Chapter 13
Chubs
Sitting on the hotel bed, I listen to the local news broadcast. As I suspected, the Vero crime family is mentioned several times with a discussion about how they seem to be the target of the latest crime spree that started over a week ago. One reporter is shown standing next to a burnt-out car while another is behind a business highlighting the fire damage done to it.
After the reporters give their stories, the news anchor introduces the spokesperson for the Chicago Police Department.
“Captain Fitzgerald, can you comment on what your department is doing about this crime spree? Also, do you believe the public is at risk, or is this an internal cleansing for the Vero crime family?”
“At this point in the investigation, we don’t believe the public is at risk. We’ve consulted with federal agents that are knowledgeable about this particular crime family, and they feel strongly that this could be an internal coup of sorts. They have been known to battle for power amongst themselves in the past, and that could be happening again.”
“At what point does law enforcement step in, or do they when it’s an internal thing?”
“We’ll investigate these crimes as we do any others, and if a suspect or suspects are identified, we’ll follow proper procedures. Currently, though, we haven’t identified a perpetrator. As is often the case when a crime is committed against a crime family member, we may not know who that person or persons are until the family has meted out their own justice.”
“That is very true. Thank you, Captain. We’ll keep following this story and will be doing regular updates.”
Leaning back against the headboard, I turn the volume down on the TV. I open my Coke and set it on the nightstand before turning to the take-out bags sitting next to me. I pull containers from the bags and carefully set out my dinner. Digging into my food, I groan in appreciation. A few minutes of bliss before my phone interrupts my meal.
Wiping my hands on a napkin, I flip open my phone.
“Hey.”
“I have to ask you something, brother. The seven men that were found dead, missing their dicks, was that you too? When I asked before, you said you played a part, but I don’t know how they fit into your plan,” Les questions.
“Those seven men were from a problem in Denver. Those weren’t fresh bodies when the authorities found them. Sex traffickers, who mostly moved young girls. I didn’t eliminate them myself. I just found the location of where they were doing a drop-off and turned it over to the club and some friends. It’s just a happy coincidence that they were dumped here while I’m doing my own thing. It’ll confuse the Feds and keep them busy trying to figure out how they tie into the Vero problem. It’ll also keep the Vero family nervous trying to figure it out also. Being worried about losing your dick is a big distraction,” I reply in between bites.
“Sex trafficking kids? Fucking hell, Drew. They didn’t die hard enough if you ask me,” Les barks into the phone.
“That feeling will triple if you ever get the pleasure of meeting Bella. The club saved her from that fate. Then a member adopted her. Beautiful, kind, and smart. Sad that a girl like her wasn’t wanted by her own mother, so she was sold to the highest bidder.”
“I think I’d like your club brothers. Sound like good people. Hope to meet them someday,” Les says.
“That’s something we need to talk about. Things are going to heat up around here, and I’d rather you, Mom, and Aria aren’t caught in the crossfire. I’m going to text you an address and instructions. Delete all of it after you’ve memorized it, though. If something happens to me, take the women and go there. You—”
“I’m not leaving you here alone. We can send Mom and Aria, but I’m staying,” Les interrupts me.
“If something happens to me, Les. Not now. If any of you three disappear, they’ll assume you’re in on the coup, so we can’t do anything to make them suspicious.”
“What are you planning for tomorrow?” Les questions.
“Nothing for a few days. Letting their suspicious natures make them paranoid. Paranoia plays heavy on the mind, and soon they’ll all start doubting each other.”
“Dad called today. He just wanted to check on Mom and Aria. He said the same thing you did, basically. Said not to arouse their suspicions by leaving town. Also said he has no idea as to what’s going on,” Les informs me.
“That must be irritating for him. Things are going down, and he’s not being kept informed even though he still works for them from the inside,” I say in a snarky tone.
“I get your anger with him, Drew. I get mad all over again some days, but he’s still our dad. He still loves all of us. He took your death hard,” Les gently reprimands.
