Page 32 of Unloaded
With deep breath, I begin.
“My name isn’t Rachel Miller,” I confess. Rosco stares into my eyes, searching for deception. His jaw is tight, a muscle twitching rhythmically. “I took my great-grandmother’s maiden name and used my middle name. I was born Amelia RachelSmith.” He doesn’t say anything, just waits patiently for me to continue.
“My father died when I was ten years old. My mother remarried, and the twins were born when I was twelve.” I pause needing a moment before I share the rest of my sordid story. Rosco waits patiently not pushing me to continue.Might as well rip off the band-aid and get this over with.
“My stepfather is Reginald Vena,” I declare. “He is Don of the Italian mafia in Chicago.”
I wait for Rosco to explode, to shove me off his lap and run like I have the plague, but he doesn’t. Shock covers his face briefly, but is quickly replaced once again with concern and determination.
“I didn’t know who he was for many years,” I continue, “and I suspect my mother didn’t know either until after the twins were born. By then, it was too late. She could never escape. Leaving would have been a death sentence, but in the end, so was staying.
“Around six years ago, after our mother died…actually she was murdered, I went on the run with the boys, keeping us hidden from Reginald and his men. I’ve managed to stay several steps ahead of him, until now.”
“What happened to your mother?” Rosco’s sympathetic tone draws more tears from my eyes. I can hardly see him through them. He pulls my head to his chest and lets me tell the rest while he holds me.
“My mother and her driver were killed when their vehicle was t-boned at a busy intersection. The other driver had taken off and none of the witnesses at the scene had any significant information. I didn’t know who Reginald was at the time.
“I’d been waiting to hear from the police that they’d tracked down the perpetrator, but the call never came.” Tears flow freelyas the memories I’ve kept suppressed rise up, demanding I relive them.
“I’m so sorry, angel. It must have been so difficult for you.” Rosco’s arms around me tighten, giving me comfort and strength to continue.
“Just days after her death, I accidently overheard Reginald and who I thought was his business partner talking about the accident. I’d just left the kitchen with a cup of hot tea, when I’d heard voices coming from Reginald’s office.
“I shouldn’t have been eavesdropping, but I needed answers, and he hadn’t been very forthcoming with details. What I overheard was shocking and devastating. I haven’t been able to drink hot tea since. I remember that day as if it all happened yesterday.”
“Why was my wife murdered, Rico?”Reginald demands angrily. A loud thump follows like flesh hitting wood. “Tell me the why and the who, then I will end them. I will have my revenge! They took my wife from me, took my sons’ mother!”
I’ve never heard my stepfather so angry. I understand it. I’m angry, too. But how has Rico gotten this information, and why hasn’t he given it to the police? It sounds as if Reginald is planning to kill whoever has committed this crime. I want them punished, to pay for what they’ve taken from us all, but it isn’t my place nor my stepfather’s place to play judge, jury, and executioner.
“You aren’t going to like this, boss,” Rico murmurs in a calmer tone.
“JUST TELL ME!” Reginald roars.
“Mikel Otto was the driver,” Rico states, “the right-hand man to Jack Summers. The man whose territory you invaded the week before the accident. We’d known there’d be blow back.”
“If only Naomi hadn’t gone to the charity event in his territory that day,” Reginald growls. “I should have protected her. I never wanted her to be the price I had to pay for gaining more ground.”
“Perhaps Nicolai Caprice can help?” Rico interjects. “He’s indicated interest in forming an alliance in the past, hasn’t he?” Nausea grows in my abdomen. Nicolai Caprice is Russian mafia! He controls the northern part of Chicago. My stepfather is a fucking mob boss, and he indirectly caused the death of my mother!
“Yes, Nicolai is willing to help,” Reginald agrees, but I can hear reluctance in his voice. “Although I’m not sure at what cost. It’s a risk I’ll have to take. Fuck!” Reginald exclaims, and another loud bang follows. “I’ve started a war. One that I have no intention of losing. I’ve lost Naomi, but I refuse to lose anything else. It’s time to stop coddling the boys and Amelia. Naomi is gone. She’s no longer here to protest them, learning the family business.”
“Yes, sir,” Rico agrees. “What about Amelia? I don’t think she will like what you’re suggesting.” Rico is right. I’m definitely not okay with my brothers being dragged into the middle of this.
“I have plans for my stepdaughter,” Reginald replies. The tone of his voice causes a shiver of dread to race down my spine. “I’ve made arrangements for her. Her marriage will ensure Nicolai’s compliance in helping me take over Summers’ territory. With me on one side and Nicolai on the other, Jack Summers will be squeezed out. Then I’ll have plenty of area to divide between my sons.”
“Who is she to marry?” Rico asks. “Who has enough influence on Nicolai to get him to comply?” I want to run, get my brothers, and flee, but my feet are rooted to the floor. Some sick part of my brain needs to hear Reginald’s answer.
“Nicolai Caprice himself,” Reginald answers with a hint of amusement in his voice. Oh my God! That man is old enough to be my father, not to mention him being a merciless criminal. “Nicolai caught sight of her last summer when she was home from college. He approached me then, inquiring about her. I brushed him off at the time, but I recently reached out to him, seeking his help with the takeover of Summers’ territory. He was eager to help in exchange for Amelia. My stepdaughter will be the key to my success.”
“He plannedto marry you off to another mobster?” Rosco questions. His voice deeper and with more growl than I’ve ever heard before.
“Y-yes,” I whisper. “Apparently it’s common for them to form alliances through marriage.”
“Fucking hell, angel,” Rosco grumbles. My heart sinks. This is too much for him to deal with. He can’t risk his family, his newborn nephews. We are once again on our own, just when I’ve come to depend on the Robertson family, to need them in my life.What will I do now?
My breath stutters when I inhale deeply, hoping to calm myself. It’s imperative I clear my mind. I need to focus and work out a plan for getting the boys and I out of here before my stepfather can catch us. Rosco’s arms tighten around me, pulling me closer.
“You’re safe, angel. I won’t allow anyone to hurt you,” Rosco says, determinedly.
