Chapter 9
Chubs
Keeping my phone close, I wait. While I do that, I can’t keep my mind from going back in time. Hearing Alessandro’s voice has dragged memories to the surface that I buried deep for years. I had to do that to mentally survive all that happened when our father was arrested and our family’s futures were permanently altered.
Enzo Zanetti is a bad man and makes no apologies for that. He’s always felt that he had few choices in life, and he made the best ones he could at a young age. He’s a tough, hardcore criminal that climbed the ranks of the Vero crime family, and he did it quickly. When he took his oath of omertà, the code of silence and honor, he was the youngest member to ever do so. He was a single man with no living family members to dissuade him from this path. From the tough streets of Chicago, he wanted to make a name for himself. He achieved his goals, but life has a way of getting messy when you least expect it to. Enzo met Giana Rossi, and that simple meeting set into motion a chain of events that have placed me in a shabby hotel, miles from where I want to be.
Enzo never planned on falling in love, getting married, or having children. He only planned to someday be the boss, the don. Upon meeting Giana, his plans changed. Being as ruthless as he was known to be, he never considered that he wouldn’t be able to protect his family. Arrogant and still young enough to fear nothing, he pushed his way into Giana’s life. A few short months later, they were married. Not long after that, Giana was expecting her first child. Instead of giving birth to one, she had twins.
My sister Aria and I became a team from the moment of conception. Being eight minutes older than her, I have always felt a deep sense of responsibility for my sister. A year later, our brother Alessandro was born. Three babies kept our mother busy but content with her life. Our father worked long hours to ensure that his family would always have everything they ever wanted. I think our mother was somewhat blind to what our father did to give us that great life. That is, for a while, and then the blinders came off abruptly.
Mom finally realized, or fully acknowledged, Dad’s profession when she overheard a conversation not meant for her ears. Alessandro and I were fully aware of what our father did to earn money and that we were meant to follow in his footsteps. Aware but not compliant. Dad had been slowly exposing that side of his life to his sons for years, hoping we’d take to it, yet we didn’t. In fact, both of us were violently opposed, and that’s the conversation our mother had walked into.
From a young age, I knew what I wanted to do with my life, and being a made man was not it. I loved school and learning, so becoming a teacher was all I’d ever wanted to be. My grades were so good I was able to skip some classes. Because of that, I was eligible to take a few college courses along with high school coursework. I explained this to my dad and told him I was taking this opportunity. In his mind, all the things his sons needed to learn could be taught by him and the streets. While proud of me and my accomplishments, this was a clear sign that I wasn’t going to work for the Vero family. When Alessandro sided with me, Dad got frustrated and started shouting. Gentle, kind Giana Zanetti stormed into the room and tore into our mobster father, the man she loved more than anything. While she was a force that day, she didn’t realize at the time that there were others that had more say than her. In the life my dad had chosen, a lot of our individual choices were taken away from us. There were expectations for Enzo’s sons, and not even he could sway the path we were meant to follow.
When the phone rings, it startles me back into the present. Flipping it open, I hold it to my ear and wait to hear Alessandro’s voice again.
“You better start explaining to me how you can make a phone call from beyond the grave,” Les growls.
“I escaped from the safe house when I found out the Feds guarding me were working for the Vero family. They never meant for me to testify but be eliminated instead. Dead people can’t testify against crime families,” I answer in a calm voice though my heart is racing in my chest.
“Holy fuck, Adriano, I can’t believe I’m talking to my brother again,” Les says in an incredulous voice after a long silence.
“Same. Missed you, little brother.”
The silence between us seems charged with emotion and yet calming at the same time.
“We have so much to talk about, but I have to ask why you’ve called now. Why didn’t you call when you got away from them? Where have you been?” Les rushes through his questions before taking an audible breath of air. In a voice filled with pain, he rasps out, “You let us think you were dead.”
“The way things were going back then, you, Mom, and Aria were safer with everyone thinking I was dead. If the Vero family knew I was still alive, they would’ve used you three as leverage to get to me. Torture would have been the word of the day, and you know the methods they’d have used on you three. I’m calling now because things have changed. Federal agents found me and have been pressuring me to return to Chicago and testify for them. Not the two that were supposed to kill me, but I assume they’d show up eventually. Maybe the two new ones are dirty too. I don’t know for sure, but I knew something was up when I told them I wouldn’t testify, and yet they wouldn’t leave me alone. Why was anyone looking for a dead man anyway? They found me, so I knew others could too. So, I put out some feelers and started gathering intel,” I explain carefully.
