I'm Nothing (The Family Book 2) (8 page)

“Aren’t you all expendable?” she asked.

“Nope. We’re the ones that are supposed to keep the
traditions going, to keep order, and to kill whoever thinks they can take from
us.”

Zara detected the hint of malice in his voice. “You’re
not happy with that?”

“No. Who would be? I’m not a monster. Actually, scrap
that. There are a shitload of people who would say I’m the monster that you
need to hide from.”

“You don’t scare me.”

“You’ve not seen me at my worst.” They exited the
building, and Zara had to blink a few times to get accustomed to the light.

“Wow, it’s still daylight.”

“We’ve been partying since the morning. You’re not
slurring your words.”

“It’s early, and what I didn’t tell you was the fact
my parents used to let me drink during special occasions. I never did anything
radical, but this is awesome. I like feeling a little dizzy.”

“If you’re going to vomit, do it away from my shoes,”
Tonio said.

She giggled and snorted. “You’re so funny.”

Several people passed them, and she ignored their
blatant stares. She didn’t give a shit. The scent of food called to her, and
she was starving, ravenous.

“I need food.”

“There’s a burger bar just up there.”

They made their way toward the burger bar, and the
scent of onions and grease made her mouth water.

“My treat,” Tonio said.

“Ha ha, I can’t afford anything.”

They stood in line, and she got a buzz when Tonio
rested his arm across her shoulders. When it was their turn to order, she let
Tonio do the ordering. They grabbed their burgers and chili fries, taking a
seat outside.

“Damn those smell good.” She took a fry, popping it
into her mouth. The melted chili cheese was to die for. “So good.”

She took a large bite out of her burger as Tonio did
the same.

“Okay, so be real with me. If you weren’t in this
fucking mess with your parents, what would you be doing now?”

“Now?”

“Yep.”

“That’s what Lucien asked me. I’d probably be doing
some assignments, or maybe waking up next to my boyfriend, who has just had
rampant sex with me.”

Tonio wrinkled his nose. “You know, not all college
guys know what they’re doing.”

“And you do?”

“I know a lot actually.”

“Tell me all about it then, stud muffin,” she said.

“You want me to tell you all of my secrets.”

“If I was a hot girl like that red—”

“You
are
a
hot girl. It’s not about the way you look all the time. It’s about how you own
your shit,” he said.

“Whatever, anyway, if I was a hot girl that you’d take
to bed, how would you do it?”

“Well, first, I don’t take women to bed. I fuck them,
that’s it. I fuck and I leave.”

She groaned. “For once, pretend you’re the boyfriend
kind of guy.”

“When I was with Maria, I didn’t really do a lot of
the leading. She did it all. If it was me, I’d start by buying you a drink,
dancing with you.” That’s what they did already. “I’d have fun, laughing, and
getting to know you. When we were done with dancing, I think I’d like to take
you out to eat, maybe burgers.”

“Like we’re having now.”

“Yes, like we are now, only it would be late at night.
I’d get to know you, and when I felt like it was the right moment, I’d invite
you back to my apartment.”

“Damn, I like your style.”

“We’re not going to fuck. You’ve consumed so much
alcohol you’re more like to vomit over my dick than suck it.”

“Ew, I didn’t need that visual.”

“You ever sucked a cock?”

“I’ve done nothing. Besides our kiss, I’ve not even
been felt up.”

“You’ve not?”

“Good girl, remember?”

“You’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”

“You’re a pain in the ass, Tonio. Do you even listen?”
she asked.

“I liste—”

The sound of screeching tires had her looking toward
the road. There were lots of people screaming, and Tonio suddenly pushed the
table out of the way and grabbed her, tugging her down.

Gunfire exploded all around her, and Zara covered her
ears, trying to contain her screams. Tonio had his gun, and he’d shoved her
behind one of the metal tables that he’d upended. The bullets were denting the
metal, and her heart was pounding.

