by Posey Parks
“What was it like seeing Dillon for the first time in fourteen years?” I grabbed the coffee pot and poured coffee into one of the three mugs sitting on the counter.
I gave my father grief for loving Dillon more than me. However, I knew he loved us both. He just loved us differently. Our love hate relationship was always strained.
“Thanks.” He sipped the piping hot coffee.
“It was like seeing a fucking ghost. I was angry and happy at the same time. He’s lived in Portland, Oregon for fourteen years. He has two children. Dillon and Lily.”
I smirked. “How was he making a living?”
“His name was Jeffery Westbrook. He owned a construction company.”
We chuckled.
“At least he utilized the skills we were taught.” Every summer we worked at one of our grandfather’s construction or waste management sites. We had plenty of experience with manual labor.
“I’ll continue. Filippo introduced me to Edward, who was an up and coming attorney, years ago. Said he was a good attorney. Filippo used Edwards poker weakness to his advantage. Edward witnessed Filippo kill Mick.
Filippo black mailed him. Said if he ever told anyone he’d kill his family. He even collected on a gambling debt over the years. Keeping his foot on Edwards neck. Yesterday, he met with Edward in Portland. Dillon was married to Edwards daughter. He dropped by the house to discuss a matter with his ex-father-in-law. Filippo hid in the shadows eavesdropping. Dillon wasn’t aware Filippo was meeting with Edward.
Edward and Filippo had a heated argument after Dillon left. Filippo threatened to kill Dillon once and for all. Edward called me, confessing Dillon was alive and he’d kept the secret for years. He said Filippo planned to kill Dillon. I flew to Portland. By the time I arrived Filippo had kidnapped Sierra, Dillon’s fiancée. Last night we rescued her.”
My heavy hand landed on my father’s shoulder. “I’m sorry for your loss, Dad. I can’t believe that bastard murdered uncle Mick.”
He sighed. “We’re going to war, Dominic. Filippo’s dead now we have to kill his son.”
I ran my fingers through my unruly mane. Shit! I pondered on his words. War.
“We’ll talk more once Dillon arrives. He’ll be here soon. Get dressed.”
“Yup.” War. I repeated in my head. I wouldn’t see Carmen anytime soon. Filippo’s men would want blood. Our blood. I couldn’t risk contacting her and putting her in grave danger.
∞
Hands stuffed in my pockets, I stood in the back corner of the living room. I ran the cold platinum wedding band over my fingers again and again.
Big bro stepped inside and silence fell over the room.
He was lean at sixteen. Dillon returned cock fucking diesel. Shit, did he slam pro Wrestlers for sport? I was all muscle too, but less bulk. What the fuck was with his unruly hair. My chest tightened. The anger sparked every nerve ending in my body. Bitterness, pain, and betrayal consumed me. Everyone was crying and smiling. Not me. I was the raging bull in the room ready to plow through my brother.
“You all have no idea how good it is to be home and with family.”
To come home and be with family. Did he really just say those words? He fucking faked his death and abandoned us. His family. I stormed out of the room and into the study.
My father’s usually loud commanding voice was faint in my ears. I tuned him out. Fuck everyone and this stupid welcome home bullshit.
I stared out the window thinking about the studying I needed to do upon returning to San Jose.
“Dominic, it’s good to see you after all these years,” he stated from behind at a distance. The sunlight peeked through the two windows filling the room.
“Doubt that!” I hissed, never turning my attention from the multitude of tall, still, green trees lining the side of the house.
He stepped beside me sliding his hands into his jean pockets.
“His favorite son has returned. How long are you staying, huh?” I barked, glaring at him.
He turned to me. “You have no idea how much I wanted to come home.”
I stepped closer throwing my finger in his face. “Bullshit! If Filippo wouldn’t have found you, we would have never seen you again! Fuck you, Dillon!” I waved my hands in the air.
“Let’s just get the job done. You can go back to wherever the fuck you came from!”
“I can’t go into battle with you knowing you don’t have my back.”
The door slammed, ordering our attention.
“Enough of this shit, Dominic!” father roared.
“Dillon did what he felt was right for this family, which was to protect you and your mom!” he stated, standing before me, poking me in my chest.
“Filippo shot at him fourteen years ago, then shot him yesterday. He tried to kill him!” His jaw clinched.
“Now, I don’t expect you to offer up brotherly love but show a little respect.”
“He is still your brother,” he growled.
Waves of heat pulsated through my body. I wanted this shit to be over now.
He swept his hand between us both. “Now, you two hug.”
We stood brooding, not jumping at dad’s orders.
“Now!”
Dillon pulled me into his embrace. “I’m sorry you’re hurting, Dom. We need to talk it out, now.”
I shoved him. “Get to talking.”
Sitting next to my father on the leather sofa, I watched my brother pace the floor as he began his story.
His story was touching. Clearly my father and grandfather were moved. I was un-fucking moved. Bitterness sat on my tongue like a lump of coal. Anger still brewing in my chest. The entire time my brother was in hiding because of fucking Filippo.
