Remember When We

by Gray, Khardine

  The door to the kitchen opened and in came the devil himself.

  Frankie.

  Frankie smiling wide like he’d just hit some jackpot.

  “I told you, I didn’t want any problems.” He said in a sing song voice. “But then what did I expect from mobsters. It turns out we have links from the past. Your brother and my brother that is. Wow. Anyways you were warned. This isn’t Chicago. This is Philadelphia. Good for the cheese and sandwiches. Here we don’t just use guns. We use drugs too.”

  Drugs and guns …

  My eyes rolled into the back of my head and I fell into the darkness.

  Chapter 22

  Gio

  I hated warehouses with a fiery passion.

  Too big.

  Too damn big and too many open spaces, especially this kind.

  I got here half an hour ago, not with Torrez like Bailey would have thought.

  I had Gibbs back at the dungeon with him. Coming here out in the open like this with my leverage would have been asking for trouble.

  It was just me and Dante inside the warehouse. Outside was our back up.

  My first sign of worry was when the clock struck six and there was no sign of Bailey.

  Dante shuffled next to me, looking around the area.

  “He’s late.” Dante commented. “That’s not fucking good.”

  No, it wasn’t. It wasn’t good at all.

  “Got a bad feelin’ about this Gio. This don’t feel right at all.”

  The large doors to our right opened up, creaking as they swayed inwards. We were expecting the doors to our left to open from that entrance. It had been the way we’d come.

  I straightened up, my hand on my piece when I didn’t see anyone at the door.

  Then footsteps echoed on the path.

  Bailey came inside. His face hardened with an expression fierce like he was ready to kill me.

  “Where is he?” He asked.

  He walked closer. Two men came in from behind following closely. They looked like bodyguards.

  “I’m sorry what?” I threw back. He had that damn attitude like he was in charge of me. It was me asking the questions here.

  “Look, mafia scum, do not fuck with me.” He balked. “Where is Torrez?”

  “He’s safe, keeping the snake company.” Dante answered.

  “Tell me what I need to know.” I demanded. “Marshall Carson. Did you kill him?”

  Bailey laughed much to my annoyance. The fucker just laughed. “Do you know how many people I come across every day. Some guys just end up seeing things they shouldn’t see. Hear things they shouldn’t hear.”

  “You’ll remember this one, eight years ago. Looked like you went through a lot of trouble to cover up the real cause of his death.” I threw back. It was always the eyes. The eyes, my Ma had told me they weren’t just windows to the soul, they were doors to the truth. His eyes told me that he knew full well exactly who I meant and I was ready to end him right the fuck then. My hand was moving to my gun, but something flickered in his eyes. I was trained to notice everything and just then he looked at me like he was the one with the upper hand.

  The guy was late, the guy was making demands, and the guy was now smiling.

  Like he wasn’t the only one who had leverage.

  “Don’t remember any Marshall I’m afraid. I tend to remember the women more. Got a new doll to add to my shelf. Raven hair, striking green eyes, runs a bar for her father, I believe even has a son.”

  Instantly my heart rose into my throat and my breath hitched.

  “What are you saying to me?”

  “You like playing games Mr. Bianchi. I’m not the kind of man to be played. Run, try and save her. Maybe.”

  I was out that door before he could finish talking. I practically threw myself on my bike and shot down the road. I raced with lightning speed, my whole body numb. I didn’t even know Dante was behind me. He was speeding along right behind me.

  I set things up so that Lyssa, Matthew and Paul were safe. Donny, Lois and Saul were the best. Aside from me and Dante they were the best. The only way anyone could have gotten to them is if they’d died.

  If anything happened to Lyssa or Matthew, or fucking hell Paul, I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself.

  I would never forgive myself. It would be even worse than how I felt with Marshall.

  My family.

  Shit, I just turned the corner and saw the devastation. I must have been gone for nearly two hours and this was what happened.

  Bodies of men were shot up on the lawn.

  I counted at least fifteen bodies on the space between lawn and the front porch. The front door was wide open. I ran inside and called for Lyssa, but there was no answer.

  I ran to the kitchen heading for the basement and saw Donny crumpled on the ground with his face distorted like he had on a mask. Attached to his chest was a note saying.

  Philadelphian Style

  Fuck! This was Frankie’s doing.

  He fucking got to my guys by using drugs.

  It wasn’t something I would have factored in. Yes, Philadelphian style indeed.

  Fucking asshole.

  I needed to know if Lyssa had got to the basement with Matthew and her father.

  While Dante checked Donny, I continued on to the pantry.

  I banged hard on the door.

  “Lyssa, it’s me. Open the door. Open the door,” I cried.

  My heart broke when the door swayed open and Matthew stood there crying.

  Paul was at the base of the steps below tears running down his cheeks too.

  “I think they took her. I tried to carry her, but she begged me to take the boy. There was so much smoke and she couldn’t move.” Paul wailed.

  It only made Matthew cry harder.

  I had promised my kid it would all be okay.

  Lyssa did the very thing I would have done.

  She did the very thing I would have done in this situation. Get our child out of there first. Save him first and herself next. Or if necessary sacrifice herself.