“He was training us to be killers, Les. He’s doing life in prison for his actions and yet wanted us to become just like him. I do love him, but I’m bitter about his choices and how they kept me from you, Mom, and Aria all these years. It confuses my head and my heart because I missed out on having my family, and yet because of him, I made another family I love just as much. I broke Lucy’s heart and my own to fix mistakes I never made,” I reply adamantly.
The silence stretches between us before Les quietly breaks it.
“I know, Drew. We’ve paid for his choices, and it’s not fair. When he went to prison, the family made it clear that we were to stay put, stay under their watchful eye. We’ve lived with them hanging over our heads for years now. Mom was ordered to stay married and stay supportive of Dad. The family didn’t want Dad to go over the edge if Mom were to leave him. He might talk, and they couldn’t have that. I think that’s part of the reason Dad still does work on the inside for them. To protect Mom from them. They don’t dare touch her, or he could turn against them, but it’s like walking a tightrope. They could decide to have Dad taken out, and at that point, Mom has no value. Jesus Christ, why couldn’t he have just been a car salesman?”
I couldn’t agree more.
Over the next several weeks, I make the Vero crime family’s life hard by doing what I call hit-and-runs. After doing one, I’d lay low, usually changing hotels, for several days before going after another member in another manner. Using the long ago learned lessons of my father, I’ve caused a lot of chaos for a family of criminals that like to hide in the shadows. Thanks to me, they’re right out on Front Street for the world to see.
Sitting outside at a small coffee café, I keep my sunglasses on and hat pulled low. I wait patiently, sipping my coffee, eyes on the sidewalk on the other side of the street. When I see what I’m here to see, my heart literally stops for a few beats.
My sister, Aria, walking with another female, has her head up and her eyes carefully watching her surroundings. She’s not obvious about it, but I know—knew—her tells very well. It seems they haven’t changed since I last saw her. While her companion chatters on, oblivious to the world around her, Aria has already clocked that she has a tail.
I move my eyes to the two men sitting in a car and watch them to be sure they’re only here to observe Aria. Les mentioned that all three of them are tailed from time to time, and today seems to be Aria’s turn. The family is keeping tabs on whoever they consider a possible asset and/or threat.
I look back to my sister and duck my head a little more when she and her friend cross the street, heading toward me. They pass my table by mere feet before entering the café. Glancing carefully at the men, I find them parked and waiting for Aria to reappear. I casually zip up my hoodie and pull the hood over my hat blocking my profile. Holding my phone like I’m scrolling through it, I snap a picture of the men.
I hold my breath when Aria exits the café with her friend and a large container of coffee, then takes a seat at the table in front of me. Aria sits facing away from me, and I start breathing again.
“I don’t think he’s a very good hygienist. We could find a better one if we tried,” the blond woman with my sister says.
“You only feel that way because he dumped you. You thought he was a great hygienist when you two were dating,” Aria replies flatly.
“That’s not true! I’m just not sure our patients are comfortable with a male hygienist!”
“Not true. We’ve never had a single complaint about him, and he’s a great addition to the practice. Maybe if you didn’t foolishly hook up with a co-worker, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. Ruining someone’s career because you made a mistake is beyond wrong, Allison,” Aria states in a calm but serious tone.
“It would just be easier to let him move on to a different job,” the blond says in a whiny voice. “It’s just too uncomfortable with him there now.”
“That’s a ‘you’ problem. Not a ‘me’ problem. We agreed that we’d never date within the office. You did, and this is the consequence. I’m heading back to the office. I have a 12:45 appointment. You coming?” Aria asks while standing with her cup in hand.
“We’re not done having this conversation, Aria!”
“I am. See you later,” Aria states before walking away.
After a moment’s hesitation, the blond hurries to catch up to Aria, and I watch them walk back the way they had come. Within a minute, the car with the men follows at a distance. I don’t move for several minutes. Not until I can no longer see my beautiful sister and not until I can breathe normally again. The pain of being so close and yet not being able to talk with her is overwhelming. Not having her in my life has been impossibly hard. I had to train my mind to treat it like a death just to survive it myself. When it’s possible to move, I leave the area, walking several blocks to my car.
