Hidden Witness 6: Marco & Emoni's Story: The Rise of A Donna

by Posey Parks

Rémy shook his head. “You’ve made that clear.”

  He pointed at Kagan. “You’re young. One day you’ll want more. We’ve all said that shit at some point in our life. Didn’t want to deal with a nagging woman.” He peeked at me from the corner of his eye. “No offense, Emoni.”

  “None taken. I have a younger brother. I get it.”

  “But, Kagan one day you’ll want to spend time with one woman who gets you. Not a random fuck buddy. I swear Luca’s the worst.” Rémy bit a slice of bacon, then proceeded.

  “Now that guy might not ever settle down. Broken hearts tend to turn to stone after someone stomped on it and tossed it in the trash.”

  “I don’t blame Luca,” Romeo sighed.

  “Who broke his heart?”

  “A girl he grew up with. She vanished. That’s all I’ll say. You’ll have to ask him. It’s not my story to tell.” He shook his head and tapped the table.

  “That guy doesn’t believe in human connection anymore. He literally fucks chicks in his car on a remote road. He’s there for a nut. Nothing more.”

  “Marco, wasn’t far behind him,” Kagan added.

  “He tried one time to settle down. That bitch was super crazy. I think he was spooked after that experience. Also finding a woman in this life can be challenging. This life isn’t easy. Loyalty is huge in this family. You’re crazy, but in a good way. You’re protective over Marco. He needed a woman like you. Funny thing you two are fucking stubborn. He’s very strong headed though. You saw first-hand how Marco’s not listening could be brutal. That shit that happened the other day when he passed out.” Romeo paused.

  “Yeah, he was in rough shape,” Romeo stated against the rim of his glass of orange juice.

  “Right now, we have two wars happening at the same time. So he can’t be in Mexico and Jersey City too.”

  My eyes widened. “Kagan, what are you talking about?” I tapped my cheek. “Wait the fire. Who’s the other enemy?”

  “Shit, Kagan, shut the fuck up,” Rémy bit out.

  “No tell me.” I sat straight up. The tiny hairs stood all over my body and my heart beat against my chest.

  “Vanisha’s dad is the leader of The Knights of Hell Motorcycle club.” He rubbed his chin.

  “He wants answers if you know what I mean.” His green eyes softened.

  I visibly swallowed.

  “Emoni, look at me.”

  I peeked at Romeo.

  “He has an entire army to protect him and so do you. We weren’t supposed to tell you about the other war because he didn’t want it to fuck with your head. He needs you to stay focused.”

  Kagan gripped my shoulder.

  “You’re the Donna. You needed to know. Emoni compartmentalize all this shit. Let’s find this asshole so we can return home. Like Romeo said, Marco has protection. He’s handling the situation.”

  I nodded.

  “I understand this is a lot to take in, but you have to finish your meal. Think of me as the food police. I’ve been tasked to make sure you eat balanced meals.” His lips tightened and his serious gaze held mine.

  “Got it, Rémy. Man, of few words.”

  They laughed.

  Rémy smirked. “I speak when I feel the need which I suppose isn’t often.” He dug into his omelet.

  We continued eating and light banter fell between the guys. They were close even though they worked for two different families. It was interesting to observe. I bet they hung out together in their down time.

  My eyes fluttered open as the wheels bounced off the runway before the jet engine snatched me back against the seat. I peeked out the window. A few private jets scattered the tarmac of the modest private airfield. A short stalky guy rested against a triple black suburban. He wore a grin behind his aviator sunglasses.

  We thanked the pilot as we filed out of the jet. Tony met the stalky guy half way and they shook hands.

  Tony motioned us over. The sun beat down on our backs as we sauntered toward the truck.

  “Julio Sanchez, I’d like you to meet my wife Nadine and the Donna Emoni Esposito.”

  My stomach plummeted. It was weird being referred to as the Donna.

  I shook his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

  Tony introduced our bodyguards to Julio.

  He gripped his shoulder. “Julio has helped me with other jobs in the past. I trust him with my life. We are in good hands. He knows Mexico like the back of his hand.” Tony smirked.

