“Tommy is coming with us?” His voice rose with excitement.
The question made her remember Tommy on his knees proposing to her. She didn’t have a ring, but he was a man of his word. “Yes, Frankie.”
“Woo hoo!” Frankie grinned, and it seemed to come more naturally each time he did it. He was bouncing back quickly from the events of the previous month. “I want Tommy to be my dad.”
Laughing, Nichole ruffled her son’s hair. “I bet he would like that, too.”
“I sure would!”
They turned to find Tommy standing in the doorway.
Frankie jumped out of his chair and ran into Tommy’s arms. He smiled at Nichole over the top of the boy’s head.
“It’s done then?” she asked.
“Yes.” Tommy made a face. “The entire auditorium stood and booed. Before the reporters could reach me, I snuck out the back and hustled to the train station. Don picked me up.” He grabbed a plate and filled it with the remaining pancakes. “Why don’t you two get dressed while I eat? After, we can go to town and purchase a car.”
Nichole’s heart skipped with excitement as she dressed, placing all their belongings back in the suitcase. She carried it out and set it back by the front door, returning to her chair by Tommy when she was done. “After we get the car, will we leave right away?”
Tommy nodded and swallowed. “I’ll have to return the truck, and I’d like to say goodbye to my parents, but yes, then we’ll…”
Pop! Pop! Pop!
When the unmistakable sound of gunfire filled the air, Tommy gripped Nichole’s shoulder painfully. “Take Frankie and hide in the back of the house. Do not come out.” He stood and ran for the door.
She called after him, “Tommy, don’t go!”
“I need to find my parents. Please, Nichole, do as I say.” He gave her one last pleading glance before slipping out the door.
She led Frankie to the bedroom.
His eyes were wide when he turned to her. “Were those gunshots?”
Nichole nodded and whispered, “We need to be quiet and hide.”
They crouched on the floor between the bed and the wall. It was far away from the one window in the room, which was covered with drawn curtains. Holding Frankie against her, they listened to the sounds of men shouting. When she heard Tommy cry out in pain, she jumped up.
“Stay here.” She commanded in a low voice. “I’ll be back soon.”
Frankie nodded, too scared to speak.
Nichole hurried out the door, took cover behind a tall oak, and listened. The usual farm noises had resumed, but between the calls of animals, she heard the fighting. Fists connected to flesh. Someone grunted, and someone else groaned. Following the noise through the field, she stepped carefully and kept herself concealed. When she reached a clearing, she found Tommy fighting what had to be one of Capone’s men. Bodies surrounded them: Tommy’s mom, dad, Don, and another mobster. While the two men were distracted, Nichole hurried to Maria, checking her pulse. There was none. Subsequent checks revealed they were all dead except Don, and he was losing a lot of blood. His torn pant leg bloomed with a dark stain, indicating a shot hit his leg. He also had a nasty gash on his head, but at least he was still breathing.
Nichole’s attention returned to the fight.
Tommy was winning. He had the other man pinned on the ground. The gangster’s lapels were crumpled in Tommy’s clenched fists. “Why’d he send you? I fulfilled my end of the bargain. I made him a very rich man. Or a richer man, since he was already loaded.”
“Someone else bet against you,” the man garbled through his broken nose and bloody mouth. “Al only got half of his promised money.”
“It wasn’t me.” Tommy looked confused. “No one knew except me, Nichole, and Don.”
At the mention of his name, Don gave a low moan, which captured Tommy’s attention. He dropped the thug and hurried over to Don, yanking him up by his shirt. The man screamed in pain, but Tommy ignored it. “Was it you?”
“I’m sorry,” Don mumbled. “It was a sure bet.”
“My parents are dead because of you!” Tommy spat in the man’s face. “You don’t deserve to live.” Pulling back a fist, Tommy punched Don in the face, and then punched him again. Harder.
Nichole heard the sickening crunch when Don’s nose broke. The men fell to the ground, Don’s arms crossed over his head in a feeble attempt to protect himself.
