Chapter 4: hissing and spitting like a kitten..
The church was quiet and filled with the smell of wood and incense. Pews lined the space and the walls were tastefully decorated with statues and scenes of Jesus walking, the large wooden cross weighing him down. The great hall was practically empty except for an old woman off to the side lighting some candles as she prayed softly rolling her rosary through withered hands.
A priest carefully walked around his sanctuary checking on the statues and candles and things as well as seeing to those that enter need not his council. Two men sat at the back, half cast in shadow as their heads bent down in prayer. They, the MacManus brothers, had their new target and prayed that the Lord would be ready to judge those that ventured near his gates.
The target was none other than Vincenzo Yakavetta. (A/N : I know in the movie hes not a Yakavetta. But he is now.)
Papa Joe's very own cousin and one of his main under bosses. It was something they heard he would be at home tonight and what a perfect opportunity that was. It was only a bonus that he happens to be the one trying to shut down McGinty's...
The large wooden doors creaked open as two people rushed in. Carefully shutting the door, they tip toed inside."Jez do you have to go out tonight?" The boys opened their eyes to see Jezra walking up the aisle, a small child on her hip. They stared curiously at the sight. They had no idea she was a ma.
"Yes Eli...I told you this. I don't want to (understatement) Trust me I'd much rather be home with you." Which happen to be the understatement of the year. She'd rather have bamboo shoots stuck up her finger nails than go to this little outing. Thinking of the black car that waited outside for her was enough to make her sigh heavily though, resigned to go at least to keep Elijah and Murphy safe. Gazing fondly at Eli she nuzzled his cheek.
"I'll be with you all day tomorrow until I have to work again, how's that sound?" The boy reluctantly agreed.
Connor looked at Murphy in confusion. "Lass isn't married. I saw no ring." He tried to console his brother without being obvious. It was plain as day that Murphy held some affection for the gal.
"Aye.." Murph answered after a pause. "But how do we know.." His hands were shaking and he stuffed them in his pocket so Connor wouldn't notice.
He burned to ask her. To jump in the isle and grab her, demanding she tell him everything. But he knew he couldn't do that. She wasn't his. But then why did he act like it? Why did the idea of her belonging to someone, being married or widowed already have him wanting to cause some damage? Was he going mad?
Smiling at the old women Jezra set Eli down. "Thank you again Ms. Collins, I'll try to be back before eleven." Ms. Collins waved her off gazing fondly at Eli.
"No trouble. I know what it's like to be young and going out. Besides.." She laughed softly, ruffling Eli's hair. "He reminds me of my own grandson." Jezra gave her a soft smile.
"A grandson is good but not to many sweets you hear?" She poked him and Ms. Collins and Eli giggled and shared a wink. "Course not dear."
Jezra rolled her eyes fixing his hair. "Give me a hug bye?" She asked him kneeling down. With a nod he wrapped his small arms around her neck before Jezra gently pried herself away. "I'll come back...in the meantime, Send a prayer for me would you?" Eli nodded and climbed up in the pew and whispered the prayer she had taught him. One his father use to say to him, Jezra had told him.
Standing she watched him and rushed out as fast as her heels would allow. Sliding into the black car she stared at the church as they drove away.
Ms. Collins held out her hand to the small boy who took it hugging his fox closely. "Well now, how about we get a bite to eat before we go to my house? How's that sound?" Eli looked up and smiled nodding. "That would be nice. " He said before bumping into someone.
"Oh...sorry mister." He said timidly backing away slightly making sure his hand clutched the old womens closely for her protection. Ms. Collins gave him a reassuring smile instead, tugging him forward.
"It's alright Eli. These are some friends of mine. This is Murphy and that's Connor." "Hi." Eli greeted them.
"Ello there lad." Connor replied giving an easy expression as he gave Murphy a slight push. Murphy muttered out a small hello.
