here? Michael – I saw the news – I thought you were dead…”

 

Michael and Lana stared clueless at Claire and her date. The awkward glare was returned back.

 

“Who’s this?” Michael questioned, looking up at the man beside his wife.

 

“Oh… this is Roger.” Claire nervously blushed and giggled to hide the shakiness in her voice as she continued. “My boyfriend…”

 

“Boyfriend? How long has this been going on?”

 

“Two years,” the man sneered, giving Michael a rude look and grabbing Claire by the arm, as if to claim her for his own.

 

“What the f*ck?” Michael cursed aloud.

 

“Michael, I was going to tell you, I just… wait a minute, who is this bitch?” Claire made eye contact with a half-naked Lana, lowering her voice as she spoke.

 

Michael glanced between the two women, who stared into each other’s fiery eyes. “Oh… Lana?” He suddenly realized that it looked as if Michael and Lana were together. “This is nothing. I swear.”

 

Claire scoffed at Michael and turned her attention away from the subject. “So, where have you been staying for the past few days? I haven’t seen you at the house.”

 

“You remember my brother Jack? I’ve mentioned him to you before.”

 

Claire nodded as if she understood, but it was obvious that she was completely clueless.

 

“He’s giving me a place to stay. I figured it would be best if you and me had some time away from each other. You know… to think things through.”

 

Claire nodded and laughed, stumbling around as she struggled to control her movements. Michael hadn’t realized she was half-drunk until then. Her date, or as he called himself “Roger”, whispered something into her ear, and she responded by blushing. “Yeah,” she whispered back, “let’s go.” She pecked her lips, and Michael watched the man bend down and kiss her. Feelings of hate quickly began to rage inside of him.

 

“You son of a bitch!” Michael thrust his fist into the Roger’s face, causing him to lose balance and fall onto the wooden bar floor. Michael grabbed a nearby beer bottle and busted it against the counter before climbing on top of him and repeatedly hitting him with it.

 

Roger screamed in pain as the glass tore into his cheek. He grabbed at Michael’s neck, but Michael caught the man’s wrist and shoved it back onto the ground, followed by a cruel head butt, almost knocking Roger unconscious.

 

“Get off of him!” Claire screeched, jumping onto Michael’s back and pulling him off of her date. Lana stood speechless as she watched the violent scene, as did the crowd forming around it. The music stopped.

 

Claire slapped Michael across the face. “I hate you! I hate you!” Her arm reached down and aided Roger in pulling himself off of the ground, as it was obvious he was struggling.

 

Michael stood back in shock as he watched Roger pat at the blood staining his beaten face. Another violent outbreak. But where did it come from?

 

“I swear,” Claire spat at Michael, “sometimes I can tell you’re related to your father.”

 

“Don’t bring my father up,” Michael threatened.

 

“Let’s go, Roger,” Claire mumbled, and both her and her date descended from the bar and into the crowd below. The music began to blare overhead again.

 

“What was that about?” Lana questioned, just as Michael turned from his seat and back to the bar.

 

He chugged a swig of his beer and slammed it down onto the counter. “My wife.”

 

Several bouncers approached Michael from behind, pounding their bulky fists against the palm of their hands. One of them stepped forward, grabbing Michael by the shoulder. “Hey, buddy. You need to leave. Now.”

 

“Or what?”

 

“Or we’ll make you leave.”

 

--------------------

 

The car ride home for Michael was just as awkward as the encounter with his wife and her date. Michael and his brother sat in silence as Jack maneuvered the car through the midnight traffic.

 

“I still can’t believe you got kicked out of that place,” Jack laughed out of the silence.

 

Michael turned his head and stared out the window, ignoring the tease. After several moments of silence again, Michael brought up another subject. “You were doing a drug deal in there, weren’t you Jack?”

 

Michael watched Jack nervously glance at him from the corner of his eye. “Did Lana tell you that?”

 

Michael nodded.

 

“Don’t worry about it, Michael. Lana’s just a little too cautious, that’s all.”

 

“She told me about the time you almost overdosed.”

 

“That’s in the past. Believe me, I know what I’m doing. Just don’t worry about it.”

 

Michael shook his head as the vehicle drove on through the streets of Vegas.

Edited January 19, 2008 by Vercetti21

[Chickstick]

Brilliant. Just brilliant.

 

That's all I have to say about this. Your writing ability is tremendous.

[Oxidizer]

What the stick said.

 

This is yet another of my favorite stories right and and it's kinda inspiring me to get back into writing. Wicked stuff!

 

I sense trouble ahead though with Aces on his way to Vegas...

[Chickstick]

What the stick said.

From now on, I demand to be known by this nickname.

 

And just to make sure this isn't complete spam...

 

V21, I know I've said it before, but it's worth repeating. You have talent. And a lot of it.

[Vercetti21]

Wow, thanks guys! That was some amazing commentary, and it feels nice to know my work is appreciated.

 

 

I sense trouble ahead though with Aces on his way to Vegas...

 

Actually, Aces was killed by the Cosa Nostra in chapter two. That's why Aces' friends are coming to Vegas - they're pissed at the Vegas mafia about killing their soon-to-be Don. Not a big deal though, as I know most of the people who are following this story came in late.

