Chapter 46
Chapter
Forty-Six
Luna
I wish the events of the past forty-eight hours were all a dream, but the harsh morning light slicing through my bedroom window in my new apartment reminds me otherwise.
I trudge to the bathroom and use the toilet. Washing my hands, I look at myself in the mirror. My queen tattoo reflects back at me in cruel mockery, and the words “I’m good enough” get stuck in my throat.
I’m not a queen in a game of kings, but a pawn. Used by everyone in my life for their own endgame.
But Vince? His betrayal hurts the worst, because I let it happen. Fucking watched myself make the biggest blunder—falling in love with him—and then acted surprised when the man checkmated me.
I move to my new kitchen, rummaging through the cabinets until I find a box of cereal. Grabbing the milk from the fridge, I pour myself a bowl. Milk first, like a psycho, apparently. Taking a seat in the eerily quiet kitchen, I bring the spoon to my mouth, making a face.
It tastes…bland.
I fling my cereal bowl across the kitchen; it crashes against the wall, with milk splattering everywhere.
Screaming in frustration, I march over to the mess, squatting down and picking up a jagged piece of the broken bowl. The urge to cut myself becomes overwhelming.
I drop it and grab my phone from the table, calling Nicky.
“Morning.” She answers.
“I want to cut myself so bad,” I whisper.
“Do you have something sharp in your hand right now?” she asks calmly.
“No.”
“Good. Is there an object in the room?”
“Yes.”
“I want you to go into another room so we can talk about it.”
I walk to the living room, taking a seat on my new couch. “Okay.”
“Good. Is Vince with you?”
“No. I’m at my new apartment. Vince is out of my life.” I choke up on the last part.
“What?” Nicky asks on a gasp.
“He betrayed me,” I whisper. “I thought he cared about me, but he was using me.”
“Do you want me to let Mercutio loose on him?” The dog barks in the background.
I choke on a laugh. Or maybe it’s a sob.
“Hey, Luna. Everything’s going to be alright,” she says gently once I’ve gotten myself under control.
“How do you know that?” I dab my eyes.
“Is the urge gone?”
I let out a breath. “Yeah.”
“I know because you rode the wave and didn’t cut yourself. Mercutio’s standing at the ready if you change your mind.”
“Thanks, Nicky.”
“Any time.”
I return to the kitchen and clean up my tantrum . Searching for something else to eat, I find a box of frozen waffles.
Heating one up in the microwave, I plate it and grab the maple syrup, butter, and blueberries. I try to make an angry emoji face, but it turns out looking more like a sad emoji.
Vince
After a stop at the bank and the realtor’s office, I arrive at the boss’s house. Nicky’s there to greet me at the front door with her hands on her hips, guard dog by her side.
“I should let Mercutio rip you to shreds,” she says, and the dog growls.
“You should,” I agree.
“Why did you break her heart?” Nicky demands.
“Because I’m no good.”
“Jesus Christ, the two of you,” she mutters, letting me inside. “Don’t talk about yourself like that.”
I smile sadly. “I need to meet with the boss.”
“You could make this right,” she calls after me.
I’ve already made it right by letting Luna go.
Reaching the boss’s office, I knock, and he beckons me to enter.
“Vince, I didn’t know you were in Newark. What do I owe this visit?” Romeo asks, motioning to the chair .
“Vince.” Sam nods at me in greeting.
I take a seat and get right to the point. “Sam, boss, I want out.”
“Out of what?” Romeo cocks his head in confusion.
“Out of the family.”
Sam spits out his coffee. “Excuse me. I must have heard that wrong.”
“Vince, what are you going on about?” Romeo asks, leaning back in his chair.
“I’ve paid off Luna’s debt. She’s no longer associated with the family, and I won’t have anyone saying otherwise.”
“Fine, so the girl’s out.” Romeo waves his hand. “Come up with another racket and get with Fabio for approval.”
“You’re not understanding me. I’m out too.”
Romeo laughs darkly. “Vince, you know the only way out’s a body bag.”
“That would be true, but my case is different. I was sponsored by Uncle Joseph, who never wanted me in the family. I lost my left eye because of him, and he pulled the wool over my right…”
Vince, eighteen-years old
“Vince, I wish you’d go to a doctor.” Mrs. Poloski worries when I drop off Aldo.
“A little fender bender. I’ll be fine,” I lie, the entire left side of my face swollen and bruised, my head throbbing. More concerning, though, is the random bursts of light in my left eye popping off like fireworks .
“Aldo, I’ll see you after my shift.” I kiss my brother on the top of his head before walking to the bus stop. Already sold my car, so that will pay the rent for a couple of months, but after that, I need a plan. Working minimum wage isn’t going to cut it.
A car pulls up to the curb jarring me from my thoughts, and all the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. “Vince, I need to talk to you. Get in.” Uncle Joseph calls.
I consider running, but it’s only a matter of time before he tracks me down. And odds are if he was going to kill me, he would’ve already finished the job.
Rising, I saunter over to the vehicle, trying to play it cool. “What’s left that needs to be said?” I lean in the window with my arms crossed.
“I’m not going to talk business on the street,” he counters. “Get in.”
My heart’s beating like a drum, but I ignore it as I open the door and slide into the passenger seat.
He moves the car, finding a spot on the street and putting it in park. Looking over to me, he says, “Vince, I’m not too proud to admit when I’ve made a mistake. I was too hard on you. I’m sorry.”
“Okay,” I say, my right eye going wide. Left eye can’t because it’s still too fucked up.
“I want you back. As head bookmaker and manager of operations. And in six months the family’s books open. Prove to me you’re as valuable as I think you are, and there’s a seat for you at the table.”
It’s everything I’ve ever wanted…there’s gotta be a catch. “What’ll it cost me? My other eye?”
“I’m sorry, my boy. We’ll have Doc Caruso take a look at you.”
“Here’s the thing: I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around this, because you were wrapping a baseball bat around my head three days ago.”
Uncle Joseph sighs. “Look, Rob’s out. He was skimming from the top, and I need someone I can trust. Dammit, Vince, I know you’ve got a heart and that’s why you didn’t do what I asked. I overreacted, alright? Come back, and I’ll make it worth your while. Bring your brother with you. We need another runner.” He holds up a thick envelope stuffed with hundreds.
“I never told you I had a brother.” There’s a nagging feeling in my gut, but I don’t know what it is.
“Saw the kid running slips and asked around. The crowd loved him! It’s a package deal: you and him. Think about both your futures. I’ll give you some time to consider. Now, where to? I’ll give you a lift.”
My vision having gone completely out in my left eye, I snatch the envelope from him. “Take me to Doc Caruso’s.”
“Attaboy,” Uncle Joseph says with a smile in his voice.