Cousins' Bad Blood-The Take Over

By fred berri

Michael Pellegrino changed his long established name to Pell years ago after arriving in New York from Italy. No one, not even his son, Charlie,

born in the U.S., could put a finger on his reason, but there was that rumor...

Michael Pellegrino came from humble beginnings from Italy to America-the son of immigrant parents leaving ever

• Language: English
• Publisher: frederic dalberri
• Release date: Jun 22, 2021
• ISBN: 9781735513126

fred berri

Mr. Berri graduated from Columbia State University with an online business Degree. He moved his family to Florida, from New York, spending years as a Financial Specialist with one of the largest banking institutions in the U.S. He has volunteered teaching Junior Achievement in the Florida public school district. In addition, he led a volunteer group for a reading program to grades K-3. Throughout his career, he has done public speaking and appeared in a few TV commercials in including voice overs. Berri has written many murder mysteries and children's books, which can be found on his website: fredberri.com and Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

Book preview

Chapter 1

C

harlie Pell craved action from what he loved and chased it—Elaine, horse racing, gambling, professional boxing, prostitution, and booze through the family business. He always believed it all should be legal. It took years to reach legal status for some of his pursuits, not everywhere, mind you, only in some parts of the country.

Charlie realized some of those illegal activities got him and his family where they were today, a powerful American icon family and a source of pride for his father. He himself would adopt his father’s mantra as his simple business formula for success:

Work smarter, harder, and longer.

Charlie was a charmer, a tall, dark, handsome Italian. His suit size, forty-two long, made him a perfect model for Hart Schaffner and Marx’s premier men’s suits. He turned all the ladies’ heads. Unconcerned, he took all the fuss in stride. He knew what he had, Elaine always by his side–a beautiful brunette woman with hazel eyes she inherited from her father. Deep-set, beautifully expressive and yet disturbingly intense eyes consistent with her flawless tawny-beige skin.

Elaine Solfra was born a first-generation Italian in the Bronx. She and Charlie lived only a few doors from one another and grew up childhood friends. They never thought their friendship would become a storybook romance and a simple wedding ceremony years later in Italy. However, that trip to Italy did not originate with marriage plans.

Elaine graduated summa cum laude from Fordham Law School. Before her stint at Fordham, she did a semester at the Bronx School of Law and Finance. Her Business degree was in corporate and business law, securing her a position in Charlie’s family’s empire. She knew she had to protect the family business by turning it all legitimate. She was very active in the detailed day-to-day operations of the Pell Global Group (PGG), the business Charlies’ father founded. Elaine had a great facility for remembering the minutiae of the law and their daily businesses. It gave her a sense of purpose for herself, for Charlie, and the life she relished. There always existed something else she and Charlie had in common, something unknown to them and unnamed throughout the years.

Lies That Bind…

Chapter 2

Many months earlier…

P

lanning their trip to Italy did not include a marriage ceremony. They were hunting the drunk driving priest who killed Charlie’s parents, Michael and Regina, decapitating his mother. The Archdiocese moved Father LaRousse to a small town in Italy with a population of three hundred. The resident peasant anglers and farmers dealt with their life day by day. Charlie called in a marker from the Bishop whose stature was waning with age. He knew where his buttered bread came from. I owe you and your father for all the favors and large donations to the Church, he told Charlie with dignity and poise. "Besides it was wrong to cover up Father LaRousse's actions. He is in Niya, ² Italy, on the border between Switzerland and France."

The Bishop was well aware of the consequences that would befall Father LaRousse. Because of his disclosure, he whispered part of his mass in Latin. Deus, miserere animabus vestris. May God have mercy on your souls, and mine. Forgive us Heavenly Father. He made the sign of the cross and kissed his large ornate gold crucifix, hanging from his neck. He knew no one would ever find out. This deed would be concealed by a thick veil of darkness that lives in the dark souls of men who take another's life.

Charlie can’t forget the new Cadillac Series 6200 convertible, now mangled and unrecognizable as the elite, high-end automobile. The sight of the dead bodies of his parents, his mother’s head severed from her body, forever etched in his memory. Their deaths made national news headlines.

"DRUNK-DRIVING PRIEST KILLS INDUSTRIALIST

MILLIONAIRE MICHAEL PELL AND WIFE REGINA"

Many nights Charlie startled Elaine from a deep sleep. His shaking, heart pounding, ready to jump out of his chest visions tormented him. He knew he would not rest until they executed the deed … kill LaRousse!

Come here, Charlie, let me soothe your pain, Elaine purred, always happy to oblige him.

I don’t know what I’d do without you. I love you, baby. Come closer. Charlie’s smile widened while his hand slipped up her inner thigh. He knew exactly how soothing Elaine’s lovemaking was.

Chapter 3

The Awaited Visit to Italy…

C

harlie, I’m thrilled. We’re going to Italy together. I haven’t been there since I was a child. I know you’ve visited there a few times. I’m eager to meet your cousin, Benevento." Elaine’s excited chatter revealed her excitement.

Benny, Charlie answered.

Huh! What are you saying? Elaine asked in a quandary.

"Cousin Benevento. We call him Benny. His proper name is Benevento, named after the town, where his parents conceived him. Benny’s parents were not ashamed to tell the Benevento story, mind you. They seemed to have a sense of humor, but he got embarrassed by it. That’s one reason he calls himself Benny, so folks don’t say, ‘Oh, you’re named after the town, Benevento. Were you born there?’ Benny was a close runner-up to Charlie in looks and stature that drew the ladies to him.

* * *

Elaine spent hours shopping for herself and Charlie. Selecting just the right gifts for Benny and his parents took much more time.