 

Speaking of which, I will probably write up a short recap before I continue much further, as I don't want anybody to be lost.

[saltinespike]

You've done a vrilliant job at making these characters come to life! I could sense the concern of Lana and all the characters' actions. I spotted two grammatical errors, but otherwise, it's a masterpiece. Good work.

[Vercetti21]

Alright, here's the nice little recap I promised. If you haven't been following this story but want to jump in, here is the perfect opportunity.

 

*SPOILER ALERT*

This is to recap what you have read to better understand the story, NOT to replace the story itself. If you do not want to spoil it, only read the following chapter recaps in which you have read.

 

Chapter 1

Michael Sterling, a wealthy casino owner, loses a high stakes poker match against a guy known as 'Aces', but doesn't know that Aces was hired by the Vegas mafia. The Vegas mafia is run by Vincent Mariano and his underboss, Benny Vitale, who made a deal with Aces that if Aces wins the match, both parties split the winnings.

 

Chapter 2

Later that night, a depressed Michael gets drunk and chats with his friend, Leon Jones, who is head of security for the casino, about how he fears the casino's imminent downfall. Michael goes up to his office and gets laid. Meanwhile, Aces brings his half of the winnings to the Vegas mafia, staying true to the agreement. The Vegas mafia instead kills Aces with plans to take all of the winnings. Before he dies, Aces warns that he has powerful friends who will come looking for him. Aces is from Brooklyn.

 

Chapter 3

Tensions rise between everyone the next day. Michael goes home to his wife, Claire, and the couple get in a fight. The Vegas mafia find that they were cheated out of the other half of the poker winnings. Out of anger, they make plans to 'shoot up' Michael's casino and kill Michael in order to take back the streets. Leon Jones is secretly also a part of the mafia, and reluctantly decides to help them, meaning that he will have to betray Michael.

 

Chapter 4

The casino is attacked that night. Leon Jones regrets betraying Michael when he sees the actual incident, while at the same time Michael realizes that Jones and the mafia are working together. Michael is chased out of the casino.

 

Chapter 5

The mafia pursues Michael in a car chase, which ends in Michael's car crashing on a bridge and falling into the river below. When the mafia sees this, they believe Michael to be dead and the job to be done.

 

Chapter 6

The next day, the mafia begins to claim the streets again, extorting businesses and such. Meanwhile, Michael awakes on the bank of the river, surprised that he survived. With no choice, he decides to seek refuge at his brother Jack's house, who he has not spoken to in 15 years. He arrives at the home and greets Jack and his girlfriend Lana. Jack agrees to give Michael a place to stay, but is angry with Michael for being a 'rich snob' and neglecting Jack for all these years.

 

Chapter 7

Later that day, Michael discovers that everyone thinks he is dead. He decides to use this to his advantage as he knows someone wants to kill him, but does not know it is the Vegas mafia. Jack and Michael reevaluate their relationship, and begin to develop a friendship. Meanwhile, the mafia is contacted by Aces' friends: the Gambini Family. They are one of the strongest crime families in America, and are located in Brooklyn.

 

Chapter 8

It is revealed that Aces was Don Gambini's son. The Gambini Family knows that Aces is dead, and know that it is because of the Vegas mafia. The two mafias declare an all-out war on eachother, and the Gambini Family threatens to come to Vegas and completely obliterate the Vegas mafia. That night, Michael and Jack go to a bar, where Lana works as a stripper. While Jack does a drug deal, Lana explains to Michael about Jack's worsening drug problem. Michael later runs in to his wife, Claire, and her boyfriend, who she has been cheating on Michael with for two years. Michael beats the hell out of the boyfriend and is kicked out of the bar, basically ending Michael and Claire's relationship.

 

Chapter 9

The next morning, Benny Vitale is almost killed in a car explosion, which the Cosa Nostra believes to be the work of the Gambini Family, who they are now in a gang war with. Benny gets on to Vincent that he is not doing his job as a leader, and Vincent responds by confronting Benny about the two men's growing tension in their relationship as leader and underboss. Meanwhile, Jack almost overdoses on heroin and cocaine. Finally angered by Jack's drug problem, Michael sets off to find Jack's drug dealer: Samson Wells. When Michael threatens the man to stop selling to Jack, Samson recognizes Michael as being friends with Leon Jones, another one of his buyers. Knowing that Jones is connected with the gunmen who destroyed the casino, Michael loses sight of helping Jack and instead sets off to uncover the mystery about who attacked the casino, by going to pay Jones a visit.

 

Chapter 10

Michael breaks in to Leon Jones' home and waits for him. When Jones arrives, Michael holds him at gunpoint and interrogates him, asking about his connections with the gunmen who destroyed his casino. Jones explains that he has been involved with the mafia, led by Vincent Mariano, and the reasons why they attempted to kill Michael. He also explains that he regrets betraying Michael. Out of anger, Michael kills Jones and sets off to find Vincent Mariano. Meanwhile, Benny Vitale and some of his fellow Mafiosi engage in a shootout between a group of newly-arrived Gambini thugs. The Vegas mafia comes out victorious, leaving Benny slightly wounded and even more convinced that the Cosa Nostra does not have a chance against the Gambini Family.

