Disclaimer: I own nada, the song belongs to FOB.
A/N: Short chapter, just filler and setting up the plot. If you have any questions, just ask. If I get enough reviews (maybe five or more, I will post the third chapter, which is the first in LuLu's POV sometime this week as well! Yes, I'm bribing, let's hope it works?
P.S.: Still no beta, but I tried my best.
- o O o –
"This ain't a scene; it's a god damn arms race.
This ain't a scene; it's a god damn arms race.
I'm not a shoulder to cry on but I digress."
Chapter Two
After a tense dinner with his father, Johnny finally decided to find out what was going on., hopping he had appeased his old man enough to get some answers out of him. Walking to the couch with two glasses of scotch, he handed one to his father before taking a seat next to him.
"How'd you get out pop?"
"Elaborate plan my son took no part in, I'm disappointed with you."
Shaking his head, Johnny sighed. The games were already beginning and soon Anthony would tire of play a nice guy and take out his anger and aggression out on his son. Johnny felt tense with the anticipation already.
"Pop, I had no idea about this. None of the men told me. You knew if I had known I'd be right there with you." It was an outright lie but he was good at lying. Something he picked up from his old man, how to bullshit but he wanted his father locked up for the rest of his life. It was safer for himself, Johnny, and everyone around him.
"Shut up! You had to know I wasn't about to spend my life in fucking four by four cell, without my precious roses and son." The older man turned to Johnny to cup his face, squeezing harder than he needed. "Plus you aren't ready to take over the business just yet, I've seen your failures John and I'm going to take care of them. Then you're going to learn how to run what I've built from NOTHING properly."
Dropping his hand, Anthony stood up and moved towards the steps. "I had fresh sheets put on your mattress for myself and one of my men pulled together your guest room for you. I'll see you in the morning and we'll do breakfast to discuss those mistakes."
Watching his father climb the stairs Johnny leaned back against the couch and drowned the rest of his scotch. His father was just as crazy and this wasn't the time for his volatile behavior. Not with Michael sniffing around and Lisa coming over at all times. His father would see Michael as ripe picking and a way to hurt Sonny and he'd make sure to allow him into the business and send him on the dangerous jobs. Citing he only wanted to help the boy with his issues but hopping Michael got in over his head and got shot. Causing Sonny the same pain he believed he felt when he lost Claudia.
He probably would like Lisa, and his father liking anyone was bad.
Sitting forward he slammed his glass on the table and ran a hand down his face with a shaky sigh. "Fuck, fuck," he mumbled.
Standing up quickly, he checked his gun and headed out the door, to the one place he never thought he'd go to for help. But there was too much going on. His father would only add another layer or pressure that he didn't need.
Heading out the door, he saw the guard posted, a man who had chosen his father's side over Johnny's. "Mr. Zacchara told me not to let you leave." The huge man told Johnny just as he shut the door.
"I'm a grown man; my father doesn't dictate where I fucking go anymore."
"I follow Mr. Zacchara's orders, so go inside before I make you."
Smirking, Johnny quickly pulled his gun, walking towards the man. Johnny didn't relish in killing people, exact opposite actually, but after the day he had to-day, some violence might calm him down a bit. Not to mention this guy was a risk. If he wanted to make sure his father was taken care of, he had to take care of this guy.
"You know everyone calls my father crazy?" He asked as he stalked forward and lifted the gun just as the bodyguard reached for his. "I wouldn't do that if I was you."
"Mr. Z won't be happy if you kill me."
"You think I give a fuck what makes my father happy?"
"He's your father, so him some damn respect."
Shaking his head, Johnny cocked the gun against the man's head. Glad for once he had the silencer welded on. He didn't need his father to hear this and get wise to his plan before he could take care of him. "My father hasn't shown me an ounce of respect since he killed my mother in front of me.
You remember don't you? I think you were one to help clean up the mess, as he called it." He felt the rage pumping through his veins; he didn't like to talk about his mother. Think about his mother. It dredged up to much pain. But that pain was channeling into something he could use and he knew how to use pain to his advantage. It made him stronger and more exact.
"So this is for my mother asshole."
- o O o –
"Make sure one of MY men is at the door. If there's a problem, remove it." He muttered to the phone as he stopped in front of the warehouse building and snapped his phone shut. Looking towards the window, he didn't see any light on but he was just going to have to wake the sleeping couple inside.
Running a hand through his hair, he took the steps two at a time until he reached the door and then stood in front of it. Rethinking this plan but once the PCPD might come in handy. He didn't want his father dead, just locked away.
Lifting his hand, he fisted it and then knocked. Waited and then knocked a few more times before the door flew open. LuLu was on the other side in one of the many fluffy robes she owned, gifts from her Grandmother every Christmas, and her blonde hair piled at the top of her head.
"Johnny?"
"Hey LuLu," he said, his eyes gazing at her bare legs a little longer then he should have allowed and he lifted his head back to her. "Is Dante here?"
"Yeah, of course, but he's a sleep. What's wrong? Is it Michael?"
"No, no, it's my father."