"You guys brother?" Eli asked and Connor nodded kneeling down slightly. "Twins actually." He corrected and Eli stared at them. "But you guys don't look alike." "We're the kind that doesn't look alike. But born on the same day."
Eli oh'ed and nodded his understanding. "Who's older?" He asked looking between them as if he could figure it out.
"That'd be me." Connor chuckled and Eli grinned pointing to Murphy. "Then I like him better." Murphy smirked at Connor.
"Oh? And whys tha't" Connor asked curiously not at all insulted by the child. "Cause I have an older sibling too." He informed them and Ms. Collins nodded her head.
"Yes, sweet girl. Maybe you've met her? Jezra McKinnon?" Murphy's smirk got wider at this new information. "Siblings eh?"
Connor shook his head marveling at the change in attitude with him. Connor stood brushing off his knees. "Well it was nice seeing ye, but me and me brotha best be goin." Eli nodded.
"Ok, bye Mr. Connor, Mr. Murphy," The MacManus brothers smiled in amusement. They've never been called that before.
"Oi." Murph said ruffling his hair. "Just Murphy lad, m' not tha' old ya know." Connor nodded his agreement giving thee child the same permission. "And jus Connor." And they turned, walking out the door and lighting a cigarette.
Despite the mix up over the relation between Jezra and Eli, Murphy couldn't help but feel somewhat relived. She was definitely fair game now...
Sometime later.
Fair game.. Murphy thought obviously distracted. "Murph!" growled Connor as they crouched behind some bushes. "What?" He snapped back to reality. "Get yer fucking head into this!" Connor hissed waving the gun around.
At that Murphy rolled his eyes. "My fucking heads fine! Its me shoulders thats killin from lugging around your fucking rope!" He said hitting Connor in the head who smacked him right back.
"It was my rope that fucking saved our asses on the last hit!" Connor hissed waving his gun about.
"Yea afta nearly breaking me fucking leg!" Murphy retorted and Connor narrowed his eyes. "Thats it!" He dived over tackling his brother as they traded blows (though soften considerably) but froze once someone walked by the window.
Looking through the window the boys stared in shock. "Jez!" They said in disbelief and anger, (guess which was which,) Jezra was there alright. Sitting at one end of the table dressed in short black little number. She looked absolutely gorgeous and deadly as her face was a mask of eyes, eyes flat and cold as she stared at the man across from her. Her distaste evident in her face and that's what helped Connor calm murphy down.
"And...Now!" Connor called out as they kicked in the door and shot the four men in the front before bursting into the dining room. Jezra stared at them in shock.
"Murphy! Connor! What the hell...?" And as both stepped forward her shock turned to panic...
Earlier that night when Jez first arrives...
Jezra stepped out of the car staring up at the house. "At least his taste in homes is somewhat normal." She muttered tugging her jacket closer and fixing the red flower clip in her hair. It was a small white house with black shudders and a patio off to the side with a pool, the lights around it turned on.
Walking through the door she fixed a blank stare on her face as the men leered at her. "Your coat?" the shortest and creepiest of the bunch asked her. His look said it all, as if he wanted to jump her right in the middle of the hall.
Giving him a look that clearly read go die a slow painful death, she undid the buttons of her black trench coat. Hesitantly she slipped it off to reveal a small strapless black dress, that hugged her figure until it flared out slightly at about mid-thigh. It was solid black except for the blood red ribbon around her middle.
It hadn't exactly been her choice. Hell if it had been her choice she would have worn jeans and a T-shirt. Of course Mr. Bald bodyguard had shown up, dress and shoes in hand along with the jeweler. He had demanded she put it on, and against her better judgment she had. Well, all except her own necklace which she never took off.
The little guy made a grab for her coat but she snatched it back holding it tightly. "This stays with me." She told him softly making sure he understood the touch and die undertone.
He bowed his head submissively and led her to the dining room. "Ah I see you arrived right on time. Wonderful." Vinny greeted her waltzing over to take her hand placing a kiss on the back of it.