Any kind of buzz faded as someone shot at them.

Tonio fired his gun, and he handed her a cell phone.

“Call Donnie, tell him everything.”

Her hands were shaking, but she was able to get into
his phone and dial Donnie’s number.

“Busy right—”

“Someone is shooting at us, and we need help. Please.”
She gave Donnie the location, and suddenly she was listening to a dial tone.
“He hung up.”

“They’re on their way. Fuck! I shouldn’t have brought
you here. We’re out in the open.”

She stayed huddled behind Tonio, and he shot several
bullets.

The sound of a tire blowing filled the air, and then
the car was driving away.

“I’m going to be sick.”

Bending over the plant pot, she threw up everything
that she’d eaten. What a waste of good food.

Chapter Seven

“Fuck!” Tonio said, growling as the doctor stitched
him up.

“Next time don’t get hit.”

“I didn’t exactly stand in front of the bullet,
fucker.”

He sat in his apartment on a chair that the doctor had
forced him down to. Zara looked pale, biting her thumb as she stared at him.

“Take it from the top, what the fuck happened?” Donnie
asked.

“We were having fun at the club, the VIP one, and we
were getting hungry. We left the club and headed toward the burger bar, and we
were just talking. The car came to us, and started firing. I fired back. Are
you sure you’re not hit?” he asked, looking toward Zara.

“I’m fine. You got hit.”

“It’s a graze, sweetie, nothing to worry about.”

The good doctor was more than happy to make her feel
better, while he was making everything sting like a motherfucker.

“Why did you go out in public like that?” Luiz asked.
“We told you to be careful.”

“I didn’t think.”

“In our life, not thinking gets you killed. You’re
lucky you’ve just got a fucking graze. You and Zara could have been killed, not
to mention, taken and
then
killed.”

Tonio rubbed a hand down his face. “I get it. I fucked
up.”

“I’m glad you realize your problem.”

“Ugh! This is not helping. Someone knew where you
were,” Jake said. “That’s the only explanation for it.”

“The redhead?” Zara asked.

“You think she was some kind of spy?” Tonio asked.

“What are we talking about, some kind of redhead now?”

“At the club, there was a redhead eye fucking him. She
cornered me in the bathroom, doing the whole catty girl stuff. She may have
been giving me a warning. It was really weird.”

“I’ll get the security footage sent over,” Luiz said.

“You can get that stuff?” Zara said.

“Do you really think Tonio would have taken you to a
club we don’t own? Part of surviving in The Family is staying with what you know.
It would make sense them using a woman to spy. We own the club, and women are
often considered dispensable,” Donnie said.

“This is my fuck up. If you want to be pissed at
someone, be pissed at me.”

“I am pissed at you, Tonio. This is not what we need.”

“We have enemies, we’ve always had enemies.”

“Yet, those enemies never came after us. Our fathers
instilled fear, and we’re not doing the same. They are taking chances now,
shooting at us, that for me crosses the fucking line.” Donnie got to his feet
and started pacing.

“We got to go after Lucien.”

“I hate to add something here, but you’re right. I’ve
heard a lot of unrest since you took out your father. There has been rumor that
there are plans to create an uprising,” the doctor said.

“We’re not in the fucking movies,” Tonio said.

“We’re not, but that doesn’t mean others don’t get off
on some shit like this. Someone is after you boys, and you’re going to need to
show force.”

“How did your fathers show force?” Zara asked.

“A party, and during that party, there was a death,”
Donnie said.

“You’re done, son,” the doctor said. “I’ll be back to
change the dressing, but providing you don’t do anything strenuous, you’ll be
fine.”

“I’ve got no plans to do shit!” Tonio said.

The doctor was led out of the apartment after being
paid in full. Tonio decided to leave his shirt on. “What did I miss?” he asked.

“You’re sure you’re ready to know?” Donnie asked.

