by S. C. Ellen
Carson swirls the amber drink in his hand. “Yes, sir, and he’s been dealt with accordingly.”
Understanding rolls across my father’s withered face, and my heart drops into the pit of my stomach. Anyone with a brain knows what being dealt with ‘accordingly’ means.
“I see. Well, then, I have something I need to discuss with the both of you.” He straightens up in his chair and folds his arms together, switching into business mode.
I’m not sure what my father could possibly have to talk about between the both of us, seeing as I just met the guy and know nothing other than how he nonchalantly just killed a man!
I know it’s how things are in the way of the mafia, and it’s basically a never-ending game of kill or be killed, but I would never be comfortable with the whole bloodshed and murder aspect behind it. Not now and sure as hell not ever.
The fact that he seems to be so immune to it makes me think about what kind of life he had before and after my father got involved. Was it bad? Was it troubled? Was there anything other than violence? The dark look held in his eyes confirms that answer for me.
And there I am, helplessly falling back into the mystery of him. I can’t help it; I am nosey by nature, and I need answers.
Who are you, Carson Granvil?
And as if he feels me staring, just like a magnet, he stares just as intensely back, almost daring me to find out. My heart skips a strange beat, and I’m the first to break our connection.
The more I think, the more unsettled I feel, and I seriously can’t stay in this room any longer with him in it. My emotions are starting to get the best of me.
Carson must feel some type of way, as well, because he finishes his once-full drink in one large swig as if he knows he’s going to need the liquor to get through this meeting.
And boy, is he right.
“Now with the Russians closing in on us, I have a lot of to deal with as is, and the last thing I want to worry about is my family being in any kind of danger,” my father begins, glancing between the two of us. “With that being said, you’re one of my strongest men, and the only one I truly trust to do this job for me, Carson.” He pulls out two cigars from one of the cases off his desk and hands one over to Carson, who accepts it earnestly.
Carson pulls a light from his jeans pocket and ignites the cigar while taking a couple of puffs before it starts to burn the way he wants it to. “Of course, anything you need, Vin.”
I bite down hard on my lip at the sight of him. He looks so poised and charming, and every bit of the heartbreaker I suspect him to be.
“I know this is sudden, but I need this to happen, and happen now,” my father speaks, causing my heart to beat rapidly against my chest.
I know whatever he’s going to propose is not going to be pretty. “What is it, Poppa?”
He lets out a deep breath. “Carson is here to be a 24/7, live-in bodyguard for you. Meaning twenty-four-hour surveillance at all times. Not to be left alone, under any circumstance, until the problem with the Russians is over.” He sits back and lights up the cigar as if what he just said was nothing more than if we were talking about the weather.
“Come again, Pops? I think I might’ve heard you wrong. Did you just say that man…” I point at Carson just for the extra emphasis, “is to be my bodyguard, twenty-four hours a day, until the Russian situation is over?”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I said.”
I can’t help it, truly I can’t. The hysteria that comes over me at that moment has me keeling over in my chair with uncontrollable laughter.
“I don’t see how this is a laughing matter, Alayna. I am very serious.” My father is getting rather annoyed and impatient while my laughter finally seems to die down.
“Oh, man, that was a good one, Dad… now what is it that you really wanted to talk to us about?”
“I just told you. He is to stay with you at all times. Starting tonight. This is not a joke, Alayna. I don’t joke about the safety of my family. How dare you think otherwise.” I know I’ve really struck a nerve, but I just can’t stop myself. He has to know this is the most irrational idea he has ever come up with!
“I can’t accept that.”
“I’m not asking you if you accept it or not. I’m telling you, and it’s happening. Finito.”
“But if you would just please listen…” I begin getting frantic.
“My word is final, Alayna.” His patience is holding on by a thin thread, but I don’t care. I won’t go down without a fight.
“If you would just listen and see that I’m not a little girl anymore… I don’t need your protection!”
The few months I’ve had out on my own have really shown me what I’ve been missing out on, and I worked too damn hard to prove to my father that I can live the life I want to without his protection. I did everything he asked of me; I graduated from college. I have a stable job that I enjoy. I can’t go back to square one, he’ll never let me have my freedom again. I just know it.
“It’s for your own good!” he shouts, slamming a broad fist against the desk. His nostrils are flaring, and I know I should back down, but I have to make him understand.
“If I wanted protection, I would have asked for it!”
Usually, I would never go toe to toe with my dad like this, but he had to see reason. Unfortunately, we are two of the most stubborn people you’ll ever meet, but the look my father is giving me is one telling me to shut it and don’t fight with him over it anymore, and I don’t even have the energy to do so anyway.
I’ll find a way to stop this myself. With or without his consent.
“This isn’t over,” I clarify, and before I can dwell on the situation too much, I’m out the door, getting a drink at the bar in a matter of minutes.
“One shot of tequila, please… on second thought, make it two,” I order from the bartender, while I take a seat on one of the red leather stools.
The only good thing about my father being the owner of the club, and head mafia boss, is the free booze.
I stare at the marble countertop, in deep thought, taking in the full situation with a heavy mind.
