by Posey Parks
She sipped her tea. “Girl, you will catch hell trying to break up with him. I cried watching him beg you to wake up. He cracked. He wouldn’t stop talking to you. Do you remember you were sitting in your own urine?”
My sad eyes stared into my tea cup. “Yes.”
“Soaked in another man’s blood, wearing filthy clothes, Dillon cradled you, professing his love for you. Dillon didn’t give a shit how bad you smelled, he needed you to wake up, he was totally lost without you. I offered to clean you up. He refused. He chose to clean you up from head to toe. Yeah, girl, that man ain’t leaving you alone!” A bright smile grew on her face.
My face lit up, then my hand fell against her shoulder as we burst into laughter.
“Ladies, sorry to break up your party,” Brandon said approaching me.
“It’s ok, Brandon, what’s up?”
“Do you want to hear the results in private?”
“No, you can tell me now in front of Zoey.” I stared at him with anticipation.
“You are two months pregnant. Congratulations!”
Zoey pulled me into her embrace momentarily. “Thank you!” My heart dropped to my feet. I didn’t know how to feel.
“Sierra, somehow I think you knew you were pregnant.” Zoey said.
“Yes. I had a feeling I was. After all, this will be my third pregnancy. I paid attention to the signs my body gave me.”
“Sierra, so did I.” Zoey smiled.
“Well, it’s obvious Dillon knows too.” Brandon ran his fingers through his hair.
“You are right, Brandon. Dillon told me he believes I’m pregnant.” I sighed. “I will deliver the news to him. Thank you.”
“Anytime.” Brandon smiled.
“When is dinner going to be ready?” He opened the oven, staring at the salmon.
“Brandon, I’ve asked you to stop opening the oven while the food is cooking.” The back of Zoey’s hand slapped Brandon’s arm.
“Girl, that is a man thing. They will always gawk in the oven to see when dinner is going to be ready.” I laughed.
She turned to me. “Girl, I know!” She laughed.
Later that night, I laid on the floor, pulling my legs into my chest, in the massive shower. I relived the horrific moment when Filippo violated me. I sobbed silently as the steaming hot water lightly thudded over my body.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
DILLON
Walking into the bedroom this morning seeing Sierra awake made me relieved yet concerned. I knew she would be upset; however, slapping me across the face wasn’t what I expected. She was hurt. I lied to her. It would take some time before she truly forgave me. Did I mention before I love how much she loves me? She’s my world.
It was laughable, Sierra asking me to give her privacy. Shit, it wasn’t going to happen; I needed to make sure I took care of her before leaving. This shit with hiding the pregnancy, what’s the point? Her belly will grow before my eyes. She ain’t going no-where. Drop her off at the hospital, that was the craziest shit she ever said. Ain’t no way I’m leaving my woman alone or as bait.
She wants nothing to do with my new world. Sierra asking could we go back to Portland told me she still wanted us to be together despite the lie I told. I’m not sure how we will make our new life work. However, we will. Before I left, I held Sierra in my arms. I needed to calm her nerves. She was worked up at the possibility of losing me all over again. The shit was traumatizing to her.
I smiled at the thought of knowing the many nights of hard work I put in to get Sierra pregnant, finally worked. The pregnancy test Brandon is going to run will be a formality. Sierra’s pregnant. And she ain’t pushing me out of my child’s life, or hers for that matter.
Before she dozed off in my arms, Sierra told me she couldn’t be with me. My eyes closed, and my heart raced. There is absolutely no way I could be without Sierra. Listening to her breathe while she slept and our hearts beating as one was my calm before the storm. The feel of her soft hair underneath my fingers made me remember all the nights I held her like I did today; the only difference was, her fingers would twirl in my curls while we laid in silence. Today was no different than any other. I wanted to hold her in my arms all day, but I had to leave. It was time to run the family business.
Shrugging on a clean white dress shirt, I left my white T-shirt on the bed for Sierra. I’m not sure how long I will be gone. Recently, I came home on my lunchbreak. Sierra was taking a nap. My T-shirt was snug against her chest. I removed the T-shirt from her grasp, lying beside her, pulling Sierra close. In that moment, I was eager for her to become my wife.
Sweat beaded my forehead. Swiping my forehead free of sweat, I drove across town from Middletown to our other safehouse in Camden. It’s a large compound sitting on several acres of land. My mother and I were about to see each other for the first time in fourteen years. My nerves were getting the best of me. I left Gio at the house with Sierra, Zoey, and Brandon. I didn’t bring any of our men on this trip. I drove alone. The throbbing pain in my side subsided. Thankfully, Brandon gave me the good pain meds to take late last night. The few hours of restful sleep I received was much needed. Clearing my head on this long drive was the goal. However, the anxiety was mounting. I was becoming the new boss of the mafia today. Dead one day, then the mob boss the next.
Sitting outside the sprawling ranch home, I slammed my eyes shut, then opened them, rubbing my clammy hands along my jeans. Stepping outside the gray Suburban, my eyes scanned the lavish property tucked amongst the trees. The dark wood finishes blend well with the forest landscape.
