[dcs_p]Mob Blog: Miami Beach, June 29, 2013[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
In Louie Morelli’s words ….[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
I’m in Miami Beach with Victor. It’s the weekend before the 4th of July. We’re on the Stella di Mare, which is in a slip at the Miami Beach Marina. Storm clouds are bunched up on the edge of the horizon, blowing up from the Caribbean, but this doesn’t deter two bikini-clad young women from sunning themselves on the deck of my eighty-foot Hatteras. The girls just want to have fun.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
The ladies are thirtyish. One of them—Victor’s date, Molly—works at Franco’s, where we went last night. Molly introduced me to her friend, Heather, a recent transplant from Kansas City. Upon introduction, Heather gave me a meaningful little smile and said, “I just love Miami Beach.” [/dcs_p][dcs_p]
Heather has fulfilled her purpose for being on my boat. She’s a nice girl, although she’s a little anxious. Trying too hard, I suspect. Heather has made it clear she wants to see me again. She knows I have deep pockets. She’s heard a well-founded rumor that I signed over a chunk of prime Miami Beach real estate to my last girlfriend. “Baby, don’t believe everything you hear,” I told her. “There were extenuating circumstances.”[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
It is true that I bequeathed the renowned Walker Hotel on Miami Beach to Tara. She is a very lovely lady with whom I had a very hot affair. (Stella di Mare) The transfer of Miami real estate to Tara was a rare occurrence. In fact, I can emphatically state that it will never happen again. But this doesn’t mean that I can’t show a girl a good time.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
Heather and Molly are drinking Bloody Mary’s. Victor’s reading the Miami-Herald, the edges of his newspaper flapping in the breeze. I’ve been on the phone, talking business. Now I hit the End button on the smart phone my daughter insisted I upgrade to, and which I really can’t stand, and look upwards. The clouds are moving in. It’s time to go.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
“Victor,” I say. “Tell them we’re ready.”[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
The Stella’s engines are already running. Victor goes inside to tell the captain I’ve given the word. Molly pouts. She’s due on shift at Franco’s in a few hours and can’t go with us. But Heather will travel as far as Fort Lauderdale, where we’ll stop for lunch. From there I’ll send her home in a cab.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
I glance at my watch. It’s high noon on a Saturday in Miami Beach. My wife doesn’t expect me home until midnight. I have the whole day to play.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
Patricia Bellomo is the author of the crime and mob fiction novels, Louie Morelli’s Mistress, Stella di Mare, and Louie Morelli’s Daughter. Patricia lives in the Detroit area with her husband, Vince, travelling frequently to South Florida and less frequently to New Orleans, the settings for her novels.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
This blog was written in the voice of her main character, mobster Louie Morelli.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]
Patricia’s books are available at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble. Also in digital format for all e-readers.
