Phantom of the Mafia (The Four Families)

Chapter 1

Chapter

One

Fox

I told Bear not to eat the leftovers in the fridge.

It could've been the three-week-old chicken enchilada or the chicken shawarma from two nights ago. The contents looked the same and it wasn’t worth the risk.

But my best friend hasn’t listened to me once in the fifteen years we’ve known each other, so why would it be any different now?

I also suggested to him not to take his motorcycle to work either, and again, we’re two for two.

All of a sudden now he doesn’t think driving with his ass out is a good idea, he paid a ride share guy $50 to get him home at illegal speeds.

So, while he is doing unholy things to our shared bathroom, I’m stuck finishing his work and riding his bike back to our place.

The elevator opens to the lobby of the building.

I work in one of the many skyscrapers with an array of businesses, no rhyme or reason from a podcast studio to a dentist. I guess management doesn’t care as long as they pay rent on time.

That’s when I see her across the way. Her heels echo on the tile floor.

She’s wearing a flowy dress that’s probably a little too short for the office.

There’s a little bounce when she walks. I’m one hundred percent sure I don’t do that when I walk.

She heads out the glass doors and turns left. Same way I’m going. Bear parked his motorcycle in the Gateway Garage. It’s only two blocks away and the weather is fine, if not a little chilly.

By the time I leave the building, she’s already at the corner.

I should go talk to her, but why? And what would I have to say?

“Hi, I think you’re cute. If you can handle the social awkwardness, then I can make you forget all other men exist for a few hours.

” Hmm, not bad. I'll workshop that with Bear.

She crosses the street, barely making it before the crosswalk shines the red hand. Brave girl. I’ll never catch up to her now. It was a fleeting fantasy anyway.

Rapid movement catches my eye and three men cross the road from the other side. It’s their pace, too fast, too focused.

The light changes and I start to follow.

My gaze shifts from her pink dress to the men yelling something.

I can’t make out what they’re saying, they aren’t speaking English.

She picks up the pace, rushing through another light.

The red hand doesn’t stop these guys as they hurry across the street, clearly following her.

My heart starts beating and tiny surges of adrenaline course through my veins.

She’s now on the verge of power walking and I’m not waiting for the light to change.

As soon as I see a free space, I dash across the street.

She turns into the Gateway Garage. They start moving quicker. I’m never going to catch up to them, but the motorcycle might.