“I didn’t get that much of a buzz. Someone trying to
kill me, and I need to put a stop to it. I may as well get to work.”

Luiz came back into the room. “The footage is on the
way over here. Should be here within the hour.”

“Jake’s father has been … released,” Donnie said.

Tonio looked toward Jake. “What the fuck?”

“He didn’t agree with a bunch of boys taking over,”
Jake said. “Fucker said we were soldiers for a reason, and that we are in way
over our heads.”

This did surprise Tonio.

“We should have killed him when we did your fathers.
He didn’t believe in progress, only pain and vengeance,” Jake said. “I struck
the final blow.”

“We were cleaning up the mess when you called.”

“Should you be talking about this in front of me?”
Zara asked.

“You’re not going anywhere,” Donnie said.

“Huh?”

“Lucien clearly had plans for you in the beginning.
You want to go to the cops, go. You won’t last two minutes out there. We’ve got
cops on our books, as do our enemies. You’d be dead by the end of the day.”

She shivered and nodded her head. “Your secrets are
safe with me. I’m happy pretending I don’t know shit.”

Tonio laughed. “You’re crazy, you know that?”

“Whatever. I’ve got nothing else to do. I’ll make
coffee. I can make coffee, and I’m hungry again.”

She left them, heading toward the kitchen. Tonio
watched her ass sway from side to side.

“You’re into her,” Luiz said.

“So? You got a problem?”

“Not a problem, just saying, I don’t recall you being
into women. I thought dick was more your style.” Luiz grabbed his crotch.

Tonio laughed. “Yeah, right, you wish. So, Jake’s
father was against us this whole time. What are you thinking? Invite a party?”

“We got the whole scene on camera. Jake tortured him,
and we’re going to show strength. No kids invited, only adults, and I don’t
give a fuck if there are women there.”

“Paige and Charlene won’t be there,” Jake said.

“You’re good to have that shit for others to see?”
Tonio asked.

“Why not? Fuckers are happy to do it about us. It’s
time they saw who the real bosses were.”

“Damn, I like you all vengeful and shit,” Luiz said.

“So, we organize a party, and then we take on Lucien.”

“Zara’s father was going to tell. It’s why he ended up
dead. He had all the details, all the books, everything. Lucien killed him at
my father’s orders, and since then, he’s been ordering her mother. Zara was
supposed to go away to college, but she stayed behind to help her mother. Then Lucien
took a shining to her, too, wanting to pop that cherry as a bonus,” Donnie
said.

“Lucien is dead,” Tonio said.

“Agreed. Along with the three that we know have been
plotting against us. We take all four of them out, we show our force. First, we
need to lure them to the party. I doubt anyone would come if they thought there
was going to be a bloodbath.”

“I can organize that. Don’t worry about it,” Luiz
said. “I can get them to come.”

There was a knock at the door just as Zara was
bringing in coffee.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“I should be asking you. You’re the one who is cut up
and bleeding.”

“I’m fine.” He took the coffee she offered, and she
sat beside him, drinking her own. “Sorry your buzz had to end.”

“Yeah, well, nothing lasts forever, does it?”

“I guess not.”

“What’s going on now?”

“We’re checking out who the redhead is, and we’re
going to see what is going on.”

He settled in as Luiz came back with the footage,
loading it into the DVD player.

Several cameras came into focus, and he had a big
enough screen to see them all.

“There’s the redhead,” Zara said, pointing at the top
left hand corner.

“We’re there,” Tonio said, pointing to the center of
the screen.

“As much as I’d love to see your ass dancing, let’s
fast forward.”

Over two hours worth of footage played, and the
redhead moved around the club, always in sight of them.

How had he not seen it?

It made no sense to him.

“You two kissed?” Jake asked.

“Clearly they did.”

“There, there,” Zara said. “Press play.”

It showed Zara going into the toilet, and then her
coming out after several minutes passed. They moved off, and then the redhead
came out. She had a cell phone and started to follow them. He’d not even
noticed but she kept a careful distance.

