“I Christine, take you, Dominic, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part,” she vowed, her eyes shining back at me as she smiled.
I couldn’t stop staring at her. She always looked beautiful whether she was wearing sweats or nothing but my cut, but put a wedding dress on her and she was the most gorgeous girl I ever laid eyes on. And me? I was the lucky bastard who got to marry her.
“I Dominic, take you, Christine, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part,” I said, glancing at priest. “Can I kiss her now?”
The best day of my life.
A new beginning.
The beginning of the end.
You wanted me to visit you, but I’ve never really left you have I? How could I when you won’t let me…
I heard her voice but couldn’t see her. I needed to see her. I needed to look into her eyes just one more time so I could memorize all the features fading from my memory. I heard muffled voices, a man and a woman bickering, then I felt the sting on my cheek. I knew that burning sensation— someone was fucking with me, laying their hands on me.
Christine’s voice sounded in my head.
Open your eyes.
“Isn’t that right? Tell her how you’re a pussy who can’t bring himself to take his own life,” the man said. “Tell her,” he shouted.
I matched the voice with the face and forced my eyes open. I could barely hold my head up as I tried to focus my eyes on him.
“I’ll tell you whose life I’m going to take,” I slurred.
Fight!
It was like we were sixteen year olds and I was fighting some punk ass kids in the school yard, while she stood behind the gate, shouting at me to fight.
I tried to grin but I couldn’t feel my face. Still, I kept my eyes on Jimmy Gold as I promised to kill him.
“Yours,” I promised.
And I would kill him. I’d fucking make it my life’s mission to make this motherfucker suffer.
“Feeling bold are you? Maybe we should fix that,” Jimmy crooned.
Fuck you.
I closed my eyes to stop the room from spinning and I heard Christine’s voice calling out for me.
Blackie, I want you to listen. For once in your life please listen to me.
Where was she? Why couldn’t I see her? I need to see her.
Just one more time.
Her voice faded, leaving me in silence until I heard Jimmy shout. I was torn in two, one half of me willing to succumb to the oblivion the drugs provided, the drugs he injected into me. The other half struggled against the poison, reminding me I had a duty to my club and to Jack. I needed to fight.
Fight.
No one fights harder than you.
For what? What am I fighting for if you aren’t here?
Her. The girl you’re trying so hard not to fight for. The girl you won’t let in but the one that can make you better. Fight for her.
My eyes opened wide as Jimmy reared his hand back and slapped Reina across the face.
Stupid prick.
“YOU SPEAK TO ME WITH RESPECT,” he yelled.
“He will kill you,” I slurred, fighting with whatever strength I had left to keep my eyes trained on him. “Joke’s on you, Jimmy,” I managed.
That’s it, stay in the game. Keep fighting.
“What’re you talking about?” Jimmy laughed.
“She’s not some whore we take chance a piece on,” I said, licking my dry lips as I tried to form a grin. “You just laid a hand on the president’s old lady.”
“What’s he saying?” he asked Reina. She turned her head toward me and I closed my eyes, working up the strength to give her a nod.
“He’s saying you’re fucked,” she said. Then she called him a pussy and so help me God if I wasn’t half dead I would’ve laughed.
“In case you haven’t realized you’re tied up at my mercy, the only one who is fucked is you,” Jimmy sneered. I guess she insulted the motherfucker. “Well, maybe not quite yet but we can fix that,” he continued, before snapping his fingers. “And I know just the person to give you one last fuck,” he said, turning around and smiling as his eyes met mine. “It’s brilliant!”
I lifted my head as he stalked towards me, kneeling in front of me before he cupped my chin and forced me to look him in the eye.
“You want to play me, try to fool me? I’m no one’s fool. What was it you said? That you were just having a go at her before Jack came and finished her off? Yes, I believe that was it,” he said proudly. “Going to make your lies become your truth,” he warned. “And that’s how we’re going to deliver my demands to Mr. Parrish,” he released my face and turned to his henchmen. “Let’s go boys, need to set the mood!”
I drifted out, falling into the darkness that beckoned me. His voice loomed in the air. His threats and his promises echoed off the walls as I remained paralyzed by the drugs, unable to defend, to fight, to wage war against this motherfucker.
I became incoherent to whatever he said next as everything faded to black.