by Ashley Jade
“Okay, I mean, I guess even mob bosses have mob bosses' but from the sounds of it, however messed up this council may be, they're still protective of Ricardo.”
“They are,” I say, debating whether or not I should tell her what has me so nervous.
“So what's the problem?”
“Why didn't Ricardo kill him earlier? Why did it take him so long?”
What was he being threatened with?
She goes back to eating her granola bar. “I don't know, Lou-Lou, probably because Ricardo isn't like other mafia members. Maybe he has to work up the nerve to murder someone.”
“He murdered Ford no problem.”
I slap my hand over my mouth when Alyssa's eyes become saucers.
“What?”
“I—um.” Shit. “You didn't know?”
“I had no idea. How do you know?”
“I watched it happen.”
“And you didn't do anything to stop it?” she screams and the men turn around in their seats.
I point ahead. “Eyes up front, gentlemen. This is a private conversation. Girl talk.”
When they finally turn around I look at her. “Look, I'm sorry for springing this on you, I honestly thought you knew.”
She digs through her purse again. “Why in the world would you think that?”
“Because when Ricardo did it, I thought he did it for you.”
She stills. “What?”
“Well technically for Graham,” I amend. “But I know he also did it so Ford wouldn't hurt you anymore. He—uh. He kind of had a moment after he did it.”
She drops her purse. “Even still, I wouldn't condone him killing Ford and I certainly wouldn't ask him to kill him for me.” She frowns. “God, I can't believe Ford's dead.”
“I would say I'm sorry...but I'm not.” Before she can protest I say, “Ford was a snake. A horrible human being. He did despicable things to you and others and he helped ruin people for his own personal gain.”
“Which is exactly why he deserved to spend the rest of his life in prison.”
“Did you think that about Jackson?” I ask and her jaw drops.
“Of course not. Different circumstances entirely. Ford never beat a sweet, innocent girl to death.”
When I give her a look she whispers, “Granted he pretty much did everything but that.” She shakes her head. “Fine, okay. What's the point of you telling me this? You want me to thank Ricardo for killing him or something?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
I have to control the way my hands are shaking. “I remember something Ford said to Ricardo right before he died. It didn't make any sense to me at the time, and it still doesn't; but I know it's part of the reason why Ricardo didn't kill my father sooner.”
“What did he say?”
I inhale in a ragged breath, hoping like hell I don't have a panic attack right now because I really need to get this out. “He said Ricardo would be paying for his sins soon.”
Alyssa's eyes look like they're about to pop out of her head, but I continue, “Ford also said some other things, horrible things, but he didn't get a chance to go into any actual details because Ricardo cut out his tongue. But now that I think about it, I think it might have been about me.”
I fidget nervously. “Or rather, I think it was about my father. So obviously Ford was on my father's side, which isn't really a surprise.”
“God, Lou-Lou—” she starts to say but I hold up a hand.
“I wasn't looking for your pity. That wasn't the point of me telling you this.”
“Okay, then at the risk of being rude, what was?”
My stomach flips and I swallow back bile. “I think I figured out why my father is going to become mayor again.” I grip the arm rest for support. “I think maybe this is payback for Ricardo letting me kill his father and for me losing the baby. I think the DeLuca council is on my father's side and they're going to hurt me and maybe even Ricardo. I don't think Ricardo is as protected as he thinks he is. The council had to have threatened him with something...most likely me and possibly everyone else he cares about. Because that's honestly the only thing I can think of that would make Ricardo not kill my father. And if Jackson keeps saying it's handled and we're not in any danger anymore...it's only because Ricardo's decided to go against the council. And if he's going against the council it's only because Ricardo's putting himself in direct danger and they will hurt him.”
Panic flashes across her face. “There's no way Jackson would allow Ricardo to do that and not stop him. Jackson wouldn't set him up.”
“No, he wouldn't,” I say quickly. “That's not what I'm insinuating. What I'm saying is that Ricardo must have lied to Jackson about what was really going on in order to keep him safe...because that's what he does.”
I turn in my seat, hoping she can understand that although she doesn't agree with the things Ricardo does, he doesn't deserve to die.
“I know you don't like Ricardo—”
“That's not true,” she argues. “I just...he's different. He's...I just think that even though he's good to us, it doesn't excuse all the bad he does to others.”
She squeezes my hand. “But that doesn't mean I think Ricardo deserves to die either. Because even though it sucks when the bad guys win...sometimes we need the bad guys like Ricardo to win in the end. Sometimes it takes a bad guy to do what the good guys can't.”
She hugs me. “We're not gonna let anything happen to him, Lou-Lou. Mob boss or not, my kid needs a godfather who would go to the ends of the earth to protect him.”
She pulls back and smiles. “This way my good guy can focus on science projects and being the best dad in the world.” She looks around the car before and whispers, “The only problem is, I have no idea how to get these goons off our back.”
“That's one thing I can do. I just needed to know you were on my side first.”
“You could have just taken me hostage like I did to you.”
I look down at her belly. “You yes, but not my nephew. I figure he should at least be over the age of 5 before I make him a proper member of the family.”