  He smiled wide. Julio’s medium length black hair was slicked back. He was about three inches taller than me. Several tattoos littered his bronzed muscled arms.

  “Welcome to Culiacan Sinaloa, Mexico.” He widened his arms. “Hop in.”

  After the guys swept the truck for bugs, they loaded our luggage and weapons in the trunk. Romeo and Rémy climbed into the rear seat, Nadine and I slid beside Kagan. Tony sat in the passenger seat beside his buddy.

  “Emoni, I understand you were married recently too.”

  I smirked. “Yes, Marco and I had a private ceremony. I left my wedding ring in the safe at home.”

  She nudged my shoulder with hers. “Were both newlyweds.” Nadine chuckled.

  “Usually Italians have huge weddings.”

  “Unfortunately, due to my situation at the time we had to tie the knot in our living room. Maybe after all this is over, we’ll renew our vows.”

  “I’ll need to express the milk from my boobs the second we get settled.”

  I peered at her. “How old is your baby?”

  “I gave birth to twin girls two months ago.”

  “Congratulations.” I grinned.

  “Thank you.”

  “I am thankful Sierra’s friend Samantha let me borrow the armor suit to help protect my little bundle.”

  “Yeah, Samantha’s all for combat. She’s been in a couple of dangerous situations while she was pregnant. She has like four of those suits by the way.”

  My brows wrinkled. “Oh, is she a mob wife?” I whispered in her ear.

  “No. She’s an assassin,” Nadine blurted out.

  Not one person in the truck flinched.

  “I told you earlier who we are. Every single person in this vehicle has blood on their hands.”

  “Even Julio?” I whispered.

  She chuckled. “Especially Julio. Anyone who’s worked with Tony in the field has killed.

  “But we swept the truck for bugs.”

  “We are in Mexico. You can’t trust anyone. People are compromised here every day. He probably swept the truck too, but we can never be too careful.”

  “I understand.”

  “Emoni, you are traveling with the best.” She winked.

  Julio halted outside a one floor salmon stucco building. Green shrubbery blanketed the top and sides of the building.

  A few minutes later, Kagan set up his laptop on the desk the second we stepped inside. Romeo and Rémy unloaded the truck. Strolling through the modest house, I peeked into each of the three bedrooms. There were two double beds in each room.

  I sauntered into the living room and sat next to Kagan at the small kitchen table. “So you’re a computer expert?”

  “I guess you can say it’s a hobby for me and Kahn. We love technology. Video gaming, hacking, flying drones. You know fun stuff. That reminds me.” He leaned over retrieving two drones from a case.

  “Hey, Tone can you fly a drone?” He glanced over his shoulder.

  “That’s more Dillon and Dom’s department. How about we take them out for a test run. It’s been awhile since I’ve flown one.”

  “Cool I brought four. We can carry them in our backpacks. The ones we’ll use tomorrow can blow shit up,” Kagan snickered.

  “Now we’re talking,” Tony grinned.

  “Let’s head outside and test them out.”

  Kagan nodded toward the door. I sank into the tan couch sitting in the middle of the mundane living room.

  “Are you ready to do this?” Nadine flopped on the couch
next to me.

  “Yes, I want to kill that fucker. My ex-fiancé drained the happiness from my life. His cousin’s existence towers over my head like a stormy day and the tornado isn’t far behind. Can’t let my guard down for a second. I understand we’ll face enemies in this life, but that one who’s connected to a person who caused you the most grief has to go. Now.”

  “I hear you. This past summer we were at war. Well the Magarelli’s were. My family isn’t a part of this life. They had to lay low at a safehouse anyway. They were ticked. My hands were tied. My father cursed me out. I just took the verbal insults.”

  I chuckled. “My family’s in a safehouse too. Funny thing, I haven’t spoken to my mom and dad. My sister understands what’s at stake. Not sure what she’s had to tell our parents to calm them down, but I didn’t want to hear my father rip me a new one.”

  We laughed.

  “Right, basically calling you a fuck up. How could you get mixed up with such a dangerous man,” she scrounged her pretty face and barked in a man’s voice.