 

Chapter 11

Michael and a fully-recovered Jack invade the Vegas Mafia's hideout and kill nearly every member inside, with the exception of Benny Vitale, who is not at the scene at the time. Vincent Mariano is killed in the shootout, crippling the Cosa Nostra forever.

 

Chapter 12

Michael and Jack make it back to Jack's house alive, where on the news, they see the destruction they have caused. Jack and Lana are reunited, and Lana is thankful that they are alive. Meanwhile, Benny Vitale makes it back to the hideout to discover that it, along with his beloved boss Vincent Mariano, has been killed. One of the only survivors, a dying Mafioso informs Benny that the attack was caused by Michael Sterling. Angry about what has happened, Benny decides tp get revenge, and sets off to find Claire Sterling, in order to find Michael. He later interrogates her, and she confesses that Michael has been laying low with his brother, Jack. Wanting to have Michael killed in order to gain his inheritance, she tells Benny where to find the two brothers, but is killed by Benny soon after.

 

Chapter 13

Benny raids Jack's home, killing Jack in the process. Michael and Lana are pursued by Benny throughout the house, and when Michael is armed with a shotgun, a violent shootout ensues. Michael and Lana eventually flee from the house and escape via Jack's car, where they are chased by Benny across the city and miles outward into the desert. Benny is eventually killed by Michael, and the commotion's resulting car wreck leaves Michael unconscious. When he comes to, Lana reveals her identity as an undercover cop, and sets Michael free, vowing to protect him from the corrupt legal system. Michael decides to turn away from his past life as a casino tycoon and looks forward into the future as a fugitive of the law.

Edited March 19, 2008 by Vercetti21

[Oxidizer]

That's very useful. Now I know where I'm at. Thanks!

[Chickstick]

That's very useful. Now I know where I'm at. Thanks!

Indeed. Although I've been reading from the start, it appears I had forgotten some of the smaller details, such as Leon being part of the mafia.

[longkissgoodnight]

Hey vercetti - didnt you say before that there are gonna be only 13 chapters? So that means that this story is almost over right? What are you gonna work on next?

[Vercetti21]

Yeah, it's almost over. I've got the rest of the story planned out and everything, I just have to type it out. This will be the first "long" novel I will have completed.

 

As for the future, I have a few plans still in their beginning phase, but I won't say anything yet as I still have to work them out first.

 

Glad the recap helped, guys. It highlighted all of the important stuff, so if you read it you should be mostly caught up.

 

EDIT: Got chapter 9 typed out, but I'll give it some time before I post it. It's awesome! Not only is it the chapter with the most action, it's the chapter that really brings out Michael's changed character, and has a special twist at the end that will tie the whole story and characters together from there. I don't want to spoil it, but I am excited about it.

Edited January 20, 2008 by Vercetti21

[Vercetti21]

Chapter 9: The Beginning of the End

 

Benny Vitale and several fellow Mafiosi walked through the morning dew in the back alley behind headquarters and approached one of the Cosa Nostra’s vehicles.

 

“Sh*t,” Benny cursed, “I forgot my gun. You guys wait for me.”

 

The Mafiosi nodded and entered the Mercedez-Benze. Benny listened to the sound of the engine revving up behind him as he walked away, but was suddenly forced to the ground by the explosion that followed.

 

He looked over his shoulder, his heart pounding in his chest. The vehicle he had almost entered was engulfed in flames, which violently steamed into the air above it. The screams of his friends could be heard from inside the car, but were quickly silenced by a second explosion.

 

“Oh. My. God. Oh my f*cking God.”

 

Benny struggled to pull himself onto his feet. He reached into his pocket and grabbed his cell phone, holding it up to his ear after selecting Vincent Mariano’s name from the ‘contacts’ list.

 

He stared into the blazing inferno in front of him as he spoke, for the first time ever, with a slight tone of fear in his voice. “Aces’ friends are already here in town, Vince. They rigged the cars.”

 

 

--------------------

 

Michael quickly awoke to the sound of screaming. Sitting up from the torn cushions of the couch, he jumped to his feet and glanced around the room. The screams belonged to Lana, and they were coming from the bathroom.

 

Michael sprinted down the hall towards Lana. Cautiously approaching her, he glared down towards the bathroom floor to see what she was staring at.

 

Leaning against the rotten tile wall was a barely-conscious Jack, clutching the inside of his arm. His face was extremely pale; his eyes red and only half-open. He wasn’t moving.

 

Tears streamed from Lana’s eyes as she dug her face into Michael’s shoulder. Michael gasped in fright as his eyes moved from Jack to the open syringes on the floor.

 

“Heroin,” Michael breathed.

 

Jack’s bag of drugs was open and spilled out onto the floor, and consisted of a nearly-empty bag of cocaine, along with several bottles of pills. Michael reached down and pinched the bag of cocaine, holding it up in the air and observing its contents, or lack thereof. “Jack, you bought coke just last night, and now it’s almost gone. How much did you take?”