"But he's in jail," but as the words were out of her mouth, it dawned at her and she shook her head.
"Or so we thought?" I said, finishing her thought.
"Who is it LuLu?" Dante called from the bed and Johnny had to make sure he didn't fist his hands. Jealousy shot through him and he tried to ignore it. He was here to ask a favor from the man, he couldn't necessarily get jealous for the man sleeping with his ex-girl.
He still did though, he just hoped he hid it well at least.
"It's me, I need you're help as a detective." Johnny called towards the bed and right after heard the rustling and shuffling of getting the man getting dress.
"Is it Michael?" He asked quickly, pulling a shirt over his head as he walked towards Johnny and LuLu.
"No, but he's one of the reasons I need this dealt with. My father broke out of prison."
"I heard about that."
"Didn't think to tell me?"
"We didn't want to alert you in case you decided to help."
Shaking his head, Johnny jerked a hand through his hair. This could have been prevented if they had come to him. There was no way in hell he would protect this father, not this way. It was better for everyone if the man was locked up.
"Look, I'm not you. I don't want my father out of prison. He's crazy and he hurts everything he touches, just ask LuLu about my father, she'll give a few horror stories that I don't have time to get into. But call your fellow keystone buddies and go to my place. He's there."
With that Johnny turned towards the door, he didn't particular want to be near LuLu and her boyfriend for any length of time if he could help it, but pausing though at the door, he turned around to look at Dante. "Don't mention me, okay. I want no badge of honor of bullshit. Just keep me out of it."
"Why? I thought you'd want to take the credit," Dante said and before Johnny could speak, LuLu did.
"Cause he'll have Johnny killed if he knew he took part in sending him back to prison."
Smiling at LuLu, he shook his head. Seeing the worry crease he brow. "Don't worry LuLu, even if the keystone police failed to keep the secret, I'll be okay." He tells her before walking out.
Trying to not to let her worry for him make him happy but it did. It felt good knowing someone gave a damn about him. He missed that feeling.
- o O o -
Another couple and another person to tell and hope he kept his secret. He knew his father would target Michael. And just in the case the cops didn't do their job, as if that would be surprising, he wanted to warn Michael. His father knew everything and probably knew how Michael was coming around, trying to prove himself. He had promised LuLu, he'd take care of Michael. Claudia would want him to too; she had felt so much guilt for costing that boy so much. She wouldn't have let our father cost him more.
Reaching Abby's door, he lifted his hand and knocked. Waiting once more but he didn't have a long wait like at LuLu's door. A shirtless Michael was pulling it open and he winced at the look on the boy/man's face, a bit of fear and a lot of rage.
"Hey Michael," Johnny said quietly, not wanting to spook the kid.
"Johnny, what are you doing here?"
"I just need to talk to you for a minute but we got to keep this between us okay? I'm taking care of him but if your dad or Jason found out, it wouldn't work." A skeptical look passed across Micheal's face as he shut the door and turned to face Johnny fully.
"Why would I do that? I mean if it affects my dad, I would have to tell him."
"Doesn't affect your dad, this affects you. My dad is out of prison and he probably knows you and I have been talking." Johnny said as he moved himself to the couch and dropped down onto it, running another hand through his hair. "He'll see you as easy pickings Michael. A way to get back at your dad and he'll recruit you. Send you on jobs you aren't ready for and make sure you get killed."
"So you're father would want me to join the business to get back at my father?" Michael asked as he moved to sit in the chair across from the couch. "Isn't that your reason too?"
Shaking his head, Johnny laughed a bit. "No Michael, I have other ways to get to your father. You're searchin' for something I was too at one point. You've had a lot harder than me though and I don't want to see you make the mistakes I did. If you come looking for a job, I'll give you one. But I'll teach you the ropes, teach you how to make sure you don't get caught and killed. My dad though, he'll throw you to the sharks and laugh while all the while."
Michael shook his head and ran a hand down his face. "Thanks then, and I'll keep this between us."
"No problem and if my dad somehow shows up here, call me, okay? Humor him until I get here and then I'll take care of it. I don't wanna see my old man dead, just back where he belongs."
"I understand and I can do that."
"Thanks Michael." Johnny said as he stood up and offered his hand to the young man who took in return and shook it.
"Thanks for telling me and not just taking care of it for me."
"You're not stupid Michael, wet behind the ears but you know the business and what can happen. And the offer stands, no strings attached, if you want a job, come see me. If you don't like it after it, you can leave." And Johnny hoped he decided to leave. He hoped that after Michael got a taste of it would leave a lasting impression on him.
"Thanks again," the young man said and walked Johnny to the door and after a goodbye, Johnny walked out to the street.
Hearing the sirens, he hoped everything went according to plan or things could get worse. Shaking his head, he walked towards Lisa's apartment.
Deciding her bed would be his tonight and maybe she could help relieve some lingering stress he had.
As long as she kept her crazy at the door for once and they could just deal with his.
"I'm a leading man,
And the lies I weave are, are oh so intricate,
Oh so intricate."
