There is only one week left before the Assembly, but I didn't get or determine any occasion to assassinate Solazzo. Either the circumstances aren't ideal, or I don't know where he is. I wait for Solazzo's arrival, now more than ever.

"Come here, my little Arthur." He brings me close. He and I are at some club, again.

"Where were you, Angelo? It's been ages," I pretend to be mad.

"I have been very busy... I have a big deal to make soon."

"A deal? What deal?" I wrap my arms around his neck and lean forward a little. He laughs.

"You will know soon enough. I wanted to see you to invite you for dinner."

Dinner? Wouldn't that be an appropriate time. "When, Angelo?"

"Tomorrow night. I will send someone to pick you up."

"Just the both of us?" I ask.

Solazzo shakes his head. "No, my darling. With my family."

I am genuinely taken aback. His family? "Your family?"

He pecks my lips. "Tomorrow is my birthday. I want to introduce you during the celebration."

A birthday gala? Not the ideal time, then. I place my hands on my heart. "You are so sweet, Angie. What would you like as a birthday present."

Solazzo gives me a sly smile, grabbing my ass. Oh. "What else to ask? I have anything I want but that sweet piece of you."

"Oh, Angelo!" I slap his chest playfully, though I wish I were able to make it more brutal. A punch in the face, for instance. "I'm being serious! It's your birthday, and I am going to meet your family..."

"Don't worry about it, we are simply going to a restaurant for an Italian meal."

A restaurant? "Where are we going?" I ask Solazzo.

"The Salumi, on Kinney Street."

My heart skips a beat. Is he suspecting something? Is he testing me? I peer at him intently and discover nothing unusual. I calm my nerves and meekly nod.

"I will send someone to pick you up early. Mind your outfit," says Solazzo.

"Don't worry about it, Angelo. I will be ready."

Solazzo doesn't walk me back to the club, telling me that he has business to deal with. His hard work for the Assembly is paying off. It gives Frank and I even less time to prepare our plan.

______

The next day :

I ask Claire to help me pick and outfit and put a bit of makeup on. I comb my hair and mind my style. A dinner with his family, huh? That may be the ideal opportunity... I still have lots of doubts, even now. Can I help Frank carry out this assassination?

I play with the telephone wire in my hand as passers-by walk past the phone booth I am in. Should I make that call? Do I even have a choice? I peer at the busy street through the glass.

The balance of justice requires equilibrium. I should and must be willing to take more risk to avenge the lives that have been lost- no, taken in silence. What I am doing is fair.

I dial the number that I know by heart. "Frank, it's me. Tonight, at the Salumi, on Kinney Street..." I listen to his answer. "...Yes, only his family and I... Don't worry, I will be cautious... Yes, I promise." I sigh softly. "I assume that you will not harm his family... I hope to see you soon as well."

I hang up and relax after confiding in Frank. I have the feeling that he actually cares. He may not to the extent I hope he does, but the sensation is enough.

No matter what, the time has come to put an end to this, once and for all...

I tuck an important item in my belt right before Solazzo's men arrive to lead me to his suite. Solazzo seems ecstatic, surely because it's his birthday. He doesn't even salute me, too busy answering birthday calls and wishes. I reckon that all his subordinates, associates and friends must all be urged to wish him the happiest birthday.

Warm laughs echo in the whole room until the calls finally stop. A man who looks a bit like Solazzo enters the room.

"Mom doesn't want to go the to the Salumi," he informs Solazzo.

"Where does she want to go, Polo?" Solazzo asks the man I presume is his brother.

"At Aunt Tara's."

"Well, let's go to Aunt Tara's then." Solazzo makes theatrical hand gestures. "Warn her so she saves us some room."

"Go it." Polo leaves to call this Aunt Tara. Wait, the location changed? What about the assassination?

Something came up, Angelo?" I put my hands on his chest.