 

Lana dropped to her knees and looked into Jack’s fixated eyes. “Jack, honey,” she spoke slowly, “how much did you take?” She tried not to stare at the blood dripping from his forearm, where he had also injected himself with heroin.

 

Jack’s swollen eyes continued to blankly stare at the bathroom wall in front of him. He barely mumbled something, but it was untranslatable.

 

Lana’s hand reached up and made contact with Jack’s ice-cold cheek, and she looked back at Michael with two worried eyes. “We have to get him to a hospital.”

 

Michael shook his head, his face slowly becoming angry. “Call an ambulance.” He turned from the doorway and marched into the living room, where he began to quickly get dressed.

 

“Where are you going?” Lana nervously inquired, following him into the room.

 

“Jack’s drug dealer,” Michael began, grabbing Jack’s keys from the kitchen table, “What’s his name again?”

 

“Samson… Wells.”

 

“Where can I find him?”

 

Lana dropped her head into her hands, overwhelmed at the chaotic situation. “Wait, what? Why?”

 

Michael’s determined eyes looked into Lana’s tearing face. “Because I can’t see my brother like that. I won’t. I’m going to ask Jack’s dealer to stop selling to Jack, and if he won’t, I’m going to force him.”

 

 

--------------------

 

Benny forced himself through the door to Vincent’s office, wiping the sweat from his forehead. His shirt was slightly torn, his face charcoal-black. “They’re dead, Vince. Some of our guys were killed in the blast.”

 

“Son of a bitch,” Vincent grunted, slamming his fist down onto the table in front of him.

 

Benny walked over to the window and looked out onto the city, which was being illuminated by the bright, morning son. His eyes scanned the horizon as he spoke. “They’re out there somewhere, and they know where we’re at. This is war, Vince, and they won’t stop until every last one of us is dead. Now the question is, are you going to step up and do something about it? Or are you going to continue to sit on your ass, smoking cigars all day and letting me do all the work?” Benny stepped away from the window and leaned towards Vincent, who was sitting at his desk.

 

Silence filled the room as both men stared into each other’s frustrated eyes. Vincent, who sat astonished at the accusation, shook his head in dismay. He puffed on his cigar and carefully placed it in the ashtray before him before looking back up to Benny.

 

Vincent’s hand quickly snatched Benny’s ear, slamming his head onto the wooden desk. Vincent pulled his weight forward, squeezing Benny’s skull between his arm and the table. “Now you listen to me, Vitale,” Vincent threatened, clenching his teeth together as he whispered, “I’ve done the best I f*cking can to keep this organization from getting f*cked in the ass, and one thing is for sure: you answer to me. Don’t you ever f*cking tell me I’m not doing my job again, or I swear, I’ll cut your f*cking balls off and feed them to the rats.”

 

Benny struggled to breathe as he squealed beneath Vincent’s powerful arm.

 

“If there’s anything I know about how to win a war,” Vincent continued, “it’s that when they hit you, you hit them back, and you hit them harder. Don’t come waving your f*cking finger around in my face, trying to put the blame on me. You’re the muscle of this organization, but that’s all you will ever be. Think you have the smarts to stand in my shoes? Think I don’t know you want me dead, so that you can take my place? Yeah, I know Benny. You want power. But you can’t handle it, and you never will be able to handle it.”

 

Vincent released his tough grip on Benny’s head and shoved him onto the ground.

 

“Get the f*ck out of my office and go do your job!” Vincent roared, pointing his finger at the door.

 

Benny’s frightened eyes glared up at the fuming tyrant. “Y-y-yes sir.”

 

 

--------------------

 

Michael turned the car around a corner and pulled to the side of the road, just across the street from the location Lana had given him. He looked up at the building: a brand new apartment complex, which had obviously been built for the higher class.

 

Michael yanked the keys from the ignition and stepped out of the car, storming across the street and through the front doors into the lobby of the building.

 

“Can I help you, sir?” the receptionist questioned, pushing his glasses further onto his nose.

 

Michael calmly walked over to the front desk. “I’m looking for Samson Wells. What room is he in?”

 

“I’m sorry sir, but I can’t release that information.”

 

Michael scoffed and quickly pulled a switchblade from his jacket. He grabbed the man by the collar and pulled him closer, holding the blade in front of his terrified face. “I said I’m looking for Samson-f*cking-Wells. Now let’s try this again. What room is he in?”

 

The receptionist squealed as he looked into Michael’s determined face. Across his jaw, a full beard had formed, with patches of rough stubble still in some areas where it had not grown. The scent of cigarette smoke emerged from Michael’s throat and into the man’s panicky expression. The man looked over at a paper on his desk, which listed all of the tenants and their respective room numbers. “Apartment 304!” he coughed, “On the third floor!”

 

Michael smiled cynically and shoved the man back into his chair, which flipped backwards as he landed into it. The man rolled across the floor and against the wall behind his desk. Michael casually walked past him and into the elevator, which took him to the third floor.

 

An empty corridor lay in front of him, with doors to different apartments on either side. Michael paced through the hall, glancing at the different room numbers as he passed them.

 

“300… 302…”

 

Michael stopped in his tracks when he came upon the door to room 304. Holding the switchblade steady, he moved it into his sleeve to conceal it. He knocked on the door, and stepped back.

