Mobster's Girl (16 page)

My mind is reeling, processing.
Does Megan
know? She can’t possibly know. What do I do?
Part of me is
still rip shit at this guy. . He betrayed me and lied to me. The
part of me that is still mad as hell at this guy wants to walk
right up and call him a hypocrite. This is going to hurt Megan.
Haven’t I done that already? Now this.
Would she even believe me
if I told her?

Mr. O’Neill comes back to pick up more
carefully and professionally wrapped body parts. Red blotches and
spots have dried on his face and clothes. The wicked part of me
wants to strike a deal with this man. A callous and evil deal in
which I keep my mouth shut in return for Megan. Would he do it? OR
would he try to slice me up and stuff me at the bottom of the
river? Shit
!

He takes another body that was hidden and
lays it out on another plastic sheet. “I know you’re there.” Mr.
O’Neill’s voice is commanding and low.
Is he talking to me?
He begins working again. Mr. O’Neill takes a syringe and plunges it
into this man’s leg. Then he starts again.

“I know you’re there Antonio. I haven’t been
doing this for twenty-five years and not know when someone is
watching me.” I take two tentative steps towards him. “All I wanted
to do was keep them safe.” It doesn’t sound like he’s talking to me
but I know he is. “My girls being with anyone in the mob puts them
in even more danger. I’ve been so careful.” His voice is
reflective. “This happened before.”

What happened before
? I want to ask
but yet I don’t want to interrupt his thoughts. I come out of the
shadows and stand across from him, the corpse sprawled between
us.

“I was away at a job in Dublin. There was a
runner.” He pauses. “He just irritated the
Boss
so much I
got called in to finish the guy.” He puts his hand on the neck of
the man on the ground-seemingly checking for a pulse and keeps
talking. “It happened in the middle of the night. Two guys broke in
to my cottage. We lived miles from the nearest neighbor. The way my
wife tells it she was sleeping. The girls were in our bed too. They
always slept there while I was away.” He smiles to himself. “The
two guys rushed the bedroom. Megan was only five years old. She
slipped down onto the floor and went into my nightstand. She took
out the pistol I kept there. I didn’t even know she knew about
it.

My wife said all she heard was three shots in
the darkness and two bodies hit the hardwood floor. She grabbed the
girls and ran. She drove them all the way to Dublin and stayed in a
hotel. I found them in the city.

My girls never even went back to their home.
I disposed of the bodies and grabbed what I could of our stuff. We
got on a plane to America. I contacted your Dad and he gave me this
job, which we have been able to conceal for the past twelve
years.”

“What about Megan? Does she remember?” I
ask.

“No,” he says. “She doesn’t remember
anything. The child psychologist we spoke to said she repressed it,
but it could surface at some point in her life. Another thing I’m
afraid your lifestyle could contribute to. Erin was so young; there
is not much chance she would ever remember.” He was quiet and
still.

“You have to do something for me Antonio.” He
puts his fingers to the guy’s throat again then lifts the body. He
starts wrapping it loosely.

“What?” I ask.

“I need you to take Megan away from here… I
don’t want her to go alone. I know you are very
capable
. You
can protect her in ways others can’t. There are not many people I
trust.”

I pause trying to process what he is asking.
Maybe Megan and I have been soul mates all along. Maybe it wasn’t
her beauty or intelligence that drew me to her. The first monster
she’s ever loved is standing right in front of me. I’m a monster
too. And she’s used to loving monsters.

“You just told me to fuckin’ stay away from
her. You tried to sabotage our relationship. You put her through
hell! You’re telling me. You trust me. What about you? I can’t
fuckin’ trust you!” My anger escalated.

“That was all before what happened tonight. I
realize now that I can’t protect my girls from this. I put her in
the danger that I swore would be you, but it wasn’t. It was
me.”

“What are you going to tell her?” I hiss
sarcastically, “Oh, I was wrong, Antonio’s a great guy. Go away
together, have fun!”

“I already booked her on a flight to Notre
Dame for Friday. But now you’ll leave in the morning. After
tonight, she’ll understand. She needs to get out of here while I
sort this out. I’m going to send Erin to some friends of mine out
of state. I want them going in opposite directions.”

“What happened tonight?” I ask, anxiety
settling in. Mr. O’Neill looks down at the man on the ground.

