Page 24 of We're Not Strangers Anymore

“Already taken care of. Let’s do this. It’s supposed to be a civil meeting so let’s try and keep it that way.” He says in a serious tone.

“Got it. No violence unless absolutely necessary.” I nod.

It’ll be necessary if he thinks he’s taking over our territory. We always try to take the civil route first, maybe threaten them. But this guy has been hiding for ten years, he wouldn’t come back to the surface if he didn’t have a plan he intends to follow through on.

We pull into the back parking lot of Rathskeller. It’s a smaller club that Frank owns, usually not many people here during the day. As we walk into the back entrance we see a younger latin man with face tattoos at a round booth in the corner smoking a cigar. He’s surrounded by four men with rifles on their backs and bullet proof vests.

“That must be our guy.” I jerk my head signaling Luciano to follow me. As we approach the booth, Conejo shoots us a dark smile.

“Glad to finally meet the kings of Chicago.” Conejo says, his voice thick with a west coast latin drawl.

“Let’s cut to the chase, Conejo.” I say, making eye contact. He looks like the devil in human form.

“I want you to work for me. Both of you.” He says, getting right to business.

“Thats never going to fuckin’ happen.” I chuckle. This guy is more of a rookie than I thought.

“With me you’ll have more money and power than you have working for Al. I’m being very generous, it’s in your best interest to take my offer to avoid any–conflict.” He threatens.

“We’re not interested in your offer.” Luciano says beside me.

“You’re making a big mistake then. Just ask your father.” He says with a grin.

“He already told us about you. We’re not afraid of any conflict with the same motherfucker that’s been hiding the past ten years. Here’s some free advice Conejo, go back into hiding before you end up in the bottom of Lake Michigan. This meeting is over.” I stand to leave when Conejo starts speaking again.

“But wait, you haven’t even seen the best part yet.” He says, pulling out a cooler and setting it by his feet.

“Take a seat and open that up.” He says with a malicious grin. I sit beside him and open the cooler. My heart drops to my stomach and it feels like all the noise around me went muffled. I stare into the lifeless eyes of my father, his head sitting on a bed of ice. I feel the rage inside of me clawing at my chest begging to be let out. I look up at Luciano and he’s shaking with anger, his eyes blank but he’s keeping composed.

“My offer expires tomorrow. Don’t end up like your father.” Conejo says. I barely even register what he said as I get up from the booth and walk out silently with Luciano.

“The fuck are we going to do now?” Luciano snaps, punching the dashboard of the car. I look at him, my eyes filled with anger.

“We’re going to burn this motherfucker and his whole organization to the ground.” I seethe.

“This is the fucking cartel, Grayson! This isn’t just some bullshit street gang they fucking killed Pops, he’s fucking untouchable, always has been. We’re fucked.” Luciano says, choking back tears.

I can’t get the image of my father out of my mind, I don’t want to either. It only fuels my need to cut Conejo open andwatch the life drain from his eyes. He’s officially signed his death certificate.

We enter mom’s house quietly, clearly looking defeated. The energy shifts when mom, Laila, and Rowan stop mid conversation holding wine glasses, and turn their attention to Luciano and I.

“You three are going to have to pack up and prepare to relocate for a while. Dad is gone.” I cut the silence.

“Gone as in?” My mom asks, standing to her feet from the couch.

I take a breath. “Dead. They killed him.”

The room suddenly fills with my mom’s and Laila’s screams. Mom clasps her hand over her mouth crying and Rowan hugs her, looking at me with questions in her eyes. Laila wipes the tears from her eyes and stands tall.

“Well– we don’t have time to fuck around let’s get our shit. Grayson and Luciano will get it all taken care of, come on.” Laila says, pulling mom by the hand and leading her up the winding staircase to go pack.

“Rowan, I’m going to take you back to the house to pack a bag and I’m going to go dig up the emergency stash in case Luciano and I have to leave too.” I inform her.

“Wait-” she starts.

“If there is any time you should put your trust into me it's now, Rowan let’s go!” I snap, leading her to the door.

“Luciano, I’ll meet you at the Santoro Building after I get the money, be strapped up, we’re riding out tonight.” I toss over my shoulder. Truth is, I don’t even have a clue where we’re going from here. Conejo killed the most powerful man in the organization– if we flee, we’ll be defeated, we’ll never leave this situation without a target on our backs– not to mention the disrespect it would be to our father– if we go to war, we’re going to lose a lot of men, maybe even Luciano and I. Which means Rowan, mom and Laila will be left unprotected.

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