Page 52 of Slow Burn
Irony is a funny thing. I hid away from my past, from my bad choices and debts, fearing I could never shake them loose if they got hold of me again. I risked everything I had found with Levi by lying about what I had waiting back in Boston. Just to finish it all in what felt like the blink of an eye.
I showed for the meeting at Whitey's with a stock of steely reserve I owed to Levi. I was going to do whatever it took to make sure Bernie, and the Kelly's, stayed far away from my family. In the past, where they belonged. Just like Levi said, I was prepared to do anything to get our fairytale.
“There's my Goldie baby.” Bernie's voice boomed the moment I stepped into the dive joint.
Once I thought his slick Southie accent was hot. Jesus. In a dark suit I know cost a fortune and fit him well, he looked like the shark he was. His aqua eyes—the first thing I had liked about him—were lifeless and cold and I wondered how I'd missed it before. Bernie was a man without purpose, without meaning and a man like that could offer only pain and misery.
“Bernie. Mr. Kelly.” I nodded at the dark figure seated in the big corner booth behind him.
Donnie Kelly was the head of the blue-collar crime family. They were low class, low ranking, low earning low-life's who were clawing at the edge of the underworld in Dorchester. It was their lack of notoriety that was scary; they were willing to risk more because they had nowhere to go but up. I was terrified of Donnie once; not anymore.
“Gold. Good to see you looking so,” A cloud of sickly sweet cigar smoke accented his greeting, “Fortuitous. Missed you around here.” I laughed; loud and dry, because he had never liked me, so I doubted that.
“I bet you did. Just bet you missed me crashing your tables when I won and refusing to deliver drugs and weapons to college criminals. I bet.” It was too dark to see him, but I heard him chuckle.
“There she is. That's the girl who first walked into my club. Thought we'd lost you.” I wince a little, putting my shoulders back and lifting my jaw.
“I did get lost. For too long. Not anymore.” Bernie slid up beside me, wrapping an arm around my neck.
“I like you lost, Goldilocks. Makes me hard.” He licked my ear and disgust shuddered through me.
“Everything makes you hard, you sick fuck.” Surprise at my come back rippled through the nearly empty bar.
“Ooh, such a firecracker suddenly. I love it.” Donnie let out a rare laugh, grumbling and loud, the others watching him silently.
I was done being anyone other than Levi's Queen. Even if heads had to roll.
“I am done here. Boston is a chapter I'd like to leave behind me. Here to close the books, Donnie. Pay what I owe and move on.” I stepped away from Bernie, who growled curses as a warning that I ignored.
“Who said you get to close doors, baby?” Bernie spoke before Donnie could.
“I say. I lost who I was once. Thought I might never find myself again. And, I didn't. Found someone better, stronger, smarter. I won't get lost here again.” Bernie wraps his fist around my wrist and yanks at me.
“Who the fuck do you think—” A huge plume of smoke blew into my face and I realized Donnie was there.
“Shut up, Knight.” Bernie dug his fingers into my wrist until Donnie's eyes slid down, then narrowed on him.
“Yes, sir.” Bernie slid me a glare that might have scared the old Brynn.
Not now. Not the new Brynn. Not the woman I had found while I found my family. I was a queen, just like Levi said. I was strong, smart, capable and too good to let one choice ruin me.
“Why come home Gold? You were gone. Free.” Donnie is in his forty's, slicker than oil, malicious but always honest and polite. It’s kind of creepy.
“I owe the Kelly's. I won't be free until I don't owe you or anyone,” My gaze slid towards Bernie, fuming beside me, “And, he did not let me go free. Bernie found me; followed me and my daughter, threatened my family.” Bernie puts his hands up and backs away.
“Oh, did he? You do owe us, Brynn Gold. A lot. Can't blame the guy for wanting to get what's owed to him.” Even though he says this, I feel a rush of something that tastes like relief. Donnie has trained his steely gaze on Bernie and I feel like I might get out of this in one piece.
“I owe you, Mr. Kelly. I know I do. I am here to clear my debts.” I pat the heavy messenger bag crossing my chest.
“Is that right? Just like that, huh? Come here, flash a little cash, then walk?” Donnie circles me, a cloud of smoke burning my eyes as it swirls around us both.
“That's right. I owe two-hundred and eighty-two thousand. Plus, change. Even if I figure a hundred bucks a drop, I paid it back one and a half times last year. I stopped hitting the Pit,” I nodded towards the back where they held their casino, “almost a year ago. I did the drops up till then. Figured I paid back my dues. Bernie suggested otherwise. Insisted I pay other ways.” A flush of shame washed over me as my head bowed.
“Learning new things about Bernie tonight, aren't we Scooter,” Donnie's voice boomed this, his head nodding towards his main enforcer, “You think you paid your dues. Why come back? Oh, that's right, because our friend Bernie left you no choice.” I nodded and open the flap on my bag.
“That's right. Besides I never paid my dues to you, Donnie. Just to Bernie. I am here to clear my books, Donnie. If I can.” Donnie towers behind Bernie, puffing that cigar and intimidating the man who once intimidated me.
“Like a woman who takes care of business. Does what needs to be done. Did what you needed to do for us. Did it well. Maybe I want to keep you here.” My back stiffened as I squared my shoulders.