“What have you found out?” Les asks with dread in his voice.
“The Feds realized they had some dirty agents and supposedly cleaned house. They’re also building a new case against the Vero crime family and need witnesses from the past to build a RICO case. Dad, still being in prison, was their first choice, but he’ll never talk. He’ll be loyal to his death even with the deal they offered him. I don’t know if anyone is aware that Dad took both of us on some of his jobs and not just me. If so, you’re not safe. Have you been approached by Feds?”
“No, no one has questioned me at all. Not since the night they took you, that is,” Les replies.
“Then they believe I was the only one our dad had in training. The only one who saw things they could use against the family,” I say and breathe a sigh of relief, but it was premature.
“We do have a problem, though. It’s with Aria. Leonardo Romano has announced that he plans on marrying her,” my brother states irritably.
“Are they dating?” I ask in alarm because I remember Leo and his father. The senior Romano being a very effective hitman who puts no value on a human life.
“No, Aria has refused all dates, even his calls and texts. But he’s being very persistent and hasn’t let up. I even called him about it, but it did no good.”
“You know how things work in that family. If they want compliance, it’s either done through force, murder, or marriage. If she were married to him, no one in our family would dare to go against them because she would pay the price. Our sister would become a prisoner in her own home. Maybe they do know the Feds are working on another case. I need to think about all of this, but no matter what, we have to find a way to keep her out of his reach.”
“You haven’t been around your sister in a long time, Adriano. She’s a force of nature and doesn’t take well to interference in her life. She’s still mad at me for calling Leo in her defense. She even gave Mom the silent treatment for telling me about Leo bothering her,” Les says with a small laugh.
“Aria? Really? Since when has she ever been silent?” I ask in amazement while remembering how talkative she’s always been.
“Since we were told you were dead. It changed her into a person I hardly recognized,” my brother says in a solemn voice.
A pang of guilt hits me hard, but I have to push it aside. I can’t change the past, and I have work to do to change our futures.
My brother and I continued talking for another hour, catching up and enjoying the ability to do so. Before disconnecting, we set a time for me to call him tomorrow. I flip the phone closed and feel true loneliness creep up on me. I’m no longer connected to The Devil’s Angels or Lucy, and yet I’m not back with my blood family either. I recognized the feeling immediately because it’s the same kind of loneliness I felt when I first left Chicago.
Barely 17 years old, no belongings, money, or transportation, Feds on my ass, I had few options but to run. Going back to my family was out of the question. They would be watched, and I’d only put them in danger if they were caught helping me. Same with any of my friends, so I put to use the lessons Dad had taught me. I stole what I needed and left Chicago behind me.
I can still clearly remember the fear of suddenly being on my own and being hunted. I knew the consequences of being caught, but I hadn’t fully accepted the reality of my new life either. I had fought against my father wanting me to become a criminal, but I ended up becoming one just to survive. Irony at its worst. After a few weeks, I had finally accepted the fact that sometimes we don’t have choices and that my survival instinct could override my morals. I vowed to be a better man as soon as I could safely become one.
Leaving the hotel early in the morning, I drive for a couple of hours without noticing much about the scenery. My mind is occupied with Lucy. I know by now she’s back in Denver and probably planning my demise. No doubt Bailey’s searching for the best places to dispose of human remains and Axel’s coaching both. I don’t blame any of them for whatever they plan because I deserve it with the way I left.
I spot a truck stop sign and move to the right lane to catch the exit. Parking in the large lot, I pull on shades and a hat before making my way to the door. Entering, I glance around until I find a small table near the large windows. Taking a seat, I scan the parking lot and find nothing out of the ordinary.
“Hi, I’m Marsha. I’ll be your server today. Can I get you something to drink while you look over the menu?” a perky brunette says, standing next to my table.
“Hi. Coffee, please.”
