Zach: A Chicago Bad Boy Romance

by Peter Presley

  A text message pops up on my cell. I look at it. Oh my God, it’s a text from my dad. Apparently, he’s in the hospital. What’s wrong now?

  “Guys, I have to go. My dad just texted me. He’s been admitted to Christ Hospital.”

  “Oh no!” says Susan. “Is everything all right?”

  With my heart racing, I stand. “I don’t know, but I have to go. I reach into my purse and search for my wallet.”

  “Don’t worry about it, Kayla,” says Susan. “I’ll pay for you, just get to your dad. In fact, do you want me to come with you?”

  I wave my hand. “No, no. You guys stay and finish your lunch. I’ll get together again with you guys sometime soon, okay?”

  Then I head for the door. On my way, I hear Janet say, “See, I told you something was wrong.”

  With all my dad’s troubles, I had hoped he wouldn’t end up in the hospital. My dad is on the 5th floor. Apparently, he was admitted last night. I wonder what happened? He’s been drinking so much I’m sure it’s related to that. God, I feel so sick right now.

  I enter my dad’s room and am completely shocked by what I see. He’s sitting up with a bandage over his eye. His forehead is bandaged, also. He’s got black and blue marks on his arms. A sheet covers his lower body, but I can see that his left leg is in a cast. Did he get into a car accident? Was he driving drunk?

  I rush over to his bed. “Daddy, what happened?”

  “Kayla,” he holds his hands out to me. “It’s so good to see you.”

  I hug my dad, careful not to hurt him. “What happened?”

  “Oh . . . I . . . I got into a little trouble.”

  “Did you get into a car accident, dad? Is that it?”

  “Uh, yes . . . that’s it.”

  I give him another hug. “Oh my God, you could have been killed. Were you driving drunk, dad? Tell me.”

  “Now Kayla, why would say that to your father?”

  “Because dad.”

  Then a nurse enters the room. She walks over to my dad’s bed and checks his vitals. “Hello,” she says to me.

  “Hi. Thank you for taking care of my dad.”

  “Of course! That’s my job. Whoever did this to him did a pretty good job. They even broke one of his legs.”

  I shoot a look at my dad. “What? Dad, what’s going on?”

  The nurse looks at us both and senses my dad hasn’t given me the entire story. She smiles nervously and rushes out of the room.

  “You’ve been beat up. Is that it?” I say.

  My dad doesn’t answer.

  “It’s from that bookie, right? That Bello character?”

  “Kayla, I’m fine.”

  “You’re lucky you survived, dad! How much do you owe this guy?”

  My dad lowers his head and stares at the sheets. “A lot,” he whispers.

  I take a deep breath and pull up a chair next to his bed. “Okay, we’re going to have to figure out a way to get you out of this, and I will help. Okay? We’ll fix this. We have to fix this.”

  “Honey, I don’t want you to get involved.”

  “Well, too bad. I’m already involved. You’re my dad, and I want you alive and well.”

  “I know . . . I know.”

  I wipe a tear from my eye. “Dad, you’re a mess. But I’m going to help you. I have to. We’re going to get you out of debt and then we’re going to get you help for your drinking.”

  My dad puts his head in his hands. “They can’t fix me.”

  “Yes, they can!” I’m screaming now.

  “Okay, Kayla! Calm down.”

  “You expect me to calm down when you’re going through this. You have always been someone I’ve looked up to. Mom looked up to you too.”

  The mention of my mother makes my dad cry. Now we’re both crying.

  “Why couldn’t the cancer have taken me instead of your mother?”

  “Daddy! Stop talking like that. Cancer took mom, and now you’re going to die on me too if I don’t help.” My tears are coming down fast now.

  My dad puts his hand on my shoulder. “Don’t cry, Kayla. Please, don’t cry.”

  I’m walking down the hall to return to my car. They said my dad will be here for a day or two and then he will be released. I’m sure my eyes are still red from crying. I don’t know what I’m going to do. I don’t know how much money my dad owes Bello, but I’ve got to do something. I’ve got to figure out a way to raise cash to get my dad out of this mess.

