Sempre (Forever)

by JM Darhower

  Carmine shrugged. “Maybe I don’t recall.”

  “Fair enough,” Dr. DeMarco said. ”Are you done?”

  “Uh, I'm thankful for you all, even if you get on my nerves sometimes,” Carmine said. “Oh, and orgasms... definitely thankful for those.”

  “That’s enough,” Dr. DeMarco said, shaking his head as he turned to her. “What are you thankful for, child?”

  She hesitated, her nerves running amuck. “Having food to eat. A bed to sleep in, too.”

  Haven could feel Carmine’s eyes on her, but she didn’t dare look up. There was an uncomfortable silence before Dr. DeMarco spoke again. “I’m thankful for my children. I’m thankful for our health and wealth, and also for your safety.”

  Haven was surprised to see him looking at her when he said that. She wasn’t sure what to make of it. Was she ever really safe?

  She turned back to her plate and picked at her food some more. Although it was awkward, she was grateful this Thanksgiving hadn’t been a total disaster.

  * * * *

  Haven hesitated in the library when she saw Carmine’s bedroom door open. His angry voice ricocheted through the floor as he frantically looked around.

  He ran his hands through his hair, flustered, and started kicking some of the clutter on his floor. She smiled at his antics. “Are you missing something?”

  He swung around, eyes narrowed. “I lost my fucking phone.”

  She stepped inside, glancing around as he scoured through a pile of books, and spotted it among some papers on his dresser. “Here it is,” she said, picking it up and holding it out to him.

  Carmine snatched the phone before wrapping his arms around her. “I shouldn’t have snapped at you. How about we watch a movie and forget what an asshole I am?”

  Haven nodded. She knew he didn’t mean it when he lost his temper and lashed out.

  He pointed to his wall of shelves. “Pick a DVD.”

  Stepping over to them, she scanned the titles, but the names meant nothing to her. “I don’t know what any of these are.”

  “Just throw one in,” he said. “I don’t care what we watch as long as I get to spend some time with you.”

  Smiling, she turned back to the movies as her heart swelled with satisfaction. She grabbed the first one she saw and held it up to show him. Carmine barely looked before motioning for her to put it in.

  The DVD started as Haven sat down, and Carmine unbuttoned his shirt. Tossing it across the room, his expression fell when he glanced at the screen. “You sure you wanna watch this one?”

  She shrugged, and he tossed down the remote before turning out the light. He slid into bed beside her and brushed her hair aside. ”You know this movie’s full of sex, drugs, and violence, right?”

  “No, I didn’t know.”

  He smiled. “I guess you should’ve read the cover then, huh?”

  It didn’t matter what the movie was when it came down to it, because neither one paid the television any attention. They lay together, holding hands and sharing sweet kisses as the room darkened with nightfall.

  “I was scared this morning,” Carmine said. “I woke up to find my car and my girl gone. It was like someone stole my entire world.”

  “Which were you most upset about losing?” She regretted the question right away, but his smile alleviated her anxiety.

  “Definitely the girl. I can buy a new car, but she’s irreplaceable.”

  His gaze was so intense it made her breath hitch. “You’re sweet.”

  He smirked. “And you’re beautiful, hummingbird.”

  Scooting closer, his body pressed against hers as he brought his lips to her ear. “Ti amo tantissimo, mia bella ragazza.”

  She didn’t know what he was trying to say, but the sound of it made her heart beat wildly. The stubble of his facial hair tickled her cheek, and a chill rolled through her. He leaned forward, pressing his lips to hers with so much passion that she was pushed onto her back. He moved with her as she kissed him, their lips moving frantically.

  She gripped his shoulders, trying to pull him closer, but Carmine still held back. Losing her breath, she pulled her lips from his, and his mouth started down her jaw line. He placed wet kisses along the way before coming to rest in her neck as her hands explored his flesh.

  Carmine pulled back to look at her. He stared into her eyes, searching for an answer to an unasked question. Haven wanted to know what he sought from her, but before she could ask, he seemed to find his answer.

