12. Icy Harlem

Sterling Johnson was standing in all his glory at the front of his mansion in the snow with nothing but a tank top and trousers. He was immune to the ice and cold. He was used to the frost. He even showered with cold water in the middle of the winter when he needed to. He had been through so much hardship in life and so much hurt that he couldnt feel pain any more. He just felt pleasure now. When he was objected to by his sons about wearing a coat he smiled at them "Frost is a blessing from the lord himself. The lord won't hurt me but men will." He then had turned to his men to instruct them to keep the security as tight as possible.

Streling walked outside barefoot on the snow as he saw the first guests arriving. That was his man O'Neil. He always got there first. That was his style. He was mostly racing with Francesco to his home and had won. O'Neil's spirit was like how they were younger. He was competitive, alive, full of life and wanted to be the best. O'Neil was in his own world, a good friend, a man he could trust with his life, man who understood the American dream and lived it to the full. He had alot in common with O'Neil. Emanuelle had tasted death before and so had Sterling. Both men knew what it was like to see death so close. Both had nearly died before. Emanuelle had been once ambushed on his plane which he escaped from with his parachute and Sterling had been shot by cops many times. One time he nearly even saw a white light only for it to be replaced by Francesco's and O'Neils faces. He owed his life to Francesco and Emanuelle who once had saved him from the cops who were taking him to a morgue instead of a hospital. That was how it was back then. If you were black you didnt get medical treatment by some cops. They prefered it if you died from gun shots. But lucky for him that one time, Francesco and Emanuelle had blocked the path of the police and had demanded him to be handed over to be taken to the doctors.

Streling thought back to the past. He was very young when he had met O'Neil and his favourite Rosario. Maybe eleven or twelve. They were regulars at a boxing club weher teens boxed too. On the boxing ring was where Sterling felt true equal rules. No one could cheat. There was no where to hide. You either did beat your opponent or you didn't. That was where he had seen Costanzo and Francesco boxing away their time away. O'Neil sneaked into that club too without his parent's knowledge when he stayed over at Francesco's house. The boys had bonded through boxing and had formed a friendship for life and business partnerships too. Now the men were all established in business. But they were never finished. It was crucial times for them.

O'Neil got off the car as he walked outside as he helped his wife step outside. That was O'Neil's style always giving a helping hadn to his wife when he didnt even need to. That woman needed no man to rely on. But she went with what O'Neil did. He had no idea how O'Neil even kept her by his side. It must have been pure love or if any other man came close, she would have shot them. O'Neil embraced Sterling "My man. How are you holding up?"

Sterling pattend O'Neil on the back "My man. I am holding up just fine, unless you brought cops with you. Have you brought trouble with you man?"

O'Neil chuckled and pulled away as he shook his head "No cops. I have only brought my wife and kids plus some security forces in case a fight breaks out." He then looked at sancia " My wife Sancia is very happy to be here. Aren't you darling?"

Sancia nodded and took the offered hand from Sterling. She shook his hand  " Of course. I am delighted...  to see Virginia." She then looked past Sterling at his wife approaching as she let go of Sterling's hand. She then walked to Sterling's wife who opened her arms to embrace her. They then disappeared inside the house as they had a special bond completely ignoring the men.

Sterling looked at O'Neil " Well. At least  I got a handshake from your wife. That's an improvement." He looked at Clarisa " My favourite O'Neil in the whole world. You have grown so much kid."

Clarisa offered her hand for Sterling to shake. Instead he took her hand and planted a kiss on it. That was a big compliment. Sterling recognised a worthy lady when he saw one. He had a lot of respect for clarisa. He looked up at O'Neil as he let go of Clarissa's hand " Sancia has raised a lady. I always wished I had a daughter. Clarisa comes close and of course right now I have found a daughter. Have you met Erika who is Sean's girlfriend."

Just then Sterling's son, Sean walked forward hand in hand with Erika. O'Neil politely greeted them.

