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isn’t any. There are plenty of people who hire bodyguards and after what happened in New York you of all people should appreciate his presence. ”
    “ Seriously, that was years ago and I’m not going to let some piece of shit like Freddie cause me to stop living. My dad got me a licensed pistol and any body stupid enough to try me is catching lead in their ass! ”
    “I’m sure your licensed gun is sitting in a locked drawer in your apartment,” she said turning to look at her best friend with curiosity, “right?”
    “I wanted to bring it, for real but I only have a license for NYC?”
    “ I figured as much. ”
    “Y ou’re a trip, chica! ” Shanda stressed in her imitation of Alfonzo .
    Selange shook her head in exasperation , ” And y ou’re incorrigible.”
    “ Whatever, a nyway, I want to hit the beach and check out the locals.” She glanced in Franky’s direction, “We’re dumping hi s ass f or a couple of hours and it’s not up for debate.”
    “Shanda?” But Shanda was already moving away and approached a saleswoman. Selange waited until she returned to ask, “What are you scheming?”
    “You’ll see, come on!” She grabbed a handful of items from the rack and pulled Selange to the dressing room.
    Inside the private fitting area she put the clothes down then peered through a crack in the wooden slats to view the scene unfold. The saleswoman was approaching Franky . T hey talked then a security guard from the mall appeared . This was followed by a slight commotion as Franky argued with the officer. Shanda grimaced guiltily when more officers appeared and Franky was escorted out the store.
    Selange watch ed then exclaimed, “Shanda what did you do?”
    “Come on, let’s go.” She grabbed her friend’s hand and they fled past the saleswoman into the bustling mall.
    Up ahead they could see Franky towering above a pair of officers as they escorted him toward one of the exits. Shanda pulled Selange east through the revolving doors and into the island’s beautiful warmth to freedom.
    ***
    A LFONZO worked in the home office as Sal frolicked beneath the desk with his toy cars. They’d returned from the construction site and he was going over the blue-prints to make some minor changes. He planned to head over to the barber after his son ate lunch then stop in to talk with the architect about the addendums right after the conference . He checked his watch and frowned. Th e day was going by rapidly. The videoconference was scheduled for eight o’clock Central European Time. This gave him another hour to peruse the quarterly statements and update the shareholders during their semi-annual meeting. Usually, he flew to Italy for these meetings but right now he needed to remain home and be the attentive family man.
    His wife simply didn’t understand there were obligations once ignored opened the door to dissension. The group of shareholders were men loyal to his father and required continuous pacification. – S o , he coddled them, sent extravagant gifts to their wives and children on birthdays along with sizable donations to their favorite charities . He c ontinued to honor his father’s agreement in matters of politics and social affairs. He did these things and more because it was the only way to ensure his family’s protection. They were men who possessed egos as large as their bank accounts and grudges without end. His uncle and Alberti assisted in navigation through their customs as well as represent ation when compatriotism were warranted. D espite his wealth and familial association to Luzo Palazzo, Alfonzo remained an outsider in the eyes of the men ; a fact he never forgot.
    “F inished yet p oppy ?” A little voice asked from beneath the desk.
    “In a minute, hijo .”
    “Wh at you doing it’s taking long ? ” His son whined .
    “ Adding.”
    “ M ommy uses a callugator .”
    Alfonzo smirked at the mispronunciation, “It’s called a cal -cu-la-tor .”
    “ C al-q-later