  The corner of his lips turned up, and he kissed her sweetly before whispering into her ear. “Let me make you feel good. Prometto di non danneggiarlo. I promise not to hurt you. I’ll only touch.”

  She trembled at his words, her body igniting in a fire she’d never felt before. “I trust you.”

  Chapter 19

  Two in the morning and Carmine couldn’t sleep. He sat in the library for a while, strumming his guitar to pass the time, before giving up and slipping downstairs.

  Once he hit the foyer, he jumped when he saw his father in the doorway to the kitchen. He hadn’t expected anyone to be up at this hour, much less him. “Christ, you scared me.”

  Vincent shook his head. “Watch your mouth, son.”

  Carmine said nothing in response as he brushed past his father to get something to drink.

  Vincent continued to stand there, watching him. “Insomnia?”

  He shrugged. “You could say that.”

  “Is it nightmares again?”

  “If you’re asking me if I still have them, yes,” Carmine said, annoyed he'd bring that up. He could tell by his father’s expression that he was genuinely concerned, though, so he tried to keep his calm. “They never went away.”

  “We can put you back on the Trazodone,” Vincent suggested. “It might help with the sleep disturbances.”

  “I’m not taking medication,” Carmine said, quickly changing the subject before his father could say another word about it. “So, why are you up?”

  Vincent sighed. “I have to leave for Chicago.”

  “Now? I didn’t know you had to go this weekend.”

  “Neither did I until twenty minutes ago when Sal called,” he said. “I wasn’t supposed to fly out again until next weekend, but the trouble with the Russians is escalating.”

  Carmine’s brow furrowed. “You have a problem with Russians?”

  “Yes. We’ve had one for a while. They have no loyalty to anyone. It’s a disgrace they’re even referred to as organized crime, since there’s no organization to anything they do. They respect no one and impede on our territory, which is something we can’t tolerate.”

  Carmine was surprised his father was telling him so much. “Well, good luck with that, I guess.”

  “Thanks. I’ll be back on Sunday night... hopefully.” He hesitated for a moment like he had something else to say but eventually just shook his head. ”Have a good weekend, son.”

  Vincent left the kitchen. Carmine stood there for a moment, looking at the spot where his father had been standing. He chugged the last little bit of juice in his glass before filling it with vodka, figuring—if anything—it would at least help him sleep.

  * * * *

  Carmine climbed out of bed the next morning, trying to get rid of the haziness as he headed downstairs. He hit the first floor and heard voices, pausing when the familiar laughter rang out from the family room. He spotted Haven standing at the edge of the room with her back to him while Dominic and Tess lounged in front of the TV.

  He walked up behind Haven and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Morning, bella ragazza.”

  She smiled as he dragged her over to the closest chair and pulled her onto his lap. He rested his cheek on her shoulder with his face in her neck as he inhaled her fruity shampoo. When he looked again, he was met with two curious sets of eyes. “Don’t you give me those looks,” he said. “I know you know.”

  “It’s one thing to know, bro, it’s another to witness,” Dominic said
.

  Carmine smiled, but his contentment didn’t last long. Tess spoke up, laughing wryly. “Who the hell are you, and what have you done with the cold-hearted prick that used to live here?”

  “Vaffanculo,” Carmine said, kissing Haven’s neck. “How about we get dressed and do something, tesoro?”

  “Like what?”

  “Whatever you want,” he said. “We could go to the movies or the park or whatever. Maybe get some dinner.”

  He had no clue what people did. The closest he got to a date before Haven came into his life was going through the drive-thru at the fast food restaurant on the way to drop some girl off after sex. He wasn’t even sure he could count that, considering he usually made them buy their own food.

  She looked at him, an odd expression on her face. “Like, in public?”

  He laughed. “Yes, in public. With other people around, even.”

  “Uh, okay.” She smiled excitedly. “I’ll go get dressed.”