  “Gio, they took my mom.” Matthew cried.

  I crouched down and took hold of his shoulders.

  I stared into his tear-filled eyes looking at him like I was looking at a picture of myself.

  “Look son. I’m going to get her back.” I nodded.

  “I don’t think ... I don’t think you can.” He kept repeating. “There were so many bad guys. I couldn’t look after her. I couldn’t do it. She told grandpa to take me.”

  “Listen to me. Grandpa did the right thing. She wanted you to be safe and that’s just what good parents do. It’s what good mothers do, and even fathers.”

  “My father doesn’t live here though. I don’t know where he is. I don’t think he cares at all.” He cried harder, and it made my soul shrink away in guilt. At the same time, it heralded the moment I’d been waiting for. The right time to talk, it was now.

  “No, that’s not true. Matthew, listen to me. I need you to listen to me okay?”

  He tried to calm himself. Paul made his way up the stairs and I looked to him as if for support. It was strange in my younger years I’d done the same thing. Paul was that guy who was there for his kids so very different to my father. My mother had been more like Paul.

  Paul nodded giving me that reassurance.

  I looked back to Matthew and held his gaze. “I’m your father, I’m your dad … Matthew.” The words were like a release, ripping off a bandage.

  His little eyes widened and his mouth dropped open. “You?”

  “Yes. Me.”

  “Wow.” He breathed.

  This kid had surprised me in more than one way since I’d been here. He’d just done it again when he reached out and touched my cheek.

  I took his hand and brought it to my heart. “We can talk about that later when I bring your mother back. I just need you to know that I always cared. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you when you were younger. I’m sorry I missed those da
ys. But I’m not missing anymore, or anything else. Right now I need you to trust me to get your mother back. Can you do that?”

  “Yes.” He nodded and smiled.

  I could have cried when he threw his little arms around me and gave me a hug.

  “I’m so glad you’re my father,” he whispered.

  “Me too.”

  Like the devil coming to steal happiness my phone rang in my back pocket and I knew exactly who that was calling.

  I released Matthew looking to Dante and answered the phone.

  “Where is she?” I said straight away.

  “My how the tables have turned,” Bailey replied. “Here is what you’ll do. Bring me Torrez and I may consider giving you back the girl. I’ll send the address. Please no funny business and you come alone.” He hung up.

  I looked to Dante.

  “Stay with them for me.” I told him.

  “Gio you need me to watch your back.” Dante winced.

  “Listen to me. I’m supposed to go alone. Frankie can still come back and take them. I need you to stay here Dante. Please take care of my kid.” I looked at him with a hard stare, so he’d know I was serious.

  This was one time when I had to work alone.

  He nodded in agreement.

  Chapter 23

  Gio

  Back to the warehouse district a different one this time.

  Night had fallen giving the surrounding area more tension.

  It was the type of warehouse people used as a storage facility with all the large containers. There was an area with forklifts and a giant workspace.

  I knew that was where they were.

  I had Torrez handcuffed walking next to me.

  Bailey sat in a large chair looking out for me like the asshole he was.

  “Where is Lyssa?” I demanded.

  Bailey laughed. “Frankie.” He called out.

  My chest caved when Frankie came out with Lyssa, his gun at her head. There was a bruise on her chest and over her eye like someone had hit her. Her mouth was gagged and hands were tied up in front of her. She was crying.

  Fuck!

  How the hell was I going to do this? My big idea of taking things back old school had royally blown up in my face. It had more than backfired.

  Frankie was smiling at me.

  “Exchange please.” Bailey called out.

  “I want her first.” My voice came out showing my emotion and desperation, everything I wanted to hide.

  “You are in no position to be making demands.” Bailey sneered. He was right since Torrez represented the money. Still Lyssa was my heart.

  It would hurt me more to lose her than it would for them to lose him.

  They knew it too and they obviously realized I knew it.

  As if I needed confirmation Frankie did me the honor of pulling back the trigger. Lyssa cried even harder, her eyes fixed on me.

  I had put her in danger. No matter what I did this was the cycle yet again.

  Two guys came up to me with a little basket. “Guns now.” One of them said.

  I had half a mind to whip out the damn gun and shoot all of them, but it wouldn’t work. I wouldn’t be able to do it, not fast enough.

  However, that didn’t stop me from planning.

  I took out the guns I had. I always carried two. There was a pen in my back pocket that was actually a knife; always overlooked.

  I promised my boy I would bring his mother home. That was one promise I was going to keep.

  I just needed an opening—something.

  Keeping my eyes sharp I returned my gaze to them. The guys took Torrez and he walked over to Bailey where he undid his hand cuffs.

  “Master keys.” He said very proudly standing up. “One of the perks of being the police captain. Master of everything.” He laughed. He lowered to pick up a bag and looked like he was going to leave.

  “Give her to me.” I said.

  “Frankie will talk to you about that. It seems like she wasn’t mine to give back.” A wide smile spread across his fucking face. I didn’t know what the hell he meant and I couldn’t express the depth of my infuriation. I just handed Torrez to them and I was left with nothing. Absolutely nothing, but the space between me, Frankie and Lyssa. “Anyhow, I’d best be off. Got a dinner appointment.” He put the bag over his shoulder and took two steps toward the door with Torrez, stopped and turned back to face me like he had just remembered something.