  I bent over laughing. “Sounds just like my daddy.”

  We slapped hands.

  “I can hear my mother telling me she raised me better than this. And why couldn’t I find a respectable man? I plan to tell her I did and he kicked me so hard several times I coughed up blood. After killing José, I felt free. Marco protected me. He didn’t have to. Shit, he didn’t know me. But learning that José brutally beat me he made it his duty to protect me with his life. He almost lost his life trying to protect me. I felt guilty.” I squeezed my eyes shut.

  I felt a warm hand over mine. “Don’t feel guilty.”

  My eyes opened slowly, meeting hers.

  “A man who loves you will lay down his life for you.”

  She ran her hand over her bare arm.

  A smile crept across her lips. “When I found out who Tony was, I must admit I was afraid yet turned on at the same time.”

  “How long have you been together?”

  She pointed her finger my way. “That’s complicated. I wasn’t technically his girlfriend. Tony didn’t do girlfriends because of his line of work. You know, takes people on long walks. And they never return.” She gestured with her hands.

  I smirked. “Yeah, I understand.”

  “His loyalty was to the Magarelli’s. He protected Dillon for Fourteen years.”

  My eyes widened.

  “Yeah, I was pregnant when he left. Knowing your man is alive living a life without you for fourteen years is a tough pill to swallow.”

  I rubbed her shoulder. “Shit, I bet.”

  “Now, he’s returned and we have our second chance at love.”

  A tear slid down my cheek and I threw my arms around her.

  “I am so happy you found each other again.”

  She released a sigh. It sounded like one that she’d held deep inside for so long.

  I sat back. “How about a cup of tea?”

  “You found tea?” Her lips twisted as she stared at the tiny kitchen in disbelief.

  A chuckle rolled from my throat.

  I reached into my duffel bag on the side of the couch and retrieved a zip lock bag full of blueberry and lemon zinger tea bags.

  “Great. I’d love a cup. If anyone gets hurt out there, I brought medical supplies.”

  I arched a brow as I poured a bottle of water between two red plastic solo cups. “Are you a Paramedic or nurse?”

  She leaned against the counter. “Neither. I am a pediatrician.”

  I gaped. “That’s wonderful. I mean that’s lovely.” I nibbled on my lip as I shifted my weight.

  “What do you want to ask, Emoni?”

  “Are you taking new patients?”

  She burst into laughter. “I’ll take you as a new patient. Call my office Barlow Pediatrics once we return. Have you visited a Pediatrician yet?”

  “No. We were supposed to then Marco got shot. Honestly, I hadn’t thought about it since.” I placed the cups into the microwave.

  “Sierra’s one of my patients too. I normally only see the baby after birth. I’ll refer you to an OBGYN after the baby is born, but I don’t mind seeing mother and baby now.”

  My cheeks burned from smiling so wide. “I can’t thank you enough, Nadine.”

  “Us mob wives and assassins have become a tight knit group.”

  My brows rose. “Assassins?”

  “Yes, Tony cousin’s wife Sydney, his friend Brandon’s wife Zoey, and Samantha his old boss are assassins.”

  My index finger stroked my lower lip. “I don’t even know how to respond to that.”

  We laughed.

  “I know it isn’t normal. But nor is being a mob wife.” She shrugged.

  “True. Do they live here?” I placed the hot cup before her.

  “No. They were here recently visiting. I’d like me, you, Sierra, and Dominic’s wife Carmen to get together at least once a month.”

  “I’d love that. I’ve lived in Portland for twelve years. Didn’t have any friends other than Dillon’s ex-wife and Sierra.”

  Her mouth fell open. “Girl, spill.”

  I laughed. “Sure, will right after you help me out of this mask.”

  She grinned. “I can do that.”

  Nadine and I set up shop in the meager bathroom. I proceeded to tell her about my life in Portland. It felt good to have a friend. Someone who was like me. A strong black woman who stood by her man. You know, killing. I chuckled inside.

  MARCO

  We boarded the private jet at six thirty in the evening.

  He wasted no time, reclining in the seat beside his wife. I halted in the aisle. “Dom, Carmen, thanks for helping us in this dyer situation.”