Standing at the front door, I removed my sunglasses, glancing back toward the sun peeking through the tall trees. I turned, knocking on the door, placing my sunglasses in my shirt pocket. My father’s best man Cruise, who accompanied my father to Portland, answered the door.
“Hello again Dillon. The boss and the family are waiting for you in the sitting room.”
“Thanks,” I stated, stepping inside.
My appearance was rough. I wish I had time to get a haircut before my arrival. The second I stepped into the room, all eyes fell on me. My presence halted their conversation. My father left my mother’s side on the sofa, walked over, pulled me into his embrace. “It’s good to see you again, son.”
I patted his back, while my eyes roamed the spacious room, staring into the shocked faces gawking back at me. My father stepped aside.
“Dillon, I can’t believe it’s you!” my grandfather stated, mouth dropped open as he stood from his brown leather recliner. His eyes gave me the once over as he approached me. His stature was thinner than I remembered, with a head full of gray hair. I wrapped my arms around him.
“It’s good to see you, Grandfather. It’s been a long time.”
We laughed.
My grandfather stepped back, stretching out his arm toward my mother. Her sad eyes meet my gaze. She flew across the room into my arms. I clutched her tiny frame, never wanting to let her go. “Mom, I missed you so much,” I breathed, nuzzling my nose in her freshly washed hair, inhaling the smell of lavender. Placing her back on her feet, her brown eyes were steady on me as her fingers traced through my curly hair, then along my bearded face.
“Dillon.” Her lips curled up and down. “It’s really you.” The tears streamed down her face.
I pulled her back into my arms. “Mom, I love you so much,” I whispered. Being back in my mother’s presence after we’ve been apart for years is surreal. She risked never seeing me again, all so no harm would come my way. I am forever indebted to her.
My eyes scanned the room, falling on my sister, then my brother.
My mom pulled back. “Dillon, I would like you to meet your sister Alexandria.” She held out her hand for my sisters.
Alexandria stepped forward. Her smile was polite. “It’s nice to meet you.” She stretched out her hand for mine. I leaned down, wrapping my arms around her.
“It’s good to meet
you in person.” Pushing her back, I held her arms, marveling in her beauty.
Her brown eyebrows raised while her green eyes stared at me. “You’ve seen me before?”
I chuckled. “Yes, on the Internet.”
A single tear slid down my face. I quickly swiped it away. My eyes fell on my brother. “You all have no idea how good it is to be home and be with family.”
An angry scowl took over my brother’s dark features. His anger sucked all the joy out of the beautiful rose-colored room. He stormed out never looking back.
“Dominic! Dominic, get back here!” my father yelled.
“Dad, I got it.”
I glanced around the room. “I will be right back.” I smiled.
Roaming the long halls of the spacious home, I found my brother staring out the oversized window in the study. The two dark grey book shelves held hundreds of books on either side of the door.
“Dominic, it’s good to see you after all these years,” I stated from the doorway. The sunlight peeked through the two windows filling the room.
“Doubt that!” he spit, never turning his attention from the multitude of tall still green trees lining the side of the house.
I strolled across the cherry wood floor, standing at his side, sliding my hands into my jeans pockets.
“His favorite son has returned. How long are you staying, huh?” he barked, glancing at me.
I turned to him. “You have no idea how much I wanted to come home.”
He stepped closer throwing his finger in my face. “Bullshit! If Filippo wouldn’t have found you, we would have never seen you again! Fuck you, Dillon!” He waved his hands in the air.
“Let’s just get the job done. You can go back to where ever 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.
“That’s enough of this shit, Dominic!” my father roared.
“Dillon did what he felt was right for this family, which was to protect you and your mom!” he stated, standing before him, poking him in his chest.
“Filippo shot at him fourteen years ago, then shot him yesterday. He tried to kill him! Now, I don’t expect you to offer up brotherly love but show a little respect.” His jaw clinched.
“He is still your brother,” he growled.
He swept his hand between us both. “Now, you two hug.”
We stood brooding, not jumping at my father’s order.
“Now!”
I pulled Dominic into my embrace. He was only an inch shorter, with black hair and green eyes. “I’m sorry you’re hurting, Dom. We need to talk it out, now.”
He pushed back. “Get to talking.”
He walked over to the black leather sofa, reclining back. I sunk into a black plush leather chair across from him. My father sat on the sofa next to Dominic.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
DILLON
WAR IS UPON US
I smirked, then stood, walking about the floor. “We had a half day of school that day. I instructed our driver to drop me off at Uncle Mick’s. I wanted to play video games with Mario. Around 9 p.m., Uncle Mick said he was taking me home. He told me he needed to stop at the club and he wouldn’t be long. Uncle Mick instructed me to retrieve the gun out of the glove box and keep it close. His gun was secure in his waistband before he walked inside the club. I didn’t think Uncle Mick would be long. He often stopped to pick up money from the gambling spots, never stayed more than ten-fifteen minutes. He was inside a little longer this time. I had to pee, so I jumped out of the car, ran over to the side of the garbage can and handled my business.” My hands were getting clammier by the minute reliving that day.
