Robert then cut off the call.
“Please, tell me something,” I asked, my voice hoarse from lack of sleep and retching so much.
I held my hands, palms together as if in prayer, in front of me. I was begging. I needed to know something, anything.
Robert put the phone down on the desk. He nodded to Travis who ushered everyone from the room.
“Come here,” he said.
I walked towards him. He was perched on the edge of his desk and as I got close, he reached out and pulled me to him. With one hand, he smoothed some hair from my face. It was a gentle gesture that brought tears to my eyes.
“I promise you one thing. You will have Gerry back before the morning. He isn’t harmed but fucking traumatised, I imagine. You have to, for one last time, trust me.”
I looked at him, at his black eyes and the dark circles underneath, at the frown lines that seemed permanently etched into his forehead. I looked at his skin, paler than normal. I nodded.
“What happens next?” I asked.
“Paul will call back with a place to meet and he will tell me exactly where Gerry is. I have no doubt that was the plan from the beginning. Matteo wants me to do his dirty work for him, and I suspect Paul knows that. As much as you don’t like Carrig, it was his quick thinking that got us Rosa and that will get us the information we need.”
“What will happen to her?”
“I don’t know is the honest truth. I was told she will be released but to be honest, Brooke, I don’t care.”
“What happens when this is over?”
“I’ll move out, give you some space. You keep the house, the cars, whatever you want. But I will say one thing: you won’t take my son away from me. You’re not leaving America. He’s going to be fucked up, he’ll need us both. Now walk away from me because I can’t have that in my head right now. I need to focus. A lot of people are going to die tonight. I might be one of them.” His voice softened. “Let me just believe for the next few hours things are good.”
He gently pushed me away.
There was no way I could stop the sob from escaping my lips. There was no way I could stop the tears from rolling down my cheeks. I reached out to him but he turned his back. He head was bowed and I heard him take a deep breath in and exhale before squaring his shoulders and walking to his chair. He picked up his phone and sent a text. It was seconds later that Travis and the guys walked back into the room. Franco placed his hand on my arm and gently led me from the room into the arms of Evelyn who was standing outside the door.
“I need air,” I said. I carried on walking down the stairs and out the front door.
It was a warm day yet I shivered. I walked to the bench under the oak tree and sat. I looked at the homemade swing and the trampoline and imagined Gerry swinging or bouncing. I rested my head back against the tree, feeling the rough bark scrape against my skull and closed my eyes.
I don’t know how long I’d sat but I felt the bench move slightly as someone sat beside me. I didn’t open my eyes at first. I didn’t want to talk to anyone. But when I felt a small hand on top of mine, I gripped it and turned towards Harley.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“You have nothing to be sorry about,” I replied.
“I tried to save him, I really did.”
“I know you did, darling, and it’s okay, please don’t feel bad. He’ll be home soon.”
“Travis said that but I want to sit here until he does. This is our favourite place. Can I show you something?” He stood, waiting for me to follow.
The front garden had a circular shingle drive, a lawn area and the rest was trees, hundreds of them that expanded for acres. There were just a few flint stone buildings dotted around the grounds and the chapel. We walked towards a copse. Harley stopped and ran his hand over the bark of a young tree. I didn’t know what type of tree it was but when I looked, I could see a carving. They had crudely carved their initials into the bark. As the tree had grown the carving had distorted a little.
“He’s my brother, and I want him home,” he said. His voice had caught in his throat.
I placed my arm around his shoulders and pulled him into my side. “So do I, darling, so do I,” I whispered.
We walked a little, doing a circuit in front of the house. Harley pointed out places they had played together, detailing what they had done. I began to see them in my minds eye. Gerry with his blond hair and blue eyes always laughing, always being the one to go that one step further, always the one up for the dare. Harley would be trailing behind, the cautious one, warning of danger, but then laughing when Gerry fell over or from the tree.