“They came after my family.”

Fuck!

I walked back to the guys.

“What happened? You shit too?” Vito asked
laughing.

“Ha,” I deadpanned, “funny asshole!” I
quipped back. “I’m out of here. Ciao.”

Her father thinks some fucked up crap.
I’m
dangerous and bad news but he’s not?! What kind of dream world is
he living in?
I guess I’d be like that too if I have been doing
what he has all these years.

I just jetted out of there. Talk about the
shit hitting the fan-
mannegia!
Talk about fucked up
!
My movements were on automatic as I weaved through the streets
towards home. Patrick, the cleaner, O’Neill wants me to go from
boyfriend to freakin’ bodyguard. Shit, I’ll take it. A fresh burst
of red flashes across my vision when I think of Megan in danger
tonight.

Thank God, Patrick is going to talk to my
father. I don’t want to see his face when he finds out I’m leaving
with Megan for Notre Dame in the morning. With Donny getting
better, it shouldn’t be such a problem, but I’d prefer not to piss
him off.

Ciao (chow): Goodbye

The next morning I roll up to a nice house
outside Palmetto on a small country road. The house is light blue
with a picket fence. The grass is pristine like someone cuts and
trims it painstakingly with scissors. Even through this mess of
shit, I am stoked to see Megan-to kiss her, hold her. Go away with
her! Even if I have to see that chooch Troy, it’s worth it. Last
night Megan’s Dad wrote this address down of where to pick her up.
I ring the bell. I only wait a second before the door flings open.
It’s Erin and she’s sobbing.
Oh shit!-Crying girl.

Erin lunges at me still sobbing. She wraps
her arms around me and attaches herself like a tick. I feel the
wetness of her tears staining my shirt. I lift my hand to her back
to console her.

For a split second, I have an amazing big
brother twitch. Comforting her is my concern. I have never seen
this girl other than happy. Then my mind races with
why is she
crying?
Whoever made her cry is going to be beaten and
bloodied. Was it the guys from last night breaking in her house and
she’s still upset? Is Megan okay? Is someone hurt?

Megan appears in the doorway. Her eyes are
red-rimmed and teary. Erin pulls away from me. She wipes her eyes
and looks at her sister. Megan steps forward and takes her into a
hug. Then she shuffles forward with her sister in her arms and
encapsulates me in the hug too. I feel like I’m in a fuckin’
Hallmark© commercial. I don’t know why everyone is crying and it
hurts to see it.

“What’s going on?” I ask softly into Megan’s
ear. She shakes her head not wanting to talk about it. I rub my
fingers down her cheek feeling sick at seeing her this way. We all
disengage from the hug and quietly walk into the house.

I see luggage waiting by the door. I can hear
voices speaking low from the kitchen area. In the corner huddled in
a chair looking very guilty is that kid from the other day. The one
whose Mom picked up Erin.

Megan’s mom comes out from the kitchen. She
doesn’t speak to me.

“You have everything?” she asks Megan.

“Yes,” Megan replies.

“Hello, Mrs. O’Neill,” I say. I want her to
know I got her number. I know she hates me.

“Hello Antonio,” she haughtily replies.
“Could you put those in the car?” Then she narrows her eyes at
me.

Great, fuckin’ bodyguard and valet!
I
would have done it anyway.

I pick up the luggage and head out to pop the
stuff in my trunk. I put the bags next to my own duffle and shift
the school work that my new tutor gave me aside. As I snap the
trunk shut, I see Patrick with Erin on the side of the house. She’s
still crying and waving her arms. Patrick looks weary and tired. He
holds up a finger to her to tell her to wait a minute. He strides
over to me.

“Antonio. Thanks for doing this.” He says
with effort.

“I’m not doing it for you. I’m doing it for
Megan.” I say. I would do anything for her. Being with her is all I
want.

“What did your father say to you?” I light a
cigarette before I answer and take a long drag. All this crying
girls and shit does me in.

“Pop was put out…I guess. But he’s got plenty
of others to do the jobs. He feels more comfortable when it’s Donny
or me, especially with all the shit going on with Sommersville.” I
pause. “My mother was the one that said I should go.”

“I need your help with something else,” he
says.