  Before I get in my car, I take a seat in one of the chairs in the lobby. I need to check my phone. The girls have all been texting me, and I don’t feel like dealing with them while I’m trying to drive.

  Is your dad okay? Susan texted.

  I have similar texts from the other girls, but I answer Susan’s first.

  Yeah, I text. He was in a car accident. Out soon. There’s no way I’m telling her the truth.

  I feel a hand on my shoulder. I look up at one of the most handsome men I have ever seen.

  “Excuse me, but are you Kayla Franklin?”

  “Yes . . . do I know you?”

  “No, you don’t know me. But I know your father.”

  “Oh, you’re friends with my father?”

  “How’s your dad doing? Is he going to be okay?”

  I stand and stare the guy in the face. I’m taking aback, not only because he seems to know what’s going on with my father, but also I can honestly say I have never looked into the face of someone so handsome, and he looks familiar. He looks like a boxer or someone who I’ve seen in the papers. I don’t remember the name, but I’m sure the guy is a boxer or something similar. He’s got thick dark hair and dark eyes, and he’s got the body of a boxer, no doubt.

  “Who are you?” I ask.

  “I’m Zach Russo.”

  Now the name is coming back. “The boxer guy?”

  “Similar. I used to be an MMA fighter.”

  “Yeah, I thought that was you. I’ve seen your photo before. How do you know my father?”

  “I’m checking to see how he’s doing that’s all.” He shakes my hand. “You take care.”

  “No . . . wait a minute!” I rush in front of him. “You didn’t answer my question . . . are you associated with that Bello guy. Are you?”

  “What Bello guy is that, ma’am?”

  I stare at him until I realize I’m staring too long. “Are you the one who hurt my father?”

  “Your dad owes Bello a lot of money.”

  “Yes, I’m aware of that. So you do know him, don’t you?”

  Zach looks at me for a long time. “If you need my help, I’ll help you.”

  “I don’t even know you!” I don’t care that I’ve raised my voice.

  “Look, you’re obviously upset.”

  “You’re damn right I’m upset. I’m calling the cops.”

  “For what, ma’am? The cops won’t do anything and they can’t help you.”

  “Oh, but you can?” I put my hands on my hips.

  “Listen, if you want to talk some more, meet me at Gino’s Restaurant, tonight, at 7:00 p.m. Do you know where Gino’s is?”

  “Yes I know where Gino’s is, but I’m not meeting you there. I don’t even know you.”

  “Kayla, if you want to know what I know, meet me there.”

  “So you can beat me up, too?”

  He shakes his head and smiles. “I’ll see you there, okay?” Then he walks out of the hospital.

  3

  Zach

  I’m not sure what happened back there, but I went to the hospital to check on Franklin. I needed to make sure he was still alive. I figured out how to get the info from the hospital clerks. It’s not that hard.

  Then, right there in the lobby, was the girl I had heard about - Franklin’s daughter. She’s a dancer and looks like one too.

  I don’t know what it is, but I felt like approaching her. All of a sudden I felt bad for putting her father in there.

  She’s pissed, of course. Ther
e’s no doubt about that, but her face told me a different story.

  I never told her I was the one who did her dad, even though she knows it me. She says she’ll go to the cops, but the cops won’t do shit.

  Anyway, I told her to meet me at Gino’s, tonight. I want to get to know this girl. She’s incredibly beautiful. There’s no denying that. And . . . maybe I can help her save her dad.

  Should I get involved in her shit? Probably not, but I gotta know this girl.

  4

  Kayla

  God, I can’t stand this bathroom. I live in an old apartment in Lakeview, an area in Chicago, and this place could use some serious renovation. But, it’s not like I can complain. During the day I teach yoga at a community center. I don’t get paid much, but at night I work as a waitress. It’s not what I want to do with the rest of my life, but the pay is fairly decent. Not decent enough for me to live in a better apartment, but decent. But I figure at least I have a roof over my head and food to eat. The neighborhood isn’t bad, not like some of the other neighborhoods in Chicago. My dream is to leave restaurant work and open up my own yoga and dance studio, but who knows when that’s going to happen, especially with my dad in such a fix.