  He let go of her and watched as she scampered away, still amazed that something as trivial as going to a movie could make her light up so much.

  Carmine went upstairs to take a shower and sifted through his clothes, contemplating what to wear. He’d never tried to look good before, but he felt like he should put some effort into it for Haven. He chose a pair of faded jeans and a green long sleeved button up shirt, since it was her favorite color. He rolled up the sleeves, feeling stifled, and pulled on a pair of Nike’s before grabbing his things. Heading out, he noticed Haven was standing in the doorway of her room. She had on a pair of tight jeans and a blue sweater, fidgeting. “Do I look okay?”

  “You look more than okay,” he said, holding his hand out to her.

  Leading her downstairs, he helped Haven into the car and groaned that his seat was pulled back farther than he kept it. “Did my father have to fuck with things?”

  He fiddled with it as Haven giggled, and he glared at her, irritated she was laughing. “Something fucking funny?” She stopped laughing immediately, a vacant look overtaking her face, and he groaned. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have yelled. I just hate when people mess with my stuff.”

  “I know you’re finicky.”

  He rolled his eyes and started up the car, pulling down the driveway. Haven stared out the side window as he scanned through radio stations, a small smile playing on her lips.

  “I don’t know why you put up with me, tesoro. I can be a real asshole. I think the only thing I’m good for anymore is giving orgasms.” She gaped at him, her cheeks reddening, and he laughed at her reaction. “You know, I can give you one right now. All you gotta do is unbutton those jeans for me.”

  She started rambling, and he pressed his pointer finger to her lips, silently telling her to hush. “I’m just joking. Well, I mean, I could do it, but I won’t… unless you want me to, of course.”

  She smiled sheepishly. “Maybe someday.”

  “Wow, that’s not a ‘no’,” he said. “I must’ve done a good job then.”

  Her smile grew as she looked away from him again, turning her focus to the scenery flying by.

  They held hands and chatted about nothing in particular during the drive. She never ceased to amaze him with her knowledge about things she shouldn’t know anything about. She was naturally intelligent, and he believed, if given the opportunity, she could shine.

  He drove straight to his favorite Mexican restaurant and started to pull in the parking lot until his gaze fell on the white car in the parking lot. He accelerated again to pass the place, knowing they couldn’t eat there if Lisa was working. He pulled into a steakhouse about a block away and shut off the engine as Haven turned to him. “You knew someone there, didn’t you?”

  He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. ”Yeah. I don’t want you to think it’s because I don’t wanna be seen with you, because I do. It’s just, it’s Lisa, and she—”

  Haven placed her pointer finger against his lips like he’d done her. “I get it.”

  They were quickly seated in the restaurant, and Haven picked up the menu. Her brow furrowed and lips moved as she sounded out the words. When the waitress came to take their orders, Haven looked at Carmine, expecting him to speak for her, but he just sat there patiently.

  She got the hint after a moment. “I’ll have the stuffed chicken breast with a baked potato and side salad, please.”

  Carmine smiled. “And I want a 12 ounce New York strip steak.”

  “How do you want it?” the waitress asked.

  “Rare,” he said. “Barely cooked.”

  Haven looked at him peculiarly when the waitress walked away. “I didn’t know you liked your food that way. I always just cooked your meat well done.”

  “Yeah, there are two things in life I prefer to be bloody—my steak and my enemies.”

  She smiled. “You’re too young to have enemies.”

  “I wish,” he said. “I was born with enemies. My last name alone gives me more than I could ever earn on my own.”

  It only took a few minutes for their food to be brought out, and the atmosphere was relaxed as they ate. Carmine expected things to be tense since she didn’t often go around people, but she surprised him yet again. He wondered if there would ever be a time when she didn’t.

  He paid the check before they headed across town to the movie theater. The two of them stood at the edge of the waiting crowd, and Carmine took Haven’s hand as he scanned the list of movies. “What are you in the mood for?”

  “I have no idea what any of them are.”