“Wow,” I say sarcastically, “For someone who
wants me to stay the fuck away from their daughter, you’re asking
for a lot of
help
.” I crush out the butt of my cigarette and
drag the ashes across the driveway with my foot.

“With what’s gone on last night and what’s
gone on here this morning, I need Erin to go with you too. I’m
afraid she’s close to snapping.”

“That’s fine.” I say. I like the girl. Megan
would feel better having her. I know it.

“Who were you going to send with her?”

“I hadn’t figured that out yet. I was
planning on asking you. I have to keep my girls safe.” His voice
sounded almost desperate.

“You’re relying a lot on me,” I say. “Vito
would be your best bet. Missing school isn’t going to be
detrimental to his already horrible grades.”

“I don’t trust him,” he says.

“You didn’t trust me either.” We just stare
at each other.

“If he puts one finger on my daughter, I’m
holding you responsible.”

“Are you serious? She’s a kid,” I say
disgusted. So that’s where he’s going with the trust issue.

“Well she’s my kid,” Patrick’s voice is
filled with menace, “and she’s been hurt.”

“He’s got a reputation but he’s not a child
molester. Mannegia!” I don’t know what has happened over the past
twenty-four hours. But whatever it is-you’re scared. I get it.” I
wait but he doesn’t respond so I add, “You asked my opinion and I
gave it. It’s your call.”

A frown marred his face. “Okay. Call him…You
guys better hurry up or you’ll miss the flight.”
Geez, he’s the
one holding us up. I can’t fuckin’ win.

I go back into the house to get Megan and
Erin. A new bag is by the door. Erin is bellowing at the kid
slumped in the chair. Megan with a carry-on bag on her shoulder,
takes Erin’s hand trying to pull her away.

“I hate you!” Erin screams at the kid.

“Connor!” a woman calls out, “Come into the
kitchen.” He gets up head hanging. Erin kicks him in the leg and
storms out of the house. I shake my head and take her bag. I reach
for Megan’s hand and squeeze it.

“What’s all that about?” I ask.

Megan leans in and whispers, “He’s cheating
on her.”
SHIT!

Red forms in front of my eyes and I snarl. I
spin around to go after him. Megan grabs my forearm.

“Please don’t!” she cries, “Let’s just get
out of here.” I allow her to lead me out.

Patrick was settling Erin into the back seat
of my car talking softly to her. Her arms are crossed and her face
is horribly tear-streaked. I have a lump in my throat watching her
cry. I set the bag in the backseat next to her. If being next to
Megan didn’t calm me down I would have torn that kid’s face off.
Patrick kisses her then tugs Megan in for a hug.

Mrs. O’Neill is standing in the window
watching this exchange. She doesn’t come out of the house. I’m
guessing she doesn’t approve of this little arrangement-me taking
her two daughters away.

I get in and so does Megan. She leans her
head against the glass of her window. She looks totally spent.
Patrick leans down into my open window giving me last minute
instructions.

“You know the drill. Be cautious of everyone.
Don’t let them out of your sight.” He hands me a piece of paper.
“Here’s the address at Notre Dame. I got you two guest suites on
the campus. I will contact you when things are safe enough to come
back.”

“Got it.”

“Where is Vito meeting you?”

“He’ll be waiting at the gate.”

“Good.”

Sniffling is still heard from the backseat. I
throw the car in reverse and start driving towards the airport.

Megan doesn’t lift her head but reaches for
my hand and squeezes it. I notice her face is still moist with
silent tears.

“Jesus Christ, Megan, what happened?” I
stroke her hand with my fingers wishing I could hold her until the
tears stop. But I have a job to do. I need to get Megan and her
sister out of here and on a plane.

Megan:

I can’t stop them. They just keep coming.
Tears flood down my cheeks as the car rumbles down the road.

Where should I begin to even remotely
answer his question?
Should I tell him the part that makes
me numb or the part that makes me cry?

The tears are for my sister. The beautiful,
loving, happy sister I almost lost to a bullet. Then I lost her to
an asshole. Erin has never been this way. I fear for her state of
mind. Her hurt and uncharacteristic behavior frightens me. I felt
the crushing of my sister’s heart when she found Connor with that
girl. I wanted to kill him for it. She needed him. After the fear
of last night she needed comfort. But only found pain. I’m worried
about how much she can take.