Chapter 14
First Job
Oni
I’m so nervous. Tonight is my first job. We’ve been training for it for a week and a half now. Rico also insisted I learn how to actually shoot a gun.
I’ve gotten a lot better at that. I’m not nervous about what I need to do. I’m nervous about failing. I don’t want to disappoint Rico or his dad.
“You’ve got this,” I murmur to my reflection then blow out a breath.
I smooth my hands over the gold bodycon dress I’m wearing and have to blink a few times to make sure I’m looking at myself. I look nothing like the sixteen-year-old girl who rode the bus here to Miami. I look like I’m in my twenties.
Emilia helped me take out my braids as we all thought they were too distinctive and risky. A Black girl with braids would be a dead giveaway. My hair is now in full, deep waves flowing down just below my shoulder blades.
A makeup artist came in to do my makeup, giving me a natural-looking glow. The red lipstick makes my lips pop with an ombre effect. My lashes make my eyes stand out as well.
“Hey, you. Uncle Freddy is looking for you,” Emilia says as she pops her head into the room.
I nod at my reflection, then turn to face her. Her mouth pops open and she steps fully into the room.
“Holy shit. You look amazing. Rico is going to lose his shit.”
I reach to tug at the hem of the dress. I’m starting to feel self-conscious. I’m not sure how Rico is going to react to this new look.
“Here goes nothing,” I breathe out.
“You should totally be a model.”
“Ha, I’m five-five. Who’s letting me on their runaway?”
“There are more than runway models, Oni. Trust me, you would stay booked. I know a few people if you ever want to give it a shot,” she says.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“What do you want to do?”
“You mean when I grow up?”
“Yeah, like, I know I’m going to be married off to be a trophy wife. I’m not going to get to follow any real dream, but what do you have planned? What do you want to be?”
I take a moment to think her question over. I haven’t thought much about what I want for the future. I’ve been living day by day.
Talking to my mom in the last few days, I get that this is something she would like me to focus on. To make her happy, I am going to figure my shit out. This would be a good place to start.
“I don’t know. I’ve never really thought about it.”
“You’re smart and beautiful. The sky is the limit. I think whatever you decide, you’re going to be great.”
I hug her around the waist and lean my head against her. “Aw, thank you.”
“I mean it. The more I get to know you, the more I know you’re a lot more than everyone thinks. You’re going to shock the world, Oni Raven. You’re going to be a force in a world that doesn’t see you coming.”
We stop outside Mr. Gallo’s study and Emilia pulls me into a hug. I give her a squeeze. She’s become such a good friend over the last week and a half.
“Well, I guess I’ll see you at the party. He’s waiting inside for you.”
“Thanks,” I say.
I move to knock on the study door before walking in. Mr. Gallo has been true to his word. When I’m not training for these jobs we’re going to pull, he has taken me under his wing.
I know more about the Gallo business than I ever thought I would. Fredrico is a calculating man. I can see why Rico is the way he is.
They see things in a way others don’t. I find myself feeling more like an apprentice than an assistant. Emilia is right, because I’m a girl, Fredrico’s business connections speak freely in front of me like I’m not even there.
After meetings, Fredrico always asks what I have learned. It always reminds me of my dad and how he taught me to be observant. When I’m with Fredrico, I often think of my dad and miss him.
“Come in,” Mr. Gallo calls from the other side of the door.
I open the door and poke my head inside. He’s standing facing the window, looking out into the backyard. I move inside and close the door behind me.
He turns to face me, and his mouth falls open. I reach to touch my hair and then smooth my hands down the front of my dress. A little frown comes to my lips as I wonder if I look bad. Maybe I picked the wrong dress for the night.
He clears his throat. “How you doing, Oni?”
“I’m fine, just a little nervous.”
“You look gorgeous, sweetheart. I wanted to talk to you before we head out.”
“Thank you. What can I do for you?”
“It’s what I can do for you. You don’t have to do this tonight. We can go with our plan B.”
“No, I want to do this.”
“Why?”
I sigh and think of my talk with Emilia just moments ago. It all revolves around the same thing. My mom.
“If I only did one job, that would be enough to pay my own way to boarding school. My mom doesn’t want me to come back to New York. Not to stay.
“But the schools she wants me to go to are so expensive. I don’t want her to have that burden. I know she’s going to do everything she can for me to have better, but that’s not right. She shouldn’t work herself like that.
“If I can do this, if I can earn the money, I can go to one of those schools and put distance between me and all the things that haven’t been steering me in the right direction,” I reply.
Fredrico stares at me for a moment. I stand trying not to fidget under his gaze. I appreciate him wanting to give me an out. However, I’m going to follow through for my future.
He opens his mouth to speak, but a knock comes at the door. I turn as the door opens. Rico steps into the room and we both freeze as we look at each other.