I need to finish things, and soon, because I need my family safe.
“The photo is the same as the first one you sent me. Those men are all soldiers for the Vero family. I’m not positive on who is aligned with what members, though. All are dangerous,” Les says. “If they’re following other members around, then your assumption is correct. There really is a takeover being planned. Your deeds will be blamed on other members and cause total chaos. Perfect timing for you to be here now.”
“Yeah,” I agree before saying what’s really on my mind. “I saw Aria today. She’s beautiful. Looks so much like Mom.”
“Yes, she does. They’re close. Mom’s usually the only one who can get through to Aria when she shuts down. I spend a lot of time at the house, but she doesn’t open up to me like she does with Mom.”
“It hurts my soul to know she’s become so different than the sister we grew up with. I hate that I’m to blame for that,” I quietly say into the phone.
“You’re not to blame. You had no choice but to run, and us still being alive is proof of that. Circumstances are the cause, but hopefully, with you back here, she’ll return to the person we used to know.”
“With everything going on, maybe you should move back home. I don’t think it would raise suspicion within the family at all,” I state.
“I was planning on talking to you about that. I can pack a few bags after work today. I’d feel better being there with them.”
“Good. They won’t think anything of it, will they?”
“Not at all. Mom called me earlier and said that Aria’s nervous about Leonardo on top of all that’s happening, so that’s reason enough.”
“Okay, brother. I’ll let you get back to work. Talk later,” I say before disconnecting.
I grab my wallet, hat, and hoodie before making my way to my car. I need to drive a few towns over and restock supplies. It’s time to dye my hair again, buy snacks, more burner phones, and the other necessary items to continue my reign of hell.
Moving to a different hotel, I go through my normal routine. When finished, I make my way to the bathroom. Not long after, I’m a ginger-haired man, eyebrows and all. Looking in the mirror, I realize how much weight I’ve lost since leaving Denver. I look nothing like the man that left there. Even my usual smile is missing.
Once again, I find myself prone on a rooftop. It takes me several minutes to find the correct home from the distance between us. I don’t like what I’m about to do, but I see no way around it. I need them to be distracted, paranoid, and going after each other so I don’t have to do all the work of breaking down their crime syndicate.
Peering through the high-powered scope, I watch for the person I’m targeting today. Normally, I’d never do this kind of thing during the daytime, but I want them to never feel safe. Patiently, I wait.
When the FBI agent in charge of the Chicago division appears in view, I’m not completely surprised. The fact that he’s taking a poolside seat with a capo from the Vero family proves little. He could be a friend or there as an investigator. I doubt the latter, but it’s possible, and I don’t like jumping to conclusions. Also, it matters little to me or my mission.
I wait until both men are sitting comfortably with their drinks in hand before I place the crosshairs where I want the bullet to hit. Its deadly force tears through the top of the table sitting between the two men. While both men are diving for cover, I pump two more rounds into the pool.
Once again, I break down my rifle, secure the strap of its case over my shoulder before leaving my perch. Since the house I’m sitting on is secluded from view of the other homes and it’s vacant, I take my time getting to the ground behind the garage. Using the back entrance, I enter the garage, stow my gear in my car, and calmly back out. Driving down the residential street, I don’t notice a single person looking around in surprise or suspicion. This is Chicago. Hearing a few gunshots is not uncommon, and most people prefer to mind their own business. As for home security cameras, if they look for anything, they’ll find the lenses have been spray-painted black.
I take a long, circuitous route back to the hotel, always watching for a tail. When I find none, I return to my temporary room. I wait until dark before walking the parking lot until I find a car sitting by itself, and I exchange license plates with it. No sense in not taking every precaution, so I exchange plates often.
