Between Heaven and Hell

by Erin Trejo

  “Some men might like that you know?” His fingers haven’t stopped their seductive trail as he leans in closer to me. The lights in the hallway flicker on giving me a better view of the man. He sucks in a breath before he speaks again, and his words unnerve me.

  “The eyes of an angel.”

  Cordae

  I had to pull myself away from her. There was too much of a current that ran between the two of us. Who the hell was she? Why was she making me feel like I’ve known her forever? Is it possible that dreams can become reality? I pull my hand away as if I’ve been burned. And maybe in a way I have.

  “Are you ok now? He won’t be bothering you again,” I tell her with sureness. I will make damn sure of that. Her eyes never leave mine as I talk to her. She’s hypnotized, just the way I felt. Her blue eyes are burning into my soul.

  “Hey! Sweetheart!” Snapping my fingers in front of her face, she finally nods her head as if she’s still locked in a trance. I can’t say that I don’t feel it to because I do.

  “I’m fine. Sorry. Oh, thank you for that,” she says quickly. I nod and turn to walk away when she calls out to me once more.

  “Can I buy you a drink? I mean, you did kick his ass for me.” Her little giggle is soft and delicate, just like the girl herself. But I know I’m not anything she needs to be around. I’m not the kind of man that she needs in her life. I’d only rip her apart and spit her out broken. Without looking back at her, I walk away and call out over my shoulder, “No.”

  I need space to think. What the hell is wrong with me? I don’t let women work me up like that. As I get my head back on straight, I walk towards the stairs to handle a little under the table business for my uncle. Halfway up I stop with a nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach. When I glance back down, my eyes lock with hers. Those crystal blue eyes that look like they’ve been sent straight down from heaven burn into me. Shaking my head, I refocus on the task at hand following the guy to the top floor.

  “Right through here,” he says. Walking into the room my attention is top notch. You never know what you may walk into.

  “Demon. Nice to see you again.” Midas sits on his throne as he eyes me. He’s a real piece of shit but he does run a lot of drugs through these clubs and my uncle wants a piece of that. I can’t say that I blame him after what I’ve seen here tonight. The drugs seem to run through here freely and without any kind of issue.

  “It’s always nice to see me,” I add. He grins and motions for me to take a seat, which I do.

  “John wants in on your dealings. You know the price that carries; I don’t need to remind you. We’ll run our end across the board, but you will run the club business same as always, except now you will be supplying our products,” I inform him as if this is just another day, which it is. His eyes widen when the words leave my mouth. He knows me; he knows the family I belong to. He doesn’t dare say no to me.

  “That’s a big demand, Cord.” Nodding my head, he glances around trying to come up with a rational answer. There is only one.

  “They’re out there. Blending casually as they were told to do. Don’t doubt my authority as a rising member of the Vitale family, Midas.” His eyes jerk back to mine as he nods his head slowly. He knows we have more men positioned out there, scattered around the club, blending in just like I said.

  “I’ll make contact when the supply runs out. We’ll set up imports so that the product comes directly.” With a grin, I stand extending my hand to him.

  “I think this is a great move on your part, Midas.” Inside I’m laughing hysterically. As if he had a choice in the matter to begin with. Here in New York, you do not mess with the Vitale family. Everyone knows that, including Midas.

  “The pleasure is mine,” he says under his breath as I note the tone of his voice before I nod. I head back down the stairs and spot Jordy. I’ve had enough of this place and I’d say it’s about time the party is over, and we can get the hell back to my life.

  Cordae

  Jumping out of the shower after my run this morning, I feel good. I change quickly into my dress pants and button down shirt before making my way towards the living room.

  “How nice of you to finally join me,” My uncle says as he glances at me over the newspaper he holds in front of him.

  “I didn’t realize I would be having company. How rude of me.” My uncle shakes his head, setting his paper to the side to look at me.

  “There are some things we need to discuss, Cord. Come, sit.” Following his orders, I sit in the chair in front of him. I cross my arms over my chest as he leans forward, resting his on the table.

  “I assume the meeting with Midas went as planned?” Nodding my head, he continues. “I also heard that you had a little altercation with the Gambino boy.” Plastering a grin on my face, I unfold my arms, leaning forward to mimic his stature.

  “It was nothing, dear Uncle. I happened to find him in a rather awkward state with a not so willing girl,” I inform him. My uncle nods his head knowing that there are times that I don’t like seeing a woman being used, for lack of a better term. Not every time though since I do tend to use them myself, but I have my moments.

  “I see. Well, that little altercation has brought the Vitale family into the light.” Not understanding what he means, I shake my head and shrug. “Your little fit, Cord! The families want to call a meeting. Do you know what that means?” Shit. Shit. Shit.

  “That I’m pulling too much attention. Forgive me, Uncle.” I sincerely try to apologize when he stands suddenly. His shoulders are tight, his back straight. I’ve pissed him off in the worst kind of way.

