by Chelle Bliss
“You two done?” Morgan asked, watching us in a virtual pissing match via handshake, just like one I’d been in with Morgan at some time in the past.
“Yeah,” Santino said, finally releasing his hold as I did the same. “Let’s go.”
Santino walked around the car, glancing over his shoulder as if he was expecting to find someone or something. “Can never be too careful around here. There are cops everywhere.”
“Yeah,” Morgan said, glancing back at me and rolling his eyes.
Morgan had filled me in on Santino on the plane. He’d spent time in prison for racketeering and had been part of organized crime for as long as Morgan has been alive. It was one reason why Fran and Sal had distanced themselves from him. Santino’s family ran a bar on the city’s south side called the Hook & Hustle. He had three children with his longtime partner, Betty. Even though they’d been together longer than Morgan had been alive, Betty and Santino never married.
After we got in the car, Morgan in the front and me in the back, Santino said, “Let’s stop at the bar first, and then I’ll make sure Ray is ready to see us.”
“Where is he?”
“At a warehouse a buddy of mine owns. He owed me a favor, and I called it in.”
“I’m sure a lot of people owe you favors, Uncle.”
“I spent five years of my life locked away for keeping their secrets… They owe me more than a simple favor, Morgan.”
Morgan looked over at him, his eyes appraising his uncle. “You keeping your nose clean?”
“Always,” Santino replied quickly and without so much as a flinch.
I knew a lot of men like him. It was hard to change after you’d been in the life as long as men like Santino. You didn’t run a racket for over twenty years and then turn into an upstanding citizen overnight.
“Why don’t I believe you?”
“I’m smarter now. Five years in the joint will do that to a man.”
I sat in the backseat, letting them talk as I stared at the city coming into view through the front window. The tall skyscrapers dotted the sky like giant walls of solid rain falling from the clouds. Tampa had nothing on Chicago. The high-rises were minuscule in comparison.
After weaving our way through countless side streets, so many that I’d never find my way out without GPS, Santino pulled in front of his family’s bar.
“We’re here,” he said and turned the car off.
Peering through the passenger window, I took in the Hook & Hustle. The exterior was painted in red and white with a glossy black front door. The sign spanned half the building with its modern, red-block lettering and black background. The windows lining the front had the blinds drawn, keeping prying eyes from seeing inside.
“Be ready for Betty, kid. She’s excited to see her nephew.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen her.” Morgan stared out the window too, his forehead almost touching the glass.
“Let’s have a drink, and then we’ll get out of here.”
A small section in the blinds opened, and a set of blue eyes peered out at us.
“Betty’s waiting. We better go inside before she comes out and makes a scene in public,” Santino said before climbing out.
The crisp Chicago air swirled the leaves that lined the sidewalk as we stepped inside. Like something out of a movie, every person in the bar turned to look at us when the door closed behind me.
People were everywhere. The counter around the bar was filled, and the tables were packed too. How in the hell did so many people have time to shoot the shit at a bar on a weekday afternoon?
“Morgan!” a woman—Betty, I presumed—screeched and came running toward him with her arms open.
“Aunt Betty,” Morgan laughed with his face growing a deep shade of red.
“You look so good.” She wrapped her arms around his lower waist and put her head on his chest. Betty was a tiny thing, barely coming up to the middle of Morgan’s chest. “Hard as a rock too.” She giggled.
“It’s good to see you, Auntie.”
I felt a bit awkward as I watched them. Being an outsider wasn’t something I was used to feeling, but in the Hook & Hustle, surrounded by Morgan’s family, I did.
Betty took a step back and took him in. “I’ve missed you.”
“You too,” Morgan told her before leaning over and kissing her round cheek.
She glanced at me over her shoulder. Maybe she felt the way I’d been staring at them. “And who’s this?” She eyed me warily.
“This is Bear. He’s my friend and Ma’s new guy.” They talked about me like I wasn’t here.
She spun around to face me, and her eyes widened. “This is your ma’s guy?”
“Bear, ma’am.” I held out my hand as her eyes roamed over me.
“Give me a hug,” she said and came at me with her arms ready to wrap around me.
The name Betty fit her perfectly. She reminded me of Betty Boop but with fire-engine red hair and blue eyes. The woman was drop-dead gorgeous. Why Santino had never married her, I’d never understand.
She wrapped her arms around my middle, her hands moving a little too low to be completely friendly. “They build them big down south,” she said into my shirt as her face was buried against my middle. “Fran must have some fun with you.”
I’d never been a blusher, but Betty made my skin heat and my cheeks turn a rosy shade of pink. “It’s nice to meet you, Betty.”
Santino stood to the side, watching everything, and I stayed a complete gentleman. Even if Fran didn’t talk with this part of her family, I still had to be respectful.
“You want something?” Betty asked, staring up at me with her soft blue eyes and her hands resting just above my ass. “A drink?”
“That would be great.” I tried to untangle myself from her hold, but she kept her grip tight with her arms locked.
“How is Fran? It’s been ages since I’ve seen her.”