When she pales, I roll my eyes. “Kidding, Alyssa.”
I gesture for her to watch what I'm about to do. “Hey, guys. Do you think you can pull over for a moment? My girl here has to use the bathroom.”
“No can do,” one of them responds. “We were instructed to bring you right there and right back. She can use the facility at the doctor's office.”
“It's really bad,” Alyssa says. “I can't hold it.”
“I'm sorry,” the other man says. “No stops.”
Alyssa shoots me a look as if to say, 'what now?' but I arch forward and tap them both on the shoulders. “Listen, guys. I already know you two are aware of just how important I am to Mr. DeLuca.” I flutter my eyelashes. “And you already know there are certain things he won't ever let slide. In fact, I believe you two were there the day I stripped down and he shot your buddy for only looking.”
I ignore the look Alyssa's currently giving me. “So I'm gonna make you a deal. Let my friend go to the bathroom, or I'm going to tell him you both did very bad things to me.”
I can feel my face break out into a grin because I know I've got them. Until one of the men hold out their cell phone to me and say, “Call him. Because after you snuck into the basement last time, we had a meeting about the little antics you pull to get your way. We're under strict orders not to let you out of our sight, Miss. No matter what you may threaten us with.”
The smile falls from my face when they turn back around in their seats.
“That went well,” Alyssa mutters.
“Have a better idea?”
I can practically see the light bulb go off in her head before she nods...and then lets out the most agonizing scream I've ever heard. My heart jumps in my throat. “Oh my god. Are you okay?”
“That wasn't urine,” she screams, giving me a wink right before the men turn around again. “My water just
I'm ready for the men to start questioning her, but she lets out another scream. This one louder than the first.
“Stop the car!” I shout.
“No,” Alyssa screams. “Take me to the hospital. Now.”
I have to admit, for being a natural blonde, this girl has quite the set of brains on her.
“We're almost at her doctor's office,” the driver protests.
“She needs a hospital, you idiot,” I yell. “Turn the car around right now or I will be calling Mr. DeLuca and explaining to him that his nephew is in danger because you assholes won't take her to the hospital.”
The look on their faces is like nothing I've ever seen before, pure fear.
The car spins around so fast, I grab onto Alyssa for dear life.
“You sure about this?”
“I can do it,” she whispers. “Just follow my lead when we get to the hospital.”
Less than 5 minutes later we're pulling up at the emergency drop off.
The bodyguards won't leave our side and I want to question her again, but she starts screaming for Penelope as soon as we're through the doors.
When Alyssa's pink scrubbed doppelganger appears at her side, she quickly ushers all of us into a private room. “You're only 7 months, Alyssa.”
“I know,” she cries. “Penelope, I'm so scared.” She subtly nods to the bodyguards. “So scared.”
Thank god Penelope's not an idiot and can read her loud and clear. “Everyone out.” She yanks me back inside and points to the guards. “You two buffoons, get out. Unless you want to be here for all the blood and guts.”
I open my mouth to tell her that's pretty much a standard part of their job anyway, but she yells, “I don't care who you two are. She is my patient and this is an emergency, take a walk.”
To my utter surprise, they start walking away.
When we turn to face Alyssa, she grabs my hand. “Where's the back exit?”
Penelope puts her hands on her hips. “What the hell is going on?”
“I don't have time to explain right now, but we'll catch up soon. I just really need to know where the back exit is.”
Penelope quickly rattles off directions and we bolt for the door.
“You two owe me,” she calls out right before we take off.
“My boyfriend killed your douchebag ex-husband,” I tell her. “I'm pretty sure it's you who owes us.”
Her mouth drops open and Alyssa giggles as we start running. “I don't think I've ever seen her look so stumped before.”
We race down the stairs. “Are you sure you're up for this?”
She pats her belly. “Yup, little man likes the exercise.”
When we make it outside, I make a beeline for the line of cabs and wait for her to catch up.
“Follow that car!” Alyssa shouts when we get inside and both the driver and I stare at her like she's nuts.
She shrinks down in her seat. “Sorry, I've just always wanted to say that.”
“Where to, ladies?” the driver grumbles, obviously annoyed.
Shit, we didn't really think this part of our plan through. “Give us a second.”
The driver presses the button for the meter. “It's your dime.”
“Asshole,” I mumble before I turn in my seat. “Where should we go?”
Alyssa thinks about this a moment before replying, “I'm not sure. I mean, according to Jackson they're going to be at the fight club, so I say we go there.”
I rattle off the address for the fight club and the driver takes off.
Until we pass the apartment complex and Alyssa says, “I'm sorry, Lou-Lou but I really have to pee. Can we please make one quick pit stop at the apartment before we go all Thelma and Louise? Otherwise I'm doing my business all over this backseat.”
The driver screeches to a halt in front of the apartment building. “Get out.”
“Really?” I flip him the bird. “She's pregnant, asshole.”
He points. “Out.”
We make our way up the stairs, Alyssa sputtering obscenities the entire time.
I motion for her to give me the keys to her apartment but she stomps her foot and says, “I forgot my purse in the damn cab.”
I curse when I realize I don't have keys for Ricardo's apartment either, but then Tyrone's door opens and he comes out.
