Крестный отец

           Shesmiledathimandpokedhisribswithherelbow."Veryclever."

           Michaelsmiledbackather."Iwantyoutothinkaboutit,"hesaid.

           "Didhereallykillsixmen?"Kayasked.

           "That’swhatthenewspapersclaimed,"Mikesaid."Nobodyeverprovedit.Butthere’sanotherstoryabouthimthatnobodyevertells.It’ssupposedtobesoterriblethatevenmyfatherwon’ttalkaboutit.TomHagenknowsthestoryandhewon’ttellme.OnceIkiddedhim,Isaid,‘WhenwillIbeoldenoughtohearthatstoryaboutLuca?’andTomsaid,‘Whenyou’reahundred.’"Michaelsippedhisglassofwine."Thatmustbesomestory.ThatmustbesomeLuca."

           LucaBrasiwasindeedamantofrightenthedevilinhellhimself.Short,squat,massive-skulled,hispresencesentoutalarmbellsofdanger.Hisfacewasstampedintoamaskoffury.Theeyeswerebrownbutwithnoneofthewarmthofthatcolor,moreadeadlytan.Themouthwasnotsomuchcruelaslifeless;thin,rubberyandthecolorofveal.

           Brasi’sreputationforviolencewasawesomeandhisdevotiontoDonCorleonelegendary.Hewas,inhimself,oneofthegreatblocksthatsupportedtheDon’spowerstructure.Hiskindwasararity.

           LucaBrasididnotfearthepolice,hedidnotfearsociety,hedidnotfearGod,hedidnotfearhell,hedidnotfearorlovehisfellowman.Buthehadelected,hehadchosen,tofearandloveDonCorleone.UsheredintothepresenceoftheDon,theterribleBrasiheldhimselfstiffwithrespect.