The young lady walks off, and I turn back to the window. I watch truckers fill their semis with gas, chat between themselves, and wait for my drink. I also notice the large amount of lot lizards going from truck to truck offering their sexual services. We sometimes have to do things to survive, and it’s not my place to judge them for their choices when I’ve made questionable ones myself. Glancing at the menu, I make my decision as Marsha drops off my coffee.
“The Lumberjack breakfast, please. Side order of American fries, extra bacon, sausages, two extra pancakes, biscuits and gravy, orange juice, and a large coffee to go,” I tell Marsha.
“The Lumberjack breakfast comes with hash browns, three eggs, bacon, toast, and two pancakes, sir,” the server informs me of something I already know from reading the menu. “Did you still want the side orders?”
“Yes, and please add in an extra order of toast too,” I answer while holding the menu out to her.
I watch as she stares at her order pad in confusion before closing it, taking the menu, and walking off. A minute later, she reappears with my juice, another set of silverware, and glass of water. I say nothing as she sets them on the opposite side of the table from me, apparently assuming I have another person joining me.
It’s not long, and Marsha’s back with my to-go coffee, ketchup, jelly, and syrup. Another few minutes, and she appears with a large tray holding my breakfast on several plates. After carefully setting everything on the table, she turns with a smile and asks, “Is there anything else I can get you?”
“No, thank you, Marsha,” I answer politely before turning to my food.
Keeping an eye on the parking lot, I devour my meal. Just as I’m finishing the last few bites, Marsha reappears. Looking at each of the empty plates, then at me, she slides the bill onto the furthest edge of the table before retreating to the kitchen. I almost snort at the look on her face. Geesh, Marsha, your hand is safe. I haven’t eaten one of those yet.
I use the facilities then make my way back to my car. I leave the lot and watch carefully for a tail. Several miles later, I relax, knowing I don’t have one. After a few more hours, I take an exit and make my way to a Walmart. I shop quickly, gathering snacks, drinks, a few changes of clothes, and other necessities before hitting the road again. Long after the sun has disappeared, I find another sketchy hotel and rent a room. After a quick shower, I have a few snacks before getting to work on the new me.
Opening one of the shopping bags, I pull out the hair dye. Scanning the directions, I head to the bathroom with dark brown hair and walk out a blond. Keeping my face shaved of scruff, hair and eyebrows now blond, I add a pair of black framed reading glasses and look myself over in the mirror. Wearing blue jeans, dark gray t-shirt, and black hoodie, I look like a million other guys in America. Satisfied that I’ll blend in easily, I undress and flop down on the sleeping bag I had laid out on the bed. This being the same bed I sprayed a full can of Lysol on when I got here after I stripped it of all its bedding. I may be heading toward my death, but I don’t want the autopsy to show I had become friendly with lice and bed bugs.
Picking up my phone, I shoot a text to my brother.
Me: Anything happen today? Can you call?
Within a minute, he answers.
Les: No, nothing. Not alone. When are you hitting town?
Me: Not for a while. Feds will be watching for me there. The club will be looking for me too so I can’t leave a trail of any kind that clues them into where I’m going.
I had explained a little about the club to my brother during our previous call. I, however, had not told him about Lucy. I’m not ready to talk about her yet, and I’m certainly not ready for what Les will think of my choices.
Les: Stay safe. Love you, Drew.
Me: Be alert. Watch everything. Love you too, Les.
I flip my phone shut, but just having read his and Aria’s nickname for me brings up a rush of emotion. We were so close, the three of us. Drew, Aria, and Les. I called us “The Three Musketeers” once during dinner as I refilled my plate when Aria, staring at it, corrected me.
“Maybe ‘The Three Little Pigs’ would be more appropriate.”
I smile a little while thinking back on those innocent times. We never doubted that we’d always be together, sharing our lives. We had always said we’d either live together or buy homes close to each other. Les and I had made it very clear that Aria would never have a man in her life if we didn’t think he was good enough for her. We vowed it, even though we all knew she would never be with a man that we didn’t approve of anyway. Aria did her share of scaring off possible girlfriends for us too. She kept a close watch on any female eyeing either of her brothers and was not afraid to use sharp words to keep them in check. We had so many plans, and then real life stepped in and changed everything.