“It’s not my place to say,” Charlie starts talking now that I’m semi composed. “But he’s different since he met you.”
I turn to study him. Charlie is a handsome man with a head of dark, loose curls. He’s thinner than the other guys, definitely not the muscle of the team, but he has a sweet smile and he’s the nicest.
“What do you mean?”
He thinks about the question before responding. “He’s happier.” He finally offers. “He’s more enthusiastic, he shows up earlier. He’s not as drunk.” Charlie chuckles. “I haven’t seen him this…alive in a long time. I don’t know if ever.”
I don’t respond. I didn’t know Gio before. Is he happier? Is he more alive with me?
I’m alive with him, I know that.
I feel every inch of myself burning when I see that crooked smirk. He set me alight.
“I don’t know you that well,” Charlie continues. “But I think you’re good for him and he’s good for you too.”
Fuck.
Sending someone to pick you up, 7PM. Be ready
Always with the demands. We’ve haven’t spoken since the hospital, since I told him that his thing between us wasn’t working. I know he’s not going to let me go easily. I owe him and he’s not going to let me go until he gets his payment.
I wonder if Charlie talked to him at all. If he told Gio how I cried after I saw my brother. Did he know they were tears of sorrow or did he think I was happy to see him in that place?
I’m ready to go at 6:30 when the knock sounds on my apartment door. It’s Frank this time, which I’m weirdly thankful for as I’m not sure if I can handle another heart-to-heart with Charlie. As it is, the last one left me reeling for days.
Frank is a man of few words, which I appreciate. His driving however, leaves something to be desired. It’s far too fast and reckless.
Driving with Gio feels exotic. Not just because his car is worth almost two hundred thousand and the leather feels like butter underneath me, but his driving is smooth and effortless.
Driving with Frank fees like a death sentence.
Gio, Tony, and Charlie are already in the warehouse when we arrive.
“This happens Saturday.” Gio announces.
“What is this?” I ask, not really expecting an answer. When it comes to whatever we’re doing here Gio only gives half answers.
Preparing, he tells me. I’ve heard: plotting, thinking, training. Sometimes he says nothing but gives me a signature smile. To be honest, that’s my favorite answer.
“A job.” He smirks.
“How am I supposed to do this job if I don’t know what it is?” I retort.
“Later, baby. We’ll talk after, hmm?”
I comply, silently.
Gio has me run drills through the makeshift vent repeatedly. Tony is wielding what looks like some kind of welding tool. He has gloves and a serious looking mask on. Charlie is at his computer set up typing away furiously and occasionally looking over a large document with Gio. Frank is just watching me, which only serves to make me uneasy.
It’s not until three hours later when I’m completely exhausted when Gio finally calls it a night.
“I’ll take you home, sweetheart.” Gio gives me a charming smile as he grabs my bag for me.
“How’s Gian?” I ask once we’re settled in the Porsche. I run my hands along the tan leather, I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed being in this car.
“Good. He’s awake and on some good pain meds.”
“Good.” I fidget with my hands, not sure what to do now.
“I know you don’t want this.” He gestures between the two of us. “So let’s modify our deal, hmm?”
“What are you thinking?”
“Saturday, you do this job for me and then we never have to speak again. I will continue to pay for Johnny’s care as long as you want. I won’t call you anymore though. Consider your number lost as soon as we part ways. Okay?”
He’s letting me go.
I would walk away from this whole thing better off. Debt paid, brother fixed.
Heart broken.
Is that what I want?
“Okay.” I whisper.
“Okay.” He repeats.
“One more thing…Will you tell me what we’re doing?”
He flashes a cocky grin. “Nope. You just follow my lead and don’t ask questions when we’re there, okay? We’re on a lime limit. Your one job is to go through the vent, what you’ve been practicing and then to the front door to open it. The vent will drop you ten feet from the door. You do this in under a minute.” He exhales. “And then we take the rest from there. After that all you have to do is get out and get in the car with us. Then you’re free.”
“Who are you robbing?” I ask.
He smiles again. “What makes you think it’s a robbery?”
“Tony looked like he was about to cut open a safe with that thing he had.”
He chuckles, the sound booms through the car. “Don’t worry about it.”
He navigates the car into my apartment’s parking lot. “I have something for you.” He reaches into the back seat and pulls a bag forward. “For this weekend, you’ll want it.”
“Thanks.” I take the bag and exit his car, leaving Gio and whatever semblance of a relationship we had behind.
I open the bag as soon as I get into my apartment. Inside is a leather jacket. It’s soft, not as soft as the worn leather of his jacket, but equally as nice. I pull a shoebox from the bag next. Inside are a pair of matching leather combat boots.
With these, I will definitely look the part.
Gio is
