by Ravenna Tate
Phenex stood and banged his fist hard on the table. “I vote fuck no. We stay right here. This is our home. Most of us were born here, and we have family who died here. We belong to this town. Let’s send that message to di Stefano.”
The room was so loud that Gorgon gave up trying to quiet them down and simply let them cheer, bang their fists, and make their arguments for or against Phenex’s words. When the energy was spent, he called for a vote.
“All in favor of moving?” Only three prospects raised their hands. Phenex made a mental note of their names because he suspected they wouldn’t be around much longer.
“Against?” Hands shot up, and there was a lot of yelling once more.
“The ayes have it! We fucking stay!”
More pandemonium as the men celebrated their decision. Phenex glanced toward Vassago who gave him a thumbs-up, and grinned like that cat in the movie about a girl who falls into a rabbit hole, or into another world, or some such nonsense.
When the meeting finally broke up, Phenex asked Vassago if he could reach Donny for him. It was time to ask for his advice on Kevin. That way, at least he could reassure Meghan that if the asshole did get out on parole after only two years, he wouldn’t be able to come near her.
He went to find Meghan to wait for Donny’s call, and when it came, he put the phone on speaker so Meghan could be part of the conversation.
“Donny, I need your advice. This is for Meghan. The phone is on speaker, and she’s here.”
“What can I do for the beautiful Meghan?”
Despite the circumstances for the call, she smiled. Donny was a charmer when he wanted to be. “It’s a long story,” she said. “My ex-boyfriend is in prison for armed robbery and is up for parole next week. It would be great if he never got out, but he’s only serving two to eight, and will probably be up again in six months even if it is denied.”
“Maybe. Where is he?”
“Grafton Correctional.”
“How long has he served?”
“Just over two years.”
“Depending on why it was denied, you’re right. He’ll be up again in six months to a year. Is there a history between you two that gives you reason to believe he would try to hurt you if he found you?”
She and Phenex locked gazes. “Yes,” she said softly. “Definitely. “Kevin beat me up a lot. A little over two years ago, he beat me so badly one night that I lost my baby. She was seven months old. She lived one week after they delivered her.”
“Ah, sweetheart, I’m so sorry. That fucking scum shoulda’ got more than two to eight for it, though. That’s manslaughter in Ohio. How did they get armed robbery from that?”
Meghan explained what happened with the attorney and her ER statement. Phenex swore he could feel Donny’s red, hot anger on the other end of the phone. Donny hated men who beat up women.
“Give me details on him.”
“The man’s name is Kevin Taylor. His family is well-known in Lorain. They have money.”
“Okay. Yeah. I know who they are.” Donny’s tone suggested he not only knew them, but detested them. “You got his inmate number handy?”
She picked up her phone, found it, and read it to Donny.
“What happens to him is up to you, Meghan. It would be easy to have him taken out in prison.”
“I’m worried his family might come after me if that happened.”
Donny chuckled softly. “They wouldn’t have any evidence you had anything to do with it.”
It was easy to see the struggle on her face. She was effectively giving Donny permission to have a man killed. “Donny, do you mind if Meghan and I talk privately for a moment?”
“Take your time.”
Phenex took the phone off speaker and moved it over. “It’s your call to make.”
“I know.”
“He’ll get out one day and you’ll have to face him eventually.”
“Even if I do, he still got away with it. Nothing I say to him will change that. It won’t change his smugness. It won’t change the fact that his fucking family even didn’t care that he killed their granddaughter.”
Phenex wiped away her tears.
“I could stand there and rant at him, with all of you around to protect me, but it still wouldn’t bring Faith back. It wouldn’t erase that cocky look in his eyes. It wouldn’t reverse the judge’s decision. He will never pay for what he did to me and to her.”
A quick glance at the phone and she nodded. “I understand what you’re saying. If we let Donny do this, Kevin will pay. With the same thing he took from Faith. His life.”
“Yeah. That’s exactly what will happen. And no one will ever know we had this conversation. You can count on that, Meghan.”
“But what does that make me?”
“It makes you a woman who sought and received retribution for her daughter’s death.”
Meghan drew in a gasping breath, and it was then he saw the change on her face. “Yeah. It does. But one question. When will you have yours for what your father did?”
Well fuck. She’d nailed him, just like that. And he knew what he had to do. “I’m going to see him.”
“Promise?”
“Yeah.”
Meghan pulled the phone over and put it on speaker. “Donny, take him out, please.”
“Consider it done, sweetheart. Oh, and none of my business, but I think you should go with Phenex when he confronts his father.”
“I think you’re right. Thank you.”
After they said their good-byes, Phenex pulled Meghan close and held her. “It’s going to be all right.”
“All these people he and his men kill so easily,” she whispered. “It scares the hell out of me at times.”
“I understand what you mean. But is it right my father and Kevin got away with murder?” He pulled away to look into her eyes.
“No. It’s not.”
“My father has been in prison for twenty years. His life is probably hell on earth. But like you said, Kevin will never pay for what he did to Faith if he’s set free. And if he came looking for you, you’d have to relive it all over again.”
“When are you going to visit your father in jail?”