Sterling walked to Trent and Tristan who were standing back waiting to be addressed. He stood in front of Tristan " Tristan, when I look at you I see your father. He had to work so hard for his woman. I hear you have lasted well so far as Vienna's man. If Francesco, is convinced by you then any man alive would be too. I look forward to see you contribute in the conferences we hold. He then walked to Trent " Young man. You are the lucky one to have big brother to look up to. You remind me of your uncle Sergio a lot. I don't know why. You just do." He turned to O'Neil " Why don't everyone go inside and hang out while I take a walk with you O'Neil. It's been a long time."

O'Neil asked " Where do we take our suitcases?"

Sterling replied " My men will take them for you to the special guest houses next to my grand hotel. It's a short walk through the tunnels. They will sort it. You come with me O'Neil."

Emanuelle nodded to his children who followed Sean and Erika inside to hang out. The house of Sterling Johnson was different to their own. His wife was an interior designer so they loved exploring the new parts of the house and Sean's room as the only child was always packed with interesting gadgets."

Sterling stared at O'Neil " Man. I like how you have brought an entire army to my house in the name of security." He then pointed to oneil's men who were standing around their trucks full of weapons in the far corner of the massive yard. " What is this man? I told you to bring some essentials for the night."

O'Neil explained " Its nothing personal. It's just precaution in case anyone decides to ambush us."

Sterling laughed "You are funny man. No one in their right mind would come here. These cops have spread that we shoot any white man that comes our way. No one thinks we would hold any conference of any sort for gangsters here. Even if they do, they hope we massacre all the guests and finish the job for FBI. They want us to fight each other and finish the job for them before they even start. They want to pick us one by one but they don't know we are going to try to unite on matters. What can I say? These cops do anything to ruin reputation of the Harlem code of honour. We don't kill Italians and the Irish who don't want to kill us. We don't just shoot people for no reason."

O'Neil smiled " Come on man. Aren't you even tempted a little bit to shoot anyone of us? Not even Agostini?"

Sterling laughed hard as he walked away as O'Neil walked with him "No I am not tempted but I am guessing you have brought security partially because of Agostini. You are wary of the man for a good reason. He needs to send one command to his people in Italy, and he can issue your death warrant in Europe. But I would be wary of Voltolini too. He is gaining power fast too. But they don't mess with the Irish. You are safe. But for the records if anyone is after you for any reason my brothers and I will fight for you man. Harlem stands with you my Irish brother. We take care of our own people." He then smiled as he put his hand on O'Neils shoulder " The first time you called my people yours, I didn't believe you. But then you proved it to me man. You are an honorary Harlem resident. So is Francesco. You are always welcome here but I am disappointed you don't come visit often."

O'Neil sighed " Sterling. Times have changed. We are on borrowed time or rather it feels like it. We both work 24 hours a day. That's not enough to keep us safe and you know it. Change is coming. I go back to your point. Where ever you have heard that the FBI wants us to destroy each other, the information is accurate. They want us dead by our own hands so they don't have to do much. They want us weakened. They want our alliances broken. Tonight I am looking for traitors at the conference and so should you. Anyone who doesn't believe in unity is a traitor and most likely to betray his fellow businessman to the FBI if the price is freedom. Are you in or out Sterling. There will be bloodshed. The weak must go. Are you willing to fight? Or you wish to be neutral? Which is it?"

Sterling looked around him and stopped walking " I have always had my suspicions man. I am with you. Some men should not be left alive as they are a liability. I will fight with you but is Francesco on your side?"

O'Neil nodded " He is but let's say he is occupied with other matters right now. His old man has come visiting uninvited."

Sterling shook his head " I get you man. I won't expect him to contribute much then. What the hell does he want now? Hasn't he taken enough?"

O'Neil shrugged " Well. He is sucking life out of Francesco's soul. That's all is good at. Adele breaths the life into him and Paulo just sucks it all out by appearing out of no where. I hate to say it but this is serious this time. He has brought back up. Plenty Sicilian back up that I can't get my head around. There is so much power behind him. Francesco had to hand him over now and that's why he is late. He has dropped his wife and kids at a nearby mall and he is doing an exchange. But we both know the guy is showing up here with his people. I know even you don't have the power to kick him out. He is sent by the don and more powerful figures. Let's hope he goes away soon. But I am not so optimistic."

