Son of the Godfather: An Offer He Couldn't Refuse

[GioSivo 174]

Keep yourself together. Breathe.

Breathe.

It's just a practice. All that it is. You've given everything to be here.

Everyday out at that rink in Chicago. You know what you're doing.

 

Do I? Yes. You do. You know you do. They know you do.

 

An incoherent static of words filled his head. Confidence, doubt, adrenaline. He hadn't even made it to the arena yet.

This is your time. They signed you because of you. Not because of your damn. name.

He gritted his teeth. The thought had struck him harder than he would've liked to admit. He knew 'Mancini' carried some weight. His fathers. Sure, it had opened doors for him. Some good, and others that... he didn't think he wanted to walk through. Francesco was humble to a fault at times, he never really talked about it... But everyone knew that his shadow stretched pretty long.

 

No. They signed me for me.

 

His grip on the steering wheel tightened. His knuckles slowly turned white.

 

He knew his father was proud of him. He maybe quiet and reserved about it, but Lorenzo knew he was. He remembered playing his last peewee game in Chicago, when his father was still in the VHL. His face was never readable, but he knew behind his father's eyes was nothing but pride.

 

But it still stuck with him. Even when the media pushed the comparisons, even when whispers of nepotism followed him into locker rooms, Lorenzo knew his father believed in him. 

 

His grip loosened, his anger subsiding.

 

..Okay, let's j-

His thoughts were interrupted by a phone call. His friend Vincent from back in Chicago. He answered.

 

"What's up Vinny?"

"Yo Renzo! My man! How's the big leagues treatin' ya? They giving you a hard time yet?"

"Haven't even made it to the rink pal. 'Sides, just my first practice."

"I hear ya. But hey, its like the first day of school huh? But I know you got it in the bag man."

"Thanks, appre-"

"I mean, Mancini blood, right? You don’t even gotta try. They’ll respect you just for walking in there."

Lorenzo tensed up.

"I'm here because I worked my f*ckin' ass off to be here. Let’s get that straight." His voice tightened.

 

"I get it, I get it... But c'mon, let’s be real, you think the connections your family has don’t play a part?" Vinny's voice takes on a knowing edge.

 

"Vinny, don't start with th-"

"I’m just sayin’... your dad? He’s been around for a while, right? People know him. I’m not saying he’s pullin’ strings, but you don’t think they’ve taken notice of that, huh?"

 

"Just what the f*ck are you implying Vinny?"

 

"I’m just sayin’, bro, when you got that kind of history, people notice. Maybe not now, but eventually, you know? Look, I’m not saying your dad’s still... involved, but I’m sure you’ve heard the whispers, right?"

 

"Don't you dare bring my father into this. H-He's... he's not like that." His voice wavered with some uncertainty. His tone quickly changes.

 

"And don't you ever f*ckin' make a suggestion like that again." His voice cracks with frustration, his heart pounding. He’s had enough of these kinds of insinuations.

"Whoa, hey, calm down. I’m not trying to upset you, just talkin’ real. It’s just that, you know, with everything he’s done in the past... the people he knows... maybe it wouldn’t hurt to keep that in mind. Could open some doors for you, might make things a little easier."

"Vinny."

"Yeah?"

"F*ck off." He ended the call.

...So much for cooling off.

 

594 Words

Edited 12 hours ago by GioSivo

[Daniel Janser 2,233]

the rent-controlled pad Mancini Sr has 'organized' for CGY back when they played together in NYA is still in CGY lease. Him Eilidh are probably going to look for something more family-friendly in the near future... so in case Enzo ends up in NY, of course he can get it back... No need to cut off any pets' heads

 

[Banackock 8,207]

Love seeing you back! LOVE THE ARTICLE.