The pounding in my head hadn't stopped since Friday afternoon, and I didn't think it would go away any time soon. At this rate, I'd need to buy Tylenol in bulk. Massaging my temples, I couldn't make heads or tails of the note I received this morning.
It's time we meet. Corner of Union and Roosevelt. 7 pm. Come alone.
-D
Sighing, I buttoned my coat and headed out for the meeting. Sax had been avoiding me since Friday night, and honestly, it made it easier. I knew he was upset with me, and I didn't blame him. For the first time in my life, I had to keep something from him. Each second that passed felt like scorching hot lava burning me from the inside, and there wasn't an antacid on the planet capable of helping me.
With Sax making himself scarce, I slipped out of the building without being questioned and into my Bugatti before anyone knew I was gone. The engine purred to life, and despite my loathsome meeting companion, I could enjoy my drive. I needed to do this more, the simple feeling of switching gears calmed my mind. Nothing but the sound of the engine with me as I zoomed along the streets.
I didn't regret taking over the family. It was something I'd been bred to do my whole life, and after what my Father had orchestrated, the Grim Reaper couldn't be allowed to stay in command. It would've tainted the family we'd built and the respect we'd gained as Mascros for the past hundred years. I couldn't allow that. So, my father had to go, and I'd been the one to do it. I didn't regret it, but part of me had wished for more time.
Despite being in my mid-thirties, I still felt unprepared, and maybe, that was a joke life played on you. It always seemed simpler from the other perspective, when in reality, it was anything but. Coming into the role of boss like I had, it left a lot of loose ends, and I was still chasing them six months later. My father had made this part look easy, but maybe he'd lied about that too. When your role model turned out to be the devil, it threw everything you'd built your life around into chaotic disarray.
Shifting down, I slowed the car as I came closer to the intersection. It was already dark at this time of year, and not many people were out on a Sunday evening. Between the hour and the chill, most families were tucked in their warm homes, preparing for the start of their week. The location he'd picked was a park on the edge of a neutral zone. While the city wasn't precisely cut into sectors, we all did have our divisions we tended to stay in. It helped in the business sense to keep those lines clear.
Parking, I waited as the engine died, its clicking sound ominous. The night was eerily silent around me, and I couldn't even make out any insects. How scary must a place be if even the critters avoided it?
Accepting my fate, I stepped out of my car, straightening my suit and coat. My shoes squeaked with each step I made on the sidewalk as I made my way to the entrance at the corner. No one was present yet, but it was a power move to wait until I revealed myself before making himself known. Even if only to ensure I came alone.
Which was stupid on my part. I hadn't told anyone where I was going. If I didn't return, no one would know where to start looking. It had been a desperate move, and I hoped I wouldn't regret it.
I needed this to end. For me, for Immy. And for—
"I see you got my message."
His sinister voice coated me, my skin prickling as he strolled out of the shadows. Like I'd assumed, he'd been waiting for me to approach before he made himself known. It was the right move and what I'd have done in his position. It gave him an advantage, and in war, every little angle mattered. These might be neutral grounds, but I was under no pretense that we weren't currently on his turf.
"What is this about, Darren?"
"Straight to the point, Mascro. Can't say I don't like your style. Your father was always so chatty. It got old after a while, though."
"My father was a traitor."
"Well, I suppose he was. But he owed me a job, and since he didn't deliver, you're going to pay instead. If not," he shrugged, "well, what happened to your sister will be child's play for what I have in store for your pretty little girlfriend."
"Girlfriend? You must mean Michelle, my fiancée."
Darren barked out a cruel laugh. "You must think I'm an idiot if you believed I'd fall for that line of bullshit. I know a fake arrangement when I see one. The others might have bought it, but I know you, Atticus. Don't forget who you're dealing with. I'm not my father."
"Forget? How could I forget? You're the reason why Jaz is dead! Why Immy was raped!"
A sardonic guffaw escaped him, and I realized too late I'd fallen into his trap.
"Tsk, tsk, little Mascro," he smiled, nothing but mirth in his glare. "I'd say we were all to blame for Jaz and well, Immy, collateral damage in our life, and you know it. I'd take it as a warning, though. Give me what I want, or I'll take it. And you don't want me to take it. I'll be in touch, Mascro."
Anger coursed through me, seething as I watched him walk away with no care in the world. His hands were casually in his pockets, whistling as he strolled away. Turning quickly on my heel, I headed back to my car. My hands were shaking as I approached, and I shoved them into my pockets. The Bugatti's automatic locking system engaged, unlocking the doors as I approached.
Opening the door, I slid behind the wheel and focused on my breathing. I couldn't lose everything this soon. I couldn't. I just couldn't. Slamming my fists on the wheel, all the calm I'd gained fled me, my hands shaking again. Starting the car, I buckled my seat belt before charging out of there. Spinning the wheel quickly, I did a quick turn and headed back in the other direction, speeding as I headed home.
Switching on heavy metal, I attempted to tune out the panic as I sped through the quiet streets of Chicago.
* * *
I'd been homefor about an hour and was thoroughly trashed as I sat on the floor of my office. I was hidden behind the couch, finally giving up the last time I'd come for a refill from my drink cart. I decided to sit right in front of it and save myself continuous trips back and forth. The way the room would occasionally spin had me wondering if it might've been a bad decision after all.
The empty tumbler spun around on the floor, and I watched the rainbow of colors as it reflected off the lights. It was quite beautiful and reminded me of a prism as the colors bent into one another. It reminded me of Jazzy, which wasn't surprising since she'd been firmly on my mind since my meeting. I tried to siphon through my memories to see if anything he'd said was true. Was I responsible for Jaz?
I'd always blamed Darren, but maybe?Memories crashed into me, and suddenly I was eighteen again and on top of the world as her sweet voice filled my mind.