Chapter 34 – Michael
Chapter Thirty-Four
Michael
We have a big problem. Myra sits on the porch with me while the thunderstorm picks up. I hold her hand and silently promise myself that I’ll never put her in this position again.
“Luigi called. I need to go to Pittsburgh.”
She looks up at me with those gentle brown eyes that I fell in love with when she first began to tutor my sister.
“Everything isn’t okay with CC, is it?”
I might have no longer had a mandate from my father to look after CC, but my uncle Leandro made it clear that it was my responsibility to keep her in check and out of trouble.
I know she enrolled in McGill and for a while, she reported back to me about her classes and grades.
Decent attendance. A solid group of friends.
She even had a love affair, which I wasn’t allowed to judge her for apparently, even if she ends up with a Canadian woman.
If my father were alive, he wouldn’t really care for all of this “bisexual” stuff, but the truth is that I don’t mind as long as she applies herself to something that’s not degenerate and criminal.
But she hasn’t replied to my messages in a week and now…
Luigi called. I have to humble myself because I swore to Myra that this was my sister simply losing her will to live like she normally does whenever she has to apply consistent effort at something.
Unlike Myra, I have a grim recollection of those French lessons.
“No. Most likely not.”
“Michael…”
“I know. You were right.”
My fingers touch Myra’s and they naturally weave together without us moving our hands very much. We have a natural gravitation towards each other that’s difficult to beat. I want to put her in the back of my car and drive her to Pittsburgh for this rescue mission, but I can’t knowing what I know.
“How long will you be gone?”
Again, I wish I could give her a definitive answer.
I don’t know for certain how long I’ll be gone.
I just know that I’ll miss Myra every night that I’m gone.
We spent too long apart and even if I never stopped loving her all that time.
I would have done anything to get her in my bed again if I’d just known what happened to her in the past and that my family was at the root of it.
“As long as it takes to bring CC back.”
“Do you think she went of her own free will?” Myra asks, clearly suspicious that I’m once again responsible for trampling all over my sister’s autonomy.
“No. Luigi just got intelligence from one of the twins that the Pittsburgh mob made a play for all of our sisters. Mass kidnapping.”
“Were they all together?”
“No. That makes it worse. Luigi tried to contact Angela, but he only got a hold of Lewis who told him that he left Angela three months ago for a male lead position in the San Francisco ballet.”
“What would the people in Pittsburgh want with your sister? Aren’t you all family technically?”
“Not technically. We’re first cousins. The head of the mob down there was my father’s brother.”
“But he died,” Myra says, clearly confused by the cross-weaving and complicated connections that are second nature for any Italian in our family to keep track of. I treasure her innocent ignorance of those mob related matters. She rests her head on my shoulder.
My beautiful wife. Pregnant once again with my child. And she hasn’t complained once about the fact that she warned me against finishing inside of her because we both never wanted a huge family. I just couldn’t resist Myra’s soft, plump ass cheeks as I watched my cock disappearing inside of her.
We’re following up our miracle baby with another one, so it feels especially wrong leaving her during this sensitive time.
“Yes. He died. And there has been somewhat of a power grab in Pittsburgh. Leandro was pretty sure he solved this problem.”
I can’t tell her much more than that, but the only reason I haven’t called the boss tonight is to do Luigi a favor. Thunder cracks loudly in the distance and we see lightning across the orchards outside. Myra leans in closer. She doesn’t want me to leave and I can’t say I relish leaving her behind.
“What could they want with the women in your family?”
“Marriage. Babies. Power. Women are people, yes… but they make excellent pawns in a turf war.”
“We’re in America and this isn’t The Godfather. There shouldn’t be any turf wars. CC should be studying for her exams and worried about how to have a healthy relationship.”
“I’m going to solve this problem, not make it worse. If there’s anything I can do to convince them to give my sister up, I will. I’m not my father, Myra. And while I took a vow to serve Leandro’s wishes… I can make hard choices to protect my family.”
She shivers knowingly and I hold her closer, hating that she feels scared of me, even if I understand that I’m a terrifying man.
“Promise me to bring CC home.”
“I promise…”
The Group Chat
Renzo: Gino and I are near their warehouse. Searching parking lot for evidence.
Luigi: 10 minutes out.
Michael: Any word on Flora?
Gino: She texted. She’s fine. Peter tracked her down last week and she’s his responsibility now.
Michael: I’ll be there soon. 5 hours. Saying goodbye to the missus.