Seeing my brother after all these years was surreal. He went into hiding to prevent a war. Now we’re headed into war anyway.
Grandfather, then my cousin Tony slinked into the room, during Dillon’s story time. What the fuck did Tony do the last fourteen years? Apparently, the same thing Dillon did, work out. Maybe they spotted each other in the gym every day. They were both bulked up.
After Dillon’s heart felt story grandfather thanked Tony for protecting Dillon.
Grandfather said it was Dillon’s Legacy to become the boss of New Jersey.
“Wait a minute!” I shot to my feet. Staring down my father then grandfather. “Just like that, he comes back from the fucking dead and takes over the family business? This is bullshit! I have been here from the beginning!” I shouted.
This motherfucker comes back from the dead and just like that is handed the position as the Don of the Magarelli crime family. Un-fucking believable.
My father turned to me. “Settle down!”
Dillon flew across the room. “Fuck this shit! I’ve been more than nice to you!” He pointed his finger in my face, standing toe to toe with me. “I left my fucking family!” His eyes squinted. “Lived with strangers. I was fucking poor! You think I wanted to give up my fucking life, you, selfish motherfucker?! I didn’t want to lose you or Mom. Dad wasn’t there. I stepped up and did what I needed to as the future boss of this family! So, fuck you, Dom!” He backed off, holding his hands firm against his head, pacing the floor.
He stood in my face calling me selfish.
I’ve cleaned up so many fucking problems. Allowing my father to run the state of New Jersey without having to worry about the family business.
My father and grandfather knew how much I sacrificed. But it didn’t matter. I had to accept the fact that Dillon would be the Don first and maybe one day, I’d be the boss of the family. The betrayal from my family draped across my back like a full-length fur coat. I needed to cozy up to the decision my grandfather made.
My brother and cousin were back from the dead. Over time I’d make peace with the decision they made fourteen years ago. They were home. Our family would hopefully gain normalcy in the near future.
We brought Dillon up to speed on who was running the three families th
at remained. Since we were about to dismantle the fourth family the Bertozzi’s.
There was light banter after we discussed business.
Dillon and his fiancée murdered Filippo. Fuck I wasn’t expecting that outcome. Dillon yeah, but not his woman. I was intrigued.
Tony worked for Samantha and Jacob Latters over the years.
Turned out Sebastian’s wife Sydney was Samantha’s cousin.
Sebastian and Dillon crossed paths and became business partners building state of the art neighborhoods in Seattle.
Not to mention I helped Sebastian find his son who was kidnapped by his crazy ex-girlfriend. What a small world.
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
DOMINIC
Standing in the long mirror next to my brother, I admired how the tailored black suit hung impressively on my muscular stature. Dillon noticed we had company outside. The Bertozzi family was coming for us.
My brother didn’t miss a beat. He ordered Tony to get the family who owned the shop to safety.
Dillon peeked at me. “You, ready?”
I walked backwards, counting my Glock magazines, then stuffed them in my pockets. “Born ready, big brother.” I slipped my fingers through my hair.
Stepping out of view, we positioned ourselves on the floor, backs against the wall, on either side of the large shop window. Dillon and I shielded our eyes as the bullets hurled through the window. He glimpsed out the window and pointed his gun. The bullets released from the chamber. They fired several shots back. I peeked out the window, squeezing the trigger four times.
“We got’em, Dillon!”
“All right, let’s move.”
Tony and Cruise handled the mess on the streets.
∞
We were en route to a very important meeting with the bosses of the three families. Dillon weaved in and out of traffic. He pressed the air conditioning button until the screen read the lowest temperature.
I laughed. “What’s wrong, brother? You forgot how hot it gets here?”
“Shit yeah! When I’m on a job site in the summer, I’m usually wearing a T-shirt, jeans, and work boots, not a fucking three-piece suit. What about you?”
Cupping my hand, I slid it down the bridge of my slender nose, ridding it of sweat. “Me? Most days, I wear a suit.”
Cutting his eyes back at me, his thick brows scrounged together. “You don’t have to wear a suit, but you choose to?”
“Yeah, I’ll be an attorney soon, which means I will wear a suit every day. Why not be prepared?”
“I know wearing a suit every day will be an adjustment.” He shook his head.
The air was light between us for the first time today. I remembered how good it was being in his presence.
“Dillon, sometimes my temper can get the best of me. Thank you for thinking about us. It’s crazy you made a boss decision at such a young age. I’m still a little bitter not having my big brother around all those years.”
His hand flew, slapping me on the back of my head.
“Dillon, what the fuck? We aren’t kids anymore!”
His eyebrow rose. “You’re still my little brother.” His laughter filled the truck.
“So, fucking funny,” I replied, holding back my smile.
I glanced at him, slapping him upside the head.
“Dominic, no hitting the boss!”
We both laughed.
He swooped into a parking spot in the alley behind the building where our meeting was taking place.
