As far apart as any two things could be

Peace and mafia were too words one often wouldn’t find said in the same breath. David wished, however, that some mornings could be peaceful. The kind of peace that didn't require him to use his gun let alone leave his bed for peace to take place. One morning alone with him and his bed. No phone consistently vibrates from the million and one useless texts and calls. Again, what was the use of having so many men if they couldn’t do anything without him? Useless was what it was. The constant din of Bohemian Rhapsody from his phone as the caller refused to hang up grated on the mafioso’s nerves. Time for a new ringtone. T

“Dirty deeds are done dirt cheap.” The don mumbled as he snatched the phone off the bedside table without lifting his head from his pillow—no need to look to know how to shut the blood device off. David knew from muscle memory after doing it a million other mornings already.

Shutting the phone off didn't rescue David that morning from being pried out of bed far earlier than was necessary. A familiar set of knocks on the bedroom door pulled David out of near slumber.

"I know, Don, that you would much rather spend the day sleeping. You, however, have far too much to do." A half squeak accented the words, half scuff noise as the unwelcome intruder entered Don's room.

"Alfred, how many times have I told you not to come in before eight in the morning? I don't need to be up so early, and I don't even think the food will change my mind." However, it did smell rather divine all the same. The butler had been worth every penny spent on his salary despite his flaws regarding waking the mafia boss early. Alfred never let him down where food was concerned.

“Don. If I listened to you whenever you told me not to bother, you would never get anything done.” The cart halted at the bottom of the bed as the butler turned to the curtain. David’s protests couldn’t slip past his lips before the vile man ripped the pitch-black curtains back to let the sun in. Who did the man think he was to open the curtains without his permission? Like a vampire, the mafia boss released a low hiss, shielding his eyes from the bright light. Who the hell did the butler think he was to allow sunlight to breach the mafia boss's dark domain? 

Much like the depth of his heart, the mafia boss cloaked his abode in the darkest color of black he could. The dark color left hardly any spaces untouched, from his bedroom to the basement. David had even gone so far as to hire furniture specialists to modify any pieces that didn’t match his aesthetic.

“Alfred, you’re already on strike two, and you’ve only been here for less than ten minutes. Are you looking to die today?” The butler raised one meticulous eyebrow turning to face the mafia boss after ensuring the curtains wouldn’t fall back in place.

“Not, Don. As I know, you would never consider taking my life. After all, who would be here to feed you if not for me? I’m just assisting with your start to the day as I do every morning.” Alfred turned back to fussing over the breakfast cart, taking the lid off the breakfast pan before he fixed the mafia boss a glass of orange juice. The mafia boss always took a bed in breakfast unless guests needed to be entertained. Whether David wanted it or not, Alfred always ensured his boss had one healthy element to each of his meals. Keeping the mafia boss’s health in the best possible shape was necessary. Except orange juice turned out to be the wrong choice. The butler didn’t acknowledge his misstep as he set up the breakfast tray.

“Alfred. I don’t want to see this menacing orange liquid on my tray so early in the morning. David could tolerate the lack of butter on the overly fluffy pancakes and three sausages to go with the eggs instead of six, not the orange juice. It was much too early in the morning for such a colorful liquid to be gracing his presence. Replace it with something more reasonable.”

“Don. I know how you feel, but it is a must. You know what your doctor has said about your coffee intake. You need to have something on your stomach first.” The butler edged the glass closer to the other and the silver breakfast platter closer to the mafioso before he turned to attend to other matters.

“Once you have sorted your breakfast, you can have as much coffee as you want in your work office.” David snorted at this as he gave the other orange liquid the evil eye. What right did a man in a white coat have to dictate what he could or not put into his body and when? None. That was the correct answer. The mafia boss would ensure the others understood during their next visit.

“There’s only one boss here, Alfred. You would do well to remember that.” The mafia boss didn’t even spare the butler a glance as he set to work on his breakfast. The mafia boss made quick work of the breakfast items with a level of elegance and grace that hardly matched his poor mood. A lousy temper was no excuse to forget one’s manners.

“If you want to be able to keep your job for another week, there better be a pot of coffee already brewed by the time I make my way down.” Alfred knew the words were his cue to leave. The butler ensured his boss’s outfit was correctly laid out before wordlessly moving to remove the breakfast cart and tray. David didn’t miss how the other man’s eyes lingered on the untouched glass of orange juice. Hazel orbs almost dared to flicker up to look at the mafia boss. However, The wise butler rethought his decision before making eye contact with David.

“Get rid of the rest of the juice as well. Throw it away or give it to the staff. I don’t care what you do, but I want to see it again.” The butler paused on his way out the door long enough to acknowledge the other’s request.

David let a hand run through his hair once the bedroom closed. Too much trouble had already taken place so early in the morning. When would Alfred ever properly come to learn his home? Hmph, probably never. For now, though, he would let it slide. Disrespect and disobedience weren’t behaviors that David had much tolerance for. However, it was one thing to kill a nameless, faceless peon that a thousand others could replace and another to replace someone reliable. David slipped the dress shirt over his broad shoulders. His fingers quickly worked the buttons, a deep scowl etched onto his features as he grabbed the black suit Alfred laid out for him.

 The mafia boss snatched the silver Rolex watch and matching cufflinks out of their case as he continued to reflect on these thoughts. It was truly more trouble than worth finding replacements for his ‘most reliable’ men. The blood would’ve been scrubbed out of his carpet a hundred times before he could find one man to replace the five he wanted to murder.

No, he would let them live until they stopped proving to hold any use for him whatsoever. The moment, however, that they stepped on a crack, made the one fatal wrong call, or made the mafia boss take over their jobs. At such a point, David wouldn’t hesitate to pull the gun even for one second. The cost of failure would never be able to measure up against the years of service they provided David. Even the most decades-loyal men would eventually find their eternal sleep at the other end of the mafia boss’s gun.

Speaking of eternal sleep… David’s hand paused on the door handle as he pulled his phone back out of his pocket. Memories from the night before passed through his mind as he dialed an all too familiar number. He’d almost forgotten one crucial call he needed to make that morning. He’d nearly forgotten that one man was still walking the earth who hadn’t gotten his just desserts yet. That wouldn’t do. A cruel smirk curled over his lips as he waited for the dial tone to end and for the other person to pick up his call.

“I think you already know why I’m calling you so early.” David hardly waited for the other to let out a breath before he spoke.

“I have a special job. I would like you to take care of me this time. My men have informed me that someone has gone about sticking their hands in one too many pies. I would like you to ensure that they can’t do that again. I think special delivery is in order if you know what I mean.” Pen against paper could be heard when David stopped speaking. The constant soft breathing was the only indicator that the other call was still on the line.

“Indeed, Don. I had heard and was waiting for your green light before I started. Something special this time, eh? I think that I have the perfect idea in mind.” The thick Eastern accent rippled with excitement. Those were the words the mafia boss had been hoping to hear.

Pity he wouldn’t be there to see the reactions of the intended recipients once they received his gift. What a special gift it would be, indeed. One that surely wouldn’t be forgotten any time soon.