Tommy pulled back his arm a third time, and it became clear he wasn’t going to stop until the old farmhand was dead.
“Tommy!” She screamed his name, running to grab his arm. “Stop! You’ll kill him.”
“He deserves it.” Tommy growled and pushed her aside. “Greedy bastard.”
She stumbled over the uneven ground and fell. In his focused rage, Tommy didn’t even notice. “Does he?” she cried. “Is that for you to decide?”
“He brought the mob here.”
“He also brought me and Frankie.” She hoped Tommy would look at her, but his jaw was clenched in fury, his eyes trained on Don.
“I’m sorry.” Don started sobbing. “I’m sorry, Tommy. You’re right. I got greedy.”
In response to the man’s confession, Tommy howled.
Nichole flinched, expecting the worst.
Tommy’s fist flew forward, but instead of punching the man’s face, it hit the hard dirt. Raging anger deflated like a balloon to be replaced with utter loss. Tommy crawled over and sobbed by his mom’s still body.
Nichole went to him, putting her arms around his quivering shoulders, and resting her cheek on his back. She mourned, too. Tommy’s parents, especially his mom, seemed to be decent, loving people.
The cock of a gun had them both looking up. The bloodied mobster was on his feet, the barrel of his gun pointed at them. “Two for one. The boss is sure to give me a raise for this one.”
Before either of them could react, a gun sounded behind the gangster and blood spurted from his mouth. When he fell, he revealed the killer. The man was tall with wiry gray hair. His skin was tanned and weathered from a lifetime of working in the sun.
“Mr. Turner.” Tommy’s voice filled with surprise.
“Just Joe, son.” Joe offered Tommy a hand, and then turned to Nichole. “This must be your lady friend.”
“Nichole Blomgren.” Tommy still sounded shocked when he introduced her.
She was, too, knowing Joe Turner was the owner of the farm and the reason Tommy left. He told her all about his rough childhood, mostly to blame on the man who saved them.
Joe’s eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled. “Nice to meet you, Miss. I wish it was under better circumstances.” He placed a hand on Tommy’s shoulder. “I’m sorry about your parents. They were good employees. Good people.”
Tommy nodded, his tears falling like rain on the dirt.
Joe continued. “I heard Don’s confession. Seems to me he’s created quite a mess for himself. I’ll be shipping him off to the hospital right soon to recover. In the meantime, he’ll be giving one-third of his money to me for my troubles, and one-third of his money to you.”
Looking up in surprise, Tommy stared at Joe, who added, “Hopefully, it’ll give you what you need for a new start.”
Don waved one hand feebly. “Take it. It’s yours.”
Taking Nichole’s hand, Tommy turned toward his parents’ house.
“Before you go, Tom.” Joe looked at the bodies around them. “Will you give me a hand?”
“I can.” Tommy squeezed Nichole’s hand. “I’ll meet you back at the house soon, okay?”
“Okay.”
He bent slightly and kissed her, leaving behind the salty taste of his tears. “I’m sorry.”
She gave him a faltering smile and brushed the hair off his forehead, wishing she could mend his wounds just as easily. “So am I.” She kissed her fingers and pressed them to his lips. “We’ll be waiting for you.”
May 5, 1930 ~ 4:00 p.m.
Sabula, Io
wa
Nichole left the men to their work and went to check on Frankie. She heard him racing back to the bedroom when she opened the front door. His curiosity may have kept him from following her exact orders, but he stayed in the house and was safe, so she couldn’t be angry.
“Is everything all right, Mom?” Frankie’s brown eyes were wide with concern. “Tommy’s okay, isn’t he?”
“He’s fine.” She crouched down to hug her son and kiss his cheek. Everything would be okay as soon as they left the farm.
Frankie looked over her shoulder expectantly. “Where is he?”
She decided to be honest. Frankie was young, but he could handle the truth. “Some bad men came. They killed Tommy’s parents. Tommy is helping the farmer right now to bury them.”
Eyes filling with tears, Frankie’s bottom lip protruded. “But I liked Grandma Maria. She made good pancakes.”