I remembered the day we found out Travis was taking guardianship of Harley. We had made a fire and were cooking over it. Travis was telling ghost stories and Gerry was snuggled into Robert’s lap. I pictured Gerry on Robert’s shoulders as they walked through the woods.
“Are you hungry?” I asked.
“No, I had something before I came out. I saw you through the window and I wanted to talk to you.”
We had arrived back at the bench.
“Thank you, I’m glad you did. I’ve missed you,” I replied.
“Will you let me know the minute he’s back? Mind you, you won’t have to, I’ll know.” With that, Harley walked towards the garages and the apartments above.
I’ll know. They had that bond that Robert and Travis did, that Robert and I did. Something unexplainable connected us, which allowed us to feel when the other was close.
I walked back into the house. Susie was coming down the stairs, Richard not far behind.
“I have to pop home, but I’ll be back, okay?” she said.
“It’s okay, you don’t need to,” I replied.
“I want to. I’ll be as quick as I can. If anything happens, you’ll let me know, won’t you?”
“Of course, and thank you for being here.”
We hugged and I closed the front door behind them. I didn’t know what she had to pop home for. I imagine a change of clothes; we were all starting to look and smell a little rough.
I headed to the bedroom and lay down. I needed some peace, and I wanted to fall into those memories and thoughts I’d had earlier. I closed my eyes, seeing Gerry and Robert in my mind.
****
I felt something touch my face, fingers drew down my cheek and I jolted awake. The room was bathed in bright sunlight streaming in through the windows that overlooked the woods.
“Shit. What’s happened?” I asked.
“Nothing, but Paul is about to arrive, and I’d rather you were upstairs,” Robert said.
“I don’t want him in the house!”
“He isn’t coming in the house, but can you do as I ask? Go upstairs.”
Before he had finished his sentence, I heard the sound of a vehicle arriving. I nodded and swung my legs off the bed. He stepped away and I stood. Go back a week or so and he would have held out his hand to help me. I made my way upstairs and he headed for the front door. I watched him take a key from the little box on the wall.
Travis and Carrig were gone, Mack was gone, leaving just Franco, Sam and the girls. Franco looked exhausted. He’d had little sleep since the bombing. He had wanted to return to New York a couple of days prior to take Sofia home. Instead he was coordinating the rescue of my son. I sat beside him and took his hand in mine.
“Thank you, for everything,” I said.
“You may not thank me tomorrow,” he said with such sadness.
“Why?”
He shook his head. “I need to rest a little.”
“Why don’t you take a bedroom and sleep,” I said.
“No, I’ll rest on the sofa in the office. When I’m home, I’ll sleep then.”
I stood to help him to his feet. As I did, I glanced out the floor to ceiling window and saw Paul on his knees, his hands held up in defence. I watched Robert punch him in the face multiple times and then grab his hair and drag him back to his feet before pointing a g
un at the back of his head. I watched him being marched away.
“Come away, Brooke,” I heard.
Evelyn was at the breakfast bar making yet more tea. I walked towards her and sat. I nursed a cup of Earl Grey in my hands. I knew the outcome for Paul, but I’d rather it wasn’t happening at the house.
“Don’t think about it,” Evelyn said.
“How can you shut off from that?”
“Easy. He’s been a traitor to this family for years. He stole from my father. I’ll be glad to see the back of him. I never thought I’d say this, but killing him isn’t what I would have wanted—until now. He has betrayed us in the worst way.”
I’d never heard her speak with such vehemence before. She was a different woman to the one yesterday. I guess we all were. What had happened over the past week had changed us forever.
“You need to eat something,” she said.
“I don’t think I can.”
“Try.” She pushed a turkey sandwich towards me.
I nibbled at it without any enthusiasm. It was a perfunctory act. I ate just to add something to my stomach should I feel sick again. Taylor and Patricia came and sat along side me.
“I hate all this waiting,” I said to no one in particular.
