by Patricia Bellomo | Feb 11, 2012 | Mob Blog
Vegas Virgins, February 11, 2012
[dcs_p]I’m with Victor and Anthony at Trevi Restaurant in Caesar’s Forum Shops. We flew in for a Super Bowl party and we’re still here. Today, we’re having a light lunch at Trevi’s. We’re sitting on the patio beneath the fake Forum sky, dining cafe style in a Romanesque setting that’s not quite like being in Rome, but hey … right now it’s the next best thing. We’re overlooking the Fountain of the Gods, sipping Chianti, and debating whether or not to go back to the casino for another hand of blackjack when a trio of busty forty-somethings converge at the next table. They’re a little weathered, but in good shape. Right away Victor starts talking to them, and we learn they’re from Milwaukee. “Green Bay fans,” one of the ladies says. She tells me that her husband, a cowboy sheriff, was absolutely opposed to gambling. It’s her first time in Sin City. “So I’m a Vegas Virgin,” she says.[/dcs_p]Hmm. “As a rule, I don’t care for virgins,” I say. And then I ask her where her husband is now, and she gives me an inviting smile and tells me they’re divorced.
by Patricia Bellomo | Feb 1, 2012 | Mob Blog
Mob Blog: Cristal and Caviar
Mob Blog: Cristal and Caviar, February 1, 2012
Franco calls me to let me know the Russians are back, hanging at my swank South Beach club two nights this past week. The Russians make me a little nervous–I don’t do business with them–but I don’t mind when they patronize my nightclub. They like to do private parties, renting out the upper level lounge. Usually they bring their own chicks, but this last time they asked Franco to “arrange” some dates, and he brought in about a dozen of Fort Lauderdale’s finest. Franco says they put on quite a show, but he was more impressed with the Russians consumption of premium champagne. They have a taste for Dom, but they also go for the Cristal. “Lou,” he says, “it was Cristal and caviar all night long.”[/dcs_p][dcs_p]Cristal and Caviar is written in the voice of Patricia Bellomo’s main character, mobster Louie Morelli. If you enjoyed this anecdote, please check out her books. Available at Amazon.com
by Patricia Bellomo | Jan 25, 2012 | Mob Blog
Mob Blog: Covert Ops
Mob Blog: Covert Ops, January 25, 2012
[dcs_p]Nathan’s back from another mysterious trip abroad. He drops by Tramonti where Victor and I are sharing a little antipasti, digging into the caprese and baby octopus when he pulls up a chair. Nathan’s wearing a very nice suit, but he’s swarthy with suntan and has the look of a soldier just returned from a covert op. Victor says, “Afghanistan?”, and Nathan gives a little shake of his head. “No, Venezuela,” he replies.[/dcs_p] Hmm. Nice of him to share, but I’m skeptical. Nathan’s so secretive he would never admit to being anywhere except where he wasn’t. So now I’m curious … where exactly was he?[/dcs_p][dcs_p]Patricia Bellomo is the author of the crime thrillers, Louie Morelli’s Daughter and Stella di Mare. Books available on Amazon.com
by Patricia Bellomo | Jan 19, 2012 | Mob Blog
Mob Blog: Angie’s Admirer
Angie’s Admirer, January 19, 2012
[dcs_p]Angie’s got an old gent making eyes at her. He’s a new member of the Delray Beach Preservation Trust, and he’s a rich widower … or so he tells her. Victor thinks he’s a con, but he’s more protective of my wife than I am.[/dcs_p]Anyway, Angie’s flattered by his attention. She gets flowers once a week, and every now and then she meets the old guy at Poppies for breakfast. He seems harmless enough, and I don’t mind that my wife has an admirer. “Just as long as he doesn’t cross the line,” I tell her. Remembering what happened to the last man who put the make on her, Angie gets flustered and gives me an icy look. “You wouldn’t dare,” she says.
[/dcs_p]Angie’s Admirer is told from the point of view of Patricia Bellomo’s main character, mobster Louie Morelli.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]Bellomo’s mafia thrillers include Louie Morelli’s Daughter and Stella di Mare. Books available at Amazon.com, B&N, and on all ereaders.
by Patricia Bellomo | Jan 12, 2012 | Mob Blog
Fantasy Football, January 12, 2012
[dcs_p]My talk radio pal Buddy Shuler used to be a sportscaster for the Saints. In fact, it’s where I first met him. Since we both live in South Florida and neither of us was able to be at the Dome last Saturday, Buddy invited me, Victor, and twenty of his friends over to watch the game. Buddy’s lavish Palm Beach estate has state-of-the-art media equipment, and we watched the Saints beat up the Lions on a theater-wide screen that made you feel like you were standing on the sidelines. Buddy put out a big spread, and everybody was happy. Everybody except the book who needed the Lions to cover and Buddy’s knock-out girlfriend.[/dcs_p]Rachel is as hot as a chick can be and Buddy thinks she is as pure as the driven snow, but I knew her before she was going with Buddy, and let me tell you, she’s no saint. She cornered me at the end of the 3rd quarter, dropping a hand onto my knee and leaning close to remind me of our previous connection. I let her know that I don’t disrespect my friends, not ever. But the thought lingered, and it was hard to concentrate on the game.
by Patricia Bellomo | Jan 3, 2012 | Mob Blog
Mob Blog: I Smell A Rat
Mob Blog: I Smell A Rat, January 3, 2012
[dcs_p]Business meet at my office in Boca. But it’s really a farce. This guy comes to me–dropping names to impress me–letting me know he’s “connected”. He wants to set up pain clinics in a couple of strips malls I own in Broward. He could do this the regular way by leasing space … why involve me? But he wants my protection, which translates to “no trouble with the Broward County Sheriff’s Office or the Fort Lauderdale police”. I already know it’s a no-go, but I ask him what’s in it for me. “Thirty percent of the action,” he says.[/dcs_p]His action is peddling scripts, but his real money comes from defrauding Medicare, claiming he’s into them for close to ten mil. It’s the scam of the hour, and every hustler in South Florida is in on it. So now I know he’s a phony and probably a rat. I give him a little smile and tell him I’m not interested. “It’s not how I do business.”[/dcs_p][dcs_p]I Smell A Rat is told from the point of view of Bellomo’s main character, mobster Louie Morelli. If you enjoyed this anecdote, check out Bellomo’s books at: www.patriciabellomo.com
