For What It's Worth

"Boss, he has refused to speak" the capo reported, a tinge of disappointment evident in his voice

With his back against the door and his balled fists in the pockets of his black silk pants, Rodriguez stood facing the window without uttering a word for the first few seconds. He let the deafening silence pass before he cleared his throat and tossed a half-smoked cigarette into the ash tray. His patience was waning gradually with each day and had even begun to dissipate faster when he learned of the futile efforts. How could he not have suspected that that bastard had something up his sleeves the entire time? his instincts were right about him from the onset but he had let the weakness of mercy tamper with his judgment. What results did that fetch him?, an unprepared confrontation with the police that led to the loss of three of his trusted men, soon to be four after he had dealt with that scumbag.

Turning sharply, he inhaled deeply and stared ahead of the capo with a hardened expression,

"Make him speak before midnight, there's not much patience and time left" and then because it was necessary, he added, "I'll see him at dawn".

That was definitely going to be the last face the captive would see before he was shot twice in the head from behind, the usual execution style. The capo nodded and took his leave just as the agonizing groans of a man erupted into the silence.

It was almost twilight outside the villa, the trees rustled lightly as the soft wind blew gently across. The seemingly quarrelsome chirpings of birds were the only sounds that pierced the quietness, behind the villa there was a shooting ground where the two sons of the Don spent most of their mornings firing shots and throwing knives after work outs. Rodriguez stepped into the range and pulled out his pistol, aiming at the centre of the board he shot twice and fixed the bore on the board with a long enraged stare.

"I think you should see him yourself if nothing is improving" Russell had joined him while he was lost in his roaming thoughts. The lad was the closest to understanding how his father thought and analyzed a difficult situation, which was one of the similarities they shared. His footsteps echoed as he advanced towards his father and took his position beside him, a gust of wind brushed the hem of his unbuttoned shirt.

"I intend to do that by dawn, he was one of my most trusted men. Brad knew so much about the family and left me with no reason to suspect him, although I had my qualms"

"It's unlike you father", he paused to cast a glance at him before he continued, "Brad always had this unsettling aura about him from when i first met him, always curious about everything even matters that clearly were out of his line of concern"

"He didn't seem like much trouble then"

"Now he is and even more, I fear his accomplice might also be one of us"

Rodriguez stole a glance at him before speaking," I feel the same, that son a of a bastard took me for a fool"

"Humiliating indeed, I doubt I would have had your patience to keep him breathing this long" Russell's voice had a touch of contempt as he made the last statement

"He trained you, Russell and your brother as well" Rodriguez caught his breath and continued," but that does not exempt him from the punishment of a traitor". Father and son exchanged knowing glances, with the latter wearing a sinister smile on his face as they strutted back to the house.

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The sound of a phone ringing woke Ava from her sleep with a start; she had not recovered from the hangover of the previous night's binge drinking at one of her friend's house party. The rays of sunlight that penetrated the window hit her eyes harshly causing her to squint them as soon as she opened them. Letting out a yawn, she stretched her hand across the pillow and clutched her phone, turned it to see who the caller was. Her head was banging loudly and the noise from the lawn mower few meters from her window was not alleviating the annoying situation.

Resolving to call back who it was later in the day, she threw her legs over the bed and slipped them into her pair of flip flops, heading to the bathroom. Her head was going to ache for a while but that was it, this wasn't the first time so she was used to it. It was only a sign of the good time she enjoyed, at least one that Becky's boyfriend's absence added to. He was a complete dumb ass, she thought, how could he even have the guts to be hitting on her while he was with her girlfriend, she thought of telling Becky that he was not worth keeping but on second thought ditched the idea as quickly as it arose. She was not going to be the reason Becky was breaking up with her 5th boyfriend a month after her birthday.

Ava found the whole situation laughable and couldn't help the chuckle that escaped her lips as she brushed her teeth, staring at her reflection in the mirror and only looking away when she spat into the sink. In no time, she finished her routine of cleaning up and made downstairs for breakfast. The table was covered with a crisp white tablecloth with a subtle sheen and a beautiful floral arrangement at the centre; four fine china plates were set at each place setting and a sparkling glass of freshly squeezed orange juice filled almost to the brim at the left of each plate. At the right of each plate were sterling silver utensils of fork, spoon and knife, a warm golden brown basket of freshly baked pastries and bread sat at the center of the table with a selection of pineapple and raspberry jellies, jams and honey ready to be served.

Ava took her seat adjacent to the lone figure that was already seated at the table. Noah and their mother arrived few minutes later as was their habit, Noah being the last as he slid noiselessly onto his seat adjusting the pair of glasses that sat askew on his freckled nose bridge.

Hunter's hoarse voice interrupted the silence first, "Ava, mind telling us why you broke curfew last night?"

It was an expected question yet it found a way of jabbing at Ava's nerve everytime it was asked, the irritation was almost noticeable in her voice as she responded,

"Something happened", that was all. That was all she was going to say despite the deafening silence that followed, fighting the urge to meet the gazes of her mother and brother whom she was certain had their eyes fixed on her. She picked up her glass of fruit juice and focused on sipping it slowly

"That's not enough explanation for why you've broken curfew four times already in a week" her father's voice was rising with each word, Ava could sense the provocation in his tone as he spoke but did she care, of course not. He seemed to be fond of remonstrating whatever she did, her decisions, her lifestyle; they were never anything he would agree with. In worst scenarios, he would compare her with her brother and conclude with an air of finality on how irredeemable her fate was. But today his expression was strange, a rueful countenance swept over his features unmatching the familiar hint of annoyance in his tone. Unsure of what to make of her observation, she set her glass on the table and shot a defiant look in his direction.

"Dad, maybe if you stopped demanding explanations for everything I....."

"Watch your tone, young lady" he cut her short

"There's nothing wrong with my tone" her voice had a sardonic touch as she retorted, her appetite had suddenly disappeared in the exchange that was slowly heating up. Just when the heated argument was close to hitting the mark, Rachel interjected,

" Honey, why don't we talk this over later? the day's still very young I'll wager that Ava must have reasons for not returning early yesterday", her soft voice subsided the tension which was confirmed when Hunter returned to pick a slice of bread from his plate without uttering a word, only drawing in a sharp breath as an agreement. Noah's indifferent expression remained on his face throughout the rest of the breakfast which lasted not up to an hour's quarter before Hunter wiped his lips and abandoned part of his meal on the table. He was still annoyed with her, which was all Ava could tell, ignoring the other inferences that sprang in her mind.