“I know, honey, but hopefully not long now,” Taylor said.
“And then the worst part happens, who actually comes back?”
“Don’t even go there, Brooke. They will all come back.”
“What if they don’t? What if Robert or Mack or Travis…”
“Stop it! Do you think that’s going to help?” Patricia snapped at me.
I hung my head. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”
“It’s okay. I can’t imagine the stress you’re feeling right now but keep positive,” Patricia said.
“I’m trying to, I really am. I just wish it were someone else, is that bad? I wish it wasn’t me but some other woman sitting here and then I feel guilty. I feel guilty because I coerced Robert into adopting. I feel guilty because I blamed him and this fucking life. I feel guilty because I don’t know how to get Robert back.”
“What do you mean get Robert back?”
“I told him I was leaving; he’s preparing himself for that. I told him this wouldn’t have happened had it not been for him and his life.”
“Oh, honey, you didn’t mean it. He’ll know that.”
“No, you see, that’s where you’re wrong. I did mean it. And he believes me, he’s moving out when this is all over. He’s making me see a side of him he thinks I’ll hate, to make it easier for me to leave.”
“Do you think you can really walk away from him?” Patricia asked.
“No, I can’t, but what do I do? How do I keep my son safe? How do I stop this happening again? How do I put us all back together?” My voice had lowered to a whisper.
I saw Patricia look over my head, I guessed towards Evelyn.
“With time, honey, with time,” Taylor said.
We fell silent.
Chapter Twelve
An hour or so passed before I heard the front door open. I looked up as multiple pairs of feet sounded on the stairs. Robert rounded the corner first, he looked at me and for a second I saw sadness in his eyes. I made to stand but he gently shook his head.
“We know where he is. They’ll be waiting for us. We’ll go at sunset.”
Sam came and stood beside me, took hold of my hand and gave it a squeeze.
“Is there, like, enough of you?” he asked.
“There will be. We’ll be meeting up with some associates,” Robert replied.
“I know I’m not your first choice but can I help? Is there anything I can do?”
“Thank you, Sam, but no. I’d prefer you stayed here.”
I thought I heard a sigh of relief from Sam and I didn’t blame him. This wasn’t his world. He’d seen and heard so much over the past week that, like the rest of us, he’d never be the same again.
“Is it okay if Scott brings me some clothes?”
“I’ll send someone to fetch them if you want to call him and have a bag ready,” Robert said.
Sam nodded. Gerry was like a nephew to him, he was hurting as much as the rest of us.
“Brooke, I need to speak to you,” Robert said.
I stood and followed him and the guys into his home office. As he sat heavily in his chair, Franco stirred.
“Sit,” he said indicating to a chair next to his desk.
I watched him run his hand through his hair and sigh.
“Is Paul…?” I didn’t finish the sentence.
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“You don’t need to know that. Gerry will only be released to you but I won’t have you in the place he’s being held. You’re to stay outside with Mack. I’ll negotiate with them, hopefully they’ll bring Gerry to you. The minute they do, you leave, do you understand me?”
I couldn’t speak at first.
“Do you understand?” he said, his voice forceful.
“Yes, I understand,” I replied.
“This is not what I wanted but it seems the only way. If I go in there to get him, they’ll harm him. I have to play by their rules to start with.”
“What do you mean to start with?”
“Exactly that. As soon as Gerry is out, things will happen. There’s a plan, and I’m not going to tell you the plan for good reason. You just do exactly as I say for once and everything will be okay.”
“Where is he?” My voice had grown smaller. I was scared, so very scared.
“A freight yard. It’s a place full of shipping containers.”
“Did Paul see him? After he took him, I mean.”
“Yes, he’s being looked after well,” Robert gave a bitter laugh and shook his head.
I closed my eyes. Gerry must be so confused. Not that we spent a lot of time with Paul but he knew him, he knew he worked with Robert.
“Who are the others? The associates?” I asked.