I just can’t believe that after everything I’ve gone through to gain my freedom, it’s now getting torn from me like it was never mine to begin with. I lived my whole entire life in confinement, and now that I finally got a taste of independence, nothing in this world can stop me from keeping it. Not my dad. Not the familia. And definitely not Carson. I was never good with being restrained or following the traditional values that were expected of me in the life of La Cosa Nostra, it’s the main reason why I fought so hard against it. I’ll be damned if I go back to a life full of restrictions.
Someone takes a seat beside me and orders a glass of whiskey. I look over and find that it’s my brother, Jase. He clears his throat, putting on a terrible Australian accent before he speaks, “What’s this I see? A rare sighting of the Alayna Bird sulking its feelings at a bar? Let’s see if I can get a closer look.” He chuckles.
“Not in the mood for jokes right now, Jase.” The bartender sets the drinks down in front of me, and I take a fast gulp of the liquor, burning my throat, but immediately relaxing as it settles over me.
“What bit you in the ass?” he asks, taking a sip of the dark liquor the bartender had just set down in front of him, as well.
“Finally met the famous Carson,” I sarcastically state.
“And how did that go?”
“Not too well. Dad wants me to have a bodyguard like I’m a famous celebrity or something. I know things are getting bad with the Russians, but I can take care of myself. I don’t need someone following me around like a lost puppy dog,” I angrily respond, rubbing at my temples.
“I told him you wouldn’t take it too lightly.” He shakes his head.
“You knew?”
“Of course, I did.”
“Why didn’t you tell him it was a horrible idea?” I bitterly question, turning to face him.
His
expression suddenly turns serious which is rare for him. “Because I thought it was smart. Shit’s going down, Al, and as much as I hate to admit it, no one’s safe. With that being said, we need as much protection as we can get. Especially our family. Russians are brutal. We don’t know what those motherfuckers are capable of. That’s why you need to be protected.”
He takes another sip of his drink, as if it can rid him from his stress.
“Look, as much as you piss me off from time to time, and I can’t stand to be with you any longer than I have to….” I start but am immediately interrupted.
“You wound me, I’m not that bad.”
He is twenty-seven and still acts like the biggest little kid I know.
I roll my eyes, continuing with my thought, “As I was saying… seeing as you are my brother and it would make the most sense, why aren’t you my ‘bodyguard’?” I grimace at the word as it rolls off my tongue, leaving a bad taste in my mouth.
“Dad needs me for other things. Plus, like you said, we can’t be together in the same room for longer than thirty minutes without trying to kill each other.” He shrugs.
“As true as that is, I may have that same problem with this Carson guy Dad assigned to me.” I get angry just thinking about it and order another round of shots. “Why is he just now getting involved? Where was this Carson guy years ago?”
Before I even have the chance, my brother takes both of the shots the bartender set down in front of me and shoots them back.
“Uh, hello? You’re driving!” I scold.
“Yeah, and so are you, but the main difference between you and me is I can actually handle it… you can’t.” He laughs before continuing, “Anyway, see, Carson lives in New York and helps run the familia out there. He just recently moved here a few months ago, to help out with the Russians.”
“So, if he’s been here for months, why am I just seeing him now?”
“He checks up on New York every few weeks or so, not to mention he’s always off on some kind of job or errand. Poor guy doesn’t take any time off.” Jase takes a sip of his drink and looks around the club.
“So, if he’s now going to be protecting me…” I cringe at the thought, “Who’s going to be taking care of those errands?”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s all planned out. He is the best guy for the job. He’ll stay out of your way unless it’s necessary.” He finishes off his drink and gets up from the stool he was sitting on. “Anyway, since it’s Friday, you know it’s fight night, and I got to get the bets for tonight, so I should get going. I’m fighting tonight for the first time, and who knows, maybe someone could win some money off me… wouldn’t that be something?” He smirks at the irony of the situation, because usually people are paying because of him, not winning.
“They are really letting you, of all people, fight tonight?” I mock.
Despite my tease, word on the street is he’s pretty good. Like scary good, but enough to make it in the ring? I don’t know… An idea hits me just then, it’s an idea that could get us both into some serious trouble with my father, but I know exactly what to say to have him on board, no matter the risk.
“Hell, yeah, they are, and you best believe I’m taking it all tonight. Blizzard’s reputation in the underground world is going to be next to nothing, once I get in the ring.” He proudly grins.
I’ve heard about Blizzard but have yet to see the man in action, and from what I’ve heard, he’s not one to mess with, and that’s putting it lightly. He’s new to the underground scene, but his reputation was soon built like a legend. He is known for the brutality he uses toward his challengers as he straight-up annihilates everyone he goes up against. He is said to have been given that name because of the way he savagely knocks his opponents out, ice cold. Even the biggest and baddest mobsters who walk the Earth were left in severe condition after one round with him. I also heard that he lets his opponent get a couple of shots in to have a little bit of dignity left… until he destroys them, that is. He is a monster in the ring, a man undefeated, and the stories of his ruthlessness can scare away just about anyone. And here my naïve, older brother thinks he can take him on.
