River
Waking up to a heave hand shaking me, I instantly set up because I could feel the dip in the bead and it was larger than Jane would make. I sat up and Dante was sitting on the edge of the bed putting his shoes on. He had a black hoodie on with dark jeans. I realized he was here for the business we had discussed a few hours ago as I glanced at the clock it read 3:57 am. I mentally cursed as I sat up more moving to the edge of the bed and stretched trying to wake myself up from my almost five hours of sleep. Dante stood up and adjusted his hoodie and saw a glimpse of two-gun tucked into his jeans
“get dressed, be down stairs quickly coffee is making” Dante said walking out of the room as I quickly turned the shower on and got in and rinsed off
The freezing cold water helped wake me up quickly, wasn't going to wait long enough to let my body adjust to the water. I was out in the same minutes I had gotten in. Quickly not even dealing with a towel I raced to grab some clothing out of a box my mother I guessed had dropped off for me at some point this week. I dressed practically the same as Dante had. I pulled my hoodie over my head as I reached for my gun that sat on the nightstand where I had left it.
Heading out of my room shoving in the back of my pants as I adjusted my hoodie as I headed toward the stairs, I stopped next to Jane room. I hesitated as I stood there and made a rash decision and went in, it was dark and she was asleep, but the open windows made it easier to see in the darkness. I thought about closing the curtains, but I guess it was just a forest back there and nobody was really able to see in. I walked closer to her bed as she had half her body covered mostly her legs, her upper body was clutching a body pillow and I smiled. It was kind of cute. Jane hair was a mess and she was not yanking all the time and looked like that little girl from my memories. I leaned down pulling the blanket over her as I heard a soft sigh as. I stood there fighting the urge I had to want to kiss her soft sweet skin.
But I shook my head and got rid of the thoughts as I quicker than necessary retreated from the room and continued to the staircase. Taking the stairs quickly I headed to the kitchen where I could hear voices. Dante was chatting with another man, Peta I think his nickname was because mostly after particular jobs where he ends up killing people he likes to go eat the largest steak he can find. So, he got the nickname Pet eats taste animals. I had a sinking feeling in my stomach that this was not going to be a simple easy job. I almost regretted not getting one last kiss while Jane sleeps and I fully walked into the kitchen.
“Oh River, you're faster than Gino is usually takes forever to get up and move, good, will be back before the girls wake up and we can clean up for church” Dante said as I poured myself a cup of coffee, and drank it straight “River this is Peta, he will also be accompanying us this morning job” Dante said he stretched his hand out to me
“nice to finally meet you I've heard such rumor of your talents” he said as I nodded trying to be polite
“this is actually River first real job, now he is protecting Jane, but since Gino gone business, I thought I might let him taste of what to come if he does is first job correctly” I couldn't help, but feel there was some type of threat in Dante words.
“we got ourselves a virgin on our hands, you're sure he's up to this kind of job, I really don't want to have to deal if he pussie out” Peta said as I glared and my hand twitch as I wanted to punch him
“I don't River will be any problem, after all he was born to do this, trained his whole life for this, I know for a fact he's just itching at the chances to do real work and not babysit Jane” Dante said as Peta laughed
“yeah I wouldn't want to babysit her either, I'm warning you, don't be a liability or I will shot you “ Peta said as I nodded
In truth as was my first real job, was I going to pussy out, hell no. I'm not going to lie I have some nerves bubbling and adrenaline is pumping hard in my veins, but that's what school trained us for, to not get jumpy to not be scared to be void whole killing machine. And, in truth I graduated top of my class practically broke all the school record, most of which Dante himself set. I was a killing machine and I wanted to prove to the world. I walked behind Dante and Peta and could tell he was much bigger the Dante, Dante was a tall man practically the same height as myself. But Peta was still taker by at least four possibly five inches which made I'm very threatening in combinations of the large body mass he had. Personally I think he has a bit of a roid problems.