“We’ll find out who she is.”

“She’s old,” Zara said. “When I saw her up close, she
wore a lot of makeup. It was kind of scary.”

“She wasn’t eye fucking me, baby,” Tonio said. “She
was looking at her paycheck.”

“I’m sorry. I clearly don’t read people all that
well.”

“Don’t worry about it.” He patted her knee.

Glancing toward his friends, he saw all three was
watching him. “What’s going on?” he asked.

“Nothing, just observing. You can’t go back to the
pizza place. We’ve closed it down, and we’ve also dealt with the massage parlor
next door,” Luiz said.

“What do I do?”

“Until we have this party, stay here, and don’t leave
without one of us. It’s not safe out there alone,” Donnie said.

“There’s nowhere for me to go.”

“You’re not going to ask about your mother.”

She shook her head. “No, and I don’t want to know. I
don’t care if that makes me a bad person, right now, I don’t care.”

****

Later that night, Jake, Donnie, and Luiz left Tonio’s
apartment.

“She’s good for him,” Luiz said.

“Yeah, he doesn’t look as troubled, and she’s only
been in his life a couple of days,” Jake said.

“He doesn’t know that we know,” Donnie said.

“When he’s ready, he’ll tell us,” Luiz said, hating
that he was having to keep a secret from his friend. They had learned long ago
what Tonio had been through. His own sister had told him just minutes before
she took her own life. He’d been out, and she’d called him, telling him
everything. Luiz had found the evidence already, but hearing about it from
Maria, it was hard. What was even worse, none of them had ever known the truth
of what Tonio was going through.

Years of torture, abuse, and rapes had turned their
friend into someone who was so withdrawn, there were times Luiz expected to
walk in on his friend’s suicide.

“I found the files that his father sent to mine,” Luiz
said. “They made him do some sick shit. On some of the videos, they left the
camera running, and he got beat a lot.”

“We all promised that we’d keep this to ourselves
until Tonio came to us.”

“You know he spends most of his time on that damn
computer looking for it, right?” Luiz asked.

“It’s the same computer we replaced so we could gain
access to it. He doesn’t need to remember this shit,” Jake said.

Jake and Donnie had distracted Tonio long enough for
Luiz to go in, find the files, and attach them to a file that was hidden and
secure. All trace of those files had ended months ago.

“If something happens to Zara, he’s going to hurt
everyone,” Jake said.

“I never thought for a second that the girl he always
cheated from would be the one that could possibly save our friend,” Luiz said.

“Tonio needs to keep his eye on the ball. It’ll get
him killed otherwise, and I don’t want to be putting Tonio in the ground. When
we took over, it was supposed to help us live a better life, not fuck it over,”
Donnie said. “This can’t hurt Paige.”

“How is everything going with the baby?” Jake asked.

“Fine. I keep her relaxed, and everything will be
fine.”

Their first child among the four of them, and Luiz was
excited. This was the dream they always had, and he was going to fight to make
sure they got it.

****

One week later

Zara stayed close to the house, never leaving not even
to get food. She sent a shopping list to Tonio, and made him stay on video chat
while he was shopping. She wanted to be part of it, but she wasn’t interested
in dying. While living with Tonio, she cooked, did his laundry, and she even
pressed his clothes. Yes, she was bored, and he helped by supplying her with
the internet, so she could shop.

It was weird spending his money, and it was only when
Tonio started to spend the money on complete crap that he literally tossed out
when it came, she figured she’d be better at saving than he was. Of course,
most of the things she got, he watched with her. She bought movies, or books,
and she read to him.

They had been with each other for a little over a
week, and she felt it had been longer. With Tonio she could be herself, and he
always made her feel welcome.

Late one night, she was pulled out of her dreams by
his screams. Every now and again they slept together, but she did try to keep
her independence. She didn’t want to rely on him because, as with everything,
he’d move on.