On a late summer evening, 17-year-old, Amanda Williams, sneaks out to a club in Manhattan’s upper west side. She is unaware arrangements are made for her to start a rehab program the following morning. Two employees from the facility are assigned to follow and safely get the cocaine addicted teen to the Adirondack location. Although her father is aware of the last-ditch arrangement, Amanda will never arrive at the treatment center.

A complex plan is derived by an unknown benefactor to hijack Amanda Williams’ journey north. She is supposed to be rerouted to a private hospital in coastal South Carolina. The result, however, turns into a trail of lies, deceit, and betrayal.

Shadows After Midnight is available on Amazon.com at https://a.co/d/039AoVkk in paperback and kindle versions. Also available at Barnes and Noble EAN: 2940184910277 and various other sites.

Chapter 1 – Unforgiven

Chapter 1 – Unforgiven

Mid-June

“This is only a sample of what’s gonna happen to you if you don’t do what is asked.” The burly neanderthal held Ted Cicco in a headlock from behind, while pressing a knee against his spine. His voice was deep, gruff, and when he spoke, he spoke into Ted’s ear, spewing out spit and garlicky evidence of an earlier meal.

“One jolt,” he pushed hard into Ted’s thigh, “and you ain’t got the use of your leg no more.” The man tightened his grip around Ted’s neck. “One twist, and you ain’t got life no more. Now, which would you prefer?”

Ted gasped for air. “Your boss was paid back…in full. I do not owe him anything.”

“Oh, but you do,” the gorilla at his back laughed. “If the boss says your debt ain’t paid, it ain’t paid. Did you think we wasn’t gonna find you, or forget about Nevada? Mr. B has branches from New York to California.

“No, no. You don’t understand.” Bile rose in Ted’s throat. Vomit was about to erupt from his mouth onto his attacker. What then? His neck would truly be snapped, he thought, trying to focus. “My debt was paid.” His mother, Josephine Cicco, had taken out a second mortgage to pay her son’s debt. The situation was assumed to be closed.

Ted’s attacker turned him around, carefully securing two massive hands on his victim’s neck while pushing him against the parked SUV. “You don’t understand, asshole, debts to the Bondano family ain’t never paid in full. You will be on call to the organization for the rest of your life. How long or short that life is, depends on you.”

A siren blared on a distant street. Ted glanced towards his mother’s house across the way. The front porch light glistened in anticipation of his arrival. She would be calling soon, wondering where he was. The drive to Canara Lake from Westchester County took him four-and-a-half hours. Was he followed, or did, the Bondano family know where he lived? He swallowed hard at the frightful thought.

There was a slight breeze off the water momentarily cooling Ted’s sweat-ridden face and arms. He shuddered. This was not supposed to happen. He believed Sammy Bondano was ancient history, and he was safe.

“Maybe we could make this all go away. Ha? Whadaya think, Teddy boy? One hand washes the other. You know, like maybe do the boss this really big favor, and perhaps, and might I emphasize the word perhaps, Mr. B will forgive the twenty grand you owe him.”

“I don’t owe him twenty grand,” Ted protested. “He was paid in full.”

“Tst, tst, tst. The freaken interest gets you assholes all the time. I mean, banks do it, credit cards do it.” Ted’s attacker wore an evil grin while shaking his head. His eyes were large and dark, his lips thin, almost crooked.

“Anyways, you’re a good-looking fella, Teddy-boy, or is it Thee-o-dore?” he smirked.

“I see you work out.” The man moved his left hand down Ted’s left shoulder, pressing his biceps while keeping a strong lock on his victim’s neck. “And you got a nice small waist, tight ass; I bet you get lots a broads.” He took hold of Ted’s testicles and squeezed. “Whaddaya say?”

“I am… not… killing… anybody,” Ted winced, gasping for words.

The man released his grip, “nah, that’s my job, Teddy-boy. But maybe down the road, after your assignment is done, you might be able to help us with somethin else, huh?”

Ted’s cellphone buzzed inside his pocket. ”I am not a violent person.”

“We know where you live, work, and play,” his attacker sneered, grabbing Ted’s shoulders. “And we know where they live, work and play too.” He gestured in the direction of the small white colonial with the wide front porch across the street. “All of them.”

“No,” Ted whispered. “Just tell me what I have to do.”

“We’ll be in touch. Make sure you answer the phone when we call.” The man grunted then turned, and walked away.