  As I lie here in this bathtub, I can’t stop thinking about Zach. He expects me to meet him at Gino’s tonight like I have nothing better to do. The truth is, I don’t have anything better to do. Tonight is one of my days off from the restaurant. So I can’t use that excuse. I’m not sick. I don’t have any other commitments tonight. I’m not meeting with my girlfriends. So when I leave this bathtub, I’m free.

  I’m pretty sure he’s the guy who harmed my father, and when I find out for sure, you had better believe there will be consequences. I should just go to the police right now. Tell them what I know and see what happens. But I need to find out what this guy is about.

  And, there’s something else. I’ve been trying not to think about it, but it’s there, and I can’t deny it. This Zach person is hot, really hot. I can honestly say that I rarely meet a guy who is as hot as he is. I could bet a million dollars that he wants to meet with me more than just to tell me what’s going on. I know he likes me, and he’s so hot I’m intrigued.

  Shit! When I get out of this bathtub, what am I going to do? Am I going to leave it alone for now and continue with my evening alone? Am I going straight to the police? Or will I meet him at Gino’s, getting the deal on what’s going on?

  I want to get my father out of this, but if it wasn’t for all the pain I know he’s had to deal with, I’m sure I would be super mad at him. No, I know what I’m going to do. I’m going to get dressed and head on over to Gino’s, give this guy a piece of my mind. He had better leave my dad alone from now on, or there are going to be consequences, I can tell you that right now.

  Yeah, he’s hot, but I’m done thinking about that. Let me get dressed and get out of here. He better be there, too. If he’s not there, I’m going directly to plan B - the Chicago Police Department.

  I’m heading to Gino’s Restaurant. I have to confess that I took some extra time with my hair and my makeup and I have a cute dress on that looks good on me. I couldn’t help it. I don’t want to meet this guy looking like I just got out of the bathtub. People say I’m pretty. I’m not stuck up on that, but when I do my hair and my makeup, I’m not half bad. So let me meet this guy looking my best and see what comes out of it, even if he thinks he’s God’s gift to women.

  Like I told you, if he’s the one who hurt my father, there’s going to be hell to pay. I’m not going to let some goon come into our lives and disrupt our family. My dad is all I’ve got left.

  5

  Kayla

  There aren’t many people at Gino’s tonight. That’s probably because it’s a Monday night and many restaurants are not open on Mondays or they aren’t busy. Well, at least the one where I work isn’t busy on Mondays.

  There he is, sitting in the back booth, looking just as handsome as he did when I saw him in the hospital, if not more. I take a deep breath and walk over to the booth, taking my time. I’m not rushing to him. Like I told you, I’m keeping the upper hand with this situation

  He stands. “Hi, Kayla. You look beautiful.” He gives me a look that sends a tingle through my body. “Glad you showed.”

  I take a seat in the booth, not letting him know how much he’s getting to me. “Hello. I want to get right to the point. Did you hurt my father?”

  “Hey, hold on. Take a breath. Let’s order a bottle of red.”

  “If you think you can just get me drunk, you’re mistaken. I came here for answers.”

  He leans into the table and smiles. “Are you sure that’s the only reason? You’re looking mighty fine tonight.”

  I sit back in my seat. “Oh, you’re a real charmer aren’t you?” Just then the waitress comes by our table.

  “Hi, bring us a bottle of Chianti,” Zach says before the waitress can speak.

  “Certainly,” says the waitress. She looks at me.

  “Yeah, don’t worry about her, Martha,” says Zach. “She’s old enough to drink.”

  The waitress looks back at Zach and smiles. They seem to know each other. So I guess this Zach comes in here all the time. “Can I start you off with an appetizer, as well?”

  Zach looks at me. “You like fried calamari?”

  “Yeah.” There’s no point in me saying “no,” and there’s no point in me saying there’re too many calories in it. Yes, I not only like calamari, I love calamari. Plus, I’m starving.

