No Boundaries

Luka

Vienna was sleeping in the bed as I got dressed. I looked in the mirror, tightening my tie and buttoning my jacket. I'd send her phone a text once I got into the car, remind her to be there when I got back. I opened up my safe in the back of my closet and grabbed a few hundreds. I left them on the bed. She would need to take a taxi to go get her things. I wanted her to move in with me. Somewhere I could keep an eye on her, to make sure she stayed safe.

I understood her apprehension. I wasn’t sure I would've chosen the gig for myself, but it was my life. But I also wanted a fair shot at something with her. I could make her comfortable, happy, and drunk off of our sex every night. She would never have to work a day in her life. And I would make sure that her fears about me going back to jail or the feds would never come true. I would be with her forever.

I walked out of the front door and saw Marco standing next to my car. The man was fucking huge. Bald as a cue ball and almost twice my size. He easily could have gone into the NFL, but he decided to stay with the family. It was a matter of respect. He knew he couldn’t leave or expose us. By being in the limelight, he could have shed some light on our family, and that was dangerous. He gave me a smug smile with his hands together over his belt, leaning against my car.

“If you've left a mark on that car…”

“You'll kill me. I've heard it before.”

He nodded at me. “Who's the girl?”

“Just some broad I picked up. A man's got needs, you know. That long in the slammer? I’ve got business to attend to.”

“Man, I’ve been there. Eighteen months was enough for me to miss pussy more than anything. I’d eat that shit for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if it was up to me.”

“It's been four years, Marco. You still haven't found somebody to stick around with?”

He shrugged. “Not a lot of girls can handle this.”

I slapped him on the shoulder. “I missed you, man.”

He gave me a look of disgust. “I'm not going to fucking hug you. Besides your dad is all over my ass about getting you back to the office. So it wouldn't surprise me if he also had another person watching us. The last thing I need is for any of the eligible women that I haven't fucked to think I play for the other team.”

I let out a loud laugh. “You got it. Lead on, my friend.”

Marco got into a black SUV that was parked right in front of my car. I followed him out of the alley and down toward the west side of town. I breathed a sigh of relief as we pulled into the back of the strip club. Home. It may not look like much to some, but to me, it was all I’d ever known.

I got out of my car and walked in the back entrance. I snuck a peek at the strip club, seeing that they’d done some upgrades. It no longer looked like something out of an eighties porn set. “Bringing in the higher-end clientele yet?”

Marco shrugged. “You know that's not where your father's focus has been. That was your dream, and when you left, it kinda died. But they did do the remodel you suggested.”

A small smile stretched across my lips. At least my father believed in me enough to do that.

We walked down the back staircase and into the office below. The earthy scent of cigars wafted over me and I was met with dark wood paneling on all four walls. Gaudy chandeliers hung from every corner. My mother's take on Italian taste at its best. I wondered if the painting of the naked cherub was still right behind my father's desk. I stifled a small laugh. But before I could check, I saw a little Italian woman come running at me with her arms spread.

“Oh Luka!”

I smiled at her. “Mama. How are you?”

As I embraced her, I remembered that she only came up to my chest. She was such a tiny little woman, but that didn't mean that she wasn't as fierce as they come. I’d seen what my mom could do to people. She was hard-core.

“I'm fine, I'm fine. How are you, my son? Did they treat you terribly? Are you hungry? I'm sure you're hungry. I'll go upstairs and cook you something. I just made a new pot of gravy.”

“Mama, I'm fine.”

“You're skinny! They feed you nothing in that jail! I'll be back.”

She reached up to give me a kiss. She laid her right hand on my cheek before hustling up the stairs. Marco was trying to hide his laugh.

“How much lipstick is on me?”

He offered me a handkerchief. “More than the broad at your apartment left on you.”

I shook my head and wiped vigorously as I saw my father and two other men that I did not know stand from the table in the back corner. I knew better than to think that they would approach me. I'd always come to them; it was a way of demonstrating my respect. I unbuttoned my jacket and strode over to them. I extended my hand to the other two gentlemen, and then made my way to my father.

“My son returns. It's good to have you back, Luka.”