2 Weeks Later
Noé POV
Peaceful. A strange feeling to have when sitting in a dimly lit hospital room. But that’s the feeling that envelops me as I read and drink coffee next to Winter’s bedside. After a week of hell, chaos, and worry, I welcome this brief moment of solace.
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A weeks ago
“I’ve decided to disband the mafia.” Reggie’s statement is met with a stiff silence as we sit around the office, waiting for the rest of the joke. When it doesn’t come I simply slump back in my chair, stunned.
“What the hell are you thinking Reggie?” Instead of blowing up like I’d expect, Roman just looks tired, rubbing his disheveled hair.
“I’m thinking that we’re vulnerable right now, extremely vulnerable. And our finances have been bleeding since dad went AWOL. Mom can barely get out of bed, Emily, no offense it’s extremely inexperienced, you’re barely hanging on and Noé is too focused on Winter to think straight.” Rude, but not untrue. Emily scoffs, crossing her arms.
“That’s an understatement.” She says it just loud enough for me to hear, but I let it slide. For now. I’m technically still working until this disbandment is official.”
“And what do you think we’ll do with our income? And our staff?”
“We still have our legal businesses. I’ve already spoken with the family, most of them are retiring, others are working in our legal business that we can now focus on expanding.” Reggie actually sounds like he’s thought this through. It’s the first time any of us have heard him act like a logical businessman, or a man at all for that matter.
“And all of our enemies.”
“I’ve met with them, worked out various deals.”
“Like what deals?”
“Peace, drugs, weapons, along with leaving Dad as prey. We can’t interfere at all, none of us.” Well damn, that’s ballsy. I didn’t even realize that people hated Reuben this much. I mostly take my orders from Roman unless it’s a severe case.
First Winter’s mom and now Reggie.
“Reggie, how could you do that to dad?!”
“Oh, Emily grow the fuck up. That man doesn’t give a shit about us. He left us to die, remember? Look at Winter and everything he’s done to her. You know I talked to her mom and at first I thought this bitch is crazy. But then I started digging. I did research and you know what I found?” He storms over to the desk before coming back over and tossing 2 thick manila folders on the table.
Text messages, photos, emails, back and forth between Natasha and Reuben. Over the span of years . They go from lovey dovey, threatening, to a deadly promise with reminders of what happened when she last disobeyed. Pictures of a younger, bloody, beaten Natasha passed out on the floor with a confirmation of a job done . These threats continue fluctuating between Natasha and Winter when all messages suddenly cut off…when Natasha “died.”
“If she hadn’t faked her death he was going to kill Natasha and Winter, and you know why?! Because the bastard cheated and got her pregnant and she told mom!” Emily, Roman and I look at the files and numerous pages…stunned.
“You can defend him with your words and your tears, but unless you want this entire family to be attacked, you’ll leave him to his fate. He wanted this mafia life and forced it on all of us. He made all of us clean his mess, follow him blindly, but now he can pay up for his own crimes. Without dragging us down with him. I don’t know about you but I ain’t in the mood to die for a man that used to beat my ass.” Emily has tears rolling down her face, but she doesn’t object.
There’s no way that she can. Not when everything is laid out in front of her.
Reggie lap l slaps a hand on Roman slumped shoulders. The poor guy looks exhausted, maybe this isn’t such a bad idea after all. I wouldn’t mind not having to kill anyone. I’ve got enough blood on my hands.
“And what do you expect us to do?” Roman asks and Reggie smiles, going to take a seat.
“Em can go to college like she’s always wanted and well I can’t run multiple businesses and a multimillion dollar company alone. Noé, think you can handle security? You’ll still get paid.” It’s better than dealing with someone like Reuben.
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“You’re the boss.” Reggie stands straight and nods.
“You’re right and as the boss, I officially announce the disbandment of the Stone mafia.” A few minutes later, Emily leaves, clearly still bothered about Reuben, but she wanted to be included, this is the shit that I tried to warn her about. The three of us spend the next few hours talking about our new roles and responsibilities.
After our meeting, I go home where the food Harley made is sitting and waiting for me. The house is quiet, just like it was before Winter began living with me. I never realized how lonely it feels in this house.
Despite not having an appetite or any energy to eat, I take out the containers of steak tacos and smile. This is Winter and I go to snack food whenever we’re high and have a movie night. She had never had one until a year ago and that’s pretty much all she craves now.
I begin eating the most delicious tacos I’ve ever had when I get a call from Milo. My appetite disappears, my nerves and anxiety begin to climb, with a fleeting pass of hope. Regardless, I answer, quickly gathering my things.
“Mr. Malone, is everything okay?”
“Winter had 2 seizures, this caused all of her stitches to tear in her stomach and she’s being rushed back into surgery. They’ll likely need to do another blood transfusion.” Swallowing the tears and lump in my throat I take a deep breath and compose myself. I need to get a damn grip.
