Chapter 37-Prepping for Battle
Two days later…
The two-way pager that buzzed loudly on the end table startled Letty awake. She rolled over and pushed the device into the floor, silencing it. Sighing, Letty flopped back on the bed as she waited for her heart rate to return to normal. Turning her head, Letty smiled at the bodies next to her. Dom was lying on his back with their son resting gently on his stomach with Dom's hands holding him in place. It didn't appear comfortable, but that was how they slept the past three nights.
Since their night in the garage, Dom had spent every waking moment with Letty and Julian, and even resorted to sleeping in their room at night. Letty didn't mind – Julian loved the time spent with his father and Letty didn't want to take that away from him. Though their intimate moments were few and far between thanks to the rambunctious two year-old, but Letty knew Julian needed his father's affections more than she did.
"How long you gonna stare?" Dom's eyes were closed but his gravelly voice let her knew that he had been awake for a while.
"How long are you gonna pretend to be asleep?" she quipped back before sitting up in the bed.
"As long as I can to keep him down," Dom replied with a smirk. "Good morning."
"Papa wake?" Julian's sleepy voice asked as he sat up straight on Dom's belly. Dom's lips curled into a smile as he finally opened his eyes to stare back at brown pools that mirrored his.
Letty chuckled and leaned in to kiss Dom's lips softly, "Yes, JuJu, Daddy's awake."
"Papa cook pancwakes?" Julian's expressive eyes begged Dominic.
"Yes, Papa will make you pancakes. And shower you and dress you because Mama has to go out with Aunt Mia today," Letty said while kissing Julian's face and ruffling his wild, curly hair. She reached down and tossed him the two-way from the floor. Dom opened it and gave it a quick scan before shutting it again. "What'd it say?"
"Just more directions on the trip. Where are you two going?" Dom asked as he watched her rifled through bags of clothes. "You know we have to get him today."
"I know that, and I promise we won't be long. Mia wants to shop and I have to find new clothes for Julian. Kid is growing faster than I can keep up with," Letty muttered.
"My big monster," Dom said while tickling the boy who howled with laughter.
"Hey! Food, shower, clothes," Letty said while pointing at them.
"Ay, ay captain," Dom teased while saluting her as she left the room. "I guess it's just the boys today, huh?" Julian nodded enthusiastically. "Well let's go get some pancakes. They aren't as good as Aunt Mia's but I think you'll be surprised," Dom lifted the tot and carried him into the living room, where Leon was seated at the bar next to Brian, who looked like he was suffering from the hangover from hell. Carlos and Rob sat in front of bowls of cereal in front of the television, and Jerry typed away on his laptop while bouncing to his headphones.
"Why don't you sit with Uncle Le while I get everything started," Dom sat Julian atop the bar while he headed to the kitchen. "How are you feeling today, Le?"
"I'm good, Brother. Mia gave me some Advil, killed my aches for a while. I'm hoping this coffee will get me going," he said while sipping the drink. "Trying to convince myself that everything will go smoothly today."
"Hey," Dom interjected, "Don't worry. We're going to take care of everything. You just focus on getting better. And you-" Dom hollered while slapping the top of the bar in front of Brian. "No sleeping at the bar."
Brian raised his head with a groan, "Stop yelling. I feel like… crap."
"Well you should. Mia cleaned up your puke. That's the second time this week. What's up with you?"
"Well it's was your baby momma's fault last night. She challenged me to a game of beer bomb." Dom and Leon both began laughing, alarming Brian, "What?"
"That's her game. Nobody could ever beat her… not even Vince," Leon laughed while turning back to his toy race.
"Yeah man, she played you," Dom chuckled. "Gotta stop being so gullible, O'Connor."
Brian shook his head, annoyed that he had been duped again, "Well it looks like Uncle Brian will be putting you through college, JuJu."
Dom and Leon erupted in a louder cackle, forcing Sean and Twinkie out of their rooms.
"What's the laugh?" Sean asked while sitting at the bar. He looked over at Brian with amusement, "Nevermind. The Lightweight."
"Letty hustled O'Connor out of a college tuition," Leon filled them in with a laugh.
"Screw you guys," Brian said with a laugh.
The boys enjoyed a breakfast of pancakes, fried eggs, and bacon. They went over their plans for the day to ensure everyone was clear of their positions.
"Twink, did you get the other things?" Dom asked.
"Yep, in the garage," he nodded towards the side door. Brian and Dom followed him to the garage and to the Jetta where he popped the trunk, revealing two large duffel bags.
"Vests," he opened one, "and guns."
The second bag was full of handguns and semi-automatics.
"Good. We're gonna need 'em," Dom headed back into the garage as he spoke. "I want everyone to be packed and loaded up before we leave. We get Luke, come back for the girls, and then we're going straight to Berlin. No stops, no returns."
