Fallon & Luca

by Soraya Naomi

  ***

  James, Adriano, Salvatore, and I meet up in James’s office at ten o’clock to discuss our strategy.

  “Fallon’s on board?” James directs the question from behind his desk to the rest of us who are seated across from him.

  “She is,” I answer. “And I will protect her constantly. She’s the first to leave if anything, anything, goes wrong.”

  “I think Damian should come too,” Adriano suggests. “He can scope out the perimeter while we’re inside the church. Leggia will have men outside as well.”

  My overwhelming concern is quieted slightly by Adriano’s offer. Thankfully, because I can’t afford to be distracted by Fallon’s presence. This is my one chance to end this with minimal casualties. Only for her am I able to put my annoyance aside and focus on the task at hand.

  “Fine.” James grants the request. “Has Father Eli been instructed as well?”

  “Father Eli will help anyone who pays him enough,” I say. “But as insurance, I have photo evidence of his unsavory proclivities.”

  “And has Biagio been informed?” Consigliere Salvatore inquires.

  Adriano and I talked to Leggia’s underboss, Biagio, Monday night at our warehouse. We etched reasonable doubt with Biagio, and now he’ll work with us to eliminate Leggia, which will allow Biagio to be promoted to boss of the New York Syndicate. Biagio has to be the one to search us for guns tonight because he’ll permit us to keep our weapons. He’s far smarter than Leggia and not as power hungry, and he’s also a family man who doesn’t want the war Leggia’s inciting.

  “Yes,” I reply. “He agreed on the course of action when we spoke to him on Monday night.”

  “Then let’s end this fast,” James advises and throws on his beige jacket.

  “Go get Damian, and I’ll get Fallon,” I say to Adriano as I take my handgun from the inside pocket of my suit jacket, concealing it in my ankle holster and letting my pants slip over it, so that I can leave my jacket behind.

  Going upstairs, I find Fallon already waiting on the bed in a green summer dress that Adriano borrowed from Cam.

  “Are you ready?” I ask, even though I’m not, but this must happen.

  “No.”

  Closing the distance, I kneel before her. “You have to listen to me, Fallon. Stay with me at all times.”

  As she nods in understanding, I recall that the previous night, the thought crossed my mind that she might want to help her ex-boyfriend, Danny. Fallon’s volatile behavior makes it difficult to predict her next move, although she appears to have calmed down since we caught them last night. However, I’m guarding her every second because she could turn on us the moment her fear overrules her mind.

  Needing to end this fast, I clasp her hand in mine and we walk out of the house together.

  Damian drives out first, via another route, to the church, and we hitch a ride with Consigliere Salvatore with James in the passenger seat, me in the back middle next to Adriano, and Fallon beside me.

  “Ms. Michaels,” Salvatore and James greet.

  “Hi,” she says in a weak voice, not daring to look at them as she also evades Adriano’s gaze.

  Due to the heat, I just wear my white dress shirt, sans tie. As I’m rolling up the sleeves, I see Fallon’s hands trembling uncontrollably in her lap while she stares out the window. This time, my love triumphs my anger, and I can’t resist comforting her by extending my arm behind her and hugging her to me while kissing her hair.

  Tensing up, she hides her face in my chest without making a sound.

  “It will end today, dolcezza,” I whisper.

  Only a few more hours, and then Fallon can go back to her life. The last obstacle to ensure her safety and end a mafia war before it has a chance to ignite. Fallon’s only been informed of her role. She’s to stay behind me and remain quiet. If anything goes wrong, she’s to obey my instructions.

  Silence consumes the vehicle during the entire ride since we can’t talk any business with Fallon present, and the Chicago skyline sparkles against the night sky when we enter the Loop.

  We’re right on time as Salvatore parks the car in front of the church. The street is deserted this time of night except for a pedestrian walking his dog.

  As James and Salvatore get out of the vehicle, I tilt Fallon’s head up and rehash the plan with her. “Don’t say a word, even if someone addresses you,” I order. “And stay close to me at all times.”