Sterling stated " Well. He doesn't have good timing. We need Francesco to catch traitors and weaklings. Give me your current hit list."

O'Neil reached into his pocket. He took out a note pad with pen. As he was scribbling down, more guests arrived. He handed the paper to Sterling. Add your own and we agree on a few names. My Irish and Italian allies are all behind this."

Sterling took the list and looked at it cautiously " Well. You haven't mentioned the Andovinis. Angelia is alive. She is a liability."

O'Neil spoke " Viggo, Francesco's son is her protector. There will be no Andovini empire as you know. It would be a Rosario one since Viggo is most likely to marry her after college."

Sterling looked surprised " Is that arrangement permanent? No one tells us these things in Harlem. You keep us in the dark from the latest news. In that case, you never heard me mention her name especially to Francesco."

O'Neil nodded " It's fine. Francesco understands. You didn't know."

Sterling looked at the gates as more guests were entering with their cars " Tell me man. What is Vincenzo planning? I want to know about him."

O'Neil sighed " That makes two of us. You will know about the beast, when he decides to speak. He will make a big entrance when he shows us his potential. Watch out for him."

Sterling looked at O'Neil " Brother. He is Francesco's son. The apple can't be too far from the tree."

O'Neil replied " Lets hope so."

Sterling received more guests after that point. Later around lunch time, the party was complete as Francesco arrived with his family and the guests were treated to a lunch buffet before women and children were to go to their hotel to hang out while the men were going to have their conference. It was a time period full of suspense. But that didn't stop the families from enjoying themselves. It was time to mingle and get to know others too.

Clarisa was sitting on a chair as she was having her sandwich with other girls. She watched how Letizia was on edge glancing at Vitale's way who was across the room with his cousins Viggo and Alexander. She was meant to be jealous of her. She was meant to hate her but she didn't. She had no feelings about her situation except wariness.Letizia was not all bad but Clarisa was wary of her. She was not a foe but not a close friend of hers either. There was always something about Letizia.

Clarisa shook her thoughts as she walked to the buffet table that had the Irish delicacies. It was a table in the far corner and no one was around it. She felt his presence beside him before he could speak. She turned to him " You are on the wrong table big wolf. This is a taste of Irish food. Go to the Italian or American table."

Vincenzo replied " I like to mix all tastes. Don't you? I love complexity."

Clarisa picked up some potato starters and placed them on her plate " I agree. You like complexity so much." She then looked up at him " Stop following me around Vincenzo and stop doing checks me. I know you have been asking around about what I am upto from the girls. It needs to stop."

Vincenzo replied " Well, request denied."

Clarisa rolled her eyes " Permission to influence my life is denied. We are not together big wolf."

Vincenzo replied " But we will be. You are mine."

Clarisa gasped " You are unbelievable. I feel like throwing this Irish cream pie on your face now. I dare you to say I am yours one more time."

Vincenzo replied " I am yours."

Clarisa was so tempted to attack him but she held herself back. This was a party at Harlem. She didn't want to disrespect the host. She took a big slice from the Irish cream pie and put it in her plate. Then she smiled silently and sweetly at Vincenzo while imagining throwing cake at him. She then walked away as she took her plate of food to go and eat in the TV room where Tristan and Vienna were. But of course as she went through corridors, she realised the big wolf had been following her since the lights flickered. Before she knew it, his strong arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her into a room. She found herself against the wall in one of the bedrooms as Vincenzo was staring at her. Her chest was raising and falling. How quick was he. She hated how he was a step ahead of her. She had her plate of food in her hand and she hated how her hand was shaking. She breathed " What do you want." When she was alone she was most vulnerable.

Vincenzo replied " An apology. Feed me some cake and I forgive you."