"Got it," they said excitedly. These men were itching for a little adrenaline.
"Morning guys," Mia said as she entered the room with Brooklyn in her arms and Letty on her tail.
"Morning Mi," Leon said while planting a kiss on her cheeks.
"How ya livin' Le?" Letty asked while slapping his back, taking a seat next to him.
"Bueno, mami. Excited to see Luke. What about you?" his tone was condescending, and it annoyed Letty a little.
"Of course. Mia and I will try to be quick," she replied.
"No trying. Girls, I need you back here at noon to start packing," Dom griped.
"All right, already!" Mia yanked Letty towards the door.
"Sean and Twink, go with them," Dom ordered.
"No way, Dom. We don't need a babysitter," Letty protested. "We aren't fifteen anymore, Dom. "
"You're not going out alone. You never know what can happen. Mia, what about Rio? Vince found you just in time. We aren't gonna get that lucky every time," Dom reminded her.
"That was isolated. Besides, I have Letty. She's just as scary," Mia laughed as she and Lett eased out of the door.
"Mia!" Dom hollered but she was already out of the door.
"Boys, follow them. And if Lett gives you a hard time, drag her back."
Luke's body felt like he was high atop a mountain looking down below, but feeling no fear. He felt invincible as adrenaline and methamphetamines raced through his veins. He stood with his new-found strength on wobbly legs and looked out the small window that overlooked the work stations below.
Luke felt an ache on his arm and looked down to see a bruise forming where he was injected. He wanted to cry, to scream, but he knew it wouldn't do him any good. These men didn't care about his feelings.
Luke lost count of how many injections were slammed into his body in the past three days, but he knew he couldn't handle much more. He felt himself craving the rush, and that wasn't a good sign. Aside from his heart nearly beating out of his chest, he felt edgy and incredibly aware. Luke's senses were in overload, the smells and sounds of the building heightened. He couldn't help scratching at his arms once the skin-crawling sensation hit him.
"Don't scratch the itch. It'll help on your skin."
He remembered Erik's words of advice and shoved his hands on his pockets. He was startled by the loud metal door swinging open.
"How are you, Lucas?" Alvaro asked as he stepped into the room.
Leaving the door ajar, Luke noticed.
"Like I've been sentenced to death by meth kingpin. Why are you doing this to me?" Luke pleaded, "I've never been anything but good in my life!"
"Oh Lukey! Don't be so dramatic. Everyone has to deal with a little opposition and catastrophe at least once in their lives. It's all a just a test of faith by your 'God'," he mocked.
Luke's eyes focused on the door ajar behind him and wondered if he could make it.
"Now, we have a new product arriving soon and we are going to do a little experimenting. I just wanted to check your vitals and stability," Alvaro stepped closer and pointed a flashlight in his eyes.
Luke gathered all his strength and brought his knee up to Alvaro's crotch, nailing his target. Alvaro doubled over in pain while Luke made a run for it. He made it to the door, dragging the heavy chains along but the massive guard waiting outside proved to be the real obstacle. Luke bolted for the guard with fury, but the weight of the chains on his legs quickly wore him down. The guard stood with a cocky grin as Luke was jerked to a halt only ten feet from his door. The restraints kept him from moving another inch.
"Where do you think you're going?" Koenig snarled as he stumbled after his hostage. "I thought you were the smart, sensible brother."
Koenig drug the chains and Luke back towards the room.
"Help me! Please! Someone!" Luke cried out as he fought with all his might to get free.
Erik appeared at the end of the hallway and looked on with fear. Luke's eyes begged for help as he was shoved back onto the concrete floor of the room.
"Now, let's not try that again, OK?" Alvaro kicked Lucas hard in the ribs to reiterate his point. "I'll be back in thirty minutes."
Koenig and his goon stormed out the room, leaving Luke curled in a ball on the floor. He cradled his stomach while sitting up against the wall.
"Fuck!" he cried out. "Leon! Please help me!" Lucas shouted at the top of his lungs with raw emotion as tears poured from his face.
He needed his big brother, his protector.
The door creaked open again and Luke prepared his self for a battle. Only this time, it was Erik.
"I can't do this, Erik," Luke wept as the boy entered the room. "I'm not tough like my brother. I can't handle this shit!"
"Relax, Lucas. I've come with good news," Erik said while reaching into his pocket, "I bought a cell phone. It's one of those disposable ones that can't be tracked. Maybe you can call your brother."
Luke stared at the phone as if it were solid gold. He snatched the burner from Erik's hand and steadily dialed Leon's number.
"Come on, Le. Pick up," Luke begged as he listened to the phone ring several times.
"'Lo?" a younger voice picked up.
"Hello – Julian?" Luke was shocked to hear Letty's two year-old son on the other end.
