Chapter 1: An Old Friend

Grey clouds loomed over Liberty city as people ran inside their homes at the sound of thunder. The forecast was severe thunderstorms with strong winds, so the everyday civilians knew it was time to stay indoors for the rest of the day. But for one man this day was special, and that man was forty two year old wiseguy Richie Copperelli. He walked outside of the prison gates after spending ten years inside the concrete hell. Dressed in a dark blue collared shirt with a tattered tan jacket, and a pair of black slacks with black worn out dress shoes, Richie walked towards the side walk. He felt the wind blow through his hair as he stepped into freedom for the first time in ten years. He walked down the side walk looking around at all the new changes that had been made since he had been incarcerated. He kept walking until he finally made his way to Patrizio's Bistro. Richie looked at the sign and walked inside. He sat down at a table and ordered a small cappuccino from the young waitress.

"Richie Copperelli? Wow is it really you?" A strange voice called out.

Richie turned to see three guys walking up behind him.

"Wow I didn't know you were out of prison! My name is Cristian Tismonte, and these are my homies Marco Peruzzi and Matteo Grosso." Cristian said as him and his two friends stood in front of Richie.

"Do I know you?" Richie questioned as he sipped his cappuccino from the waitress.

"No, but we know you. We've heard stories about the things you done and if you ever need anything done just call us and we'll be happy to work for someone like you." Cristian replied.

"Ok, I appreciate the respect. Now get the fck out of my face so I can have some peace." Richie responded.

Cristian answered with a "Yes sir" and left with his two friends. Richie clutched his cappuccino in a paper cup and walked out of the restaurant. He crossed the street and walked in the barbershop.

"How you doing Eddie? How's business been?" Richie asked as he looked at the cash register.

"Oh fck, when did you get out Richie?" Eddie replied nervously.

"Today, I'm here to collect my share of your profits for the week. Since I'm out of prison, I'll be watching over your business again to make sure you done get hurt by some of these local hoodlums." Richie said sternly.

"Fck you Richie, I don't want nothing to do with a grease ball ccksucker like you. I'm not paying you hear me!" Eddie replied trying to assert himself.

"You're not paying? Don't forget who helped you get this business in the first place. If it wasn't for me, you'd still be dealing dope on the streets." Eddie responded.

"Fck you Richie, I'm not paying." Eddie answered.

Richie glared at Eddie and calmly set his cappuccino down on the counter. Next he walked over and delivered a hard right punch to Eddie's gut. Richie laughed as he grabbed a pair of scissors off the counter and stabbed them deep inside Eddie's back.

"OWWWWWWWWWW!" Eddie shrieked in pain.

Eddie fell to the floor and started squirming around crying. Mean while Richie was collecting his money for this week out of the cash register.

"Nice doing business with you." Richie said with a smile as he left the barbershop stuffing the last bit of money into his pockets.