“That’s another thing you don’t need to know. Just focus on getting Gerry and getting the fuck out of there, okay?”
“Is the associate the can of snakes?”
“Yes. Now, no more questions. Get some rest.”
I had been dismissed. I stood on shaking legs and made my way to the door. As I was closing it behind me, I heard Carrig speak.
“Can she do this?”
“Yes. She’s brave, very brave. She’s already been through a lot by being with me.”
Robert’s unwavering support brought yet more tears to my eyes. He had such faith in me; I prayed I could deliver. I would do exactly as he wanted. As soon as Gerry was in my arms, I’d leave no matter what I saw or heard.
I decided to prepare. I headed down to my bedroom and stripped off my clothes. I found some yoga pants and a fitted T-shirt, socks and sneakers. On a shelf in my side of the closet I also found tape. It was the tape I’d use to wrap my hands and feet when I trained. Not that I had trained in a little while but kickboxing was like riding a bike. I’d done it for so long it was instinctive. I placed the tape back on the shelf though. I wasn’t at the gym, I wasn’t dealing one on one with someone, and it was far more serious. It wasn’t my life at risk—it was Gerry’s.
I lay down on the bed to gather my thoughts. There was so much I didn’t know, that I’d never get to know, and that was okay. It was ironic that we were heading to shipping containers. Those boxes in my head had grown to such proportions they were about the same size. As I rested, a thought crept into my mind. I rose and headed to Gerry’s bedroom. His clothes were still strewn across the bed. I wanted the room tidy for him. I refolded and stacked, tidied up the bathroom where toiletries lay on their side having been knocked over in my haste to grab some. I straightened his duvet and placed his teddy on his pillow. I didn’t want anything out of place for his return.
I paced and became more anxious with every minute. We were so close yet the time dragged so unbearably slow. I
checked my watch constantly and picked at the scab that had formed on my wrist. I enjoyed the sting, the pain I felt, and it kept me focused.
I left the bedroom, closing the door behind me, and headed back upstairs. I sat next to Sam and rummaged through my handbag until I found a hairband. I scrunched my hair into a ponytail.
“You’re going with them?” he asked, his voice rising on every word.
“I have to. They will only hand Gerry over to me.”
“Whoa, no! There must be another way.”
“You don’t think they’ve tried to find one? If I have to be there then so be it, and I want to, Sam. I want to hold him in my arms as soon as he leaves the building. I want to hold him in the car and bring him home. I’m not letting him out of my sight for a long time.”
A car arrived and my heart stopped—it wasn’t quite sunset. I stood waiting for the guys to leave the office. When they didn’t, I walked to the window. Dan was outside, and I watched as he took a small suitcase from the back seat.
“I think your clothes have arrived,” I said.
Sam made his way downstairs, and I sat back down. I regretted taking the batteries from the clock on the wall. It’s ticking had begun to irritate but I realised it would have been soothing. It would have reminded me that time was still moving forwards and with every tick I would be closer to having Gerry back.
The whole situation seemed surreal. Yesterday we were full of chatter but as the hours had worn on, the silence developed. There would be a smile, an offer of a drink or food but little chat. I hated the silence. Even if I hadn’t participated in their conversation, just the sound of it in the background helped. It quietened the thoughts, the memories, and the screams in my head.
I remembered a news report of a couple that had lost their child while on holiday. It was a few years ago and that child had never been found. I felt on the brink of madness just after twenty-four hours, how did that couple do it? How had the madness not engulfed them? How had they not torn themselves apart?
Absentmindedly, I had been picking at my wrist, only realising when I felt something warm and wet in my palm. I looked down to see a trickle of blood. I wanted to bleed. All the time my son was missing, I wanted to feel pain to remind me it was real, to stop me sinking into the blackness that had threatened to swamp my mind.
Fallen Angel, Part 4 - A Mafia Romance: Fallen Angel Series Page 12