“I know, honey, I know.” They sat on the bed, both of them lost in their own thoughts. Tommy might need a day or two to make arrangements, to mourn. She only hoped Capone didn’t send more men after the first.
It was late afternoon when Tommy returned to the house. Covered in dirt and sweat, he still made her heart race.
“Everything’s done?” she asked.
With a quick glance at Frankie, Tommy nodded. “I’ll clean up and we can go.”
“How?” Nichole asked. They’d been planning to go to town and purchase a car, but there was no way the business would open that late.
“Joe told me to take the Model T those goons drove here. He’s already cleaned it out and removed the plates. When we get a few towns over, we’ll trade it for something else, in case Capone is having us trailed.”
Fear froze the blood in her veins. “Do you think he is?”
With a sigh, Tommy ran his hand through his hair. “Not beyond the two he sent today, but when he doesn’t hear back from them, he’ll be sending more soon. That’s why we need to go.”
“I’m sorry I got you involved in this.” He wouldn’t have lost his career if it weren’t for her.
“Hey.” He crossed the room and lifted her chin. “Don’t apologize to me. I made my own choices, and I wouldn’t change having you and Frankie in my life for anything.” He moved to bend down, hesitated, and then straightened with a laugh. “I’ll save the embrace for later. I stink right now.”
“You sure do!” Frankie teased, pinching his nose.
They all laughed, and Nichole knew things would be okay. They’d get away and start new where no one would recognize them. Living in fear was no way to go through each day, and she wouldn’t let it run her life. From that moment on, she traded her old dreams for new ones. Those of family, love, and hope.
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Date: August 12, 1995 11:23 am
“Hey, baby, what’ch yo name?”
“Whatever!”
“Hey, now! Is that any way to talk to yo future man?”
“As if!”
Tia watched as Tommy was dissed by the girl walking by. Before he could open his mouth with another line, Tia saw him turn and glare at his boys who looked like they were trying to keep from laughing at him.
She cringed, knowing he wasn’t going to like being ridiculed. Sure enough, seconds later, his voice rang out again.
“What the fuck you laughin’ at? I don’t see no hoes around either of you!” He gave them both a pointed look, which wiped the smiles off their faces. Lifting his chin toward them, he continued. “That’s what I thought. Now, don’t you two have shit to do?”
“Yeah.” Jay grumbled as he tagged his homie, Dee, on the shoulder and stood up from the stoop they’d been sitting on. Dee shrugged but followed, and both guys headed down the street.
Tommy watched until they turned the corner. Once they were no longer in sight, he spun and sat down on the stoop his boys had just vacated, eyes narrowing as he took in what was going on around him. His eyes darted from corner to corner, as though he was expecting something to happen he’d have to handle. Tia knew him well, knew what he was thinking and why he was doing this. She did the same from her position on the fourth floor fire escape across the street where she was trying to tune in and see what he was seeing.
Most everyone on the streets around them was a neighborhood local. Not many tourists ventured into that part of the hood. It wasn’t the nicest area in town. In fact, it was one of the worst, and it didn’t take long for outsiders to figure it out and return to where they came from. That made it easy to spot anyone that didn’t belong, especially the thugs that might try to encroach on T-Dogg's—God, she hated that nickname—turf. By the way his shoulders were set and his eyes were narrowed as he took everything in, she could tell he was looking for rival gang members or anyone who didn’t belong. Strangers could be just as dangerous as people he knew. The general rule was if T-Dogg or his boys didn’t know the newcomers, they weren’t trusted and weren’t welcome in the neighborhood.
Tia felt a familiar empathy for him as she watched. Setting down her sketchpad and pencils on the metal grate below her, she pulled her thighs up to her chest, wrapped her arms around her legs, and rested her cheek on her knees. As she sat on the fire escape, above the busy streets, she blocked out the noise of the honking horns and shouting people. Everything else ceased to exist as she thought about the man before her.