 

After a moment of silence, a deep voice answered from the other side of the door. “Go the f*ck away!” The voice sounded as if it belonged to a black man. It sounded as if it matched Samson Wells’ face.

 

“Open up!” Michael responded, pounding on the door again.

 

“I said get lost, buddy. I’m not selling to anyone right now.”

 

Frustrated, Michael leaned in closer to the door in order hear what was going on inside. Heavy breathing emerged from the room, followed by a woman’s soft, pleasurable moan.

 

“That’s it,” Michael whispered to himself, “I’m not waiting any longer.”

 

Adrenaline pulsated through his body as he stepped back again and, in one swift move, shoved his foot into the door. The hinges broke, and the door flung open against the wall. Michael quickly rushed through the opening, storming into the front room of the apartment.

 

Samson lay on top of a woman in the bed, using his bare pelvis to thrust into her naked body, just as Michael hurriedly entered the room. The woman screamed, grabbing the covers from the bed and hiding her exposed parts, which left Samson nude as he fell from the bed and onto the floor below.

 

Michael stormed over to him, holding him onto the ground by his neck.

 

“Who the f*ck are you?” Samson managed to breathe.

 

Michael punched the man in the face as hard as he could, causing blood to explode from Samson’s mouth and several teeth to shatter. Michael leaned closer and grunted. “Shut the f*ck up!”

 

The woman screamed again from the bed, causing Michael to turn his attention away from Samson. In that instant, Samson leaped from the floor, pushing Michael off of him.

 

The two men lunged into the wall behind Michael; a picture fell and shattered. Their arms reached towards each other’s neck, holding it tightly. Michael struggled to push the man away, but Samson clenched his fist and shoved it into Michael’s gut. Michael lost his breath for a moment, falling to his knees.

 

The woman leaped from the bed and ran from the room with the blanket covered around her. As she neared the door to the apartment, she lost her grasp of it, causing the blanket to fall to the ground. But she didn’t care. She ran from the apartment completely nude, screaming and yelling her way down the corridor.

 

Samson pulled Michael back onto his feet by the collar and forced another punch into his stomach. Michael, who could barely catch his breath, tried to hit him back, but it was no use. Samson continued to grasp for Michael’s collar and punch him wherever he could.

 

Another fist came rushing into contact with Michael’s face. As Samson winded his arm up again, Michael quickly moved to the side, causing Samson’s fist to hurl into the wall.

 

Michael pushed Samson away from him and stepped back, frantically grabbing the switchblade from his sleeve. He waved it in the air as Samson cautiously approached him, but Michael quickly attacked; charging at Samson while holding the evident blade above his head.

 

Samson caught the wrist which held the knife, and both men launched backwards down the hall and into the living area. As they twirled around the room, struggling to control the weapon, several miscellaneous items fell from their surfaces, adding to the havoc of the situation.

 

Michael squeezed the blade and moved it enough to slice at Samson’s hand. A trickle of blood emerged, but Samson continued to try and hold the knife with pressure.

 

Michael then raised his foot and kicked into Samson’s gut twice. The first was unsuccessful, but the second caused Samson to lose his balance and trip backwards, tumbling over the couch. As soon as he hit the ground, Michael dove over to him, carefully holding the knife against the man’s exposed penis. Samson didn’t make a move as he lay on the floor in shame.

 

“You sell drugs to Jack Sterling,” Michael began, struggling to catch his breath. “It needs to stop.”

 

Samson formed a ball of saliva in his mouth and spat into Michael’s direction. “f*ck you! Jack is one of my most loyal buyers. You can’t tell me what to do.”

 

“Oh?” Michael pinched the knife against one of Samson’s testicles and sliced into it. Blood splattered out onto the floor, and Samson howled in pain. “Careful, that’s Michael Sterling you’re talking to. Now, each time you disrespect me or don’t do what I say, I take a nut. If I got to say it again after that, I’m cutting the dick off.”

 

Samson tried to hide his squealing by giving Michael a dirty look, but it was obvious he was in pain. He had no choice but to cooperate. “Michael Sterling? You’re the Michael Sterling?”

 

Michael held the blade closer to Samson’s other testicle; the only one that was still intact. “Shut the f*ck up. I’m asking the questions here.”

 

“No no no! Wait – you’re friends with Jones!”

 

Michael’s mind went blank as he loosened his grip on the blade and stared into Samson’s helpless eyes. “What the f*ck do you know about Leon Jones?”

 

“He’s one of my other buyers. A friend of mine.”

 

It all came back to Michael at the sound of the name: although Michael wanted to help his brother, he also knew that Leon had betrayed him, and that he needed to get to the bottom of finding out who was involved in the casino shooting in order to reinvigorate his casino empire. He wasn’t interested in revenge, but he knew he needed to destroy whoever stood in his way of rebuilding the casino.

 

Michael’s thoughts were quickly interrupted as Samson lunged at Michael from the floor, grabbing at his neck. Michael foiled the attack by crushing his fist against Samson’s jawbone, sending the man back onto the ground.