"'Uke? Hi 'Uke!" Julian happily replied into the phone. The innocence on the other end gave Luke hope that he would make it out.
"Hi JuJu! I need you to get Uncle LeLe for me," Luke prayed that the brilliant two year-old could actually understand what he was asking.
"OK!" he replied and Luke waited patiently. Nothing happened next but he could hear his brother's voice in the background.
"Julian, who are you talking to? Wrong number, sorry," Leon's voice said before the call ended.
"Leon?" Luke whispered into the phone as he realized his brother was gone. "He hung up."
"Well call back!" Erik rushed as he heard commotion in the hall. Luke listened into the phone again before Erik snatched it from his ear and dashed out of the room.
Leon's POV
After watching Dom struggle to chase down and dress the antsy Julian, we decided to do some work in the garage. We had a few cars to finish for the Brothers before we skipped town, and nothing fired me up more than sticking my head in an engine. It was sweet watching Dom with Julian in his lap, already teaching the kid everything he would have to know behind the wheel. I thought about how great it would be to one day teach my kid the way of the world. My mind wandered from cars, to kids, to James after a while. I knew the tough Reno kid and I would have it out, but I never anticipated it to be that intense. I loved the guy, he had become my right-hand man over the past two years, but he was a disease. A disease that would've eventually killed me.
"You boys want a beer?" I asked after deciding to take a break.
"Dom said no drinking. We need to be clear for this," replied Brian.
"I guess I'll grab some sodas," I made my way to the house, where Dom was rifling through the fridge himself. "What'cha looking for, Big Guy?"
"Letty said something about letting him snack on strawberries when he's hungry. She likes to give him fresh fruit. He keeps crying for cherries. She said he was allergic to something, but I can't remember if it's blueberries or cherries," Dom panicked as he stood with fruit bowls in both hands.
"How about just giving him the strawberries then?" I chuckled while reaching around him for a few drinks.
"Yeah, I can do that," Dom finally decided, looking completely rattled. Ask the man to choose between a V8 and a V10 engine and he's Einstein. Put him in front of a hungry, crying child and he's clueless. "Look, Julian's on the phone," Dom chuckled while pointing to his son who had my cell phone up to his ear.
"Hi 'Uke!" he said happily into the phone. I sighed as he listened to someone he thought was my brother. "OK," Julian said and ran to me with the phone.
"Julian, who are you talking to? Wrong number, sorry," I said quickly into the phone before ending the call. I kneeled down in front of the toddler and held up the phone. "You can't play with this, OK? It's not a toy, buddy. It's very important."
"But 'Uke say 'ello," Julian replied with a whimper.
"I know you miss Luke, JuJu. I do too, but he's not-" the vibration of my phone silenced me. I didn't recognize the number, but I took a chance and answered it. "Hello?"
"Listen carefully. Luke is on the second floor, north of the staircase, last door on the end. There is a back entrance to the building that isn't guarded, but a sniper takes watch over the door. Bring a torch."
The call abruptly ended and left me dumbfounded. I tried the number again, only this time the line was disconnected.
"Everything all right?" Dom asked while feeding his son the fruit.
"No," I said still partially in shock, "Someone just called about Luke, gave up his precise location in the plant. They said to bring a torch."
Dom's eyes hardened, "Let's saddle up. The girls should be back soon."
After Julian tired himself out chasing Jessie the puppy, we suited up as he slept. The next twenty minutes was spent finishing the cars and preparing ourselves for battle. Each man was fitted with a bulletproof vest and equipped themselves with pistols and shotguns. We loaded our cars with our packed luggage and went over last-minute details with the cars before the girls showed up.
"Whoa. When did we move in with these robocops?" Letty teased as she and Mia unloaded their bags from the car. Brooklyn bounced from the backseat with her favorite doll and made a made dash for Brian.
"We have a specific location on Luke. We're going for it," I said seriously, wiping the smile from her face. "Anything you want me to tell him?"
Letty stormed in my direction, "What the hell is your problem, Leon? I thought you of all people would like to see our family whole again."
"I don't like to see my baby brother hurt. I'm glad you and Dom reconnected, that's great, Lett. But only one heart is gonna end up broken because of it."
"Luke knew the situation with me," she replied with a pained look in her eyes. "We agreed together that if Dom showed up, I would try to work it out with him for the sake of Julian. He understood that!"
"This isn't for Julian, Letty!" I yelled, getting Dom's attention now that he was joining us in the lot. "You and Dom fucking in the garage wasn't for Julian. You are selfish."
Letty scowled at me as I turned for the Jetta, ignoring Dom's yells as I slid in and started the engine.
"That was cruel," Jerry said as he slid in next to me.
"Yeah," I sighed while dropping my head on the wheel. "I know. She's going to kick my ass later for it, too."