Page 2 of Unbroken (Russo Mafia)

I finished placing my bag in my locker when the door is slammed shut. I jump looking up to see Lucca and his posse have crowded around me. My eyes dart between each one of them. Standing to my left is Nico Romano. He stands at least five foot eleven, his green eyes are bright, and they never miss a thing. Then there is Antonio De Rose, his best friend and when I say best friend, I mean those two do everything together. I heard rumours that they even share the same girl. He stands around the same height as Nico. Except his eyes are dark brown almost black. They give me the creeps. Then we all know about Rett Santarossa. Scarlett’s huge crush and number one hater. If you are wondering why they hate each other. It's simple. She’s Antonio’s twin, so they all grew up around each other. She followed the boys everywhere. That also meant she knows Rett’s secrets growing up and vice versus. I’m not sure how it came to be how they ended up hating each other. I moved here in my junior year and sadly missed the ‘dark years’, as she called them.

As for the one standing to the right of me and why he brought his mini posse is Lucca, I’m trying to remember if I mentioned anything at the party that would piss him off or would’ve led to this rather surprise visit after all this time. Nothing comes to mind. The glare that I’m receiving from him says otherwise, though.

“Can I help you boys?” I raise my eyebrow questioningly.

He smirks at me. “Actually, yes.” He leans against the lockers, looking down at me.

I don’t think I like where this conversation is going. What can he possibly want with me?

“I need a favour from you… well we need one from you.” He points between all of them.

“Lucca, there’s nothing you need from me. You didn’t even know that I existed and chose to never talk to me since.” I turn to walk away when he grabs my arm. Why does this seem all so familiar with him.

He swings me around, his brown eyes piercing into mine. I don’t understand what I did to deserve his attention. I only want to finish the school year off, yet somehow, I’m on his radar now.

“I’m sorry about that. But I only need you to keep your father home tonight, that’s all,” he tells me.

“I don’t understand?”

“You don’t need to. Do what I say Charlie.” Then they all walk away.

I’m watching them retreat down the hall when Scarlett steps next to me.

“Girl, what the hell was that all about?”

I turn my head towards her. “I wish I knew. I have no idea what the hell happened. I somehow landed on Lucca’s radar, and I don’t think I’m going to enjoy it.”

By the time I get home, I’m on pins and needles. All day I had the feeling of somebody watching me, which I knew was insane. I don’t have any classes with Lucca or his little posse. I swear he must have paid someone to watch me to make sure I was going to listen to him. So here I am trying to think of a way to keep my dad at home. I wish I knew why it was so important. It’s not like my dad is some powerful man. He’s only a regular Dad that happens to be a detective. I can’t see that being an issue to keep him home.

When we both sit down for supper, I’m still thinking of ideas. His shift is supposed to start shortly after seven tonight, and I’m running out of time.

“Hey Dad. How busy are you tonight at work?” I look up at him across from the table.

He sets his fork down, wipes his face with his napkin. “Not too busy, why pumpkin?”

I lift my shoulder. “Wondering, that’s all. Maybe you could show me around the station. I haven’t been there since we moved and I’m trying to figure out a career path.”

“Wow. Okay. I was supposed to follow up a lead tonight, but that can wait. I can for sure give you a tour,” he says with such excitement.

I smile at him, and hopefully that keeps Lucca off my ass tomorrow.

We pull up to the station a little before seven. My dad is practically bouncing in his seat. Who knew this would bring him so much joy? I haven’t seen him this exciting since before Mom passed away. We both exit at the same time; I release a deep breath while praying I’m doing the right thing.

The station isn’t anything exciting, but my dad loves his job. He loves the rush of catching the bad guy and I only worry that one day he won’t come home. That every day he heads out to work will be his last. He walks towards his desk, points to the spare chair. I sit and wait for him to give methe talk.

“Now, Charlie heading into any enforcement career is serious. I hope you know that it’s not a game. You never can tell what will happen. You can’t be goofing off and think it’s all sunshine and rainbows,” he says with his sternest voice.

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. “Yes, Dad. You remind me this all the time.”

He gives me a quick nod. Then turns his police scanner on. I bit my lip when I realize that’s probably something Lucca doesn’t want him to be around.

“Can you show me the cells?” I ask him. Hopefully, it’ll pull him away long enough.

He releases a loud exhale and rubs the back of his neck. “Charlie, I don’t think that’s a good idea. We have a few rowdy people down there, and I rather you not see them.”

“Come on Dad, I’m going to have to see them if I choose this, right?” I say with a smile.

He groans, then stands. “Fine, let’s go. If they say anything, we leave. Don’t fight me on this.”

---