“You’re out of your mind if you think you can take him on, Jase. Don’t be ridiculous, you’re going to get yourself hurt,” I warn, honestly concerned for him.
“Aww, look at you worried about me. Don’t worry, sis, I can handle myself.” He winks.
As much as I begged and begged my father to let me catch even a tiny glance at this whole underground fighting scene, he refused. Saying it’s no place for a woman, and yet I’ve seen hundreds of women line up at the door.
And that’s when my idea comes into play.
“Look, if you can get me in tonight, I will make sure Tessa is there, front and center. I promise. Just make sure we get in, and don’t let Dad find out!” I know it’s going to take a serious amount of begging to Tess, and I’m taking a big leap of faith here, but I just have to go tonight.
I’m tired of being in the dark and hearing stories from other people about what goes on down there. I need to see it for myself, and this may be my only chance.
Conflict and surprise flash across his face. “You know Dad would have not only your ass, but my ass, too, if he sees you there. That’s one place that’s off limits, you know that.”
“I know, Jase, but think of how much more motivated you would be with Tessa there! Heck, maybe with her there, you could take on Blizzard. Just please, will you do this for me? Just this once?”
I can see in his eyes that I’ve won him over. Ever since I became best friends with Tessa, Jase has had his heart set on her, and she on him. Unfortunately, Jase is stuck in the life he was born to be a part of, and Tessa can’t surpass anything he stands for.
Her dad used to work for my father as one of his capos, until a deal went bad and he ended up with a bullet to the chest. Growing up around the lifestyle that had taken away her dad scarred her from ever following that path again. She wants the honest life, without any dirty money and illegal activity involved. I honestly don’t blame her, but there’s just something about this life that intrigues me. Maybe it’s because I was raised in it, and it’s all I know… or maybe it’s the edge and danger that thrills me.
“Ah, fuck, okay, okay, I’m in,” he agrees, and I all but squeal as I hug him.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” I beam.
“Calm down, Al, you’re drawing attention to yourself, and that’s the last thing we need right now.” He scolds. “So, this is how it’s going to work. Meet at the side alley at exactly 9:33 pm, and not one second later. Lance, one of our men, will be there to take you around the side entrance of the shack out back. That’s where you’ll take a set of stairs all the way down into the arena. Once you get there, he’ll lead you to the front, right next to the ring. I want to be able to see Tessa front and center. Dad usually sits in the back suites by the bar, so avoid going there at all costs. If anything happens, Lance will be next to you the entire night. Do NOT go off anywhere without him. There are some serious fucking weirdos there. The girls who are usually there are pretty slutty, and I’m not saying that you two are, but to not draw attention to yourselves you’re going to want to fit the dress code. Go crazy on whatever makeup girls do so you are unrecognizable. Also, make sure Tessa wears something short and tight for me.” He winks.
“What if we both want to place a bet?”
“Then you both use the old fake IDs you had before you were old enough to buy booze. Too many questions will be asked if you use your real one, and too much attention will be drawn to you.”
“Okay, I got it. 9:33, don’t lose Lance, stay away from the bar, and bring fake IDs.” This sounds like a pretty solid plan. Gosh, who knew it would have come from my brother?
“Sounds good. Now I really got to get going. Make sure you remember what I told you. I don’t want this backfiring on me. Yeah?” he declares with a raised brow.
I smile with a nod. �
��Be careful tonight, and good luck, by the way. Seriously, Jase, thank you. I owe you one.”
“No worries, just make sure Tessa is there. And, Alayna?” His tone turns serious again.
“Yeah?” I ask, confused at his change of attitude.
“Dad’s under a lot of stress right now, so just take it easy on him, okay?”
I sigh, remembering the earlier events of today. “Whatever.”
“See you around.” He finishes off his drink, gives me a harmless shove, and he’s out the door.
It suddenly dawns on me just then that I’m finally going to see what all the hype of the underground is about, and a giggle makes its way up my throat. I put a hand over my mouth, trying to stop another giggle from escaping, but I can’t stop, I’m just too excited!
I hear a door shut, and someone comes up to the bar, but I ignore them as I’m too lost in my own world to acknowledge anything else.
“You alright over there?”
And that voice immediately halts any further laugh making its way out of me.
I spin around to see Carson eyeing me over the rim of his drink with an amused expression on his face.
I inwardly cringe at myself. “I’m fine,” I say, abruptly getting up to leave to put some needed space between us. I’ve embarrassed myself already in front of this man, I don’t want to embarrass myself even further with how red my cheeks get when I’m embarrassed.
“Oh please, don’t stop on my account. It was quite amusing watching you laugh to yourself,” he states, grabbing hold of the cigarette that’s behind his ear. “Mind sharing what was so funny?” he asks with a cocky grin.
I whip around to face him, my cheeks an even darker shade than before. “Actually, I was just planning on all of the ways I’m going to put a stop to this whole bodyguard thing,” I say, moving closer to him and lowering my voice in warning. “And I can’t say I don’t play dirty to get my way.”
He lights up his cigarette and brings it to his mouth. “Call it an inkling, but something tells me you play dirty when it comes to a lot of things.”