“She’s great.” I smiled down at the beautiful Betty because she had that quality that just brought happiness.
“I should give her a call sometime. I’ve missed her.”
“Aunt Betty,” Morgan said, coming to my rescue.
“We’d appreciate it if Ma didn’t know we were here.”
Betty’s eyes sliced to Morgan. “Why?”
“We’re here on business, and she can’t know about it.”
“Kid,” Betty said, finally releasing me. “I can keep a secret like nobody’s business. Just ask your uncle.” She pursed her lips when she glanced over at Santino.
“Thanks, Auntie.” Morgan kissed the top of her head and looked at me.
Hopefully, she was true to her word, because Fran would rip me a new asshole and then probably kick me straight in the balls for lying to her.
“Sit here, and I’ll get you some drinks.” Betty scurried off toward the bar.
“She seems…nice.” I laughed.
“They’re good people,” Morgan said and followed Betty with his eyes. “Well, shit. There’s my cousin. Let me go say hello, and I’ll be right back.”
I nodded, and he was off the barstool within seconds. I watched as he went to the bar, shook a man’s hand, and then sat down and started to chat.
“That’s my son, Angelo,” Santino said to me as he took the empty seat across from me. “He’s my oldest.”
“Looks just like you.”
Angelo was the spitting image of Santino but with darker and more suspicious eyes. He was a Gallo for sure. I’d be happy to have him by my side during any barroom fight.
“My youngest, Vinnie, is away at college.”
“Like college or college?” I asked because they were two completely different things. I knew enough guys to know that, in some places, they referred to prison as college because it sounded nicer if people were to overhear.
“Notre Dame. He’s a football star there.”
“Ah.” I nodded. I don’t know what else to say. I hadn’t heard much about Santino an
d didn’t want to bring up his illustrious past.
“So, Fran still hate me?”
Santino’s statement caught me off guard, but I mustered a laugh. “Hate’s a pretty strong word.”
“The woman can hold a grudge forever, Bear. Better watch yourself.”
“I know how to handle her.”
“Famous last words,” he said and wrapped his arm around Betty when she set down three beers on the table. “Thanks, babe.”
“I’ll let you guys talk. Maybe I can make dinner for everyone tonight.” Betty smiled.
“They’re going to be busy, love. Maybe next time.”
Her lips twisted, and she sighed. “It’s okay. I understand.”
“Thank you for the offer, though,” I told her and pulled a beer in front of me. I’d rather sit and have dinner with Betty than what was about to happen.
Spending the night with Ray DeLuca wasn’t going to be a party, but I was sure we’d find a way to make it fun. Well, as much fun as you could have beating the fuck out of an abusive asshole.
I missed Fran.
Her calmness.
Her body.
Everything about the woman made me happy.
As I sat there, surrounded by her family, I realized how much I loved having her in my life.
Ever since I first kissed her, I hadn’t thought about the emptiness that had filled my world since Jackie passed. All I could focus on was the fullness Fran brought into my life.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Fran
I sat there, staring at the tiny piece of paper for twenty minutes and debating if I should dial the phone. After seeing how well the reunion went with Janice, I felt the need to make things right between Bear and his son, Ret.
But that was dangerous territory. Janice and Bear had been cordial for years, keeping in contact but never growing close. There was so much hurt to get over, but with her pregnancy and the passage of time, it happened. Plus, I didn’t give them much of a choice.
But his relationship with Ret was different. It weighed on Bear more than he would ever let on. He always said he lived life with no regrets, but I knew that was bullshit. Ret was his biggest regret, and the way Bear had handled the aftermath of Jackie’s death was his biggest mistake.
Too much time had passed for them to reunite without a force bringing them together, and I thought it should be me.
I loved the man, and I wanted only the best for him. I knew people said I was a busybody, but it was always with a purpose. I didn’t stick my nose in places it didn’t belong unless I had a damn good reason.
After I convinced myself that what I was doing was right, I finally dialed the phone. Janice had given me Ret’s number and wished me good luck.
“Hello,” a man said, his voice gravelly yet smooth. He sounded so much like Bear that, for a minute, I wondered if I had dialed right.
“Hello, Ret?” I asked before I started in on my spiel.
“Yes.”
“I’m Fran, and I got your number from your sister, Janice.”
There was a scratching sound and a muffled cough. “Hi, Fran. How can I help you?”
“Well,” I said and paused because I wanted to craft my words very carefully. “I’m a friend of your father’s, and I wanted to reach out to you.”
“My dad put you up to this?” he asked quickly before I could continue.
“No, sir. He has no idea I’m calling.”
“Is he okay?”
“Yes.” I smiled because Ret cared. No one asked that unless there was a tiny piece that wanted to hear that the person was okay.
“How can I help you, Fran?” he repeated the question again, cutting straight to the point.
“I was hoping you were up to a trip to Florida. Your old man would love to see you.” I winced and waited for him to hang up.
“Why didn’t he call me himself?”
“He’s out of town. I thought you could be here when he got back as a surprise.”