  She bobs her head with an uncertain haze across her features.

  “Tell me with words, Fallon.” I need to hear her voice.

  “Yes, okay,” she murmurs.

  Salvatore signals that it’s showtime, and James leads the way through the massive church doors to the vestibule. The historical cruciform architecture of this place is similar to the church I used to attend with my parents when I was a child.

  Fallon’s pressed against my back, trailing me with unstable steps, as we tread down the aisle that runs down the middle and head toward the elevated altar at the end, which is surrounded by devotional statues and lit candles. The large black organ pipes behind the sanctuary are visibly running up the walls, and every inch of the dome is decorated with Renaissance paintings of angels. Father Eli is sitting on the bench, purposely ignoring all of us.

  Salvatore, Adriano, James, and I have our guns discreetly holstered, as discussed with Biagio last Monday night, and Biagio and his Capo are waiting in front of the altar to search us, starting with James, who spreads his arms in front of the two men. Biagio’s Capo stands back while his underboss takes his time to inspect us.

  James towers over Biagio while the short Italian man nervously searches him, which concerns me, but James keeps his level stare on him the entire time. I tug Fallon further behind me as my unease over Biagio’s edgy composure grows.

  “The girl.” Biagio beckons Fallon over to him.

  What the fuck?

  We never discussed Fallon being searched. My arm shoots out behind me to relax Fallon, who tenses up instantly at Biagio’s words.

  “No one touches the girl,” I hiss through clenched teeth.

  Luckily, Biagio drops it, and I’m the last to be checked and step forward as Adriano takes position beside Fallon.

  Biagio puts my arms up, and his hands wander over my clothes. Padding down to my legs, he looks up when he discovers my ankle holster as sweat glistens on his upper lip.

  Is Biagio going to betray us? He’s dripping with anxiety.

  I bend my head and send him a warning glare in case he’s considering fucking me over.

  “Clear,” Biagio comments and rises to whisper hurriedly, “Danny’s in the adjacent bathroom. Leggia has a Glock in his shoulder strap, and Eli hasn’t ratted on us. Leggia ordered me to strip search the girl to piss you off.” He gives me an apologetic look. “Are you calm?”

  I nod once for him to proceed and immediately step back to feel Fallon pressed against my back again, and to my surprise, she entwines our fingers, so I clutch her hand in comfort.

  Biagio moves toward the sacristy – the chamber where Eli prepares for mass – and lets us through the door where Leggia welcomes us with a smug smile.

  “I was wondering how long it would take for you to come to your senses, Calderone,” Leggia says.

  Leggia has arrived very well prepared with four men. Biagio stands by the door behind us with his Capo as another man joins Leggia, and one more guy, who’s just a solder in the New York Syndicate, stands guard in front of the bathroom to my right where Danny is.

  “Leggia,” James says in an even tone. No one can incite James in public, so Leggia’s condescending remarks don’t bother him a bit.

  Leggia simply grins and peruses Fallon. “Welcome, Ms. Michaels. You’re quite the sight for sore eyes,” he taunts, directing his statement at me.

  Fallon trembles but doesn’t make a sound, and I block her from his view entirely. He’s stalling, so I inch backward, and Salvatore and Adriano mirror my action. We need to be rea
dy to retrieve our weapons at any moment.

  “Tsk, tsk,” Leggia mocks, “why so protective, Luca? You do want Danny, right?”

  “Where’s the boy?” James demands to know, growing impatient with this farce.

  Leggia’s such a theatrical, yet ignorant, man. But he’s also seemingly uncomfortable. I anticipated for him to act on his own plan of action, just like we will, but we have Biagio and at least one of his Capi in our pocket. So I’m wondering why he’s breaking out in a sweat. It’s either because his plan is about to set off or because he knows my plan will fail. Biagio’s odd behavior has me doubting if he’s positively in our corner.

  Unexpectedly, a commotion behind me has me reaching down for my gun on instinct and aiming it at Leggia. However, I shouldn’t have acted so suddenly because Leggia’s Capo behind me grabs Fallon as I bend down for my piece.