I check my watch. It's almost 4:30. Jackson said they were meeting up at 4:30. Granted the fight club is only a few blocks away, but still, Tyrone should have left already.
“Hey, Tyrone.” He spins around in his chair, looking like the happiest man in the world.
“Hey—” His smile falls when he sees Alyssa's pained expression. “What's wrong?”
“I need to pee and I don't have the keys to my apartment,” Alyssa all but blubbers.
He points to his door. “Use mine. I'll grab you the extra set I have while you do.”
Alyssa runs to the bathroom and I follow Tyrone inside. “You sure they're not gonna yell at you for being late?”
He fishes a set of keys out of a drawer. “Nah, Momma and Shelby are too excited about picking all the cousins up from the airport to get upset. They can wait an extra 5 minutes.”
“Cousins?”
“Yeah, some of Shelby's cousins and other family members decided to fly in for the party tonight. They said Ricardo made all the arrangements.”
Shit, maybe it's not a lie after all.
“And after you pick them up you're going—”
“To show them around the city for a little.” He raises his shoulders in a shrug. “I wanted them to meet everyone beforehand but Ricardo and Jackson are busy doing something. They won't be around until the party.” His eyebrows dance. “They won't tell me what they're planning, but I enjoy surprises.”
I swallow hard, my stomach dropping. “Right.”
“You okay, Lou-Lou? You look like you've just seen a ghost.”
“I'm fine.” I eye the keys on the counter. “Tyrone you wouldn't happen to have an extra set of keys for Ricardo's apartment, would you? I don't have my set on me and I really need to pick out a dress for tonight.”
“Of course I do.” He tosses them to me. “My vote is for the red dress you wore when he took you out on a date.”
When I give him a look he says, “It's Ricardo's favorite. Don't ask me how I know, because then you'll get the wrong idea, but trust me, it's his favorite.”
Alyssa walks back out then and we all head for the door.
“You guys need anything else before I leave?”
Alyssa goes to question him, but I cut her off, “Nope, we're good. We'll see you later, Tyrone.”
When he gets on the elevator, I motion for Ricardo's apartment.
“What's going on?”
“I'm getting a gun.”
When her eyes go wide, I say, “No offense, Alyssa but I think you need to sit this one out. Ricardo and Jackson are definitely up to something.” I place my hand on her belly. “I would never forgive myself if something happened to you or my nephew.”
She releases a sigh and places her hand over mine. “I don't want anything to happen to you either, Lou-Lou. Maybe we should both stay here. We can call Ricardo and Jackson and tell them we know they're up to something. Maybe they'll come back.”
I unlock the door and push it open. “You know as well as I do that's not going to work—”
My sentence is cut off when I see Marlene standing there in tears.
Alyssa raises a brow. “Who is that?”
I take a step forward and close the door behind me. “Marlene what's wrong?”
I don't ask how she got the keys to Ricardo's apartment because the way she's falling apart right now is a bit more concerning.
“Ricardo. He's—” She can barely speak she's crying so hard.
I'm about two seconds away from passing out when she continues, “He's going to kill John Travine, despite the council telling him not to.” She blows her nose. “The council will kill him if he kills Travine, Lou-Lou.”
My ears ring and the room spins. My suspicions were right.
“Jackson,” Alyssa says, her lower lip trembling. “Jackson's going to kill Travine for him.”
My hands fly to my face, until Marlene says, “No, Ricardo sent Jackson somewhere else. He threw him off the trail.”
“How do you know all this, Marlene?”
She stands up and walks toward me. “Because he put me in charge of everything while he was gone.” She starts pacing. “I knew the council forbid Ricardo from killing Travine. They said if he did they would go after him.”
I shake my head because true or not, it doesn't make any sense and I need to understand their reason for doing this. “Ricardo is a DeLuca. He's the last—”
“I know,” she says. “But they don't care about blood anymore. After you lost—” She pauses and shrugs. “After that happened it was all about branching out and making connections. Their biggest connection being John Travine. They have big plans for him. He's going to be very powerful in the upcoming years.”
“That's so fucked up,” Alyssa says, looking at me.
“I know.” My heart folds in on itself. “What time is this happening and where?”
“The fight club.” She looks at her watch. “In about 5 minutes.”
I push past her and into the bedroom. I know Ricardo keeps guns and other weapons in the closet.
Alyssa starts protesting in the other room, but I ignore her.
I'm not letting the council kill Ricardo...and if anyone is going to kill him today...it's sure as fuck going to be me.
I steel myself and wait for the panic attack to hit me. I wait for the tears to come and I wait for the breakdown to happen.
But it doesn't.
There's finally something I'm more scared of than seeing my father again.
Losing Ricardo.
I tuck a gun into the waistband of my jeans before I walk back out to the living room.
Where I find Marlene holding a gun up to Alyssa's head. “Come on, Lou-Lou. Daddy's waiting for you.”
Chapter 37 (Ricardo)
I press ignore when I receive a text from Jackson cursing me out because the address I gave him was fake.
I check my watch. I have about another 5 minutes or so before Travine shows up.
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