“I’m…” She frowned, “Are we going to get arrested?”
“That’s what you’re concerned about? Not the dead bodies? Being shot at?”
She chewed her lower lip. “It’s louder, the gunshots are louder than I thought, they vibrate, making you th-think you’ve been shot when you’re simply an observer.” Another sigh. “I’m not sure tears are the right emotion, or sadness, I—” She shuddered. “Thank you. For keeping me safe.”
Damn, I could feel my heart growing as I held her close and kissed her head. A police officer whistled as he walked over to the bodies then to me.
“Accident?”
We owned this town. Plain and simple.
And we were still near our neighborhood.
Hell, we didn’t just own the town, we owned the mayor. They were in deep, ever since the economic crash; they’d been taking money from both the Abandonatos and Alferos for the last ten years.
And the police had known we were in town.
From the very day we arrived.
Frank was kind like that.
Hell, it was like writing a freaking press release. “The bosses are here, keep them safe at all costs.”
“You’re a little late.” I spat.
“Clearly.” He tapped his chin and glanced over at the bodies. “I’ll let the Chief know that there was a… situation.”
“We need a ride.”
“Right away, sir. Were you headed to the airport?”
“Same airport.” I sighed. “Different destination.”
I ducked into the back of the limo and grabbed my jacket then quickly grabbed our bags out of the limo’s trunk and headed over to the waiting police cruiser as the rest of the cops arrived along with the coroner.
I wrapped my jacked around Val. She snuggled into it then surprised me by turning her face toward the collar and inhaling deeply, a half smile playing on her lips. That little movement, almost as though she were savoring my essence, did a number on me, but I had no time to analyze what it might mean.
People were snapping pictures.
News reporters showed up.
And I’m sure the city would spin the story well — but that wasn’t my job, my job was to keep my wife safe, and right now, we were sitting ducks.
“To the airport, officer…?”
“Sherman.” He tipped his hat.
“Thank you for the help.”
“It’s an honor.” He looked at us through the rearview mirror. “My pops knew the Families, had Christmas drinks with a few of the men every year during his shift in the neighborhood.”
I smiled back at him. “I bet he enjoyed those times.”
A grin split across Officer Sherman’s face. “He still talks about it.”
“Tell him to stop by sometime… I’m sure the Family would love to see him.”
“Will do.” Sherman pulled up to the curb. “Enjoy your honeymoon? I’m assuming you were just married.”
“Our honeymoon was unfortunately just cut short,” I said feeling more sad than I cared to admit.
Val gripped my hand as we made our way to the ticket counter.
“Two first class tickets to Chicago on the first flight out, please.”
The lady nodded and then frowned. “We don’t have any flights that—”
“Thank you for your time,” I interrupted her and grabbed my phone as I stepped away from the counter. “Nikolai, I need your plane.”
“What is this? No ‘Hi? Long time no see?’”
“I saw you a half hour ago and since then have ended two lives and been shot at with more rounds than I could count. Give me your damn plane.”
“Done,” he said without hesitation, all humor drained from his voice. “Need that favor yet?”
“Hah!” I rolled my eyes. “This is it.”
“This is a plane. I own six. Hardly a favor. Call me if you need more… man power.”
“Workaholic.”
“Yes, sounds so much better than masochistic murderer.”
“Doesn’t it?”
“What airport?”
“JFK.”
“You’re in luck, my jet is getting refueled for my flight back. I’ll stay an extra night and visit with the Family.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m sure.”
“Thanks Nikolai.”
“Of course, and Sergio?”
“Yeah?”
“Love her well tonight.”
I sighed. “I’ll do my best.”
“Do better than your best.”
I pressed end and held out my hand to Val again. “We’ve got a plane, let’s get you some clothes.”
A lion among ladies is a most dreadful thing. –A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Valentina
I WAS BARELY hanging on.
Trying desperately to be the type of woman Sergio needed, the kind that didn’t scream when getting shot at — the kind who could kill spiders without cursing and point a gun at someone without shaking.
He needed strength.
But what he needed and what I was able to offer were two very different things.
I didn’t speak as he grabbed my hand and led me to a nearby store.