Brass Knuckles

by B.K. Wright

Mason is on a mission, and his mission is the Mafia, the Mafioso, and specifically, the Giaconi Family, one of the most powerful Mafia families to have ever immigrated to the United States. Lucian, the elusive boss of the Giaconi Family, has escaped the authorities for decades. His manipulative means and ruthless ways have allowed him to control any and all he chooses, and the unfortunate souls who dare cross him end up at the bottom of the murky waters of the Muddy Mo; that is, the Mississippi River, and a few have become tasty treats for the hungry alligators that can always be found lurking not far from the city the Giaconi Family calls home; The Big Easy, New Orleans, Louisiana. When the car of Lucian Giaconi’s son-in-law is pulled from the Mississippi River with no body inside, Rick is determined to find out exactly what happened to the man, and will do whatever it takes to stop the elusive crime boss, “Never Lose Lucian”, once and for all. Through careful surveillance, Rick discovers that the “weak link” in the Giaconi Family is Lucian’s youngest son, Jeff, who has twice tried and twice failed to leave the family. Rick is determined to get as close to the presumed Underboss as he possibly can. Rick soon learns that he and Jeff have something in common. They are both gay, and are drawn to each other like moths to a flame. Rick tries to ignore his attraction to Jeff, but wants him too much to not have him. If Jeff ever discovers that Rick is a federal agent on a mission to bring his family to justice, Rick is certain to be the next tasty treat served to the hungry alligators of the Louisiana Bayou. two men stood at the edge of the Pauline Street Wharf and watched as the chest made of pure cedar drifted slowly downward into the Mississippi River. “How long you think it’ll take ‘til it’s out in the Gulf?” “About half a day, if it even gets that far.” The two men laughed as they watched the cedar chest disappear from their sight as it was swallowed up by the murky waters of the Mississippi River. They looked around them. It was just after midnight. They headed back to the warehouse where the Giaconi Cedar Furniture was made. “Lucian will be pleased,” Johnny said. “Yes, yes he will be,” Sammy agreed. Sammy “the snake” Malini and Johnny “JoJo” Galioso had worked for Lucian Giaconi since they were in their teens. They had first worked for the old man, Lucian, Sr., and now they worked for his son, Lucian, Jr. They didn’t think that the son could possibly be more ruthless than the old man, but time had proven them wrong, very wrong.***Rick realized that the only way to the head of the family was through the youngest son, Jeff. He was the weak link, and he had wanted out. He had wanted out so badly that he had risked his life and had tried to leave the family, twice. Rick took out his equipment and positioned it so that he could see the warehouse again, and then waited for someone to show up. It was early, and the only people he had seen so far were the factory workers. “If only I could get a good look around inside the warehouse,” he thought. He continued to watch, hoping to get a glimpse of the two men that he could just barely see last night and hopefully, Jeff Giaconi. ***Rick walked into the restaurant and tried to appear lost, like a tourist might be. He walked up to Jeff, who was looking down at his menu. “Excuse me, sir?” Jeff looked up at Rick, and Rick almost melted. Jeff had the sweetest looking face Rick had ever seen. It looked pained somewhat, as if he were in anguish. But why wouldn’t he be? “Get a grip, Rick,” he told himself.

66 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 3, 2010

About the author

B.K. Wright lives in Wichita, Kansas, with a significant other of many years. Wright began writing short stories of gay romance years ago, Montana, Mine, being the first novel.

Wright shares the belief of Oscar Wilde that male love is the noblest form of affection, and hopes that through these novels the message that gay men can find a significant other with whom to share their lives will be conveyed.