  “Well, there’s one about a drugged-up rock star, one about a family with a whole bunch of kids, and one about some kids who get sucked into a game.” She looked at him with confusion on the last one, and he chuckled. “Don’t ask. There’s also some chick flick.”

  “Chick flick?”

  “Yeah, you know, the lovey-dovey romantic sharing bullshit.”

  She laughed. “Any of them are fine by me.”

  He led her up to the window and bought two tickets to the last one. He bought a soda and a box of Sour Patch Kids from the concession stand, the two of them full from dinner, and he led Haven into the packed theater. She hesitated, glancing around, and it dawned on him that this was her first time. It was easy for him to forget sometimes that she was still so new to the world and hadn’t experienced the things he took for granted. He squeezed her hand, trying to be reassuring, and chose a seat in the back row in case she felt the need to escape.

  She relaxed as he pushed the armrest out of the way and pulled her closer to him. The theater finished filling as it significantly darkened, and the previews started. Haven tensed at the thunderous noise coming from the speakers but relaxed again by the time the movie came on. He popped a few Sour Patch Kids into his mouth, and Haven eyed the candy for a moment before pulling out a piece. Her face contorted as soon as it hit her tongue, and he chuckled. “It’s sour, huh?”

  “Yes, but it’s good.”

  He held out the box to her, and she took a couple more. She watched the movie intently while he spent most of the time focusing on her. Her reactions amused him, her gasps and laughs with wide eyes engrossing. They shared the soda and munched on the candy like it was no big deal, but to both of them, it was.

  Carmine was giving, and Haven had no qualms taking from him.

  He felt no anger as she snatched a piece of candy right from his hand, only pride that she’d grown so brave. Her guard was down, and little by little, Carmine felt himself cracking too.

  “You know, that guy kind of reminds me of you,” she said as the movie winded down.

  Carmine had no idea what was going on. “What guy?”

  “The one in the movie.”

  He gazed at the screen for a moment, debating whether that was good or bad. “Does he get the girl?”

  “Haven't you been watching?”

  He smiled. “Of course I have.”

  She shook her head, knowing he was lying. “Yes, he gets the girl.”r />
  “Well, then. I'll be him.”

  They watched the last few minutes in silence, and he took her hand when the credits rolled. The two of them slipped out of the theater before everyone else, and Haven enthusiastically chatted the entire way home. He had no clue what she was talking about, but he smiled anyway, her happiness making him content.

  * * * *

  Nine men. Nine guns. Almost ninety bullets. One delivery truck full of electronics. This was not how Vincent had expected to spend his Saturday night.

  They were outnumbered two-to-one. A run-of-the-mill glock was pointed at Vincent's chest while he stared down the barrel of a Beretta. The man with the glock's hand shook, telling Vincent he was nervous. For that reason, Vincent chose to aim his revolver at the other one. If Vincent had learned anything, it was that a man with a steady hand had experience pulling a trigger.

  Corrado stood a few feet away, his pistol pressed to Ivan Volkov's forehead, while Ivan's gun was shoved against Corrado's chest. The two men stared at each other, neither one moving or speaking. Corrado seemed unaware of everyone else, and Vincent wasn't sure if that was good or bad.

  Giovanni was holding his own, his hand steady despite the two armed men zeroing in on him. The last man, a young guy in a sweatshirt and holey jeans, wildly scanned everyone with a sawed-off shotgun.

  The box truck idled, the cramped alley filling with the thick, suffocating fumes. It burned Vincent’s nose and distorted his vision, but he fought to keep his focus. They’d been called out by Sal a few minutes earlier, saying a truck Giovanni’s crew had hijacked on the east side of the city was stolen from them by a few thugs. They’d tracked it down, expecting to find amateurs, but were stunned to come head to head with the Russians again.

  The man in the sweatshirt was the first to crack. He lowered his weapon and frantically took a step back. Shaking his head, he wordlessly ran out of the alley. Before he reached the corner, the man with the glock took a few steps away.