“I don’t mean to be rude, ma’am, but I don’t like surprises, and I imagine neither does my father.”
“It’s not a surprise to you, and who cares if your father doesn’t like them? He’ll get over it.”
He laughed. “I imagine so.”
“Your father talks about you often, Ret. Sometimes adults are assholes, and as we grow older and more time passes, it’s hard for us to admit our mistakes. But one thing I know about your dad is that you’re his biggest regret.”
“I’m sure I am.”
I winced. That didn’t come out right. “He regrets not raising you and for all the time he missed out on being with you. I know it hurts him, and he knows that he’s hurt you. I’m asking as a mother, for you to give him a chance.”
There was silence, but he hadn’t hung up.
“I’m sure your mother wouldn’t want you two to be estranged. I think that weighs heaviest on him… Jackie was his world, Ret. There’s no loss like losing the only person in the world who made you feel worthy. He fucked up. He knows he did, but he wants to make amends with you before it’s too late.”
“He’s going to be pissed.”
“I know,” I said, smiling to myself because he didn’t say no.
“I’ll do it for my mom, Fran. Not for Murray, but for her. He still near Tampa?”
“Yes, we’re about forty-five minutes north.”
“I’m in Miami, so I can be there tomorrow morning if that’s okay?”
I bounced in my seat, pumping my fist in the air, and tried not to scream out my excitement. “That’s perfect.”
“What’s the address?”
I rattled mine off, figuring it was better if everything went down here. I could control it easier. We chatted for a few more minutes before he finally said good-bye.
I did a quick happy dance, followed by the worst impression of the running man before I sobered.
Bear was going to be pissed.
I was going to owe him something.
And there was only one thing left he wanted.
My ass clenched at the thought, but I quickly pushed it out of my mind. There was so much to do before Ret arrived and Bear came back home. I’d make dinner. Food was always a good way to break the ice and fill the uncomfortable silence. Of course, my cooking left something to be desired.
I picked up the phone and called the only person I knew who could rescue me. “Maria, I need you.”
“I’ll be right over.”
When she walked through the door twenty minutes later, I was on my hands and knees, scrubbing the kitchen tile.
“What did you do now?” She had her hands on her hips as she stared down at me.
Falling backward on my ass, I threw the dirty rag on the floor and wiped my brow. “I invited Bear’s estranged son over.”
Her perfectly plucked eyebrows shot up. “Does Bear know?”
Hanging my head, I shook it but didn’t speak.
“He’s going to freak out.”
“I know,” I whispered. “But I did it for the right reasons.”
“Franny,” she said and sat down next to me. “Your heart is always in the right place.” She rubbed my arm. “It’ll be fine.”
“You think?”
“Sure. What do you need me to do?”
I finally looked up. “I want to make them dinner.”
“Good thing you called me,” she said and laughed.
“I’m nosy, not stupid.” I chuckled. “Will you help me get everything together and started so tomorrow I can finish it on my own?”
“Babe, I’ll do anything you need.”
I lunged forward and wrapped her in the biggest bear hug. “Thanks, Maria. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
She rubbed my back, soothing away my stress. “Serve shitty food and burn everything, probably.”
“Very funny, but probably true.”
“Let’s get off this floor and start making a plan. I want you to wow them both.”
“I do
n’t know what I was thinking.” I rolled my eyes, shaking my head as I stood.
“You were being you. Look how great everything went with Janice.”
“It went better than I thought.”
“See,” she said as she brushed off her butt after crawling off the floor. “Everything will be fine.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Bear
After a long talk, Morgan agreed that he’d wait outside and let me talk to Ray first. We both, along with Santino, felt that Ray might be more willing to speak without his son around. Really I just wanted to get in a few licks before anyone else and make him feel a small amount of what Fran must have felt when they were together.
Whether he was involved with Johnny hadn’t been determined yet. But…he still deserved a beating. I knew it wasn’t civilized, but I didn’t give a fuck. Men who did bad shit to women deserved all the bad shit that happened to them.
“Who are you?” Ray asked before spitting blood next to my feet.
“Your worst nightmare.” I smiled and flexed my knuckles.
“You’re a pussy if you have to beat me with my hands tied up.”
Ray DeLuca was probably a decent-looking guy back in the day, but sitting before me, bound to the chair, he looked frail. His face was littered with wrinkles and covered in hair that wasn’t neat or groomed.
“I’m not the pussy that stole from my own flesh and blood.” I took a step forward, ready to hit him again.
“What the hell are you talking about?” He turned his face to the side, reducing the impact of my fist against his face.
The crunching sound of bone on bone echoed in the abandoned warehouse. Ray’s cries of agony continued after the echo died out. “Ready to talk?”
I pretended I was going to hit him again, and he flinched.
Ray licked the corner of his lip, drawing the blood into his mouth from the previous punch. “I’ll talk. I’ll talk. What do you want to know?”
I pulled over a seat, glancing around the dimly lit building. Instead of calling Morgan in like I’d promised, I prodded Ray further.