“You have to call and make an appointment at least four days in advance.”
“So, you have checked it out, then?”
“Yeah. So let’s say on Friday we’ll go. Can someone cover for you?”
“Yes. I’ll tell Chloe why. It won’t be a problem. What about you?”
“Don’t worry about that. Gorgon will understand.”
“Meghan, I swear on my life I will always protect you.”
“I know you will, Phenex.”
Chapter Sixteen
They hung the wind chime in the window Phenex liked to keep open slightly when he slept, so that night its sound followed Meghan down into dreams where Kevin chased her and Phenex couldn’t find her. When she woke, she understood why she’d had nightmares, but it was still disconcerting for her and Phenex.
Two days after their talk with Donny, Phenex pulled her aside while she was helping to make lunch, and told her it was done. Kevin had been killed in prison. His family had ordered a full investigation, but Donny had assured him nothing would come of it.
She let out a long sigh, and turned a bit pale. Phenex hoped she wouldn’t have too much stomach pain from this. “So that’s it then. It’s over.”
“Yes.”
“I should be relieved, but all I feel is numb.”
“No matter what happens, I’m here for you. When it hits you later, if you need me, come and find me.”
“I will.”
“Not trying to change the subject, but I’ve been wanting to ask how your stomach is feeling lately.”
“Other than that incident in the craft shop last week, the pains are gone.”
“If they come back, you should see someone.”
“Um, I never told you this, but I’ve been to eleven physicians in the past couple
of years.”
He blinked a few times. “Are you kidding?”
“I’m not. No one can find a thing wrong. I’ve had two of those scopes where they look down into your stomach while you’re knocked out, and more blood draws than I care to remember. I’ve had CT scans and even an MRI. There’s nothing out of place or wrong. I have no other symptoms, so they’re reluctant to call it IBS or something similar. I’ve kept food logs, and logs of the incidents which precipitate the pain, how long it lasts, what I take for it, et cetera.”
“And?”
“And nothing. The only discernible pattern is being upset or stressed, but even that isn’t consistent.”
“Maybe some type of alternative healer could help you? Like that biofeedback stuff, or maybe some New Age thing?”
“Maybe.”
“Think about it. I’d come with you. I’d love to see you get some real answers and solutions to this.”
“I will. Promise.”
****
Meghan had been inside prisons before to visit people, but the smell really hit her hard when they got inside Trumbull Correctional Institution. It smelled worse than any of them she recalled. Phenex looked nervous, which scared her because she’d never seen him look that way.
After he signed in and they both presented ID, they waited for almost thirty minutes before they were processed. They had to pass through a metal detector, and had already been advised what not to wear or carry. They weren’t even allowed to have cell phones with them.
Phenex held her hand while he waited for his father to brought in. “Do you think he’ll remember you?” she whispered.
“I don’t know.”
His palm was damp by the time the door opened, and a man who was sixty but looked eighty was brought in. His gait was slow, but his eyes were hard and cold. On the right side of his face, he had a nasty scar that looked fairly new.
Next to her, Phenex’s breathing became louder and quicker. She gave his hand a squeeze. The man took a seat at the table, and the guard didn’t leave the room, which was fine with Meghan. She didn’t want to be in here with this man, even though Phenex could easily take him out with one punch.
“Who are you?” he asked, looking her and Phenex over. His gaze drifted to her chest, and she resisted the urge to cross her arms. This must be killing Phenex.
“I’m Rick. Your son. Your first one, that is. The one who watched you kill your first wife, Nancy.”
Wow. If it would have been appropriate, Meghan would have climbed on top of him and kissed him like there was no tomorrow. She’d never been prouder of anyone in her entire life. His voice was strong and determined, and the words had rung out clearly.
The man blinked a few times, but there was no regret or guilt on his face. “So you found me then.”
“I’ve known for a while you were here.”
“Why did you come?”
Phenex cut his gaze to the guard for a second. “To tell you that I hope you rot in hell.”
The man shrugged. “I’m in here for life. I’m already in hell.”
“You ruined my life.”
“I’ve ruined a lot of lives, including my own.”
“So that’s all you’ve got to say to me? Do you even remember me?”
“Not clearly.”
Phenex hadn’t been expecting that. It was obvious from the way he shook his head slowly and sucked in a long breath. “You don’t remember leaving your seven-year-old son crying and screaming in the room, after you beat his mother to death in front of him?”
“Son, I was drunk out of my fucking mind when I did that.”
“I’m not your son. Not anymore.”
“It’s an expression. Why the fuck are you here?”
Phenex stood, and the guard shot him a warning look. “No contact.”
“There won’t be any. I’m here to tell you that I have no pity or sympathy for you. I wish this state still had the death penalty, because I’d watch them kill you. You ruined my life, but from this point on, you no longer have power over me. I’m moving on. I wanted you to know that.”
“Fine. I know it.”
Phenex tugged on her hand gently. “We’re done.”
They didn’t talk much on the drive home. Meghan would never say so out loud, but she swore a couple of times he had forced back tears as they sped along the turnpike. By the time they reached the club, he seemed to have his emotions under control. But as she started to open the door to exit the truck, he put a hand on her shoulder.
