Casey reached the airport just in time for his cell to ring for a second time and after checking the caller ID, picked it up and flicked it open to recieve his next set of instructions which were to pull around to where the private jets were. The line went dead again and Casey sighed and shrugged his shoulders then did as he was told.
He parked his car somewhere close to a luggage dock, as far out of the way as possible just as a small jet landed. Recognising the make, model and design of the jet as one that belonged to the orginization- Grabbing a knife and a pair of guns and several bullet cartridges, he strapped the weapons on and quickly shoved the cartridges into his jacket pockets.
And then got out of the car as the jet's door opened and a couple of guys pushed some steps over to the opening.
Walking slowly over to the base of the steps, he shoved his hands in his pants pockets and waited patiently as a familiar face peered out from the inside of the jet and looked right at him.
Evan Mason had been his best friend while he had been in the mafia. The two of them had joined together, trained, fought, and killed together for close to five years before Casey had left. So to say that Casey was surprised to see him after such a long time, especially given the circumstances, would be an understatement. "Evan." Casey said, his blue eyes lighting up.
Evan smiled and gave him the usual greeting of, "Yo man, long time no see." With a pleasant smile as he walked down the steps and shook hands with Casey who looked the blonde man over and noted that he was still into wearing old fashioned pin striped suits.
Just like those guys that had been in the documentary of the mafia, Evan was an old school type of guy. "Yeah, it's nice to see you too Ev." Casey said with a small smile before looking around and wondering where the package was. Evan cleared his throat to regain his attention and looked up at the jet for a moment before saying.
"I wanted to explain some things to you about the package you're picking up-" Casey looked back at him, silently trying to will him to get this over with. Evan took the hint. "Long story short Casey, the boss had a kid. You know a year or so after you left us." A year or so after the carnage that made you leave us- Hung unsaid in the air between them.
Casey did his best to hide the shock that crossed his face but he probably did a shitty job of it since Evan half coughed half laughed. "After the carnage at Rattcliff manor, boss secretly married his girlfriend then sent her away to heal after what had been done to her by those bastards... Anyways they had a kid, but Monica died several weeks after giving birth in a shoot out between two wanna be gangs who thought they were real tough shit. They very nearly killed the baby too."
"The kid pulled through despite her wounds and the boss shifted all of his attention from work to raising her. I think that was part of what led up to his death, but I don't have the heart to say that to her. Though I think deep down she knows." Evan said, suddenly looking uncomfortable as he lifted a hand to rub his nape.
"To make a long story short Casey, you were the bosses right hand. He trusted you more than anyone in the world. So a few months ago after a particularly close call, he made a will stating that if anything should happen to him before his kid was twenty and ready to assume the reigns as the new boss- she would be handed over to you. Her new legal guardian."
Casey was silent as he digested the news before asking, "How old is she? What's her name?"
"Her name is Alice. She's seventeen."
"Then I only have to watch out for her for the next three years." Casey said, his tone belying his relief. Evan looked at him strangely then said,
"Listen to me very closely Casey. Even if it's just three years, if you have someone important that you wanna protect- you can't see them again until we take her back overseas. The next three years will be full of attempts on her life as well as yours. But most of all I need you to know that you won't be doing this alone. Alice knows how to fight, and myself and two others will be in the city should you need us. We also have a few doctors setting up a clinic not far from Central Park."
Casey nodded in understanding as Evan looked back at the jet and stopped talking. Curious, Casey turned his head and looked too. Just in time to see a young lady with a mid back length raven black curls and wide teal eyes stepped off of the plane dressed in a white turtle neck and faded to white jeans.
"Alice?" Casey asked in a whispered tone.
Evan looked away from her and nodded his head. "Yeah... That's Alice."
Casey felt his lips curve up a little bit as he looked her over as old memories of his former life played through his mind before he said, "She looks just like the boss did at seventeen."
Evan looked at him, his expression curious as he asked. "How would you know what the boss looked like when he was seventeen? We didn't meet him until he was in his mid twenties."
Casey snickered at his friend and said, "I saw a picture once-" And Evan's jaw dropped and he shoved Casey and growled.
"Bastard! No wonder the boss gave you whatever you asked for. We just thought it was because you were his favorite or something but in fact you had made him your bitch!"
"Dude... Wrong," Casey said as he thought, 'Too soon Evan. Way too soon.' Besides anyone who had known their former boss knew how indulgent the man had been with his people. Even his hitmen. "Now introduce me to Alice."