Man, he’s killing that suit. The blowout his hair is in looks sharp, as if he has a fresh cut. Which he could because I haven’t seen him since this morning.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Rico breathes as he pulls a hand down his face.
Rico
I can’t breathe. I mean, damn. My brain stops working for a moment.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I manage to say as I find some air.
I instantly regret the words. Oni drops her head and looks away from me. Feeling like a dick, I move into the room and stand in front of her. I reach beneath her hair to grasp her neck.
She lifts her gaze to mine, and I lean in to take her lips. I can’t help myself. I kiss her like it’s the first and last time I ever will.
It isn’t until she whimpers into my mouth that I release her and allow us both to catch our breath. I look down at her, searching her face. She’s so beautiful and has no idea how gorgeous she truly is.
“I didn’t think you could get more beautiful than you already were. It’s going to kill me not to be by your side tonight. Promise me, when this is all over, you’ll spend some time hanging out with me. Just me and you,” I say as I gather my thoughts.
We spend a lot of time together, but not enough time alone. My cousins or Pop are always around. I don’t think there’s been a time when we haven’t been surrounded. She hasn’t spent the night with me again since being totally embarrassed by my dad.
I want to change that. Some time just for us. A moment for her to get to know how much I’ve fallen for her in such a short time.
“Promise.”
“That’s enough, youse two. Oni, I want to finish our talk later. Remember, you have options.”
I look up at my father and give him a curious look. I had come in here to let him know the team is ready to go. I hadn’t expected to find Oni in here with him.
“Everyone is in place. Ed is going to ride with Oni. He has a cape for you to cover your dress and the burner phone. I’ll text when our targets arrive. You get the cars, get them into the truck, and Al will bring you to the party after. Any questions?”
“No, I think I’ve got it.”
“Good. If anything feels off or you’re not sure you can make a move without a problem, you walk. Don’t try to be a hero, baby. You are more important to me.”
“I’ll be fine. I’ll see you at the party.”
I lean in and kiss her cheek. I’m regretting this more and more. I’m almost tempted to call it all off. When I pull away, she looks up at me and laughs.
“What?”
“You have lipstick all over your mouth.”
She reaches up to wipe it away. I grin and pull out a spare handkerchief to hand to her so she can clean her hand. Pop walks over and claps me on the back.
“Oni, why don’t you go find Eduardo. I need to have a few words with my son.”
“Yes, sir,” she says and turns to leave.
I reach to grab her arm to stop her. Swiftly, I lean in for one more kiss on her cheek. Then I lean into her ear to whisper.
“You’re gorgeous. Be safe, baby. I’ve got you. I always do.”
She looks up into my eyes and smiles, then gives me a nod. Releasing her, I allow her to leave and turn back to my pop.
“Are you sure about this? We can call it off,” he says once Oni has left the room.
“They’re waiting. Everything is set. The first half of the payment has been made. I think we’ve got this. I’m confident the team can pull this off. I trust everyone involved.”
“Do you trust yourself not to expose her? Oni must look like my assistant as I have been establishing her over the last week and a half. You can’t reveal how much she means to you, our organization, or this job. Are you ready for this?”
“I am. I told you, I’ve got this, Pop. I’m not going to endanger her or the business.”
“Good, you should know Emilio plans to be there tonight.”
“Fuck,” I growl and ball my fists.
“He’s not going to get in the way, but he will be watching you and Oni. I just think you should be careful. He’s watching you more closely and you don’t want to make any wrong moves.”
“Thanks for the heads-up. Let’s get this over with. The boys at the warehouse will have to work overnight to pull this off.”
“My boys are ready at the docks as soon as it’s done,” he says.
“Sounds good.”
***
Me: Last target in the room. Go time.
Oni: Locked in. In progress.
I nod at my phone then put it away and refocus on the room. These motherfuckers deserve what’s about to happen. Each one of the targets has wronged me or my family in some way. Payback is a bitch.
It’s not like they don’t have insurance for the rides they’re about to lose. Some will take longer to replace, but it is what it is. I’m getting top dollar for the whips and the product that will be shipped with them.
Once the VIN numbers are wiped, no one will ever know we took them. I’m killing two birds with one stone. If the cars are searched when they reach their destination, the product will be in hidden compartments that will be impossible to find.
The cars are so expensive and heading to individuals no one wants to piss off, so even if they’re suspicious about what might be hidden in them, they’re not going to take them apart to confirm their suspicions.
The product will be taken out and transported before delivery to the new owners—newly customized with fresh papers.
“There you are,” Uncle Emilio croons. “I have someone I want you to meet.”
I turn to my uncle, and my head nearly explodes. Why the fuck is she here? This is the last thing I need right now.
“Juliana Abato, this is my nephew—”
“No need for introductions. We’ve already met,” I grind out.
“Good to see you again, Rico. I was so excited when your uncle invited me out for a few weeks. I’m looking forward to spending some time with you,” Juliana says in that obnoxious voice of hers.
Just fucking great.