Pretend for Daddy

by Hamel, B. B.

  I suddenly want to tear the dress off my body.

  This plan is crazy. These men, they want me dead. They nearly murdered me in our office where anyone could’ve seen. Some wedding isn’t going to stop them.

  He’s wrong. I know he’s wrong. This plan is just going to end up with this dress covered in red… drenched in my blood.

  But his eyes…

  He’s not going to change his mind. I can see that now.

  This is what he’s been doing. Setting this up.

  That’s why he left me alone in this room. Why he left me alone at the lake.

  He’s been planning this.

  And now there’s no turning back.

  10

  Knox

  It’s surprisingly hard setting up a wedding at the last minute.

  Well, at least for people without unlimited money. Fortunately, I could throw my checkbook at the problem…

  And rent out one of the biggest spaces available.

  Thirtieth Street Station is one of the most beautiful buildings in the whole city. It’s essentially the transportation hub of Philadelphia. The subway and regional rails and everything else run right through it.

  The architecture is sublime. High ceilings, classic arches, beautiful busts and friezes.

  It’s the perfect place to have my wedding.

  Sure, it gets in the way of every single person trying to travel through Philadelphia, but fuck them. Fuck the whole goddamn world.

  I have a mafia boss to impress.

  We get there early. The main thoroughfare to Thirtieth Street Station is closed down as guests slowly arrive. Everyone was invited and clearly they’re all taking off work for this spectacle.

  Weddings aren’t usually on a Monday morning. But this isn’t your normal wedding.

  The high windows and beautiful Art Deco hanging lights lend a very upscale vibe to the whole proceeding. I hand Ruby off to the wedding coordinator, a very intense woman named Jen, and head inside to shake hands.

  Ruby shoots me one last look, and I can’t tell if she’s afraid because of my plan or because she’s about to marry me for real.

  It’s a smorgasbord of the rich and elite from both Philly and New York. Politicians, business leaders, athletes, singers, dancers, actors, they’re all crammed into the huge space.

  “I didn’t know you could rent this out!” the mayor says to me with a laugh.

  “You can’t normally. But when you have this much money…”

  He guffaws and shakes my hand again, pounding me on the back.

  I already wrote him a fat donation to help make this happen. I’m sure it’s the first of many more.

  Other people float past me. I have a few friends in the mix, and they’re all equally confused and excited by the whole thing.

  “Are you sure about this?” Robert says. He owns a competing firm, but we’ve been friends for years.

  “As sure as I’ll ever be.”

  He sighs. “Looks like you took a chunk out of savings for all this.”

  “I dipped into retirement a bit.”

  He laughs and shakes his head, mystified.

  More people come through. An actor, a basketball player. The dean of Temple University. The dean of the University of Pennsylvania. The head curator of the Philadelphia Art Museum.

  Finally, the one person I actually want to talk to sidles up next to me as I take a breath and grab a glass of champagne. It’s barely after eleven in the morning but fuck it, why not.

  “They’re here,” he says to me under his breath.

  I turn and look at Giovanni. His dark hair is slicked back and he’s wearing that same old suit, the one he always wears. It’s trim and tailored but worn in the shoulders and sleeves.

  The man doesn’t care about his appearance, not really. He just wants to look respectable… enough.

  “Where?” I ask.

  He shakes his head. “In the mix. I’ll introduce you soon.”

  “We should talk privately.”

  He snorts. “I wouldn’t. They’re more likely to behave if you don’t.”

  I sigh and look up at the ceiling. “Are you sure they won’t just murder us all?”

  “Nope.” Giovanni grins. “But hey, it’s been a nice life, right?”

  I glare at him and he just keeps grinning.

  I’ve known Gio for a very long time. We went to high school together. He’s the son of a wealthy doctor and a successful lawyer, but he never really fit in anywhere. When I went into business, he went into a sort of parallel business.

  You could call him shady… a lot of people do.

  But he’s just a businessman, just working in the shadows.

  He has connections everywhere. On the face of it, he works in the gambling business, helping to open Pennsylvania to more and more gambling establishments.

  But mostly, he works in the underbelly, setting up meetings and cashflows and bribes.

  He’s my connection to Mitch. And my connection to Alfonso Grosso.

  “Come on,” he says, smiling. “It’s your wedding day, you psycho.”

  “Right. Should put on a show.”

  He grabs a glass and we toast. “You’re going to be a lucky man. I hear she’s pretty.”

  “She is.”

  “Worth it?”

  “Absolutely.”

  He laughs, throwing his head back. “You really are nuts. They’re going to kill you both, you know?”

  “They’ll try.”

  “But you’ll find a way, won’t you? Always do.”

  I just nod once, eyes set.

  I always find a way, and this is no different.

  They’re businessmen, just like me. They want something.

  I just have to find what they want that’s more important than killing Ruby. Once I figure that out, I just find a way to give it to them.

  That’s how I’ll save her life.

  It’s only business.

  The day wears on. Cocktail hour turns into cocktail two hours. I shake more hands and Gio lingers nearby, always keeping my mind on the real task at hand.

