Page 26 of Sinful Bargains

As I rode, my heart raced—not with nerves, but excitement. The real challenge came when I started tossing the papers, trying to land them as close to the front doors as possible. Sometimes, I nailed it perfectly, the paper smacking the door with a solid thud. That usually brought some groggy husband barging outside in his bathrobe, hollering at me. Those moments had me pedaling off like my life depended on it.

DiMaggio, watch out!

I stayed en route, hit every house, and finished the deliveries in record time. By the time I rode home, sweaty and grinning, I knew one thing for sure—the job wasmine.

I burst through the front door, my breath coming in quick, sharp gasps. Ma was sitting at the kitchen table, her hands wrapped around a steaming cup of coffee. She looked up, eyebrows raised, as I leaned against the doorframe, still panting.

“Ma! I did it! Every paper delivered right on time!” I said, grinning from ear to ear.

She set her mug down, her expression softening into a proud smile. “Good. That’s good, Antonio. I’m proud of you.”

Mr. Russo paid me $12 a week to deliver fifty newspapers around the neighborhood, but I must’ve impressed him because he bumped me up to $15 after just one week. I could hardly believe it.

There was something oddly satisfying about being up before the rest of the town, hopping on my beat-up bike, and making those perfect throws to the front steps. By the time I got to the fortieth house, the sun would usually start to rise. One morning,the sunrise was so breathtaking that I had to stop for a moment to take it all in.

As I paused, I fished a paper out of my bag, planning my next toss. That’s when a bold headline jumped out at me, demanding my attention.

Local Mafia Ties Alleged: Joey “The Shark” Romano released from Rikers After Decade in Prison.

Alleged mobster, Joey “The Shark” Romano, Staten Island resident and longtime associate of the infamous Giordano crime family, recently returned home following a ten-year prison sentence for extortion on mafia-related offenses. Sources suggest The Shark’s return has reignited activity within the family’s operations like never before, though authorities remain tight-lipped about any investigations.

A black-and-white photo of Joey stepping off the Staten Island ferry was plastered beside the article, leaving no doubt in my mind—it was him.Joey. The same Joey I thought I’d gotten to know—a mobster. Or so the paper claimed.

I flipped the paper over, my hands trembling, and skimmed through the rest of the article. Words like “organized crime,” “violence,” and “illegal activity” jumped off the page, painting a picture so dangerous it felt unreal. My breathing quickened as the realization hit me—this wasn’t just any guy from the neighborhood. I clenched the paper tightly, my mind racing, a thousand questions forming, but no answers.

“Hey, kid! You planning to keep that paper, or should I come get it myself?”

The voice cut through my thoughts, sharp and startling. I turned quickly, my heart still pounding.

“Sorry! Uh, here you go!” I said, tossing the paper at his feet and speeding off.

ANTONIO

Iwalked down the hallway toward the exit, knowing Joey would be waiting for me. My mind had been consumed all day by that damn newspaper article. I could hardly focus on anything I learned, because all I could think about was what I had read—the confirmation that Joey was indeed a mafia gangster. Michael had told me weeks ago to check the papers, but I had brushed it off. Now, there was no way to pretend I hadn’t seen it. That article made everything so painfully clear.

“Hey, paperboy!” Giovanni’s voice rang out, dripping with his usual smugness. “How’s the newspaper empire treating you today?”

I ignored him, keeping my eyes straight ahead. The last thing I wanted to deal with was Giovanni Accetta.

“Do you get a bonus for dodging barking dogs?” he called from behind, his small crew of sycophants laughing and egging him on.

“What happened? Why the long face?” he continued. “Did someone stiff you a nickel?”

I stopped right in front of the exit. I could walk out andignore him, or I could turn around and face him. My feet made the decision before my brain could catch up. Without thinking, I marched through the hallway, straight toward Giovanni and his arrogant grin.

“You got anything better to do than run your mouth, or do you need me to help you shut it?” I spat, standing toe-to-toe with him.

He grinned, his eyes scanning me from head to toe. But I didn’t flinch. My fists were clenched, and I was ready for whatever came next.

Giovanni raised an eyebrow. “What’s the matter, paperboy?”

Luckily for Giovanni, Enzo appeared just in time, shoving himself between us before I could flatten that smug face of his with my fist. “Whoa! That’s enough of whatever the hell is going on here!” Enzo exclaimed, pushing his hand into my chest and forcing me to step back.

“Well, if it isn’t Superman to the rescue,” Giovanni sneered, eyeing Enzo.

“Oh, I’ll show youSuperman,” Enzo growled, his stocky frame now pressed chest-to-chest with Giovanni.

“Hey!” Michael’s voice rang out as he grabbed Enzo, pulling him back. “Cut it out!” Michael shouted at Enzo, his hands firm on Enzo’s shoulders. Then, turning to Giovanni, he snapped, “And back off!”

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