Page 64 of Southie
Although that was the truth, one person would die by my hand because I wanted them dead—the man who killed my grandmother, once I find out who he was. Franklin Scott had already met his fate. If he’d moved on with his life and left Camilla the fuck alone, he would’ve had nothing to worry about. Now that I was with her, I’d made sure he got the message loud and clear.
“I know that, but my mind and heart were…arein a war with one another.”
“Don’t you think I understand that?” I asked. “Camilla, I’m in the mob and not by choice. Every time Paddy gives me an order, my heart and mind war with one another. I’m not a killer, but to keep my family alive, I do what Paddy asks. I live with that every damn day.”
Her hand cupped my face. “How does that work? I mean, how do you cope with your job, Liam?”
“To be honest I don’t. I have nightmares. I see their faces, hear their screams…”
“Oh, Liam.”
“I don’t want your pity, Camilla. I just need you to understand all of this. What I do for Paddy is difficult for me, but necessary. My parents, I hate them, but they’re still my parents. My blood. Would it be easy just to let Paddy kill them? Yes. But it doesn’t change the fact they’re my family and as their son, it’s my obligation to keep them breathing until they kill themselves with their addictions or whatever else happens.”
I hated to sound so callous towards my parents, but I’d never hide my feelings about them from anyone who asked. There was no love lost for Donie and Laura Daugherty…only loyalty because of who they were.
“So, what do you want to know?” I asked, shifting the conversation away from my parents.
She remained silent for a brief second before her large brown eyes peered up at me. “How do you think your job will affect our relationship?”
“I’ll tell you, but you need to promise to listen, Camilla. This is a turning point in our relationship, and I feel this is something you have the right to know if you’re going to be with me.”
“Okay. I promise.”
My brow lifted, not sure if I believed her promise. Her giggles erased my doubt and brought a smile to my face.
“I’m working on getting out, so I don’t think it’ll affect our relationship too much,” I explained. “Before I can leave, there’ll be times you may not hear from me. Other than that, what I do will stay far from you.”
“You’re getting out?”
“I’m not discussing the details with you, but hopefully if everything goes as planned, by this time next month, I’ll no longer be Paddy O’Connor’s Enforcer.”
She moved out of my arms and straddled my hips. The grin that stretched across her face was contagious.
“You’re happy?” I asked.
She kissed my lips, softly and slowly, and pulled back. “I’m ecstatic.”
“So, what’s going on with that situation with your ex?” I asked, even though I already knew what happened.
A few days after meeting with Don Rizzo in Chicago, I took a quick trip to North Carolina and dealt with her problem. A week later, when the police found his body, he was unrecognizable.
Before leaving North Carolina, I ensured the file Gerald’s military buddy compiled on the former football star leaked to every local and some national media outlets. The file included recordings of the phone calls to Camilla, his abusive behavior towards other women he’d been with while with Camilla, including photographs of their injuries and statements from those women, and records of extensive drug use.
Regardless of the state of Franklin’s body, the Coroner determined he’d died from an overdose of heroin and cocaine from the speedball I’d conveniently pushed into his vein before he took his last breath. I’d then left his body at a well-known drug house in Charlotte.
“It’s been on the news. You didn’t hear what happened?” she asked.
“Nah,” I lied. “I haven’t had time to watch the news. I’ve been working and training since we’ve been apart.”
“He’s dead. Drug overdose. The State Attorney’s office called and informed me of his death and let me know they were closing the case.”
“And how do you feel about it?”
“Relieved. I know it’s sad he lost his life, but I’m relieved it’s over. I don’t have to deal with him or his family anymore. Is that wrong?”
“No, babe. He hurt you and he continued to harass you. You have every right to feel relieved he won’t be able to bother you anymore.”
“I’m just glad it’s over.”
