Page 93 of Straightened Out

“Why?”

“The cops found Johnny’s body floating in the Hudson.”

Johnny.

The man who should be guarding my sister.

They say a man can sense doom.

That he can feel it in the pit of his stomach long before it rears its ugly head.

I didn’t believe it.

Until now.

Chapter 30

Rocco Spinelli

On my way to meet Jack, I got another call—this time it was from Dino and he had intel on the illusive Yankovich. There was a rumor swirling around the docks that the Russian cunt was planning on moving cargo through the harbor. The thing was we weren’t sure if he was trying to push drugs or women. Apparently, Johnny had discovered Yankovich was trafficking girls, when or how he got this information remains to be see, but it’s a fair to assume that Yankovich is the reason Johnny’s body was pulled out of the Hudson.

With Johnny out of the picture, I ordered Dino to check on Gina. I wanted to do it myself, but my meeting with Jack took priority. The man was going to fucking listen to me once and for all before the streets we love are painted with blood. It was also time to tell him Gina was dating his man Stryker and that I had recruited him to guard my sister.

Bruno pulls into the parking lot of the Ramada Inn and I quickly jump out, spotting Jack leaning against his Harley. I’m sure he has some choice words for me considering I’m running late, but I couldn’t leave Violet at Tiffany’s. I paid for the necklace and earrings and dropped her back at the house much to her dismay, dodging all of her countless questions. I don’t know how long that’s going to fly. As much as she understands my business is off limits, a woman can only turn the other cheek for so long. But that’s a worry for another time.

“Parrish,” I acknowledge as I reach him.

“Spinelli,” he volleys, rolling a toothpick between his teeth.

I ignore the sinister look on his face and continue to ramble on.

“I’m surprised you called, but I’m happy you finally came around.” My eyes do a quick sweep of the parking lot and I decide to cut straight to the chase. I’m about to tell him about Johnny and reveal the whole Yankovich saga to him when he says, “I didn’t call you to break bread. One of my brothers found something that belongs to you.”

Narrowing my eyes suspiciously, I ask, “What could one of your men have that belongs to me?”

“Your sister.”

The air deflates from my lungs as I stare at him. If this was about him finding out I had agreed to have Stryker guard Gina, he wouldn’t look so fucking tormented. I swallow hard and follow Jack toward one of motel’s rooms. He pounds his fist on the door and a second later Stryker appears. There is nothing comforting about the expression on his face and I feel my throat tighten.

“Where is she?” I grind out. Suddenly, a guttural groan sounds from behind him and it’s followed by an anguished cry. Those noises vibrate through my body and I realize they’re coming from my sister.

I shove Parrish out of my way and grab a hold of Stryker’s leather jacket, pushing him inside the room. Releasing him, I follow the sounds of my sister’s cries and pause at the side of the bed. Shock fills me as I stare at the girl lying in bed.

This woman can’t be my sister.

The blood.

The bruises.

The cries that ring endlessly.

Her clothes are ripped to shreds and all that covers her battered body is a thin sheet.

I close my eyes and shake my head, naively hoping I’ll wake up from this nightmare. Wishing my sister is somewhere safe, busting Johnny’s chops and laughing at some bullshit television show while she online shops for designer duds she doesn’t need. Praying that my eyes are playing tricks on me and she isn’t lying in this bed a victim of violence.

Stryker rushes to her side and gathers her into his arms. Still asleep, haunted her nightmares, she stops tossing and turning and I look to Jack for some answers. He doesn’t blatantly say the words, but the truth is written all over his face.

My sister wasn’t just beaten.

---