 

“You think I’m kidding?! What did I say about disrespecting me?” Michael reached down and slowly carved Samson’s only testicle out of its package. Samson screamed like a little girl, closing his eyes and catching the knot in his throat. The testicle rolled out onto the wooden floor and Michael stepped on it, squashing it into nothing. “Oops, sorry. Looks like your kids are going to be a little f*cked up.”

 

Michael held the switchblade against the shaft of Samson’s penis, speaking softly as he continued. “I’m going to ask you one more time, and if you don’t give me a straight answer, I’m cutting it off.”

 

“No, please! Stop! I’ll tell you everything you need to know!”

 

Michael clenched the blade tighter. “Jones! Where is he?”

 

“He’s got a house on the south side of town. Lives there alone. It’s in the suburban area near the Strip. First house on the left, second street.”

 

Michael smiled. “And Jack?”

 

“I’ll stop selling to him! Just please – God don’t cut it off!” Samson glared down at his mutilated groin, soaked in a pool of his own blood.

 

Michael stood to his feet and concealed the blade again. This was his chance to find out who was behind the casino incident. All he had to do was find Leon Jones. Leon had betrayed him, and had to know who the gunmen were.

 

Michael glared down at the injured black man, who now remained still and quiet in Michael’s presence. Michael grinned, and swiftly jabbed his foot into Samson’s already-obliterated penis. Samson yelped and moaned, and as Michael began to leave the devastated apartment, he was able to hear the soft sobbing of a man – a man who could no longer technically call himself a man at all.

 

[Chickstick]

A great chapter, and in particular a great last sentence!

[Vercetti21]

Heh, thanks. And off the record, writing the part about Samson being interrogated by Michael made me cringe.

[Oblivionz]

Loved this chapter, particularly the neutering part.

[saltinespike]

Pretty damn good chapter, man. I wish I was as smart. I could fit everything together.

[Vercetti21]

The next chapter fits everything together, when Michael interrogates Jones, but this one leads to it.

 

Anyways, once Michael finds out it was the Cosa Nostra who set him up, it's mostly all action from there.

 

EDIT: Updated the recap, and posted a link to it in the first post.

Edited January 21, 2008 by Vercetti21

[Don Garcia aka NjNakedSnake]

Wow V, you're writing kind of intimidates me.

 

I just wanted to do some short, action stories, but the way you've written makes me hesitant to even bother. You write line by line, I do paragraphs, that might be too blocky if you get my meaning.

 

My story needs more breaks I think.

[Vercetti21]

Hah, dude, it doesn't matter if it's paragraphs or line-by-line; writing is writing.

 

I just wanted to go in depth with this story, but at the cost of creating long ass chapters, which tends to be not-so-friendly on the eyes for some people.

 

You should definitely be organized, but don't worry too much about breaks. And don't let this intimidate you, you're a great writer! I know a lot of your work in FTS made me feel pretty crappy when I compared it to mine.

 

Please follow through with your stories.

[Don Garcia aka NjNakedSnake]

I will, if you don't mind, can I post the quick synopsis, as of now, of my story?

[Vercetti21]

Yeah dude, I'll read it. But I'd recommend putting it in the Writer's Ideas thread. It would get more criticism there.

[Don Garcia aka NjNakedSnake]

Alright, although I didn't really care what other people thought, I'll just PM you. Tell me what you think, it's promising, but works gotta be done.

[Vercetti21]

Ehh, the next chapter is still underway, just barely. I'm having some life issues at the moment, but I'm hoping to get the next part out by this weekend or sometime next week. Stay tuned!

 

And remember to check out the recap if you need to catch up, or as just something to pass the time.

[TomVDC]

I like it.

No, better i love it.

Sometimes i write stories for fun but this is way better.

KUTGW.

[Vercetti21]

Chapter 10: Connections

 

Michael Sterling maniacally swerved Jack’s 1971 Firebird around the curb and parked in a vacant lot near Leon Jones’ home. Grabbing his trusty switchblade, Michael exited the vehicle and casually walked to the front door of the location that had been given to him by Samson Wells, the drug dealer.

 

Michael pounded on the door, readying the blade at his side. There was no answer. Michael waited, and pounded on the door again. Nothing.

 

After an unsuccessful search for a key in and around the front porch, Michael moved around to the side of the house to try and find a way inside. When he approached a wall of latticework, covered in vines and ivy, Michael carefully places his foot inside one of the openings and climbed to the roof.

 

He steadied himself, balancing his weight as he scaled to the top of the roof and back over to the other side, where he jumped down onto a small, wooden balcony, reachable only by the set of glass doors which lay before him. After a quick glance inside the room, Michael cautiously and quietly slid one of the unlocked doors to the side and slipped through the opening, closing it behind him.

 

He searched the isolated room on the second floor, which looked to be an office. Michael scanned through each desk drawer for any incriminating evidence, only to find nothing.

 

Michael creaked the door open and peaked out into the hall. Empty. He passed through the doorway and carefully made his way down the corridor, pressing his body against the wall. When he reached a second door, Michael glanced inside. It looked to be Jones’ bedroom, a perfect spot for Michael to hide.

 

As Michael entered the room, he heard the faint noise of a vehicle’s ignition shutting off outside. He fixed his eyes through the blinds in the window and glared outside at Leon Jones, who was closing the car door behind him in the driveway. Perfect timing.

