Page 4 of Callum

Part One: Coming Home

GRANT MACALISTER

“The MacAlister”

Eight Months Ago

“Post Park will be used for whatever business the Four Families see fit.”

I have neither the time nor patience to explain the history of the Families in our neighboring towns or what a Neutral Zone is, but it’s clear that’s what she’s going to ask next. Why are people always so damn predictable?

“Who are the ‘Four Families’, and what do they want with our stadium?”

“Don’t ask questions, Rebecca,” her ancient husband snaps, pouring himself a large glass of amber liquid from a crystal decanter.

I need one of those for my office.

“It’s alright, Harold,” I try for a smile, but I’ve missed the mark if the look of horror on Rebecca’s face is any indication. This is why I need Callum to come home. He’s the one who puts people at ease, not me. The only thing I’m managing to do is scare this woman shitless. “Rebecca has every right to ask. Just know that I might not always be able to answer.”

I let the implication behind that sentence linger in the air for a moment before continuing. “The Four Families are the RMF, run by the Roman Family in Balkirk; the 714 Motorcycle Club, headed locally by JJ Ferguson; the GiGi’s, currently under the guidance of Ginetta Ricci in Chandler; and the MacAlisters here in Forest Falls. That’s my Family,” I remind her, in case she has forgotten my name in the ten minutes since I stepped into this office.

Having to explain the hierarchy of the Underworld to Outsiders is my least favorite part of ownership changes. I don’t think the Father anticipated how often Major League baseball teams exchange hands, or he might have thought twice about allowing one into our town.

“That’s all well and good,” Rebecca waves a hand in my direction, and I know she wasn’t listening to anything I just said. “But what do you want with the Diamonds? What use could a bunch of criminals have with a baseball team?”

Harold goes deathly pale at her use of the word “criminals”, but I shake my head in his direction. I’ll allow it this once, but only because I don’t want to deal with Harold grieving the loss of his wife right now. I need him wholly focused on the task at hand.

“We don’t want the team or anything to do with the MLB. We simply require access to the stadium in the off hours. Don’t worry, if anything were to be damaged while we’re here, we will pay to have it fixed,” I add the last bit at the look of shock on Harold’s face. The man hadn’t considered the potential out-of-pocket costs associated with allowing warring Families to use your business as their personal playground.

Rebecca rounds on her husband, and I can just imagine the demanding look on her face. The wives always want their husbands to “fix it”, as if their husband’s money could ever sway these scales. Unfortunately for her, Post Park being a Neutral Zone is a standing arrangement between the Families; it’s happening with or without her consent, and my being here is only a courtesy.

Well, it’s a bit more selfish than that.

“Is there any way to guarantee protection in the ‘on’ hours?”

I’m well aware of what Harold is asking, but I make him spell it out anyway. “What do you mean?”

“How can I be sure that nothing will happen here when I have a stadium full of civilians?” He gestures toward the windows behind Rebecca with the now-empty glass in his hand. It doesn’t pass my attention, or hers, that he isn’t asking me to guarantee protection for their family.

“I will post my men as security for the stadium during games. And,” I step forward until I’m within arm’s reach of Harold, cutting off the question I see forming on his lips. “I will have my brother come work for the Diamonds to ensure that someone is on the field. Just in case.”

“We don’t need some triple-A mobster on our roster,” Rebecca spits, but Harold snaps his head around to glare at her. She immediately cowers in on herself, bringing both arms up to wrap protectively around her waist.

“He isn’t a player,” I assure her in as soothing a tone as I can manage with my patience running thin. I’ve worked toward this moment for the last four years and will not allow her to ruin it. “He’s a doctor who has been with the Rockies for the last two years. He’ll be a value to your team and an assurance from my Family to yours.”

I hold one hand out to Harold, who reluctantly puts his glass down to weakly shake my proffered palm. I don’t care that he has a bullshit handshake; I’ve gotten everything I need from him.

Callum is coming home.

One: Fight or Flight

ROSALIND

I never thought I’d run toward a strip club for salvation, but I’ve spent the last three days hiding in these woods, and I’m out of options.

My leg throbs where it’s ripped open from knee to ankle, and I can feel at least two broken ribs screaming with each unsteady breath as I crawl up the steep hill. Dirt cakes my skin, forcing its way beneath my nails and smearing across my stolen clothes. Reaching the top of the valley, I curl in on myself before dragging my legs beneath me again. Standing feels like an impossible task, but I have to do it.

I have to move forward before the past catches up to me.

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