We walked out silently and glanced at the guards and they were two new guard, I guess the normal guards need breaks as well. I shrugged shoving my hands into the pickets in front of my hoodie, it wasn't the warmest of mornings and I was thankful to have the hoodie at this time. I followed Dante to a large black SUV that was parked next to multiple black cars. Everything about this car SUV was black the rims, tires, window it was like a shadow as I walked closer to it.
“River up front Peta get the supplies ready in back” Dante said walking around to the other side and Peta was already opening the back seat as Dante spoke.
I quickly walked to the front seat and got in buckling as Dante did the same we both glanced at each other and it felt awkward. And, he broke eye contact with me first to look in the back to see Peta opening a briefcase
“Give him your gun River he will install a silencer, we are going into a slightly more populated area tonight and jumpy people calling the close is not something I want to deal with.” Dante said as I handed over my gun and Dante started to drive as I sat back lighting to Peta work in the back seat.
I felt the drive was extremely long, and I just wanted to get on with it already and as time drifted on I noticed that house and strip mall areas changed. We clearly were in a neighborhood that was criminals walking all over and was used to having shooting. We turned into an area that had house, not so much a ghetto area, but not as nice as mine and now where near Jane standards. The sun was getting ready to rise in the east and the sky along the horizon was practically a light blue as the rest of the sky was black darkness. We came to a complete stop quickly as Dante shut the car silent's any noise to alert other to our present and Peta handed me my gun and Dante back.
“Don't touch anything and don't leave or loss your gun.” Peta said which I already knew
“good, River, the reason I brought you in early with the other heads was because we had received death threats from a new prompt to gang that want a lot of territories the head families now maintain. Doing business without paying dues and causing a small amount of turbines and it's getting under my skin. Their whole gang lives here there is about 15 in total possible more. River will keep up the front opening as we sweep clean the house” Dante said as we nodded in understanding “let's go” he said as we all opened the doors and the same time and marched toward the front internees Peta was ahead and kicked the door in and started shooting
We got out quickly and walked toward the house, with Dante in the front, and Peta behind him and I last. Dante kicked the door wide open as he rushed in and I started hearing the soft noise the silencer made as the gun went off as I got closer to the door I could see the large inspiration Dante foot made as I could hear yelling and screaming, but I could hardly hear them as the sound was fading quickly I say one person still moving in the front room. I walked over quickly as he was trying to crawl toward a table that had a few guns laying on it. I took my gun and shoot him straight in the back of the head as I heard the sound of heavy footsteps coming toward the front room.
A large man not as tall as me, but tall heavy-set man was running with his eyes on the door trying to escape. He was so focused on trying to escape the slaughter he didn't much notice me standing there. I lifted my gun straight at him as he ran directly into the line of the gun. I shoot him straight into the head and he fell hard into the wall next to him. Blood splattered all over the wall and smeared down the wall as the large man sat dead on the ground. Dante and Peta came out the room quickly looked at the man on the ground dead Dante didn't look happy as he looked around the room, quickly walking out the door as I followed along after them heading to the SUV still sitting there looking really out-of-place as we head to the car. Sun was peeking out over the horizon now and it was clear that in the darkness hid the real look of the neighborhood run down appearances.
We drove quickly away I could not hear any sound of emergency services in any directions as we drove back toward the big house. It was awkwardly quiet as we drove the long drive back, I was nervous I had done something wrong maybe I wasn't supposed to kill the man who came running from the back. Dante looked deep in thought as we came in view of the house. We pulled into the same spot the SUV had been parked in early this morning, as I glanced at the clock it read 6:45 am we had been gone for a little over two hours. Dante shut off the engine and sat they're still deep in thought as nobody moved as we waited for some type of signal that we should move or get out.
