Page 4 of Retribution

“How can I see you get hurt and not do anything?”

“Please,” he begged. “I got two months left of high school and then I’m off to college. I can endure this.”

“Little brother, you shouldn’t have to endure bullies. You need to stand up for yourself. Take a stand the next time these boys bother you. Did you get back your iPad?”

“No. But you can’t come to my school.”

“That was an expensive iPad. Don’t you have most of your work on it?” he nodded. “Then get it back. You’re my brother. I didn’t raise no wuss, got that?”

“Yes.”

“You’re no pussy, fight back if you must get your stuff back. Did they take anything else?”

“They took my money and my phone before.”

Listening to Cory was making me angry. But these were high school boys. I didn’t want to have to break one of their necks. I knew the reason why he allowed them to harass him was because he didn’t want to get in trouble to have any kind of altercation written on his record. However, his mental health was more important than some perfect school record and I knew one of the best ways to get rid of a bully was to stand up to them.

“What else have they done to you?”

“They talk about our mom, that she’s a vegetable or retard. I try to ignore them.”

Our mother was in a care facility because of her dementia as I could not care for her while being the sole bread winner. Cory was just a kid and was not expected to do it either. She was getting the best care at the moment while I paid the bills.

“Come here.” I took him in my arms and soothed him as I saw he was on the verge of tears. “I’m sorry that this has been happening to you. I should have paid more attention.”

“It’s not your fault, you’re the best big sis anyone can have.”

“I love you.”

“Love you too Sis,” he said, his voice cracking. “I’ll get my stuff back. I promise.”

“Don’t go alone, take Garry with you, and maybe one other person … maybe a teacher?”

Garry was Cory’s best friend. They both liked the same things and were devastated that they would not attend same university. Garry was the only friend Cory had ever brought home, and they only fell out once when they both liked the same girl. I knew this because I often eavesdrop on their conversation. It was my job to be nosy, so stop judging me.

“Okay, I’ll do that,” he agreed. “How about pizza for dinner?”

I stood. “Go ahead and order. Imma take a shower.”

I was halfway down the passage when he shouted. “Did you buy me anything?”

“Yeah, one of the bags is yours.”

Chapter 3

Luca

I’ve been waiting across the street from Lou’s Printery for about fifteen minutes. Sam, Ciara and I were supposed to come to some kind of agreement with Lou about the underground gambling den he was operating while reneging on his debt. Since taking over Madame Mercado’s territories, we realized just how much the old geezer was worth in loans and real estate. Now that she was dead, many of her debtors thought the debts were cancelled.

“Hey bro,” Sam greeted. As he walked over after parking his car behind mine.

I grunted my greeting, being pissed that Ciara seemed to like Nando’s brother, Sandy. The fuck he had that I didn’t? I recognized my emotions as jealousy and I hated that I felt that way, but Nando’s brother rubbed me the wrong way with his damn mysterious shit. I didn’t know why women fell for that.

“What’s bugging you?” he asked, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it.

I pulled my coat closer and leaned against the hood of my car while keeping my eyes on the store front. We were waiting for Ciara to arrive as she was supposed to be a part of this operation. It wasn’t anything Sam and I couldn’t handle, but she needed more experience, and this was a good opportunity for that.

“Nothing’s bugging me man,” I told him. “What’s up with you?”

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