  “Yeah, Martha,” says Zach. “Go ahead and order up some calamari.”

  “Great,” says the waitress. “I’ll be right back.”

  Zach looks at me again. “Gino’s has got some of the best food in the city.”

  “I know. I’ve been here before. When are you going to answer my question?”

  “Your father owes Bello a shit-load of cash.”

  “Yes, I’m aware of that. Did you hurt him?” There’s a long pause. “I asked, ‘did you hurt him’”?

  “All right. You want the truth?”

  “Yes, why do you think I’m here?”

  “For more than one reason, I’m guessing. For one thing, you wanted to have dinner with me. That’s why you’re looking so fine this evening.”

  The way Zach is staring at me right now, I don’t appreciate it, even though he’s correct that I’m not entirely on the level. “Answer my question, or, I’m leaving.”

  “Yes, I’m the one, but Bello has a crew of guys like me.”

  “You hurt my father, you asshole?”

  He puts up his hand. “Hold on. I also got him to the hospital and made sure he was okay. I didn’t have to do that.”

  “Oh, aren’t you an angel. I’m going to the cops.”

  “And tell them what?”

  Zach is staring at me and he knows I don’t have an answer. What exactly would I tell the cops? I’ve got no evidence that would be worth a damn.

  The waitress comes by with the calamari and the wine. I guess this would be the time that I would jump up and storm out, but I’m hungry and it’s more than that. The way Zach is looking at me, he knows I’m half drama queen with all this. The waitress sets down our wine glasses and fills them with the wine.

  “Thanks, Martha,” says Zach. “I’ll let you know when we’re ready to order dinner.”

  “Sure thing, Zach.” The waitress smiles and leaves the table.

  Avoiding Zach’s eyes, I grab my plate and put a pile of calamari onto it.

  “How about a toast?” Zach is holding his wine glass and staring at me. The smile he has on his face is so delicious. Again, I can’t deny it.

  I pick up my glass. “What do you want to toast to, beating up my dad?” I smirk.

  “How about we toast to meeting each other?” Zach clicks my glass.

  I don’t say anything. I just set my glass down without taking a sip of the wine. I’m confident this hot guy is into me. But that’s not my concern ri
ght now. “I want to talk to Bello.”

  “What?”

  “You heard me. He’s your boss, right. I want to talk to him.”

  Zach laughs. “You sure about that?”

  “Yes!”

  “All right. I’ll tell him to meet us here.”

  My stomach gets a sinking feeling. “Tonight?”

  “Yeah, tonight. You want to talk to him; I’ll get him here.”

  I nod my head, forcing myself to look confident. “Good, good. He needs to know he can’t have goons like you going around hurting people.”

  Zach pulls out his phone and starts texting. While he’s doing it, he has a sly smile on his face, but I don’t care if he thinks I’m stupid. Bello needs to hear from me.

  In the booth, I’m the one facing the glass doors that are the entrance to the restaurant. What seems like less than 10 minutes after I told Zach I wanted to speak to Bello, in walks a rather heavy set man in a solid black suit, black shirt, red silk tie and a red silk pocket square in his jacket breast pocket. He’s a stereotypical Mafia gangster if I’ve ever seen one. He comes up to Zach and taps him on his shoulder. Zach hurries out of the booth and hugs Bello. The hug reminds me of those Mafia hugs I see in the movies. Am I in a movie right now?

  “And who is this lovely woman,” Bello asks Zach.

  “This here is Kayla.”

  Bello holds out his hand. I shake it even though I don’t want to. The guy looks scary, especially close up. I swallow hard as the guy takes a seat next to Zach in the booth. I need to get this out. “Why did you order the hit on my father?”

  “I’m sorry, Miss. We were just sending him a message.”

  “A message?” I summon up as much bravado as I can now. “Listen. If you don’t stay away from my father, I’ll take matters into my own hands. I’ll go the cops, I mean it.”

  Zach smiles but it’s Bello who all out laughs. “You’re quite the firecracker, aren’t you?” says Bello.