“Alright, I’ll be on my way soon.”
“I’ve sent Harley to retrieve you, she should be waiting outside. See you soon, Sparrow.” Milo hangs up and I quickly put the food away, making sure I have everything for a long night at the hospital.
True to his word, when I step outside, Harley is waiting with her car running. I can’t even admire her with the worry gripping and turning my stomach into a tight knot. I sit in the car and she immediately pulls out of the driveway, her hand coming to settle onto my thigh in silent comfort. A comfort that I desperately want to drown in.
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Present Day
Turning the page of the security plans in place for the businesses I now oversee, I settle comfortably in the chair. “You’re not going to believe the shit going on when you wake up.” I mumble the words to Winter as a knock sounds at the door. Sparing a glance at the time, I see that it’s 7pm, a little earlier than usual for Milo, but I’m not surprised with everything going on.
Instead of walking alongside Milo, Harley comes in alone, carrying a beautiful bouquet and crystal vase.
“No Milo?”
“Not today, he’s busy working.”
“And you aren’t with him? That’s surprising.”
“Lucia wanted to make sure Winter got these.” Milo’s mother? I guess she made a good first impression.
“They’re beautiful.”
“She sends her regards and wants you to join us for dinner this weekend.”
“Me?”
“She wants me to bring my date from the banquet. It was the first time I took anyone after all. She just wants to play matchmaker and with Winter in the hospital, all she has is us.”
“Oh, um” I close the book and glance at Winter.
“I’ll pick you up from here and bring you back. I’ll also explain that we’re just friends, I know you have a thing with Emily.” Harley pulls up a chair next to mine, stretching out her legs and setting her eyes on me. She looks so effortlessly sexy. The fire in her eyes slowly begins to entrance me and all I can do is stare. She lets me, patiently waiting for an answer.
“I don’t know…”
“I…know…you’re not, rejecting this fine ass…woman” A groggy, raspy, slurred voice sounds from beside me and I crack my neck to see Winter’s eyes slowly opening.
“Oh my God, Winter, you’re fucking awake. Do you realize how much you fucking scared me?” I quickly grab her cup and get my water, as she adjusts her bed, wincing a bit and looking down at her stomach.
“I’ll get the doctor.” Harley leaves as I help Winter take small sips of her water until it’s gone. She sits back with a sigh, turning her head to look at me with a small smile.
“I got shot.”
“I know and it’s my fault.” Winter doesn’t say anything and I can’t help the guilt that surrounds me. Her face is straight and unreadable, even to me.
“Shut the fuck up.”
“What do you-”
“Seriously Noé, if you’re going to start that “it’s my fault, it should have been me, bullshit, you can leave.” Damn, she woke up and became rude as fuck.
“I know you got shot but what’s up your ass?”
“Do you not realize how much I care about you already Noé? Do I have to spell the shit out? This was nothing and I’d do it again.” Before I can respond the doctor knocks on the door and comes into the room. Winter is different, this bitch got shot and now she’s quieter, more observant and cold. Like snow.
Even though her words were sweet and would make anyone melt, they were sharp as ice. I wonder how much she heard when she was knocked out. The doctor talks but I can tell Winter is hardly paying attention as she stares out the window at the night sky.
“Do you have any questions, Ms. Dixon?” Winter finally tears her eyes away from the window, her piercing gaze lands on the doctor. Practically staring through the poor woman’s soul.
“You said I needed a blood transfusion right?”
“Yes, 3, in total. You had 2 seizures that tore your stitches.” Winter hums, nodding and looking back out the window.
“Are you in pain at all?”
“No.”
“Really? That’s surprising, though it could be because you’ve just woken up and your body needs to adjust. Please try not to make any sudden movements.” The doctor gives her instructions but Winter goes back to ignoring her, and I catch the subtle clinch of Winter’s jaw.
She’s different.
“Can I be alone please?” The doctor nods, as Harley throws me a look, saying she’ll be waiting outside. I move to follow them but Winter calls me back.
“Noé, tell me the truth.”
“The truth about what?”
“When I was out, there were times I heard bits and pieces of conversations. Most of them I don’t remember, but there was something that stuck with me. Something that I can’t get out of my fucking head. Did you know my blood type is B-?”
“Only when I tried to donate.”
“It’s rare, one of the rarest, I can only receive blood from B- and O-, did you know that? Did you know my mother is B- too?” I was hoping she wouldn’t remember that shit. After all, Natasha hasn’t been around in a couple of weeks.
“Be honest, Noé, is my mother alive? Was she the one who donated?”
“...Yes.”
Just like that the dam breaks. But it’s not tears and sadness that has Winter hurling her cup towards the opposite wall. It’s anger, bitterness, and betrayal, and I can see it consuming her as she continues to cuss her mother out.