 

Michael stepped into the closet and again closed the door behind him, burying himself within several sets of jackets hanging from the coat rack above. Allowing himself a pocket of air to breathe, Michael stared through the small opening in the door, where he was able to receive a perfect view of the bedroom. And now all he had to do was wait.

 

 

--------------------

 

It was official. The Vegas Cosa Nostra and the Gambini Family were now in a gang war. The Gambini Family was mad because the Vegas mafia killed their Don’s son, and the Vegas mafia was mad because of the Gambini’s invasion of Las Vegas. And, although he knew it was hopeless, Benny Vitale would stop at nothing to put an end to it.

 

The Mercedes he and the other Mafiosi were in drove on down the Strip within the early evening traffic. As they approached a stop light, several men exited a building nearby and spilled out onto the corner of the street. Benny recognized the building. It belonged to one of the shopkeepers he had extorted in his attempt to bring the mafia back into power.

 

Benny pulled to the side of the road and parked the car.

 

“Hey, Benny,” a Mafiosi snorted, “what the f*ck are you doing?”

 

“Shut the f*ck up.” Benny glared into the rearview mirror, watching the group of men form into a circle near an alley, where they appeared to be discussing business. “Those guys look really f*cking suspicious if you ask me.”

 

“Think they’re Gambinis?”

 

“I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.” Benny opened the door and pulled himself out of the vehicle, leaving the other Mafiosi in silence. After a moment of glancing around at each other, they exited and followed their leader.

 

Benny and the other Mafiosi approached the group of men, who each wore an expensive suit and flashy tie. Benny lit a cigarette as he stepped forward towards the leader of the group. The two men locked eyes.

 

“You boys look like tourists. Can I help you with something?” Benny mumbled as he casually puffed on his cigarette.

 

The well-dressed men turned their heads and exchanged glances with the members of the Vegas mafia. The leader of their group smiled, spitting on the pavement. “You looking for trouble? Get lost, pal.” Benny was surprised to find that the man spoke in a deep, Brooklyn accent. It was the same accent as Aces, or – as Benny had recently discovered – Eddie ‘Aces’ Gambini.

 

Members from both groups of thugs faced each other with threatening looks. They knew who each other were.

 

“Gambini scum,” Benny spat.

 

The leader of the group of Gambinis cracked his knuckles and stepped forward, inching into Benny’s rude face. “What was that?”

 

“I said,” Benny spoke just before exhaling a cloud of smoke into the man’s face, “Gambini scum. Vegas is our town.”

 

The leader’s fake smile disappeared. “You killed Eddie. You know what we’re here for.”

 

“And what are you going to do about it?”

 

Benny’s threatening grin was wiped clean off of his face when the leader’s fist came barreling into it. Benny pulled himself back and felt at the blood around his mouth. Everyone drew their gun.

 

 

--------------------

 

It was almost dark now. Michael had been waiting in Leon Jones’ closet for almost an hour before the man actually entered the room.

 

Michael watched him through the crack in the door as he flipped on the television and began to undress. After unlocking the belt from his waist, Jones tossed the holster and his weapon, an 8mm, onto the bed. As Jones let out a long sigh and unbuttoned his shirt, Michael watched his depressed, elongated face. He looked different.

 

Leon Jones was not the same man Michael had known several days before. Now that Michael had found out secrets about his old friend – such as his cocaine addiction and association with the gunmen – Michael saw him in a different light. Or rather no light at all. Jones looked as if he had been completely consumed in darkness. And it appeared to overwhelm him.

 

Michael took a deep breath and exploded from the closet door, quickly catching Leon’s attention. Leon screamed in surprise as he fell backwards into his chair, but froze when Michael pounced at the 8mm from the bed and pointed it at him.

 

“Michael, I thought you were dead.”

 

“So does the rest of Vegas.” Michael tightened his grip on the pistol, which felt powerful in his hand. He hadn’t held a firearm since the night of the casino massacre. “You betrayed me, Jones. You f*cked me over.”

 

“You don’t understand, Mikey. I didn’t have a choice.”

 

The way Jones referred to Michael as ‘Mikey’ reminded him of his brother Jack, who he had grown close with over the past few days. “Don’t call me that.”

 

Sweat formed above Jones’ forehead as he gulped with fear. Michael stood in front of him with the barrel of the weapon placed against it. Michael spoke again with deep authority in his voice. “You’re connected with the guys who shot up the casino – the guys who tried to kill me. Who are they?”

 

Jones hesitated and squirmed slightly in the chair. “It’s the mafia, Michael. I’m close friends with the boss-”

 

“And who is that?” Michael interrupted.

 

“His name is Vincent Mariano.”

 

“Why, Jones? We were friends. You were my only friend for the longest time.”

 

“I know, Michael. But like I said, I didn’t have a choice.”

 

“F*ck that,” Michael roared as he squeezed the gun against Leon’s forehead. “I treated you like family, and all this time you’ve been a spy in my casino – just another pawn for the criminals tearing up this city.”

 

“I know, Michael. I know. But I can’t say I didn’t regret it.”