Dillon commanded respect when we walked into the meeting with the remaining families. Watching my brother’s mannerisms and the way his eyes moved over each man in the room was mesmerizing. I hated to admit my brother was born to lead this family. He was level headed, precise, and offered sick twisted humor much like my father and I when he shot Tommy Bertozzi. He divided up the Bertozzi family property amongst the four families.
~
Dillon had a full-blown stake out on the Bertozzi compound.
Dillon, Tony, and I climbed into the back of the decoy van. Hunched over I trudged toward the front of the van.
My heavy hand landed on Sebastian’s shoulder. “Hey, cousin.”
He grinned. “Dominic, good to see you again.” Sebastian peeked at me, then returned his attention to his laptop.
I crouched between the captain chairs at the front of the vehicle. “Hunter, good to see you again.”
He turned, smiling. “Good to see you again too. Dominic, you remember my wife?”
I scratched my head. “I don’t recall meeting her the last time.”
Hunter chuckled. “She was probably wearing a different prosthetic mask. She likes to change up her appearance. This is my wife, Samantha Latters, but call her Skyler in the field.”
I nodded. “Nice to meet you, Skyler.”
“Nice to meet you too, Dominic.”
Hunter also known as Jacob Latters worried me a moment. I thought he might’ve been having an affair. It wasn’t uncommon for movie stars. Then I noticed that sparkle in his eyes when he gazed into hers before he glanced at me. She was special to him. Shit, had to be, she was the only woman on the stake out.
Dillon asked Samantha to return to the safe house with the other women. Fuck, they knew we were going to war. I hate I didn’t until I arrived last night.
“Sebastian,” I whispered, glaring over his shoulder at the laptop.
“Yeah?”
“I need a burner for a second.”
He reached into a duffel bag at his side. Sebastian placed the cell in my hand.
“Thanks.”
I called Hugo.
Hello
Hey, it’s me. How are we looking?
Hugo had worked for me for years. He knew my voice.
She’s still upset. I’ve got it covered.
I’m not sure how long I’ll be away. Don’t alarm her. But don’t let her out of your sight. I don’t have any information at this time. I’ll call again when I can.
All right.
I disconnected the call.
Twirling the burner phone in my hands, I remembered Carmen attempting to accompany me to New Jersey. Shit, I should have let her. I wouldn’t be so fucking worried right now. But I also didn’t know what situation I was walking into. Dominic, you did the right thing. Hugo was good at his job. He’d do everything he could to keep my wife safe.
~
We stormed into the Bertozzi safehouses between New Jersey and New York, killing off their men one by one in search of Filippo Jr. We were coming for that motherfucker. After Two weeks hunting for that low life piece of shit we finally had a solid location. I dreamed of shoving my Glock down his throat and watching his brains explode.
Sebastian and Hunter’s cousin Brandon flew drones over the drug-ridden motel. Dillon and I stared at the camera as Sebastian flew his drone in front of the man. It felt like he stared back at us. It was Ricky Chino right-hand henchman of Filippo Jr.
Dillon’s hand flew over his brow. “Sebastian, what the fuck?”
“Relax, I got it!” he barked. He flew the drone away from the building.
I’m hoping we’ll be able to end this long ass hunt,” Sebastian growled.
“Sebastian, calm down,” Dillon ordered.
He guided the drone to where he stood outside the truck, staring into the camera. “Calm down? I haven’t seen my wife in two fucking weeks.” His jaw clenched.
“If you weren’t family, there’s no fucking way I would have stayed away from my wife and child this long!” His middle finger flipped upward to the camera before it shut off.
The men were on edge being away from their wives. Not one motherfucker in our entire camp was chipper. We bit each other’s heads off day in and day out as you could see.
Dillon glanced around the truck tossing his hand up. “Did he appear a little upset?”
Tony rolled his eyes, waving his hand in Dillon’s direction. Hunter pushed his sunglasses up his nose, leaning his head against the window. D
illon’s eyes landed on me.
I chuckled. “No man wants to be away from good pussy for a long time, especially when he’s used to getting it on the regular.”
Clutching the Glock in his lap, he glanced out the side mirror, observing his surroundings.
He reclined the driver’s captain chair. “Oh yeah? How would you know?” His eyebrow raised in my direction.
“Big bro, you’ve been gone for a very long time. There’s only one woman getting my attention while I’m away at school. I’m pretty sure she’s pissed right about now because I haven’t called her in two weeks. I’d been taking my time to have sex with her.” I stated adjusting my dark baseball cap.
I glanced toward the fellas in the back, then leaned in closer to Dillon. “Let’s just say I finally go all the way with her. Take her virginity and shit, then I left her in a hotel room in New York. I sent her back to Cali with my right-hand man Hugo.”
He fell back against the chair, then exhaled.
“Do you have any idea what it will take to make it up to her? I thought we’d wrap this shit up in three days max not two fucking weeks.”
This wasn’t the time for a confessional. Once this shit was over, I’d tell my brother Carmen was my wife.