Jezra gritted her teeth and resisted the urge to snatch her hand back and dump a whole bottle of hand sanitizer before smacking him into next week.
But... knowing she couldn't she allowed him to sit her down, as she sulked slightly. Eyeing the silver dishes and candles in slight disdain, He sat giving her that damn annoying smirk that show swore only fucking mobsters had, he gestured for her to eat. Taking a large gulp from the wine next to her she resigned herself to eat. Well...take a few bits then fake the rest.
Jezra was positive she could get through this. She needed to for her own sanity. The silence was almost comforting, the light scrape of the silverware tapping of dishes and glasses. "Your very interesting Bella.." Her eyes snapped up to his as she stilled on edge once again as he broke the silence.
Leaning back he eyed her lacing his fingers together. "Looking into you and asking around has dug up some pretty interesting stories." Jezra's eyes went flat with suppressed anger. ''Not to mention...the Santo...'"
Jez stiffened. That was so fucking it. Forcing her into this, that damn infuriating smirk and then bring him up! Her fingers twitched itching to grab the knife she always kept hidden on her. But the slam of the door stopped any kind of movement.
She stood, eyes widen as she recognized those faces...how could she forget. "Murphy! Connor! What the hell..?" Her eyes slid to the guns and then behind them before she panicked. "Oh shit!"
Present time.
The boys wanted so badly to give her some kind of reassurance, that they weren't here to harm her only them...But Vincenzo was reaching for his gun. Murphy hauled him up on his knees and tossed the gun away. They took their usual stance and took a deep breath before they began.
"And shepherds we shall be, for thee, My Lord, for thee..."They spoke in unison every phrase spoken carefully as Vincenzo swore them to the depths of hell. Jezra watched all of this hypnotized, frozen. Caught between sickness and fascination.
"In Nomine Patris..et fili..et Spiritus Sancti."Connor shot first and no more than a second later Murphy shot. Placing his arms over his body and pennies in his eyes, the only thing that confused her was there was no joy in their eyes.
No sick pleasure or thrill you'd expect to see...something that use to be in her eyes. No, they just looked like it was something that had to be done. Just another day.
"Jez...?" Connor called and she was hit with reality. Murphy was closing in on her slowly. "Easy m'dear... we're not ging to hurt ya.." Jezra stared at him blankly before kicking her shoe at him; she had already partly taken them off as she got ready to stab Vinny... He ducked and she kicked the other at Connor before running to the back room.
Murphy cursed and took off after her. Jezra, using her jacket to open the door, flung it open running toward the slightly wooded area next to the house.
"Jez, com'er would ya? I aint goina hurt ya!" Murphy called desperately.
'Oh and how would she know? Admit it..she saw ye kill and now she looks at ye wit fear in her eyes.' That annoying voice in the back of his head pointed out. Funny thing though...it sounded just like Connor.
He finally caught her, wrapping his arms around her waist and picking her up. But that wasn't exactly easy either and he was having a hard time keeping his grip with her hissing and spitting like a kitten. She wiggled around and kicked out finally nailing him in the gut.
Murphy reluctantly let her go watching her disappear and he looked down seeing her black trench coat in his grasp. With a heavy sigh he turned back, walking inside to see Connor shoving Jezra's shoes in his bag. Shoving everything the girl might have touched into their bags they raced off back to their apartment (ahem) new apartment. This one was better than the last.
This new place actually having a bathroom and bedroom, as well as fucking hot water. Throwing everything onto the kitchen table Murphy gripped his hair. "We're fucked!"
Connor frowned. "No. The lass is Irish. She'll keep quiet." Murphy stared at him. "Conn she sees us every fuckin day!"
Connor rubbed his forehead. "Aye I know, I know." Then he nodded as if deciding something. "Ye need ta speak with her tomorrow." Murphy shook his head frowning deeply.
"What! Why me!?" Connor smirked. "She likes ye better." Murphy glared throwing an empty pack of cigarettes at him.
"Go fuck yerself."