I glanced at my father and brother to see if they were still listening. My eyes shot over to the door, noticing my grandfather was standing there. I swallowed hard; my nerves were getting the best of me. I was about to share with them some traumatic information.
“Grandfather, come have a seat,” I stated.
Slowly, he walked over, sitting in one of the two chairs.
I continued my story. “I heard a shot rang out. Quickly, I retrieved my gun from my waistband. I heard voices. Filippo told Leech to drop off the package at Draper Park.” Slowly, my eyes rose, taking in their faces.
My father brushed his hand over his hair, then stretched his arm out over the back of the sofa, clutching his fist. My grandfather had no expression. Dom sat stone-faced, too.
“I knew they killed Uncle Mick. I had to get out of there. I began running.”
Filippo yelled out, ““Get back here!””
I fired two shots, one hitting Leech.”
“You should have killed that son of a bitch!” my grandfather growled.
“I thought I did. Filippo shot at me and missed. I knew I needed to get out of town. I couldn’t go to jail for killing Leech,” I said, running my fingers through my hair.
My father rose, stepping over to me. His concerned eyes stared into my distraught ones. “Dillon, you should have called me the second you were some where safe. It was never your burden; it was mine!”
“I couldn’t shake what happened to Uncle Johnny. All those innocent people died for what?” I ran my hand over my hair. “I couldn’t let anything happen to Mom and Dominic.”
“Dillon, that was a very brave thing to do, but in the end, we needed to settle the score for the loss of my son,” my grandfather calmly stated.
“I was only sixteen. I also knew I didn’t want to go to prison for killing Leech. I called Tony to help me devise a plan.” I heard the door open and close.
“Hey, Tone.” I smiled weakly.
I hoped my grandfather wouldn’t get upset with Tony.
“We faked our deaths, and for the last fourteen years, Tony has watched out for me. I’m thankful he did or I wouldn’t be here right now.”
I slid my chair closer to my grandfather. “I am forever grateful Tony protected me and our family. He put me first. My father already said no harm would come to Tony.”
My grandfather smiled, standing, motioning his hand toward Tony. “Come here, Tony.”
Tony’s face tensed, stepping over, standing before our grandfather.
“Tony, thank you for protecting Dillon. You showed loyalty to this family keeping him safe. I let Catriona walk away from this life. I am allowing you to walk away too.”
“Thanks Grandfather.” He smiled.
“Before I go back to my life, I am going to stay and fight.”
He smirked, smacking the back of Tony’s neck. “Good!”
“Sergio, you’ve assured me Filippo is no more,” my grandfather said, strolling toward the window with his hands clutched behind his back.
“I chopped him up into tiny bits and fed him to the fish in Lake Draper.”
“Good!” My grandfather’s dark eyes roamed the room. “After the war is over, we will have a big celebration. Dillon your mother will plan the party.” He smiled, and in turn our lips curled upward.
“Sounds good,” I stated.
Tony sat in the chair my grandfather previously occupied.
“Dillon, Mick informed you of your new role. What was it?”
My eyes fell over the faces in the room, then turned to my grandfather’s. “The mob boss.”
“Yes, you were supposed to take over at the age of twenty-five. This is your Legacy. You are now the Boss of New Jersey.”
My heart plummeted to my feet. Even though I knew my fate, it was hard hearing those words from the lips of my grandfather.
“Wait a minute!” My brother shot to his 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!” he shouted.
My father turned to Dominic. “Settle down!”
I flew across t
he room. “Fuck this shit! I’ve been more than nice to you!” I pointed my finger in his face, standing toe to toe with him. “I left my fucking family!” My 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!” I backed off, holding my hands firm against my head, pacing the floor.
I dropped my hands at my sides, staring into his dark green eyes. “I understand you’ve been handling the business while I was away. We can work side by side. I have a family in Portland, Oregon. My fiancée is not at all excited about me becoming the boss.” I turned to my grandfather.
“In all due respect, I will do my job as the new Don of this family. But Dom works at my side when he finishes law school, then in a few years he can take over the business. I will teach him everything Uncle Mick taught me. He is next in line, right?”
My grandfather smirked. “He is Dillon, I will take it into consideration.” He walked over to me, placing his hand on my shoulder. “Who did I ask Mick to train?”
My eyes stared into his green ones. “Me.”
“Your father didn’t train you because I could see he had other plans for you boys. I’m not opposed to you boys living your lives as your own, but this family comes first.
The fact is Dillon, I hand-picked you to run this family. You and I see things differently. Everything Mick taught you, he said you absorbed like a sponge.” He pulled his hand into a fist in the air. “You are a rarity. You are a born boss. That means I believe you are the best man for the job. I picked your father first because he has a way of making our problems never rise to the surface. Luckily, for us he runs the great state of New Jersey.” He chuckled.
His eyes fell on Dominic. “Your turn to become the next boss is coming. Each of us has a problem handling rage. Dominic, you have to learn when to pull back in a dangerous situation. Don’t let the rage control you; Learn to control the rage.”