 

“Why is there a hit on me, Jones? Tell me that, you lying motherf*cker.”

 

Jones sighed. “The guy that beat you in the poker match last week…”

 

“Aces?”

 

“Yeah. He was hired by us.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Because a lot of people gambled on the matches you played every night, including the mafia. If we bet on a guy we knew would win, knowing that everyone else would bet for you, we would have made a huge profit.”

 

“What do you mean ‘would have’?”

 

“It didn’t turn out that way. It was all a set up. Aces f*cked us out of the winnings, and we did the same. So Vince decided that enough was enough, and attacked the casino.”

 

“You’re saying the mafia wants the streets back?”

 

“Exactly. Before The Royal, the Cosa Nostra owned this town. But I guess times changed. We attempted to take the city back, and now all it has come down to is a gang war.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Aces was killed later that night, and we found out yesterday that he was the son of the Don for the Gambini Family in Brooklyn.”

 

“The Gambini Family?” Michael gasped. “Bullsh*t. Those guys have been around since the 30’s. Since when does the Vegas mafia pick a fight with one of the most notorious crime families in America?”

 

“They don’t. But like I said, it was all a set up. The Cosa Nostra just wanted power, and now we’re f*cked.”

 

Michael pulled the head of the 8mm back until it locked the hammer in place before again pointing it at Jones’ head. “Well, you f*cked me in the process. You made a mistake.”

 

“Michael, please. Put the gun down and we’ll talk this out.”

 

“I’ve had enough talking, Jones. For the past week, I’ve had to fight for my business, my reputation, and my life. And it was all thanks to you, you motherf*cker. Well I’m done. I’m finishing the fight right now.”

 

“Look, Michael, I can help you! I know what I did was wrong, but give me a chance to redeem myself. I feel like sh*t about everything, just knowing that innocent lives have been lost. I don’t want to die with this guilt hanging over my head.”

 

“It’s too late to pick sides, Jones. You’ve made your decision. No more secrets.” Michael pressed the barrel of the gun into Jones’ open mouth. “Now tell me. Where do I find this…Vincent Mariano?”

 

Tears flooded from Jones’ swollen eyes as he begged for his life. He knew he deserved to die, but he didn’t want it to end like this. “He’s at headquarters,” Jones managed to mumble with the gun pressed against his throat, “a warehouse south of the Strip.”

 

The two men stared into each other’s eyes one last time. Jones could see that Michael was a different man now as well. The attack on his casino was the final straw for a man plagued with bad luck, and it had brought out his darker side; a side no one, including Michael, had ever known to exist.

 

“Goodbye, Jones.”

 

And at that, Michael squeezed the trigger, shattering Jones’ brains against the wall behind him. Jones’ body and half of his head went limp and fell forward in the chair, plopping onto the floor below.

 

Michael smiled mischievously. This was his chance to hit back the mafia, his chance to renew his empire. And with the mafia now in a gang war, it was the perfect chance to weaken Vincent’s criminal organization even more. And it all began with the murder of Jones, who was once Michael’s friend.

 

Michael turned with the gun in his hand and left the room. Now that the spy was taken care of, the next name on his list of victims was Vincent Mariano, the man who had organized it all.

 

 

--------------------

 

Gunfire echoed in the alleyway where the Vegas mafia and the Gambini Family had just engaged in a violent shootout.

 

After Benny shot and killed the leader of the Gambinis, everyone ran for cover and the madness began. Several of the Cosa Nostra’s men stepped out from behind a car and fired rounds, but only two returned to cover. The rest fell dead onto the pavement, blood oozing out of their fresh bullet wounds.

 

Benny was crouched against a dumpster, Desert Eagle in hand. He rose from behind cover a squeezed off two Gambinis, while wounding another in the leg. The wounded gangster dropped to the ground and desperately crawled for safety, but it was too late. Benny emerged again and fired several shots into the man’s body until he stopped moving.

 

As the gunfire continued, the blood increased. Bodies from both sides dropped to the ground one by one, until it was down to the last men: Benny and one other Mafioso, along with the last Gambini.

 

The last of the Gambinis sprang out from behind the wall of the building and sprinted towards Benny, dual pistols blazing into the air. A gunshot echoed from behind, and the man fell face forward onto the pavement. Benny finished him off with a powerful shot in the head.

 

Benny glanced around at the bloody scene, and locked eyes with his now only ally.

 

“Holy sh*t,” the Mafioso grunted, “these f*ckers are tough.”

 

Benny raised his hand from his abdomen, and blood spilled out onto the ground. “F*cking shot me,” he spat, lighting up another cigarette.

 

“I’ll tell you one thing, though,” Benny added as the two men made their way back to the Mercedes, “this war ain’t going to last long.”

Edited February 6, 2008 by Vercetti21

[Chickstick]

A wonderful chapter.

 

I want this to end and yet don't as well- I'm looking forward to what you've got planned for the conclusion yet want to be able to read new parts for this for a long time yet.

 

Fantastic writing.

[longkissgoodnight]

Just got the chance to read it - its awesome. I will be following this one to the end as well.

[saltinespike]

What Chickstick said. Purty damn good. Will be waiting for the next.