  “The thing is Cord, I can’t leave you to your own wellbeing anymore. As of this moment you are moving into the mansion with me. I won’t have any more backlash and your fights are over.” His dark eyes glare into mine and I know there is no fighting this. So I don’t even try. It would be a waste of both of our time. So I do what I need to do, nod my head and say, “Yes, sir.” In less than a few days, my things are packed.

  My things have been moved into my Uncle’s as I was told. I sit behind the desk of my new office going over some paperwork when the door opens.

  “Glad to find you working,” My uncle says as he walks into the room. Setting the papers down onto the desk, I lean back in my leather chair taking him in. Many years ago he was calmer, less wound. I remember when I first came to live with him. The way he tried to care for me as if I was his child. It never worked though because I wasn’t, and the world we live in doesn’t allow for that.

  “Where else would I be?” Eyeing him as he crosses the room, he takes a seat in the chair in front of me. I watch him intently as he scrubs his hand across his face. The dark greying hair that hangs in his face, shadows his eyes.

  “I wanted to discuss things with you later but after the news I received today, I think we should talk now.” That’s never a good sign.

  “What is this about?” I ask. leaning forward. Now that he has my attention, I wait.

  “Let me be frank with you here, Cord. You’re young; you have a life ahead of you. You have an empire at your fingertips. Anything your heart desires is within your grasp. The snap of your fingers gets you those things.” I listen intently as my uncle speaks. His words are dark and haunted, not that, that ventures from the normal. “Let’s be straight with each other, Cord. If I were to tell you that I have cancer and only have a few more months left on this earth and I asked you bluntly, are you ready to take over this family, what would be your response?” His eyes grow dark. Darker than I’ve ever seen them before.

  “I would say that my entire adult life has been preparing me for this moment. I would take it in my hands and step up to the head of the family like I am supposed to.” Knowing in the back of my mind that this is killing every chance I had at being a twenty-two-year-old man, I know what my fate is. My uncle doesn’t beat around the bush; if he said it, he meant it. Watching him stand, I do as well. He walks around the desk with authority in his
steps.

  “There are many things yet for you to learn. My desire is to teach them to you before I leave this earth.” Grabbing my hand in his, he brings it to his lips. Pressing a kiss to the ring that adorns my finger, he smiles. “You, my son, are now the Boss. You must show no mercy to those that disrespect our name. You must provide leadership to the ones that come before you. You must show no emotion to the outside world as that will be your demise."

  Every single word he utters is truth. It’s truth in the rawest of forms. It’s truth that isn’t to be taken lightly.

  One year later

  The world is an ugly place. The hate that lives within my heart is all consuming. There’s a weight on my shoulders. This past year has done little to ease that weight. If anything, it’s added to it. My Uncle passed away much like we knew he would. My way of life quickly changed. In the blink of an eye, I’ve become the monster that was to be feared by all and hated by many. I was the Boss of the Vitale family, a feared monster, a devil in disguise. I quickly adapted to that way of life. I knew my place and I make damn sure to prove to my uncle that I am in my rightful place in this family.

  As I’ve learned my place, Jordy has fallen into step next to me. There is no one I would trust with my life aside from him. Jordy has been a constant in my life and having him here on this journey just seemed right. Our mindsets have changed. Our attitudes, our demeanors. Even though I have many new bodyguards and soldiers at my disposal, Jordy has never failed me and remains at my side. My duties have become more defined and have taken over every aspect of my life. There is no room for anything aside from this family.

  Many times I find myself wondering what the higher purpose is and how to find that purpose, only to realize that I am the purpose. I am the man that makes this city revolve. I am the one that makes the fucking light of day before the darkness of night. In this city, there is no God aside from me. I am the creator, the holy one, the one that is respected at every turn. When I first took this spot a year ago, I had to fight. Tooth and nail, I had to prove to the ones that doubted me that I could handle holding this title. Some didn’t take me seriously while others knew they had no choice. Those that didn’t obey my wishes quickly found out that I was not one to be taken lightly. My uncle set a high standard for me. A tough act to follow as they say but I believe I’m filling his shoes perfectly.

  “Tell me you have good reason to be hovering around my door!” Snapping loudly, I can see the shadow that’s present outside my office.

  “I know you were lost in thought, I didn’t want to intrude,” the voice says. Benny steps through the door as my eyes track his movements. At one-point, Benny was a good man. I didn’t think anything of it when he came to me looking for a job when the fighting scene was no longer an option to me.

  “And what is it you want?” I have to take a breath before I lose my mind. There is only so much stress I can handle without relieving it. When he doesn’t answer, I ask again. “Do you have a purpose here, Benny? I have work to do even if you don’t!” He jumps slightly before he looks at me again.

  “There’s been some strange news that I have come across.”

  Welcome to my life. Strange news isn’t anything new. In fact, the last strange news I had gotten was about a head in a box. I suppose to outsiders looking in that would be strange. To me? It’s life. Strange news. This is why he’s been lurking outside my door. For this so-called strange news.

  “Do you care to elaborate on that?” I ask, my tone harsh. Benny looks at his hands before coming to meet my gaze.

  “There is a child.” His voice cracks as he speaks. My nerves are almost to the end of their short fuse when I stand from the chair causing it to roll back hitting the bookcase behind it. Benny jolts as I move around the desk to grasp his shoulder.