  Fucking shit!

  In reaction, James cocks his gun at the soldier to his right in one easy move, and Leggia jumps out of his seat with a vicious glare and takes out his. And, in an instant, everyone has his gun out.

  Leggia’s aim is on James in front of him.

  James still targets the soldier who’s guarding the bathroom because he’s seen our faces and, no matter what, cannot be allowed to escape.

  Biagio’s end of the barrel is on me from behind.

  Mine is on Leggia, Salvatore’s is on the man restraining Fallon, and lastly, Adriano aims at the Capo next to Leggia.

  Fallon’s eyes follow my controlled aim on Leggia while she’s being hauled back against the Capo’s chest with a gun at her temple. She takes in the scene with her mouth half open, complete terror and shock evident in her expression.

  My aim switches in a split second to the Capo threatening Fallon with his weapon, the movement causing Fallon to gulp in panic before, finally, Biagio proves himself worthy when he instantly backs me up and finds a new mark in Leggia, shocking him.

  “What the fuck, Biagio?” Leggia screams and fires his gun, which is still aimed at me, as the realization of his underboss’s betrayal sets in.

  The sound of the firearms around me is muted, but my ear feels like it’s burning after a slice of flesh is grazed off by Leggia’s bullet, which barely misses me as I duck and frenziedly attempt to get an open shot on the Capo who’s now cowardly hiding behind Fallon.

  Catching on to what I’m trying to do, Fallon stoops down and to the side, giving me an opportunity to shoot, so I blast my gun, hitting the Capo in his shoulder – this guy is obviously not the one in our corner. He sways on his feet, and I take another shot, this one fatal to the head. Then I crawl to Fallon and push her down, throwing myself on top of her and shielding her with my entire body as she cries out from the impact of hitting the floor on her knees and stomach and covers her head with her arms.

  Fortunately, James is much quicker than the soldier blocking the bathroom door and shoots him in the heart before he even has a chance to properly cock his gun. And the soldier sags down to the floor right in front of me and Fallon, who screams louder when she sees the dead body with a crimson halo forming on his upper chest.

  Placing my arm over Fallon’s head, I order, “Don’t look. Stay down.”

  On the other side of the room, Salvatore and Adriano jump behind a bookcase, and Leggia dives behind the desk when he realizes that two of his own men are betraying him. He empties three bullets into his second Capo and then fires at James, who dodges the shot and dips down in front of the desk.

  That’s when I take the opportunity to rush Fallon over to hide beside a dresser against the wall, folding my body over hers while we’re crouched down, and after James motions for me to keep launching bullets at the top of the desk, above Leggia’s hiding place, he rounds the corner of it and stands up. “Drop it.”

  I hear a weapon clank on the floor and see it slide out from the side when James kicks it away, and Leggia rises from behind the desk with his hands above his head.

  My vision blurs slightly, and I feel a warm fluid trickling down my shoulder before it drips onto Fallon’s back. I keep her head down because I don’t want her to see what James will do next. Meanwhile, an incessant ringing has started in my ear, but I ignore it.

  “Do you see your underboss protecting the woman and not you?” Leggia tries to provoke James.

  James just smiles in return. “Dear Giacomo, always a step behind.”

  My smartest move was to disclose my relationship with Fallon to James since he’s been standing behind me and helping me all the way.

  When Biagio lowers his gun, Leggia snorts at him. “You work for Calderone now? The moment he doesn’t need you, he’ll kill you.”

  And those are the last words of Leggia to Biagio because James releases a bullet into Leggia’s chest. “All of this could’ve been avoided if you were a tad smarter, Leggia.”

  Leggia collapses onto his back, and James finishes him off with another bullet.

  Fallon convulses in shock, and I notice her peering from behind her fingers, viewing the kill.

  “I’m getting her out of here,” I say to James with a brisk nod toward the bathroom, hinting that I don’t want her to see Danny.

