“Eight o’clock,” he yells at me.
I don’t bother responding. It’s only a few minutes later when I hear him slam the front door of the condo. God, I hate him so much.
In my room, I hit the button to open the curtains. The condo is over ten thousand square feet on the sixty-second floor of a building people in this city would sell their souls to live in. I hate it, I hate everything about it. It’s not just the condo, I hate New York, the frantic tempo of the city, the way people look through you. I’m hoping I can talk Richard into a place in the quiet suburbs.
The knock at my door is timid and soft. There’s only one person it could be, Maria.
“Come in.”
Maria opens the door, carrying a tray of oatmeal with a cup of coffee. “You didn’t eat breakfast.”
“Thank you, Maria. I really appreciate it. You’re so sweet to me. I don’t deserve it.” I take the tray from her, carrying it to the small sitting area with a marble coffee table, loveseat and overstuffed chair where I spend most of my time in the condo.
“It’s no problem. Do you have a dress you want me to press or steam?”
I swallow a sigh, knowing Johnny sent her to ask me. “No, I’m good, thank you.”
A small nod. “Okay. You need anything else?”
“No, I’m good. I’m starving. I’ll eat and take my tray in later.”
“Okay.”
As soon as the door closes, I let my fake smile fade. I’ll miss her. She’s been so nice to me. When I first arrived here I was desperate to fit in. Maria helped me binge on everything to get caught up on American culture. All the things I didn’t understand, from how to get around the city, Snapchat, Tinder, all the rest—I could ask Maria without her ever laughing at me and my lack of knowledge.
Finished with breakfast, I make my way to my desk. For the thousandth time I study the picture of my mother holding me as a baby. She was beautiful. I got my height and cu
rves from my mom, but she was much thinner, with an elegance to her I still remember being fascinated with. My mom was a dancer from Madrid who traveled to Chicago for a show. She was only supposed to be there for a week, but Johnny took one look at her and he didn’t let her go. It sounds romantic, but the reality wasn’t so much.
The problem was my father was already married, and a member of the mafia. I remember the first time I heard it. I was being teased by a girl at school about my father. I managed to get onto a computer and the internet. I read and understood what it all meant. After that I became grateful he sent me away from Chicago and his world.
Taking the picture down, I take it into the closet to tuck it in the bag I have packed for tomorrow. Slipping the picture between the pages of my favorite book, I wonder what my mom would think about what I’m doing.
I would like to think she would support me. At first, I did wonder if Johnny was right and Richard was after something more than just me. He was so handsome I could hardly believe he wanted me. Except over the almost three months now Richard has never wavered in his declarations of love, and I believe him. I’m sure Mom would want me to be happy, and Richard makes me happy.
Studying the bag filled with a few changes of clothes and my wedding dress, I hope it’s not too big. It’s normal for me to carry a large bag when I go to the coffee house. I’ve gone there often over the last few months to spend the day working.
I went there to work so I wouldn’t feel like I was caged up in the condo. Even though I felt stupid sitting there working while one of Johnny’s men sat at another table close by and watched me. The only good thing about New York City is there are a plethora of people roaming the city with bodyguards, so it doesn’t faze most people. In order to keep up appearances I figure it’s a good idea to go today, so I text my usual guard, Danny, and let him know I want to go and I’ll be ready in twenty minutes.
3
Dominic
Packing doesn’t take long. I’m hoping this will only take a day, two tops. I pack two suits and a casual outfit just in case. Travelling without luggage is something I don’t do even if I’m just going to New York for the day. It catches people’s attention and that’s the last thing I want.
I put my gun and knife away so I can make it through security. As soon as I take them off I feel naked without them. In New York I can pick up another gun just like it, if I need it.
“How long are you going to be gone?” Mary asks as she adds my toiletry kit to my bag.
“I’m not sure, a day or two.”
She hands me my bag. “Have a good, safe flight.”
“Thanks.” I grab two books I’ve been looking forward to reading and tuck them into the bag, then text Everett I’m on my way down.
The flight doesn’t last long, going through security takes longer. When I land in JFK I grab a cab and head straight to Johnny’s office in Midtown. It’s an uneasy peace between Johnny and the Mafia here in New York City. The Mafia is different than the Outfit in Chicago, a difference the Outfit takes pride in. We don’t get involved in their business, they don’t get involved in ours, unless it’s a big fucking deal.
Johnny’s cancer was considered a big fucking deal. Last year the doctors were close to calling Johnny good. He was on the verge of coming back to Chicago. Until one last test showed they were wrong. There were plans for another round of chemo until Johnny said fuck it.