“Hang on a second,” he said. Meghan turned to face him. “Are you all right?”
“Oh, Phenex. I’m not the one who just faced down my seven-year-old self. Are you okay?”
“I will be as long as I have you.”
“You have me. You will always have me.”
He pulled her close, and they stayed that way for long moments. When they walked into the club, Kayla was in the back hallway. “Glad you’re back. Gorgon just called an emergency meeting for all the members. Donny is here with news.”
“Fuck,” said Phenex. “Now what?”
“I’ll wait in the club for you,” said Meghan.
“Okay.” He kissed her quickly and then walked down the hall toward the conference room.
“Is he okay?” asked Kayla.
“He will be.” Meghan turned to head into the kitchen. “I’ll help them with lunch. See you later.”
****
Donny didn’t look good. Whatever this was, it had really affected him. He looked haggard and worried, which wasn’t usual for Donny at all.
“Thank you for gathering so quickly. I won’t drag this out. Vito Cinquepalmi is dead.”
Before continuing, Donny let the surprised exclamations die down. “He was shot outside the Last Stop Saloon early this morning by a man as yet unidentified, but who I am convinced was sent here by di Stefano. Of course, no one in the bar at the time, or outside, saw a fucking thing. And no one can seem to describe the man who shot him. Digger has reached out to his contacts, and once I know for certain it was one of di Stefano’s men, I’ll have a name for you. Just in case he tries to come in here.”
Daniel Basile, known as Digger, was Donny’s nephew from Brooklyn. He’d come there weeks earlier to tell them about Roberto di Stefano, and how Mad Dog had definitely been talking to him before he’d been shot and killed by Howler.
“Is di Stefano here, too?” asked Gorgon.
“Not that I’ve heard, and I would have.”
“What does this do to the Outlaw Dogs who are following Howler?” asked Tannin.
“I don’t know yet. I’ve reached out to Vito’s associates, as obviously we need to intervene quickly.”
“Donny, how the hell does a Mob boss get himself shot outside a fucking bar?” asked Mastema.
Donny shrugged. “Careless, sloppy, complacent. Take your pick. But this underscores what I’ve been saying about di Stefano. He’s bad news.”
“This was a hit in retaliation for the Outlaw Dogs who stuck with Howler and Vito,” said Vassago.
“I agree. No doubt about it.”
“What do you suggest we do?” asked Rahab.
“Since you’re not moving the club, business as usual.”
“Are you pissed at us for deciding not to move it?” asked Gorgon. While they waited for Donny’s answer, the room was deadly quiet.
“No. This is your home. You have history here. You’ve established your business here. I reacted poorly in asking you to consider doing that. If you’d moved it, you’d have sent a message to di Stefano that he can walk in and take over this area.”
Phenex couldn’t help wondering if they’d been right about Donny’s true motivation for asking them to consider it in the first place, but no one here would ask him in a group setting.
As Gorgon opened his mouth to speak, Donny held up a hand. “I’m not sayin’ you shouldn’t be worried about him, but taking precautions and not doing anything stupid is different than showing out
right deference. It’s different than allowing someone to simply run you over.”
“We understand what you’re saying,” said Tannin. “If you’re being threatened by a bully in school, you don’t change schools. You stand up for yourself. You watch your back. You gather friends who will protect you and fight with you.”
“That’s what I’m sayin’,” said Donny. “You have the resources and manpower here already. Just watch your back extra careful. Keep a low profile. Check IDs at the door, and don’t let anyone in here you don’t know or haven’t seen before.”
“We might inadvertently turn away legit customers if we don’t let in anyone we haven’t seen before,” said Gorgon.
“You might.” Donny nodded several times. “Or, you might keep out someone sent in here to kill one of you, your dancers, your sweetbutts, or your old ladies.”
He let that sink in for a second or two. “I’m asking for tighter control only until Digger can get me a name. Couple a days, tops.”
“Okay,” said Gorgon. “Then that’s what we’ll do for a couple of days.”
“I’m leaving a few extra men here until I get that name for you. They’ll be armed, but your customers won’t know that unless they try something.”
“What about you?” asked Mastema. “Who’s gonna protect you?”
“Don’t you worry about me. I’m not careless, complacent, or sloppy, and I got plenty of protection at all times.”
“How soon can we let everyone else know about Vito’s death?” asked Rahab.
“Tell them today. They need to know.”
The smell of marinara sauce drifted into the room. “You want to stay for lunch?” asked Gorgon.
“’Course I do.” Donny stood. “Smells so damn good! Is it ready yet?”
“Don’t know. Let’s go find out.”
As the others made their way into the dining room to await whatever was being prepared for lunch, Gorgon went upstairs to find Chloe. Phenex and Tannin went into the kitchen, and Mastema went in search of Kayla.
Meghan spotted him and Tannin first, her voice trailing off in the middle of saying something to Natalie. “What did Donny tell you?”
“Vito Cinquepalmi was shot and killed this morning outside the Last Stop Saloon,” said Phenex. “No suspects, and of course no one saw a thing. Donny is awaiting confirmation the man who shot Vito was sent by Roberto di Stefano.”