“fuck this isn't good” Dante said as he pulled out his phone and started typing away
“chill we will have time to prepare for any type of retaliation, if he does anything” Peta says I sit there confused
“it doesn't make any sense why he wasn't there with the rest, lizards grow new tails you have to kill the head Peta our actions only cause the tail to grow faster with vengeance and retribution” Dante said as he turned in his seat toward Peta practically snarling. He pointed at me “not another incident like other night, we clear? That gangs leader is going to do anything and everything to gain numbers and try to cripple us and Jane is the weak link in the operations everybody knows it, don't fuck up again” Dante said ferrous as he opened and got out slamming the doors behind him, I got out a few minutes later feel ashamed and inferiors that I wasn't good enough at my one job.
“don't be so hard on yourself River, he just stressed with work, and the fact you kind of ousted yourself” he said slinging his arm over my shoulder, as I glared at him confused
“what do you mean ousted myself?” I said as we started up the stairs and I noticed the usual guards purchased at their station
“well it is not really hard to figure out based on the new media talk and the live news coverage of you and little Jane parting. Kind of screwed up his plans you know” he said as I still didn't understand
“Pete, I think its time for you to go” Dante voice said loud and stern as we both jumped
“sure is, nice job today River, look forward to kicking it with you some other time” he said as I shook my head not really having any intentions to kick it as he says, with him
“in an hour wake Jane up for breakfast, and then we will all get ready for church, clear” Dante said as I walked past him nodding he just kept standing there as I walked inside
Heading up stairs I was feeling kind of tired, I stopped and walked back into the kitchen Lana was standing there cooking over a full stove. She was kind of dancing to the song she was humming it made me smile, my mother couldn't cook and it was not good when she tried so we mostly had pre-cooked or frozen food, which didn't bother me that much it was still good. I grabbed a new cup and filled the cup with coffee a new pot must have been made because it was full now and before we left it was practically empty.
“Oh River you scared me, you boys and your sneaky way, I can't take one day some you will be the death of me” she said as Dante walked in and mimicked my action as Lana messed with some of the pots on the stove
“what will be the death of you dear?” Dante said which made Lana jump and me chuckle at her reaction
“that everyone in this house is so sneaky I can never hear any of you walking sneaking around, I need to get bell and attach them to you” she said as Dante chuckled as she turned around looking peeved. “don't you laugh at me, I serious you two are getting the first ones and stop drinking all my coffee you didn't leave any for me when I got up and now look sucking the pot dry” she said pointing a special at both of us accusing
“I'm sorry dear” Dante said looking at her innocently which made me want to laugh because Dante looking innocent was just so wrong
“i'll let it slide this time,” she said turning back to the stove as Dante set his mug down and walked up behind her louder than necessary and wrapped his arms around her resting his chin on her shoulder.
I decided to walk out of the room, clearly they were having personal moment and really didn't need me around watch, nor did I really want to watch. Personally there is nothing worse than watching other people in a relationship be happy when you're not, it is seriously annoying. So, I walked back up the stairs and figured Jane was still I would wait to wake her up, I'm sure she wasn't really a happy morning person and I don't feel like getting into an argument with her. I went to my room and sat at the computer and looked at the monitors. Yep, Jane was tangled in her blanket peacefully sleeping away.
Thought I don't really care what Peta thought or said, something he said was still freshly sitting in my mind, what did he mean I ousted myself? I sat there at the computer trying not to feed into curiosity it always kills that cat and I might not like what I find. But I looked I didn't have much will and I was pretty bored senses Jane was not up yet. I tried not to be happy about the fact I was doing this, so I slowly types Jane's name into search bar and instantly got thousands of links and web-site. I clicked the first link that was a news article posted about 12 hours ago, so some time while we were sleeping in the park. I really wish I hadn't done this search, it was worse than what I had seen on the TV in Kevin house.
This women talked about Jane in unfriendly ways that pissed me off, half the things she said were untrue and it made me mad, but mostly how she needs to have better parents that actually care what she does at night with young boys. Aka me, most rambling on about how I was in line to take over Dante criminal empire and what the city could expect and how much like the apocalyptic it would be when Jane and I are in charge. It ticked me how this woman was ridiculous I quickly clicked back not wanting to read any more of that women's writing it wasn't true and horrible to just say things without even getting anything right. I decided to be brave and click on another article a few hours before the previous one had been posted.
