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The TV in her room had the volume down so low,
it could barely be heard. "This is Entertainment Tattler for July 16, 1996. Tonight, we have the shocking video of the heartbreaking moment when this happy couple, seen here at their engagement party last month, became the centerpiece of a Mafia romance gone bad. Exclusive footage of Vanessa Persuano learning her fiancee, New York Mafia prince Sonny Colini had been shot and killed just moments before their wedding. This weekend, the entire Colini family, reputedly |
| the largest crime family in New York, showed up for the wedding
of Sonny Colini. Sonny was rumored to be the next Don of the Colini family,
which would have made him the most powerful man in the New York Mafia. Vanessa Persuano was to be his bride. She's the beautiful, vivacious daughter of the late Lefty Persuano, a small time Mafia henchman who worked for the Colini family. The day was off to an unforgettable start. The sun was out, the guests had arrived. Vanessa had even started walking down the isle. She was |
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totally unaware of what tragedy was about to befall her. Here, we see
Sonny's cousin Rosemary rushing down the isle to Vanessa. Vanessa thinks
it is a last minute congratulation, but it is much more deadly than that.
Watch Victor Colini's face as Rosemary informs the two that his son and
her fiancee is dead. |
| situations. Surprisingly, Vanessa Persuano agreed to an interview just hours later. "I will miss Sonny very much, but I hope I can remain a part of the Colini family for years to come", she said. Critics say Vanessa seemed oddly unaffected by the devastating news. Family members say she was obviously in shock. The Entertainment Tattler will have more on this Mafia soap opera as it unfolds. Next, find out what Ahnolds 'Eraser' co-star Vanessa Williams eats for breakfast...." |
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It had been so long since Vanessa watched that video, yet it still made her angry. Not for Sonny so much, it was never about Sonny. It was more the loss of opportunity. She had come so close to gaining a position of power in the Colini family. A feat her father could never accomplish. After Sonny's death it all went up in smoke. She wasn't technically a Colini at the time of his death, removing her from an official place in the family. She would always be seen as Sonny's girl, canceling any chances for her to nab one of the younger Colini brothers. She was out of luck. |
| That was until, the chance she was waiting for arrived. "Hello?", she answered. She knew who it would be, he called at the same time every week. "It's me, I got your update" "What's going on?", she asked. "There's a Congressman that was on the Colini payroll. The press exposed it, he was caught big time. He's gonna sing. There ain't much Victor and the boys can do, since he's so high profile.", the snitch told her. He was a local hood she had 'worked some magic on'. She had him call every |
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week with updates on the Colinis. This was a major breakthrough. Vanessa had been waiting for this moment for the last few years. All her training was about to be put to the test. She had so much to do, she had to book a flight to New York, she had to make an appointment to see Victor, and she had to prepare what she was going to say when she finally saw them all again. Actually, she had been doing that last part in her mind every day for the last five years. It was time to make it happen. If she couldn't marry her way in, she'd earn it. |
| "Vanessa, my sweet girl. It's been too long!", Victor
exclaimed as she hoped he would. She had been a little nervous. After Sonny's
death, when she realized they didn't see her as a Colini, she just sort
of disappeared. Not totally, Victor's people always knew where she was,
but she separated herself from the family. She never really explained why,
she just left them to think that it was due to her irrepressible sorrow.
She was not sure if they had bought that though. There fear that there was
bad blood was always in the back of her mind. |
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Victor's hug squeezed that fear right out of her. "I've missed you all so much", she said. "As we have with you", Wally answered from behind Victor. He was Sonny's younger brother. "What brings you back to us, besides the grace of the good lord?", Victor asked, never one to beat around the bush. "I heard my family needed help", Vanessa said. "How so?", Wally asked, "How do you figure the Colini family needs help?", he added, making the verbal separation between Colini and 'her family'. |
| There was the coldness she half expected. Wally
was playing the hard guy so Victor could be the old softy. "I've missed you Wally", Vanessa said. "As I said, we missed you", he returned, "now what exactly is this help you're offering?" "Wally, do you have to be so direct?", Victor reprimanded. This was definitely a game of good cop bad cop (only as far away from cops as you could get) "It's ok Victor. Congressman Radich. I know that |
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he is going to sing in a couple days. I know you don't know
of a way to stop him. I've come to tell you that I can stop him from testifying.
I can make him forget everything he knows.", Vanessa smiled. She was
being coy. "How's that?", Wally said. He wasn't being coy. "I've been studied different ways of.... persuading people over the last five years. I've gotten pretty good at it." "What's in it for you?", Wally asked. He was curious as to what her method was, but at this point he'd have done anything to shut Radich up. |
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Vanessa darted towards Wally and embraced him in a big hug. She knew
that would throw him off guard, "I just want a chance to repay the
Colini's for the love they have shown me." |
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"I don't see a problem with it, do you Wally? We certainly
don't have any other options", Victor said. "You'd have to be extremely discreet. It can't back fire and make more f*ckin' bad press", Wally relented. Vanessa was ecstatic. "Great! I'm so happy! Where is he, can I get to him?", she asked. "He's where all witnesses go, the Ritz. He's guarded by a cop outside the door all day long. None of the cops stationed at his room are 'on our side'. Getting in there will need to be another one of your magic |
| tricks", Wally told her. He was skeptical, and a little nervous. What if Vanessa could shut Radich up in two days, when Wally had been trying for weeks with no result. That wouldn't look good. It was doubtful that she would pull it off though, he hoped..... for a few reasons. |