"That's what mom wishes, and I don't want to argue with her on my birthday." Solazzo shrugs. I must warn Frank of the new whereabouts of thee reunion.

"Aunt Tara... Where is that? And who is this Aunt Tara?" The question flow out of my mouth. I am so nervous from this whole situation that my act isn't as perfect as it usually is, but I still try to sound pouting and flirty.

"It's a friend of mom. She owns a restaurant on the 30th street."

"What is the restaurant named?" I ask.

"There is no sign nor showcase. Only those who know it go." Solazzo kisses my temple. "You are in for a treat. Aunt Tara's risotto is to die for! That's her specialty."

A nameless restaurant that only initiates go to...Can Frank take the necessary steps on such short notice? I must inform him anyway.

Polo comes back and whispers something to Solazzo's ear. I hate whenever that happens because I feel like it's about me. That wouldn't be a problem if those were gossips, but in my case I just can't help fearing that my cover was blown by some counter-spy and that this man is only telling Solazzo that he can shoot me right away.

"Can you wait for me in the other room, my darling? I must talk to Polo," Solazzo demands. My heart squeezes. That's my luck! I must call Frank immediately.

I nod and go to a quiet room. I recognize the antechamber where Solazzo took a picture of me. I close the door and head for the phone on tiptoe. I call Frank.

"It's me, Frank. Solazzo changed restaurants. Everything is set? But, he changed the location... A restaurant on the 30th street. An Italian restaurant without a name, a sign or storefront. It's hard to localize, but I have some clues. The owner is Tara, or Aunt Tara, and she is known for her risotto. Do we really not have time to make arrangements?...Ah, the weapons. Because the bodyguards outside will be searching us, won't they?"

I listen to him and then have an idea to help. "Let me take care of it, Frank... The weapon, yes. This gun you gave me. I'm going to take it and hide it in the toilets.... I understand. I am ready to face that possibility."

"Arthur, I...What are you doing?"

I turn around and see Solazzo. What did he hear? I have to say something.

"I'm calling Madam Lana to tell her that I won't be back to the club, tonight," I tell him.

"She must know that, I came to pick you up!" Solazzo comments amusedly. He takes a hand out of his pocket and takes a drag of his cigar. "You are certainly not going home tonight!"

I nod in acknowledgement. "That's correct, Madam. Goodbye," I tell 'Madam Lana'. When Solazzo starts approaching me, I hang up the phone. It seems like he didn't notice anything. He crushes his cigar in an ashtray and takes me into his arms.

"You look superb tonight, my beauty. They will all be jealous when I introduce you to everyone."

I grin and shyly hide my face in his chest. "You're so cute, Angelo."

Solazzo rans his tongue on his lower lip, passion obvious in his eyes. "Not any cuter than you, doll. I don't even want to celebrate my birthday anymore. I just want to be with you."

I laugh like he isn't being serious. "Let's not make them wait."

Slinging an arm around my waist, Solazzo exits the room with me . He asks Polo to go get the car. Kissing his cheek, I tell him that I have to swing by the bathroom. There, I take the gun out and wonder where I could hide it. I don't have much of an option and decide to tuck it in my belt, covering it with my shirt.

Leaving the bathroom, I follow Solazzo to the car. I am anxious for the whole ride: I fear that Solazzo puts his hand on the gun. Thankfully, he is busy stirring up childhood memories with Polo.

Solazzo's men proceed to search everyone at the entrance of the restaurant. I am betting on being able to take advantage of Solazzo's faith in me. It's too late to turn back, now. Here comes my turn...

Solazzo's man stops. He looks at Solazzo to have his permission before conduction a body search. I purse my lips to express my reluctance.

Solazzo is unyielding, though, and he nods calmly to give his authorization. The gun in my belt is immediately discovered.

"Where do you get that weapon from, Arthur? What are you doing with it?" Solazzo snarls and I start feeling faint.

"I..."

No one says a word. I look at Solazzo ; despair invests me as I wait for his verdict...

______