  “Look at me, Benny, and understand me now. I let you have this job as a kind gesture. If you can’t handle speaking to me, get the hell out of my office.” Squeezing his shoulder, I can feel the tension rolling off him. As good of a man that I know he is, he has to work on his people skills.

  “There’s a child in the foster care system. A social worker contacted us while you were away on business.” Is he getting to the point?

  “They said she is your sister.” The words tumble out of his mouth as I look at him. Arching my brow, he shrugs his shoulders.

  “My sister? Well, they have made a mistake, obviously. I don’t have siblings,” I tell him, releasing the hold I had on him. I walk back to my desk to finish with what I was working on when I notice he’s not moving.

  “Something else?” Benny sighs before bringing his eyes back to mine.

  “They want you to take a test to see if she is truly related.” I press my hands together in front of me in prayer form before leaning my face against them.

  “Where is Nikolai?” Benny opens his mouth to speak when the door flies open yet again.

  “Since when did it become a goddamn non-necessity to knock on my door!” I roar but when I look up, I see the look etched across Nikolai’s face. Judging by that look, I will overlook this little indiscretion. “Just the man I was looking for. What is this shit Benny’s spouting off about?” I ask, looking him in the eyes. Nikolai has been a part of this family for many years before I became Boss. If anyone knows the inner workings of our lifestyle, it’s him. He’s an asset to me. We work closely to one another.

  “Sorry, Cord. It looks like he is being truthful. I reached out to the social services woman and there is reason to believe that your father had an affair. This child may indeed be a Vitale.” As if I needed the extra stress in my life, this is outrageous.

  “That doesn’t surprise me at all. My father was a weak bastard. What are the plans? Why am I being contacted in the first place?” I don’t care about people anymore. My father was a piece of shit, which was no surprise. He could have multiple children out there in the world, none of that holds any meaning to me. I’ve closed off on an emotional level. I take what I want when I want it. I use what and who I can to my advantage. This isn’t a non-issue as far as I’m concerned.

  “Her mother passed away and she is in need of a home. Preferably with family.” Shoving out of my chair once again, I stand, sliding my hands into the pockets of my slacks.

  “Preferably with a family? Do I come off as the family type?” I ask. Benny chuckles but this is no laughing matter. If they would have brought this to my plate a year ago, I would have welcomed it with open arms. Now? It’s another burden that I don’t need.

  “I assure you that you are no family man, Cord. I’ve known you since you were born. I’ve watched the monster that you’ve become. But I must say that if your uncle instilled one ounce of value into you, it’s that you never walk away from family.” I remember my uncle’s words as I heard them so many times before.

  “Your father was a coward. Your mother, she was your family. In this life the only ones we can depend on are family. It’s the basis of what we have built. We may not always like that family but in the end, they share our blood.”

  His words echo through my head like the pulse that beats in my heart.

  “When do we do this test?” Nikolai grins slightly, knowing that I will respect my uncle to the fullest regardless of if I like it or not. I don’t have it in me to let him down.

  “In a few hours.”

  Chapter 8

  I climb in the limo oblivious to anything that happens to be going on around me. As if I don’t have better things to attend to, now I am in the middle of this he said, she said drama. I keep my gaze out the window as we travel deeper into town to take care of this matter. In my opinion, there shouldn’t even be a matter.

  “What are your thoughts on the situation with Midas?” Nikolai asks, pulling my attention to his. I mentally thank him for his attempt to keep my mind off this test and child.

  “There is no situation. He will run what I tell him, and it will keep his sleazy ass alive,” I casually inform him. Nikolai nods his head befor
e I return to stare out the window. Solemn times like this, I wonder what my life would have been like if my uncle were still alive. Where would I be? I wouldn’t be in the position I am now, that much I know. But where would I be? The limo comes to a stop as I let out a sigh in frustration. This is more shit than I care to deal with today, on top of my other meetings.

  The door opens before I slide out, adjusting my suit before looking around the area. I haven’t been to this side of town in a very long time. There’s nothing over here for me. If you see me over here, you can guarantee that there is some kind of situation that I’m tending to. Angelo holds the door to the building open before motioning for me to move inside. I’m immediately hit with the smell of mold and complete filth.

  “Mr. Vitale. I’m Ronda. I spoke with your people about the test.” Nodding my head, I extend my hand to the small chunky woman.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you. If you don’t mind, I’d like to get this taken care of in a timely manner.” Pulling my hand free of hers, she nods.

  “Follow me this way.” Her attitude has changed in the mere seconds that I’ve been in here. It doesn’t change the fact that I want to get this over with and be on my way.

  “Take a seat and the nurse will be in shortly,” she says before leaving the room. I take a look around the dilapidated room before I opt for the small chair in the corner. I let out a breath of frustration when a woman comes in, turning her back to me almost immediately.

  “I’m Ava. I will be drawing your blood for the test. It typically takes around four weeks to get the results back, but I see here you ordered it be rushed. That should come back in a week or so.” I listen to her speak but when she turns to face me, I gasp.