Sasha
The parking lot in front of the UPS store was almost desolate. While the location had a neon sign indicating it was still open, there was no one standing behind the counter. Number 518 was found easily, the group of boxes nestled all the way in the back of the store. When the clerk finally realized there were customers, Bruno had already cut the lock. I chatted with her briefly, finding out the box had been rented for five years, all paid in advance.
My hands were shaking as I attempted to open the door, uncertain of what I would find. The shoebox fit almost exactly with no room to spare, the lid taped as if that would matter to prying eyes. I didn’t waste time searching the contents. Maybe I really didn’t want to know after all.
I was so very cold as I secured the seatbelt, my arms and legs shaking. Just holding the thin cardboard in my hands made me feel closer to my mother, but also bitter and angry. Canada. I would hold August and his father to the promise of bringing her home or I would locate her myself.
Then I would exact my revenge on my father.
Snorting, I closed my eyes, fingering the side as Bruno drove, happy he wasn’t interested in peppering me with questions.
We rode in silence for at least ten minutes before he cleared his throat. “Aren’t you going to open it?”
“I’m not certain I want to any longer.”
“But you seemed desperate to find out the contents.”
“I know. I’m terrified, Bruno. You can’t know what it’s like to have your entire world turned upside down.” I swallowed, fighting a round of tears.
“Well, until you know what you’re dealing with, you’re never going to find peace. Trust me, I know.”
He was right, more so than I wanted to believe. I picked at the tape, slowly turning my head in his direction. We were stopped at a traffic light and for the first time, I took a good look at him. He was handsome in his own way, even though he’d obviously seen his share of fist fights, even more so than August. I had no idea how anyone survived this kind of life for an extended period of time. “You’re right.”
“I’m always right,” he said, snickering. As the light turned green, he tipped his head in my direction before pressing on the gas.
His smile was actually comforting, creating a smile of my own. I suddenly had the courage to face what would no doubt alter my future, at least enough to open the damn box. “I have a feeling you…” Lights from a vehicle roared from the opposite direction, barreling through the traffic light. A cold wave swept over me, a treacherous knowing and there was nothing that could be done. “Bruno! Watch-”
* * *
August
I stood against the cinderblock wall, listening to the prattling sounds of other caged assholes. Caged. That’s exactly what I was. At least they’d had the forethought of placing me in a six by six all by myself. Perhaps they were terrified that I’d become a loose cannon. I snickered at the thought. The anger had subsided, leaving me with a dull ache right behind my eyes and a calmness indicating an entirely different level of rage.
Revenge.
That was the only thing on my mind. I’d been processed and tossed in the fucking place in a matter of minutes, which meant even my arrival had been planned. I’d been foolish enough to walk into a trap and all because I hadn’t been able to think clearly.
Hissing, I glanced at the bare toilet, disgusted from the stench. I’d seen my share of jail cells, but I had the distinct feeling I wasn’t getting out any time soon. Even the family attorney, a man considered a shark, had his doubts about obtaining bail. On the list of accusations? Murder, blackmail, and extortion. I’d listened to a litany of charges, blocking out half of them. They were bullshit, easily challenged in a court of law, but appearing in front of a judge could take months.
My one phone call had been made. At least my attorney would notify the right people, including my father. He’d also been given explicit instructions to go straight to my house, taking Sasha to an unknown location. While I knew all hell would break loose, she could still be in danger from her own damn father. That didn’t make much sense in my mind. But hell, neither did anything else.
I had no idea what time it was, although I suspected morning by now. I’d laid out a basic scenario, reasons and people involved, and that would be first on my agenda when I was released.
If I was released.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!
I slid down the wall, dropping my head, still disbelieving that Carmine Francesco had anything to do with the accusations. Chicago was a long way from New York and he’d never made any overtures about taking over the city. He knew better. Lorenzo’s reaction was shock and the guy wasn’t a good actor.
Then why was my father almost terrified? What dark and ugly secret surrounded both families? Then there was Sasha. With my incarceration, the only way to keep her safe was to convince her to go far away. From me. From her father.
From her life.
She’d suffered enough and deserved a far better life than waiting for a jerk like me. I pressed my index finger across my mouth, trying to feel her, the last kiss. She’d made a permanent indentation in my heart. I let out a long breath, the anger breaching its wretched head. I had to remain calm in order to work through this.
Hearing a buzzing sound, I jerked my head in the direction of the cell door, chuckling under my breath. “Did you come to see how well I slum it, Dick?” I wasn’t surprised to see Dick Markus standing with a police officer, a smug look on his face. Of course, a member of the organized crime task force would want to dig his venomous claws into me as soon as possible.
He remained quiet, his eyes darting up and down. His expression was blank, but I noticed a line of sweat over his eyebrows.
“Is there something I can do for you, Dickie? I seem to have all the time in the world.”
“Unlock the door,” Dick barked to the officer.
“You’re sure about this?” the officer asked, hesitating.
“I have implicit orders to remove this prisoner into my custody for interrogation. Now, unless you’d like for me to have a chat with your superiors, I suggest you follow orders.” Dick snarled the command, which surprised the hell out of me.
I rose to my feet, trying to figure out what new game this had to be.
“Yes, sir,” the officer mumbled, moving to a console.
I walked closer, staring Dick in the eyes. He had no difficulty holding my gaze, but damn if I didn’t read something different behind his hard focus. Okay. I’d play along. When the door was opened, Dick merely pointed toward the corridor with one small tic.
He lifted an eyebrow.
He wanted me to remain quiet. My curiosity was piqued, even though I still wanted to put a bullet between his eyes.
The collection of my things took fifteen minutes and all in absolute silence. Once outside, I glared at the early morning sun. “Do you mind telling me what the fuck is going on?”
Dick darted a look at the police station, shaking his head. Another sign. He was afraid we were being watched.
“Get in the car, August, and don’t argue.”