It was a more official new report of the incident, which was more accurate I just didn't like how in the article had even more of the information the precious woman use calling Jane parents bad for letting her run the streets rampant including my parents, how prediction for the city future might be in jeopardy if we continue on the destructive path. Clearly this was a bad idea looking online so I decided senses a half hour had passed that I may as well go wake Jane up 20 min early. Mostly I need to getaway from the computer, shoving away from the desk and grabbing my mug of coffee walking to Jane's room. Walked in she was sprawled out which was funny looking as she laid there peacefully sleeping and I smirked as I thought of her reaction. I sat my coffee down and back away from her bed toward the door.
I quickly ran and launched myself toward the bed and a couple of feet away from the bed I leaped into the air flying for a few moments. The second I landed I head and left the bed made a large snapping noise underneath me as the bed slumped. The second thing I say was Jane bounce into the air from the force of me landing onto the bed. Her face was priceless and I wish I had taken a picture because I was so funny. I was hysterically laughing and I couldn't control myself as I slide down off the bed and Jane slide down the same way. The bed was practically touching the ground at the other side was high in the air. Jane looked at me murderous as I kept laughing and the lack of oxygen was making my eye's water and side were surly in pain.
“you asshole, you broke my bed” Jane yelled as she started hitting me, but it made me laugh more as I remembered the shock and horrified look on her face “stop laughing you stupid ape” she screamed as she kept hitting my arm, it didn't really hurt so I let her get a few hits in because in fact I did just break her bed
“look I'm sorry I was just trying to wake you up not break your bed” I said still laughing
“it's not funny River, what the hell is wrong with you, where am I going to sleep you broke my bed” she yelled getting up
“chill Jane you know very well there are many stores that sell bed frames will go pick you up one on the way home” I said leaning against the bed
“on the way home, home from what?” she said glaring at me clearly still pissed
“well it is Sunday Jane, what do you normally do with your family on Sunday?” I asked as she looked ever more irritated
“great, now I'm going to be stuck in church with you and a bunch of other people I don't like” she said stopping toward the bathroom slamming the door, as I got up and stretched looking at the bed smiling, I felt pretty pleased with myself as came back out of the bathroom a few min later as I sat myself down on the higher end of the bed, she stomping toward the nightstand grabbing the phone “this your coffee” she asked and I nodded “good it is mine now because you broke my bed” she said grabbing my mug and taking a drink apparently she didn't like it much because the face she made was almost as funny as one before “what is wrong with you?” she said sitting the mug down making a nasty face
“nothing, what's wrong with you?” I said confused the coffee tasted just fine to me
“what is with you and my bad drink straight coffee, like hello, it's called sugar it's a delicious little white crystal that makes coffee good” she said as I shrugged
“taste fine to me without having to add anything to it” I said as she stomped off back to the bath mumbling something incoherent
I got up taking my coffee back, there was nothing wrong with it and heading down stairs I could smell the food emanating through the house. I was strange how I knew some other people lived in the house, but I hardly ever saw them or ran into them, I wonder if they ever used the kitchen because I ever saw anybody in there. I shrugged it off walking back to the kitchen as both Dante and Lana sat at the table eating chatting. Dante sat at the head of the table with his back to the wall and a view of the entire kitchen and into the living room. Lana sat next to him as she was making some strange face as he smirked. My parents were never like this or at least in front of me they were never like this.