  “Marco, we’ve looked out for each other for years. That won’t ever stop. Take a load off and rest. We’ll be in Culiacan Sinaloa soon.” Dom swiped his cap off his head and ran his fingers through his dark hair.

  Carmen’s brown eyes lit up. “I’m excited to meet Emoni. I love Sierra so I know I’ll love her too.”

  I grinned. “Carmen, I am confident you two will hit it off. All right, I’ll rest a little.” I strolled three rows back and sank into the plush black leather seat. Staring at the lights lining the run way, I buckled my seatbelt.

  I know what you’re thinking. What happened to allowing Emoni to end our enemy without me? She was my wife. I needed to be in the same country as her. There was no way I could sleep without her. It was crazy. I didn’t remember the woman, but being in her presence thus far was the best time of my life. I’ve never known a woman more thoughtful and who catered to me because she desired too. Not out of obligation. I hated that fucker José tried to crush the light inside of her. Hopefully, I could continue to show her how she deserves to be treated. I really hope I treated her like a queen before I lost my memory. The jet floated above the clouds.

  “Mr. Esposito, may I get you anything?”

  I turned to the flight attendant. “Yes, a double whiskey neat.”

  “Right away.”

  Where was I? It wasn’t about showering her with gifts. Staring into those dark eyes that made my heart skip a beat and telling her how special she was, every day. That was necessary.

  The flight attendant placed my drink on the glossy mahogany table and I thanked her. I gulped down half the contents. Placing the crystal glass on the table, I exhaled.

  I reclined my seat and lowered my cap over my eyes.

  My eyes roamed the faces of the stuck-up people in the room.

  I raised my empty glass. “Another one, please, John.”

  Always good to know the bartender’s name.

  “Whoa, how many drinks have you had tonight?” I heard to my right.

  I peeked at the beautiful dark chocolate woman. Her smile brightened.

  I glanced upward, reflecting on her question. “Three.” I peered at her. “Do you think that’s too many for a man my size?”

  Her pretty dark eyes roamed my tall frame. “I don’t k
now. How many drinks does it take to lay you out? You know, shitfaced drunk?”

  I laughed, sipping my refreshed drink. “I’d say twelve.”

  Her pouty lips fell open. Then she laughed. “You’re pulling my leg?”

  The light conversation between us was so natural. I didn’t want it to end. Emoni Morgan intrigued me. That night I kissed those pouty lips until she told me we couldn’t have sex. Didn’t matter. I kissed her lips again. Being with her like that was raw, uncharted territory. Women threw themselves at me. For the first time, I wanted a woman to lie in my arms. Me, not caring about being deep inside a woman. That was a first. Watching that vision of beauty in a peaceful slumber was enough for me. Despite needing to return to New Jersey, I had to spend more time with her.

  All my memories came rushing back. My head throbbed as I remembered every moment with her up to the minute I was shot. Desperately, I tried to keep my eyes open. I couldn’t go out like that. Leave her to fend for herself against that bastard. When I awoke again, she was lying at my side and I didn’t remember her.

  I sat straight up and inhaled deep like I’d just shot out of the sea and I was trying to catch my breath.

  Dominic shook my arm. “Marco, are you ok?” Worry flashed across his face.

  I clutched my chest and nodded. “Yeah. My memories came back. I remember being shot. Most importantly, I remember my wife.” I grinned.

  He gripped my shoulder. “Good.”

  The flight attendant approached. “Mr. Magarelli, please take your seat. We are about to land.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” He threw his hand in the air as he stalked back down the aisle.

  “Marco,” Dominic yelled.

  “Yeah?”

  “I’m happy for you, man.”

  I sighed. “Thanks, man.”

  ~

  Dominic knocked on the door, clutching Carmen’s hand.

  I rested my back against the stucco building a few steps away. The moon glowed in the sky. A wide grin fell across my lips.

  The door swung open. “Hey, Dom, Carmen.” Tony embraced Dominic. He smiled over his shoulder at me.

  “Get in here.” Tony ushered them inside.

  He pulled the door closed. “You just couldn’t stay away.” Tony shook his head.