Page 50 of Southie
“He’s the Irish Mob Boss of New England.”
“What?” I yelled trying to sit up, but he tightened his hold around me.
“You promised to hear me out, Camilla.”
Shit!
I took a deep breath and exhaled, but my words still came out choppy. “You’re in the mob?”
“Yes. Not by choice. He forced my hand.”
Okay, maybe it wasn’t as bad as I’d been thinking. I knew it had to be something illegal, but I hadn’t expected this. Him being a part of the mob explained being able to afford the clothing and the house, but he said it wasn’t by choice.
“Okay. So, he offered you a deal. What was it?”
“My life, so my family could live.”
“I don’t understand, Liam.”
“Paddy’s deal was, to save my father’s life and for his debts not to pass to my mother which, would also lead to her death, I had to take a job.”
I tried to sit up again so I could look into his eyes, but he shook his head. I huffed in frustration but didn’t move.
“Liam.”
“I can’t finish this with you looking at me, Camilla. Please just let me hold you while I tell you. While you give me the chance.”
“Okay.”
“I became his Enforcer with the plan that once I saved enough money, I’d run and leave the mob for good.”
“What’s an Enforcer?”
His body became rigid again.
“Liam, I need to hear everything, sweetie. No matter how bad it is or what my reaction will be.”
His shoulders slumped and, as his head fell backward, he groaned. “I take care of people who don’t pay Paddy what they owe him, or if he has an issue with another gang or mob family.”
I could hear the guilt and despair in his voice. I hated to ask because I already knew the answer to my question, but I needed to hear him say it.
“What do you mean ‘take care of’?”
“I kill them.”
When I tried to sit up this time, he released his hold. I looked at him, but his eyes were closed.
“Look at me, Liam.”
“Camilla.”
“No, goddamn it! I said look at me!”
He slowly opened his eyes. Fear, guilt, and anguish were reflected in them. I pushed away the urge to soothe his feelings as anger and misery built within me.
What have I done?
“You were there to kill my father that night?”