Their Pan-American flight would leave New York International Airport. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, christened the aircraft, known as the Yankee Clipper. Considered the quintessential flying boat, the four-engine propeller aircraft held eighty-six passengers. The high level of service enjoyed by Charlie and Elaine included having their shoes shined and returned by morning, in step with their polished appearance.

The aircraft stopped in Lisbon, Portugal to refuel before heading to Italy. Total travel time, eighteen hours.

The trip was long and exhausting, but Charlie and Elaine were happy to see Benny waiting for them at the airport.

Ah! Elaine, you are more beautiful than your pictures Charlie sent me. He was right, you know. Her beauty mesmerized Benny.

About? Elaine wanted to know.

Your eyes. Occhi che riflettono l’anima interiore.

Benny, they do reflect my inner soul. Grazie. You are smooth as Charlie and handsome too. Cousins for sure.

Ah! I forgot, you do speak Italian, Benny said in his broken English, caught off guard. I have to be careful of my words. Really careful.

* * *

Although tired from the trip, they stayed awake for hours, reminiscing and entertaining Elaine with story after story since it was her first-time meeting Benny.

Charlie and Elaine never kept secrets from each other. Elaine was fully aware of his involvement with Benny.

Charlie, is this where, Elaine asked excitedly, where you and Benny took revenge on that no-good man?

Yes, Charlie whispered.

I can’t wait, Elaine uttered, eyes wide and alive.

For what? Charlie asked.

For you to get me in bed, she beamed. The vigilante thought always activated a sexual switch for them.

Benny’s parents owned the successful Adonis winery, and their day started early. Benny’s parents insisted Elaine take a brief tour. She fidgeted, eager to finish the business at hand with LaRousse as quickly as possible.

Benny explained things got done at a slower pace here compared to America when Charlie’s past summer lover, Sophia, entered the batching area. Sophia screamed in surprise, interrupting him, delighted to see Charlie. She gave him a warm welcome—an embrace and a lingering kiss, hoping it would make Elaine uncomfortable, even knowing she was his. Elaine tensed, but it also excited her. The introductions flowed smoothly enough as Charlie introduced Sophia.

Charlie had spent each summer in Italy with Benny, and their time together was always fun and exciting. Benny had girls lined up for them, girls who worked at the winery or in town. One of them was Sophia. Although she was thirteen years Charlie’s senior, any man would desire her stunning good looks–auburn hair, green eyes, and a lush figure. Charlie told no one how much she taught him to become her summer lover. Elaine determined to get to know this woman, to become friendly, one way or another.

* * *

As the stories go…

It didn’t matter how vast the ocean that separated them, Benny and Charlie’s relationship forged their lifelong friendship. During a summer visit, Charlie made his bones, his first step into the dark side of his families’ celebrity. No one really knew about Benny’s business or how many times he quietly disposed of a problem.

A rogue employee stole the procedures and recipes used in the winery’s distilling process and tried to sell them. The fence who wanted no part in this caper, knowing the unpleasant outcome it would have, turned the thief over to Benny. Charlie and Benny tied him to a post in a barn, strangling him with Charlie’s belt, and buried him somewhere in the vast vineyard fields with Sophia’s help.

Charlie, first one, always the hardest. We have plenty of wine. Let’s get drunk, Benny offered to ease any guilt Charlie might have.

No guilt, Benny, but I’ll get drunk with you.

Sophia added; What the hell! in her deep Italian accent. Count me in.

* * *

After a full day of rest, eating, drinking, and lovemaking, Charlie and Elaine were ready to carry out the execution of LaRousse. It took little to spark Elaine’s hot-blooded sexual appetite, and Charlie knew just how to start the flame.

Benny located the church where LaRousse thought he’d found his hellhole of a sanctuary. In anticipation, Benny devised a plan he knew would work.

It’s early, Benny stated, giving directions. "LaRousse is the only priest here in this God-forsaken town–no nuns or domestic help. So, he has to do everything himself–cook, clean, go in the fields to the workers to hear confessions. He does that before the heat of the day.

He leaves the church unlocked. Go sit quietly in the pew next to the confessional box. As soon as he comes out, tell him you are here for the meeting. He’ll think you can get him back to New York. He has waited months for this. We’ve been feeding him lies since you told me of your plans. He believes that there are special representatives from the Church who will help him. Wait in the first pew. He holds any type of meeting in the basement. He will take you down there. 

I love you, Charlie, Elaine whispered as they waited, anticipation growing for the payback they would unleash on this false man of God. In Charlie and Elaine’s view, this recompense was not unreasonable.

I can’t wait, Charlie responded, eager to avenge his parents.

LaRousse entered the church from the side door just as Benny said he always did.

May I help you? the priest asked, startled by their unfamiliar presence.

Yes, we’re here for the meeting to help you return to New York, Elaine answered convincingly.

I did not expect you until next week. Thank God you’re here. I can’t wait to get out of this hellhole! LaRousse said thankfully, leading them down the stairs.

Benny came up behind him. All three jumped this dragon of a priest. LaRousse twisted, kicking, and struggling to get free, but their numbers subdued him.

Charlie grabbed LaRousse’s chin, levering it up to look him in the eyes. You remember killing my parents, don’t you?

Let me go. I don’t know what you’re talking about, LaRousse rasped, struggling to speak as they held him.

You were drunk driving in America, Charlie answered with a calm he didn’t feel.

God has forgiven me. My punishment is here, in this church, in this God-forsaken village.

I have not forgiven you, Charlie said. Benny handed him the belt and Charlie looped it around LaRousse’s neck, just as he remembered Benny doing that night in the barn. LaRousse panicked, grunting short harsh noises until Elaine stuffed a piece of cloth in his mouth.

Pull! Elaine screamed; her voice shrill with excitement. Pull!

Father LaRousse clawed at the belt, trying to loosen it from his