“River Jane up?” Dante asked as I nodded refilling my half empty cup “good come sit down and eat” he said pointing to the chair across from him, it felt uncomfortable really, but sat there because he said to
“what would you like, I made a lot of things I wasn't sure what you likes, so I made a bit of everything” she said smiling reaching and grabbing my plate to fill it with food
“I'm not particularly picky whatever you think is best will be just fine” I said as she started filling my plate fully much like Dante was
“good you can try everything then, and tell me what you like the best and next Sunday I'll make a big batch of it for you” she said as I smiled at how chipper she was this morning to just have made food
“Lana he won't be her next Sunday morning, he normally will be gone Saturday night to Sunday night” Dante said as Lana made a sour face and kept filling my plate
“here you go River eat up you had a long morning” she said handing my plate as I dug in. Mostly it smelled really good and I had never had a homemade meal before and it was rude not to appreciate the work she had put into this morning.”so is it good”
Very much so thank you Lana, never had food this good before, school food was crappy and my mom not really a cook” I said as she nodded her head
“I really should have had made her take lesson from me, she such a horrible cook” Lana said as Jane came in the kitchen
“it is not my fault, I tried to learn to cook” she said taking water out of the fridge
“Oh Jane I wasn't talking about you, I tried to make you learn, you're just cooking enabled, I was talking about Brit, Rivers mom” she said taking a bit of an English muffin
“Oh, I see” Jane said sitting down in the only empty chair across from her mom as she grabbed a few things and put it on her plate
“ you River I think you look so handsome with a little stubble on your chin makes you look so grown up and mature” Lana said as Dante shook his head in amusement
“thank you didn't have much time to shave this morning, but I'll clean up before we leave” I said as she watched Jane
“don't you think River looks handsome Jane with the stubble?” she questioned as Jane glared at me
“I think he looks like a homeless person” she said as Lana choked on her coffee and Dante choked on his food trying not to laugh
“Jane that rude” she said glaring at Jane as she glared back
“no what's rude it lying to me my whole life mother” she said as both Dante and Lana looked at each other worried like then back at Jane
“I don't know what you're talking about Jane, I never lied to you” she said looking down messing with her food as Dante did the same, it seemed odd action for them clearly they were hiding something and we're trying to avoid
“yes you did, you told me that I never played with a body at the park as a kid, but I knew I did, you said I must have imagined a friend because I never had a friend or played with anybody there, but I didn't, it was River” Jane said in an irritated tone, and Dante smiled which made me think the secret they were hiding and thought they had been caught on was not what Jane was talking about
Oh Jane doesn't be such a drama queen, we only said that because you were too young to understand River had gone off to school and wouldn't be coming back for a long time” she said glancing around the room “plus, was it really that bad without River around, you grew up and made wonderful, sometimes bad influences, but still wonderful friends” she said, as Jane rolled her eyes
“the truth would have been better than you making me thing I was crazy and imagined him
“Jane eats your food, we have to leave soon and please nothing too outrageous this time, I really don't want to deal with the looks of the other patterns this time” Lana said collecting her plate and getting up walking into the kitchen and setting it on the counter and leaving
“why must you always start fight with your mother so early in the morning Jane?” Dante said finishing the food on his plate
“she made it into a fight plus you're no better. You feed me the same lie, why?” she snapped back
“because Jane” Dante said using a deeper more threatening voice “it was for your own good, the boy River use to be is no longer who he is now, it was better to have forgotten him and start brand new, without expectations of him being the same person” Dante said getting up doing the same as Lana had done walking out, Jane mumbled something then glared at me
“what, you have something to say to” she yelled at me as I shook my head
“nope, but I do agree with them, and I explained this to you last night, there wasn't really a need to start an argument about it” I said as she rolled my eyes
“whatever River it's not really the same when you haven't been lied to your entire life” she said
“true, but there's worse things they could have lied about, beside you made other friends would have really made a difference in your life if you had just imagined it?” I asked as she pursed her lips and grumbled
“no” she said through the grumbles
“then drop it” I said finishing off my food as Jane just pushed her food around, nibbling on toast, I figured she was worried about getting sick to actually eat anything like last night “I'm going to go get ready, try to eat more than a piece of toast” I said getting up and leaving a grumpy Jane sitting alone in the kitchen