He might have been young, turning twenty-two only two months before, but he’d been working the streets since he was twelve. He earned his spot, not only on the streets, but also with his crew and the neighborhood residents. Growing up where they did, there were only two options: build your street cred or get out. Tommy learned long ago that running the streets was his destiny, and it filled Tia to the brim with sadness. He had so much potential. Growing up, it was clear how smart he was—not just getting-by-smart, but ridiculously smart—with mad skills in every subject. He could’ve gotten a scholarship to any college if he’d tried, but he hadn’t.
At first, she couldn’t understand why he’d made that choice, one that doomed him to a life of crime, or even worse, an early death. But as she grew up and lost that child-like naiveté most kids had, she was able to see the world around them for what it was. Tommy hadn’t had a choice. Because of where he was born; his destiny was chosen for him. For that reason, Tia had chosen to distance herself, even if she was in love with him.
Releasing a deep sigh, she pushed through the heartache that came whenever she thought about it. What sucked was that not only was Tommy ridiculously smart, he was sweet, funny, talented, and fine as hell. It didn’t matter though; she was going places, getting the hell out that neighborhood, and making something of herself. As much as she hated to admit it, a drug-dealing boyfriend wasn’t going to help her achieve her dreams. So, she put on a good front, acted like his looks and swagger didn’t affect her in the way they did, and tried to stay focused on school and art. She only had one more year.
Too bad every year made keeping her distance from him harder and harder. Thank goodness he was practically a whore, hitting on and sleeping with just about any girl that walked by him. It helped keep Tia grounded and aware of the type of man he truly was. T-Dogg, she thought with an inward cringe, doesn’t do emotions or relationships. He doesn’t have girlfriends or even a steady girl he sees regularly. Tia knew even if she confessed her love, it would all be in vain. So, instead, she sat back and watched him in this daily ritual, reminding herself of all the reasons why he was completely wrong for her and protecting her heart from breaking completely.
As if the world wanted to jog her memory, a low whistle sounded through the air, effectively drawing her from her thoughts. Lifting her head, she returned her gaze to the object of her daydreams to see what was happening. Her heart did the little dive it always did when she saw Tommy on the prowl.
Like always, his intense look relaxed into a sexy smile. His attention was no longer on his surroundings, and his mind no longer focused on looking for danger or threats aro
und him. Instead, he was standing and blocking the path of a girl who was about to walk past him. The whistle apparently got her attention, and they stood face to face. He wore a charming smile, and although Tia couldn't see, she was sure the random girl had an annoyed look on her face.
“What’s up, baby girl, how you doin’?” Tommy asked her, showing his perfectly white teeth.
By the girl’s body language, head cocked to one side and hand planted firmly on the opposite hip, there was no doubt. She wasn’t impressed. In fact, Tia would bet money the girl was rolling her eyes and blowing out an exasperated breath. She took a step to the side, and Tommy took a mirroring step and continued to block her.
The girl took a step to her left, which he took to his right, still keeping his body in front of hers, not allowing her to pass.
When she realized he wasn’t going to give up, she stopped, crossed her arms over her chest, and let out a sigh. “What?” she asked, her voice loud and laced with anger.
“Aww, come on now, baby. Don’t be mad,” he said in a soft voice as he reached out and ran a finger down her bare arm.
She jerked her arm away, and Tia let out an unintentional chuckle. Although she knew he was bad for her, she still couldn’t help the jealousy she felt whenever she saw him hitting on another girl. The feeling of relief when that girl turned him down was something else Tia couldn’t help.
“Sorry,” he said as he put his hands up in mock surrender. “I just couldn’t let you walk by without making sure you knew that you were one of the finest girls I’ve seen in a long ass time.”
The girl tilted her head, and Tia could envision the look of disbelief that was sure to be on her face. It always started that way, but he was good. Tia waited, because T-Dogg rarely got turned down.
“I ain’t kiddin’, baby. You’re one fine girl, and I just thought you should know.” Tommy shrugged as if he didn’t care if the girl believed him or not.
“That’s it?” she asked, her voice portraying the same disbelief Tia had guessed the girl’s face showed.
7: The Seven Deadly Sins Page 15