  “You know, now that I think of it … I do recall a Marshall Carson.” Bailey smiled wider. “Tall blonde guy, one of those that saw far too much. Right that guy … yes, I remember now. He thought he could expose me for kidnapping those girls.”

  “Did you?” I had to know.

  “Of course, I did. Those poor girls, they all came from troubled homes. They came to the club thinking it’s cool, get picked up by a guy who promises them everything. Then I took over from there. Do you know how much you can make for a sixteen year old in an auction?” he laughed. “Your good friend was going to expose me. Couldn’t let that happen. So, I phoned a friend and poisoned his ass. With all the gang violence around it wasn’t hard to pass his death off as one of those meaningless killings. There’s your confession Mr. Bianchi. From the way things look it won’t mean much to you now. No weapons, you have no hope. Good day sir.”

  On that note he just left and I could only watch him go, too afraid to move in case Frankie released that trigger and killed Lyssa.

  When the door closed, I turned to face Frankie and Lyssa.

  Frankie was already looking at me expectantly.

  “So, it comes down to this. Just the three of us. Almost like the other night, except I’m holding a gun at your doll’s head.” Frankie smirked, taunting me.

  “Let her go.”

  “Once again, Gio looks like you need to be reminded that you aren’t in any position to make any demands.”

  I wasn’t, not by a long shot and I knew it. I had one guy on either side of me and Frankie was over there with Lyssa.

  “Can’t talk big anymore can you Chicago?” Frankie added. “And, you aren’t asking the right questions either.”

  “I wasn’t asking any questions I was demanding.” I informed him.

  “Yeah, see that’s where you people all go wrong. Demands, but you fail to see the circumstances of what happens when you make those demands. Like if something’s not yours then how can you demand to have it.”

  There was that reference again, belonging. I glanced at Lyssa and her eyes darted back and forth.

  I got the feeling I was about to be told something I wouldn’t like, not at all.

  Something more than what was happening here.

  “What the fuck are you talking about man?” This fucking pussyfooting around was working my last nerve.

  “She belongs to me. She became in breach of her contract by being captured. Contract says if she finds herself in a position where she is unable to work then the breach occurs. I can exact the stipulations to remedy the breach.”

  “What contract is this?” I growled.

  “Oh yes, that’s right the bitch didn’t tell you. She signed her body away to me if her father couldn’t pay his debts. Like the good daughter she is she’s been working that sexy ass off to pay his debts, because he couldn’t. Good old Paul’s been very sick, even dying.”

  While Frankie smiled, I looked at Lyssa so this was what it was.

  The thing she said she would take care, that she could handle on her own.

  Why didn’t she tell me this? Why wouldn’t she? I would have killed Frankie and fucking hell I would have killed Paul too.

  She looked away more tears rolling down her cheeks.

  I had my answer that was why. She knew exactly what I would. Kill Frankie for daring to make such a contract and kill Paul, because he put his daughter in that position.

  The way he had made me feel years ago when he told me to leave his little girl alone ...

  I could describe it to anyone.


  Frankie laughed harder. “You look hurt Gio. Don’t worry you had a loyal one here. Wouldn’t sleep with me, not even when I offered to write off the debt if she did. Decided it would be better to sell the house instead. Not sure if that’s impressive resilience or an insult to my feelings.”

  I’d go with the impressive resilience, but I’d enough of this shit.

  She wasn’t paying anything back not any more.

  Frankie lowered his gun from her head to continue his taunting and I took the opportunity; the opening. The gun being moved away from her head was more than I could ask for.

  The minute I saw that I grabbed the knife from my back pocket and whipped it out so fast that no one could have seen it coming.

  Fucking asshole, Frankie moved right into the line of trajectory and it stabbed him in the side of his neck.

  As the blood spurted, he dropped to his knees and the guys next to me jumped into action followed by the three over near him.

  I did too.

  “Run Lyssa!” I cried. “Run!”

  I headbutted the guy to my right and kicked the guy on my left.

  I grabbed one of my guns from the basket that the guys had dropped and I shot both of them. The three coming for me closed the distance fast, I shot two in the head and snapped the other one’s neck with a kick.

  I’d just turned when I saw Lyssa hadn’t moved. She looked like she was trying to get the bonds off her hands to help me.

  “Lyssa please run.” I cried. She was shaking her head refusing. I didn’t know if there were more guys around and while Frankie seemed to be bleeding out, I didn’t know if I’d hurt him enough to take him down. I needed her out of harm’s way. “Go, run to Matthew.”

  I knew her trigger. The name alone would make her focus and get the hell out of here. It was only then that she moved and ran the way bailey went.

  Something got me though,

  right in my side. I’d been shot before so I knew that the pain lancing through my body was that. I turned and saw Frankie pointing a gun at me. That asshole, he’d shot me.

  I fired my gun and hit him in his shoulder, but it didn’t stop him.