A/N Fastest update yet! Awesome ;)
Enjoy...
Chapter 10: The Business
I trade in my normal jeans and white V-neck for the formal attire. I make my way up the steps to my father's house in a form fitting blue blouse and black slacks complete with job interview approved black boots. Papi always says "we're mob bosses not drug dealers, Tana. We run a business, look the part".
I'm pretty sure we have drug dealers that are somehow tied to us, and our "Business" but that's the least of my problems.
My father's house always gives me the Godfather feel. It was constructed on private property with walls built high for privacy and to keep away prying eyes. The neighbors have to know or at least suspect that there is shady business tied to the man that lives here. It's asking to be caught and spied on, but I guess that's what all the body guards and cameras are for right?
"Hey James" I greet my old body guard at his post by the front door only to receive a grunt in return. I laugh and pat his shoulder, "still sore at me I see".
James has been a constant and loyal companion for my whole life, he's never been one for talking but he is an excellent listener.
When I moved out at eighteen I asked my father to allow me to live my life without the constant shadow of James at my back. After hours of argument he agreed in exchange for monthly visits home (not work related) and I had to break the news to James myself. He wasn't too happy.
"Well I'm here if you ever want to talk" I joke and watch his lips twitch as he tries to fight off a smile.
"Ha," I reach up on my tip toes and place a chaste kiss to his cheek "Gotcha".
"I'll talk to you later alright?" I ask and receive a nod in return.
I open the door to the house, "God, James, shut up already." I holler over my shoulder "You talk way too much!" I joke and make my way inside.
My good humor is cut short. Being inside this house always gives me a sense of home and dread. I have so many fond memories here, from James chasing me around the house trying to get me to sit and eat my vegetables to staying up at all hours of the day with Papi as he teaches me to defend myself. It all happened here and I'm very grateful for the time spent here.
But the dread is constant.
The dread always comes with business related visits. Coming home now is a chore. I never know what's going to happen; if papi will be pleased or disappointed.
Today I'd say it's safe to assume he'll be nothing less than infuriated or worse completely calm. Past scenarios have always been catastrophic.
My shoes pad across the dark wood of the study and stop directly in front of my father's office door. I close my eyes and bring my fist up to hover inches from the door, I breathe deep and knock. I hear a faint come in, and quietly push the door open.
I gracefully walk in and quietly close the door behind me. I take a seat on the plush leather chair opposite my father. The dark oak desk is filled with paper work that, for the moment, claims all his attention. I sit and wait patiently for him to finish, fidgeting with my clothes and brush out wrinkles that aren't there. My anxiety creeps back up. No longer having Brittany here to calm and collect it.
A few minutes pass before my father finally clears his throat and gathers the papers up from the desk and places them in the drawer.
"Santana, sweat heart, how are you?" he coos finally looking up, his eyes lock with mine.
"Good, Papi" I smile and enjoy the calm before the storm.
His eyes crinkle with happiness "Only good me amor? Is Mercedes driving you crazy?"
I snort "Hardly, if anything it's vice versa, papi".
His eyes squint shut with silent laughter "Si, that's probably true".
"Probably" I shrug my shoulders in mischief.
"How is Puck, you're not letting him get into any trouble right?"I grimace and look away.
"Hija, what's wrong?" he asks.
"Papi, when's the last time you talked with him?" I ask racking my eyes over his features making sure he won't be untruthful.
"Why?" he asks, confused.
"Papi, answer my question por favor" I more command than ask.
"What's wrong, Santana?" he frowns.
"Have you spoken with him in the past four days, Papi?" My voice rises with my impatience.
"Do not raise your voice at me Santana" his voice turns ice cold with warning.
"Answer me!" I say as I slam my fist against his desk challenging him.
I grit my teeth in frustration and hold my position. He leans back in his chair contemplating.
I wait.
"No hija, I haven't spoken with him since last month when you both came to dinner." He watches as I visibly relax at his answer and fall back into my chair, "Now tell me what in the hell has you so on edge, Tana".
I bring my hand up and rub my forehead in frustration; "he tried to kill me" I whisper and look up at my father.
"Who?" he waits studying my face; I can see it in his eyes he already knows what I'm going to say but is desperately praying I'm wrong.
"Puck" I say and quickly look away, not wanting to see his face fall at the betrayal of his only son.
"When?" his voice finding perches in a cold bitterness.
"Four nights ago, on the docks" I watch recognition wash over his face that quickly turns into fury.
"Everything was going as planned. Shuester showed up as expected, he had the briefcase, accompanied by one bodyguard" I regale.
"Puck and I snuck up to intercept the package," I stop and look away.
"Finish, Santana" he seethes, his fists clenched white in anger.
"We had Shuester at point blank, he kept saying not this time-" I trail off as I recall the scene.
"Puck was on my flank; my full attention was on Shue and his goon. I told him if he didn't give the briefcase to us we'd kill him and take it anyway. That's when Puck trained his weapon on me, told me "Not this time San". That's when everything became a blur. I shot Shue in the leg and killed his bodyguard."
"And what of Puck?" he asks in what feels like shocked disbelief.
"He's alive Papi" I spit out and push off from the desk to stand and start furiously pacing the floor, "How dumb do you think I am? I'm not stupid enough to kill my own fuckin brother without getting the whole story!" I throw my hands up in exasperation.
I watch him stand and quickly approach me. He takes hold of my arms forcing me to stop my frantic pacing. I look up into his aging eyes and I'm shocked to see that he looks afraid, not of me but of what he knows, as I know, what will have to be done.
"Papi! Shuester is working with Sue, this means war. We need to figure out who we can trust and quick. We'll deal with Puck when the time comes, si?"
"Si, hija" he says and pulls me into a comforting embrace and holds me tight.
"Puck will certainly be dealt with" I flinch with the finality in his tone.