Chapter 7 #2
“Okay, but what about the two of you?” Imani directs at her parents.
Albert speaks up first. “Andres called saying he had a private jet waiting on us and we needed to get over here.”
“I get Nolan, Marco and Reese but did you really have to send for the Chief of Police? I’m sure we are out of his jurisdiction.” Axl says thinking the same as me.
“Lincoln is here because I called him. You’ll find out as to why in just a few.” Romano responds with a smirk.
“Very well, Father.” Axl counters for the first time calling Andres father in front of everyone.
“Oh, I like that. Can I call you father too?” Monica beams.
Andres chuckles. “Of course, daughter.” He then summons Luna. “Luna, vuoi mostrare le signore alle camere extra, per favore (Luna, will you show the ladies to the extra rooms, please)?”
“Sì, signor Romano (Yes, Mr. Romano).” She replies with her motherly smile.
“Chiedi alla sicurezza di portare i loro bagagli (Have security bring their luggage in).” He instructs before turning to the ladies. “Ladies if you will follow Luna, she will show you to your rooms. Gentlemen if you will follow me.”
“What about the children?” Axl questions.
“I will stay and watch over them.” Granny states.
“I will stay too.” Maxillo offers.
“Thank you.” Andres says to them both before the ladies follow Luna and we follow him to his office.
Once we are seated in the office, Andres closes the door then goes to lean against the front of his desk. He glances at each of us before he starts.
“First off, I wanted to say that with everything going on I knew the three of you, Axl, Felix and Adam, would want Nolan, Marco and Reese here. They have made sure business will be ran accordantly while they are here. Second, let me ask you young fellows have you ever heard of The Four Corners?”
Axl, Adam, Zo, Nolan, Marco, Reese and I peer at each other. When I was younger, I used to hear stories about The Four Corners being the fiercest men who ran our town. No one knew who they were so like everyone else I thought it was just stories made up by the local crackheads.
“I heard they were just a myth.” Zo says.
Andres and the older gentlemen chuckle. “I assure you they were not a myth. Boys, let me introduce you to the original Four Corners...Albert, Edgar, Lincoln and lastly yours truly.”
What the fuck?! I glance at Axl whose face I’m sure looks just as shocked as mine. Adam and the others stare on in disbelief.
“You’ve got to be shitting me.” Axl whispers.
“No, son I shit you not.” Andres states shaking his head.
“But there is five of you.” Adam says.
“Yes, because James was like the go between for us.” Edgar informs before lighting up a cigar.
“This can’t be real.” Axl sighs still stunned.
“It’s real, son. How about they tell you their stories? You already know mine.” Andres remarks. “Edgar, let’s start with yours.”
Edgar blows out a huge puff of smoke before saying, “I ran the eastside and ran it with an iron fist that is until my son got hooked on the shit and I had to give it up to take care of my granddaughter. Andres and I have been friends for an awfully long time so when Keirra got involved with Felix and I found out he had ties with Andres, I knew I didn’t have to worry about her. ”
I study Edgar intently before asking, “So, when Granny said the two of you have been over here before, it was for business not a vacation?”
Edgar gives him a toothy smile. “It was a bit of both. The Corners needed to come over here to handle some business and since Estelle and I never had a honeymoon, I figured why not kill two birds with one stone.”
“Well played.” I respond smiling back at him.
“Albert” Andres urges.
“I ran the westside. I had the purest shit and nobody could fuck with my territory. I gave it up after I let my son, Xavier, join me, we were father and son duo but then he shot an innocent bystander which landed him in jail. I regret it to this day that I let him into the life. Janet and I knew it was time for me to let it go. I got involved with the church and thank God everyday he spared my life on those streets. Andres was my business partner back then. Just like Edgar when I found out Imani was dating Adam; I knew he would handle that prick Spencer and she was in good hands.”
Andres nods then turns to Lincoln. “Lincoln...”
Lincoln grins wide. “Yeah, I’m the Chief of Police. The head over all of our city and no, my jurisdiction does not extend over here which is probably in all of our best interests.”
“So, you’re the Chief of Police over the entire city?” Axl wondered.