  Music plays once the second hour finishes and people are ushered toward their seats. I feel a strange sense of calm fall over me just as Gio finally steps up and whispers in my ear.

  “They’re ready to talk.”

  I glance at him, frowning. “The ceremony is going to start soon.”

  “Now or never, Knox.”

  I steel myself and nod. “Let’s go.”

  He leads me through the crowd and down a side passageway.

  The sounds of the wedding start to recede. I feel a jolt of anxiety like an off-tune piano shoot down my spine.

  Not because I’m about to meet in private with a murderous mafia boss. No, that’s no big deal. I know how these men work, at least to an extent. I’ve known enough men associated with the business that I have a good idea of how these old-school mob guys work.

  No, I’m worried because I’m afraid I’ll be late for the ceremony. I don’t want to leave Ruby standing up there alone. I’d hate myself if I caused her any sort of embarrassment at all.

  Which is an odd thing to realize as we walk into a more industrial part of the station. I didn’t know I was getting involved in this because I cared about her in particular, more that I wanted to get something from her. But apparently, she’s part of this… just as much as the baby that she’ll be carrying is.

  Strange. I didn’t know that about myself… but it’s good to know.

  “Here,” Gio says, stopping outside of an unmarked door. We’re just up the stairs from the actual subway platform. The shops here are shuttered and there are no people walking along. I think these tracks are all closed down on account of the wedding.

  I put my hand on the knob but Gio stops me. “You sure?” he asks quietly.

  I raise an eyebrow. “Am I in danger, Gio?”

  He shakes his head. “No. But once you start talking to these men… they don’t let you go so easily.”
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  “That’s good.” I turn the knob. “I don’t want them to.”

  We step into a large supply closet. The light is dim but we quickly make out several figures sitting in the back of the room around a small folding table.

  What I took for dim lighting at first quickly resolved into cigar smoke. I suppress a cough, mostly just because the air in here is so thick with it.

  Three men are sitting on the same side of the table. One man is large and broad-shouldered, younger with a bald head. Clearly he’s the muscle. The other is middle aged, a slight paunch in his gut, jowls under his cheeks, and a receding hairline that’s vainly combed over.

  And the last man is sitting in the middle wearing an expensive-looking suit. He’s in his seventies at least, with pure white hair combed back. His eyes are sallow and yellowed and the irises are nearly pitch black. There’s a birthmark on his right cheek and I know who he is instantly because of it.

  “Don Grosso,” I say, approaching the table.

  The men stare at me and the oldest of them smiles.

  “Knox Reed,” he says in a thin, almost quiet voice. He puffs on a cigar for a second. “I admit I am very surprised that you invited me to this wedding of yours.”

  “I wanted to speak with you,” I say. “I felt this would be the safest way to go about that.”

  He laughs, a hacking sound. He probably shouldn’t be smoking.

  “My associates here, they both said I should just kill you,” Grosso says. The men don’t smile at me. “But I told them, no, I don’t do that. We abide by the old laws or we have no laws at all.” He laughs again and shakes his head. “So here we are, speaking on your wedding day, although I admit it is not a happy day for me.”

  I linger there and I sense Gio shrink back toward the door. He doesn’t leave but he doesn’t stay close.

  “May I sit?” I ask.

  Grosso laughs. “Of course. Sit.”

  I take a seat and cross my legs. “Sir, you’re a businessman, are you not?”

  He murmurs for a moment. “Once upon a time,” he says finally. “I was a businessman. And then I was thrown into prison, my name smeared, my business ruined. Now I am something else entirely.”

  That’s not a good sign.

  “I’m a businessman,” I say softly. “You know who I am, I think. We have friends in common. You must know the sort of man I try to be.”

  “Honorable, they all say. You abide by the terms of the deal always. You can be trusted to do as you say you will do, so I am told.”

  “This is a waste of time,” the middle-aged man suddenly says. “Why are we doing this bullshit old school—”

  “Marco,” Don Grosso says sternly. “Be quiet.”

  The man glares but says nothing.

  “Please, let me get down to business,” I say, aware that this whole meeting could shift at any moment. “I want to offer you all something that will allow you to spare the girl’s life.”

  Don Grosso frowns. “The girl is the daughter of the man that ruined my business. You see how I cannot let that slide? It is not a small thing you are asking.”

  “I can offer you many things, Don Grosso. I can offer you money, but I suspect that’s not something you want or need. So I can offer you other things as well.”

  He glances at his associates. The bald man keeps staring at me with these empty, baleful eyes.

  “What can you offer?” he asks.

  “Influence,” I say softly.

  The man named Marco scoffs. Don Grosso ignores him.

  “That isn’t always much,” he says, puffing on his cigar.

  “Don, you’ve done business long enough to know that influence is everything in this city.” I stare at the men for a moment before continuing. “I built my business here for a reason. I have connections and influence among the people that matter. That influence has only grown over the years. Don, you say your business was destroyed by the girl’s father, then let me rebuild it for you.”