Returning to my room, I flip on the TV and find an action movie. I’m trying to keep my mind busy because I know what the date is today, and it’s been eating at me. Today is Pooh and Pippa’s wedding, and I’m hundreds of miles away. I won’t get to see her walking down the aisle toward her future and one of my best friends. I won’t get to celebrate their big day or see Craig’s face when he realizes he finally has a dad to be proud of. I won’t get to see Tammy’s tears of joy or the ones that Trigger will try to hide.
Worse yet, I know Ava and Taja must have had their babies by now, and I’m not there to welcome them to their new world. I’ve said a prayer every day since I left that both have healthy babies and easy deliveries. I’ve worried about Taja and Vex, especially since their earlier tragedy.
Trying to pull my mind back to the movie, I know it’s not much use. The memories and worries are flooding my system, and I’m helpless to stop them. Has Tessie made the clubhouse a drive-thru yet? Has Bella told anyone other than me about why she’s saving her money? Does Craig know that he’ll have to attend regular school soon? Has Mac found his stash of cashews in Axel’s garage yet? Did Ivy’s brother leave her life, or is he still causing her issues? Has Lucy moved on to a new man, one who doesn’t mislead her with lies? Does she hate me? Will she ever forgive me?
Jumping off the bed, I know I must leave the room and find something to busy myself with before I call her and beg her to wait for me. It wouldn’t be fair since I don’t even know if I’ll be alive past tonight, but the urge to ask that of her is great. I gave up so much, but hope is hard to kill. There’s a part of me that hopes she’ll wait for me forever, in case I can survive this, but I know how selfish that is, and she deserves so much more.
I get into my car and leave the hotel behind. Sleep is not going to come, so I may as well get some surveillance done. Twenty minutes later, I find myself outside a nightclub that holds the person I’m most curious about. While the nightclub is probably nice inside, it’s situated in a sketchy neighborhood.
I find a safe spot for the car, then stick to the shadows to return to the back lot of the nightclub. I watch as people come and go for a few hours before the ones leaving far outnumber those coming. The music is finally cut off, and I know it’s closing time. Dozens of people pour out and drunkenly make their way to cars. When there are only a few cars left, I move into a shadow close to the car I’ve been watching all night.
Two men exit the building, with one locking the door behind him while the other is engrossed in his phone.
“Night, boss,” the man who locked the door says before walking to a crotch-rocket-type motorcycle.
“Night. See you tomorrow,” Leonardo says as he leans against his car, still looking at his phone.
Motorcycle guy starts his bike, revs the engine a few times before blasting out of the lot. My plans change instantly when I look around and know that we’re completely alone. I secure my hood and pounce.
“What the fu—” he shouts before my fist makes his words end on a groan.
When he hits the ground, I lean down and deliver a few more hard blows to his face. While he’s stunned, I run my hands over him and remove the gun tucked into his shoulder holster. Tossing it aside, I commence the ass-whooping of a lifetime. Fists and feet, I give no mercy.
When he stops moving, unconscious but alive, I pick up his gun and phone. Holding it near his face, the phone comes to life. I quickly go to settings, set a pin code, and shut off location. I pocket the phone, stick the gun in the back of my jeans and then pull his wallet, a burner phone, and keys from his pocket.
Popping open his trunk, I drag him to it and then muscle his body inside. I close the trunk, go to the driver’s door and climb inside. Starting the car, I drive it a block over to another parking lot of a vacant business. Pulling out a knife, I stab two tires. Jogging back to the nightclub, I use his keys to enter it. I make quick work of smashing bottles of alcohol before setting it ablaze. Once again, using the shadows for cover, I return to my car and drive away.
Leonardo will need to spend his time healing and not plotting on how to force my sister into marriage.
Returning to my room, I pull out his two phones. They’re a wealth of information that I can use to my advantage. Names, numbers, some addresses, and a lot of texts of associates in the criminal world. It’s also clear that Leonardo is in on the plan to take over the family to better his position.
Sleep may come easier now that I’ve gotten in a workout.