  With all the commotion of the last couple of minutes, I’m sure helping Danny is the last thing on her mind, but I still need her away from here now.

  “Go. We’ll handle this,” James answers.

  So I straighten up and tug Fallon with me, out of the sacristy. But when I round her, she gasps in horror and her hand moves to my ear. “You’re bleeding.”

  “The bullet only grazed the skin.” I dodge her touch and check the length of her, sighing when I verify that she’s not hurt.

  “Come.” I entangle our hands and we run back down the aisle toward the entrance of the church where Damian’s driving by at that exact moment and stops.

  “Any witnesses?” I ask him after he’s rolled down the window.

  “No one’s walked by. We’re clear.” Damian then spots my blood. “You okay?”

  “Yes. James is handling Biagio and the clean-up.” I can’t mention Danny, and I’m truly thankful that Fallon seems to have forgotten about him during the chaos inside the sacristy.

  “Need me to stay here or go inside?” Damian inquires, looking from me to Fallon, who’s hiding behind my back, gripping my shirt. Damian’s the one that took her, and this is the first time they’ve seen each other again.

  Rapidly, I store my weapon in my ankle holster and plow a hand through my hair. “Go help clean up the mess. James will give you further orders.”

  Damian parks and hurries inside while I help Fallon into the passenger seat of the vehicle we arrived in, which Salvatore handed me the key to before we entered the church.

  When I pull the seatbelt over her and click it into place, she asks in a panic-stricken tone, “Danny. What about Danny? Where is he?”

  I’m only focused on one thing; getting her home. James will take care of Danny, and after everything she’s witnessed tonight, I can’t lay that on top of it too. She’ll already struggle to process it all, so I lie, “I don’t know.” And I head to the driver’s seat.

  After I put the car in drive, we leave this nightmare behind, and at last, I’m taking her home. But I don’t feel relieved. During the short ride, I stare ahead blankly, questioning all my decisions of the last six months because, with our decisions, we choose our path in life. My decision to let my guard down and start up a relationship with Fallon based on a lie led us to this point. It led to the deaths of Ramón Vasquez, our potential soldier, Frank, and Fallon’s boss, Alex. And it led to her being endangered in the worst ways possible until, ultimately, the one thing I wanted to avoid occurred; she was put directly in the line of fire by me.

  As I pull up in front of her condo, we stay seated, frozen in time, but eventually, I get it together and recover her mini purse containing her smartphone and keys from the glove compartment and give it to her. “Your things.”

  However, when Fallon accept
s the purse and opens the car door, I jump out too and shadow her inside her apartment. Closing her front door silently, I assess her. Almost a week ago, she was taken by Damian and Frank to our headquarters.

  Will she freak out? Or send me away?

  “It seems like forever since I’ve been here,” Fallon comments idly and perches on the edge of the couch.

  The dried blood on my ear is starting to pull at my skin, and she detects my grimace.

  “Are you going to the hospital?” she hisses with tears waiting to burst.

  “No.” I’ll have it stitched up back at the house if the doctor is there. If not, I’ll just have it bandaged and wait until morning.

  I’m holding my own control on a tight leash, guessing she’s going to lose it any moment now, which she does, breaking down when she observes my bloodstains on her shoulder strap. Her hollow, silent gasp has me eating the distance the second she slides to the floor, and I bend down to pick her up.

  “No!” she cries into her palms as she shrinks back from me. “Don’t touch me.” And she swipes her tears away determinedly, demanding, “What happened to Danny?”

  I’m hunched down before her, staring at a Fallon I’d wished to never see, one who’s filled with animosity toward me. “I don’t—”

  “Do not lie to me. Please tell me if he’s dead or not. The trade was about him. You wanted him. Where was he?” She looks up at me with swollen eyes.

  “In the bathroom. James has him now.”

  She realizes that’s Danny’s death sentence. “I saw you kill a man. I saw James kill two other men,” she whimpers. “This is your life? Killing people?”

  “That’s a part of it.”

  “Am I safe now?” she asks softly.