  He watches me carefully for a long moment. I can tell that this whole endeavor hinges on this very moment.

  I feel a thrill run through me. This is the moment I love most in all business meetings. The moment when all the masks are ripped off and the pure naked deal is being made. When everyone puts their cards on the table, makes clear what they want… and we find out what we can really do.

  That’s one of the most thrilling things in the world. It’s even better that my life is potentially on the line here.

  “There is something I want,” Don Grosso finally says. “Something we have been planning for many, many years, but have not been able to make a reality. Can you make this thing a reality for me?”

  “Yes,” I say, although I know I shouldn’t. It’s a very bad negotiating tactic to agree to something without knowing the terms first.

  But I don’t have much leverage and they know it.

  “I want a casino in the city limits,” Don Grosso says. He snaps at the bald man who produces a manila envelope. The Don slides it across the table to me, puffing on his cigar. “The details are enclosed. Make that happen for me and you may have your wife.”

  I take the envelope and glance inside. “This will be hard,” I say flatly. What I mean to say is, this is probably impossible.

  Pennsylvania has been against gambling for a very long time. It’s only in the last ten years that lawmakers have relaxed regulations and allowed for more gambling. Opening another casino in the city itself will be even more difficult.

  “Yes, it will,” Don Grosso agrees. “It is not a small task. But if you accomplish it, then you will have your life and your bride’s life as payment.”

  I nod once and tuck the envelope into my jacket. “I will do it.”

  “Two weeks.”

  I stare at the man. “You want this in two weeks?”

  “I want approvals in two weeks. I want proof that we will be moving forward on a reasonable timeline. If you cannot provide that for me, I will take action against you and your new bride.”

  I take a breath and nearly gag on the smoke again. Fucking bastard wants me to do the impossible in two weeks.

  “I’ll get it done,” I say finally.

  “Very good. Congratulations on your big day.” Don Grosso smiles at me. “Good luck. I hope you accomplish this task, for both our sakes. Maybe then we can have good relations moving forward.”

  I stand and nod at the men. Marco sneers at me and the bald man just stares with a flat expression.

  I turn to leave.

  “By the way,” Grosso says. I turn back to him. “The man you fought off. That was an impressive feat, but he’s not happy.”

  I narrow my eyes. “Are you going to control him?”

  “I’m afraid he’s an independent contractor,” he says apologetically. “I’ll see what I can do, however.”

  I glare at them and nod before I leave. Gio slips out the door beside me.

  “Can you do it?” He sounds anxious as we hurry back to the ceremony.

  “I’d better,” I say softly.

  Fucking hell. So not only do I have to get them impossible approvals in two weeks, I also might have a contract killer still out for blood. That wasn’t the most successful meeting I’ve ever had…

  But at least there’s a chance.

  We stop just at the edge of the hall. I turn to Gio.

  “How do I look?”

  He grins. “Perfect. Still going through with this, huh?”

  “I don’t back down,” I say before striding out to the altar. People look relieved when I step into my position and nod at the wedding organizer. She says something into her headset…

  And the wedding march begins.

  As soon as Ruby steps into the aisle, every single person of importance in this city now standing and staring at her, I feel my heart nearly stop in my chest.

  I forget all about that meeting with the gangsters.

  Because Ruby…

  She looks flawless.

  M
y god. She looks radiant.

  She looks perfect.

  She walks toward me, blushing and holding a small bouquet. Her hair is full and luxuriant, and whoever decided to leave it down is a master and a genius. She looks understated and yet elegant, and when she steps up beside me, I feel nothing but pride.

  She smiles at me nervously.

  “This is too much,” she whispers.

  I lean forward and whisper back. “This isn’t enough,” I say.

  She’s blushing when I turn to the minister and the ceremony begins. She’s blushing even more after I’ve put the ring on her finger and kissed her…

  And made her my wife in front of a room full of people.

  In the back, I see Don Grosso clapping along with all the others as we walk past.

  11

  Ruby

  My wedding day passes in a blur of unfamiliar faces.

  I never imagined anything like this. It’s over the top, it’s absurd, it’s…

  Expensive. It’s rich.

  It’s so beyond my wildest dreams.

  And yet…

  I should be more excited.

  All morning, I kept thinking, I should be happier… I should be more excited…

  But it wasn’t until I was walking down that aisle and I saw Knox standing up there that my heart finally started to flutter.

  And when he kissed me…

  It’s odd. Knox is essentially a stranger to me. I mean, he’s been my boss for the last year but that doesn’t mean we know each other. And yet all I kept wanting was to be near him.

  Because I didn’t know a single other person.

  Finally though, I stood up there in front of the crowd of strangers, knowing full well that the people that want me dead are among them, and yet all I could see was him.

  Knox made me smile… he made me happy. He made me excited to be up there on my wedding day.

  I didn’t expect it. I thought seeing him up there would only make me feel worse. It’s a marriage of convenience, after all. It’s just a business deal.

  I’m giving him this… and a baby.

  He’s keeping me alive.

  Easy, not big deal, just an exchange.

  And yet seeing him made me happy.