Maggie's Story
Chapter 27 Part II
Just When I Thought I Was Out
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Maggie headed to the large columned portico that house the gigantic front doors with stain glass windows and went inside. The air conditioning felt good. She took a fussy Bear upstairs and sat down on the easy chair in the guest room. She undid her blouse and let Bear latch on. After changing his diaper, she put him down again. Maggie crawled on top of the bed and went to sleep.
When she woke, Maggie went downstairs and made herself a bowl of cereal. She sat at the table and ate with several of the guys. They asked her about Africa and South America and about her marriage to House. Maggie picked up Bear and looked around the front and back yard at all the white, Irish guys, milling around in the sun and heat. She walked over to the makeshift picnic area. The guys gathered around as if she was going to give them orders. "Martin, run down to the drug store, buy two of the biggest tubes of sunblock SPF 30 or more. I want all of you Micks to lather up." She started to go back in, but turned back and wagged a finger at them, "And you guys go in, find some baseball caps and wear them. I can't have you guys out of action because of a crappy sunburn."
"Yes, Maggie." They said in unison.
"Now someone take me to see my brother."
Maggie went to the hospital and discovered that she and Theresa were both named as attorneys in fact for her brother, meaning they could both make decisions about Jack's health care. She looked at Jack's chart and saw that he was still unconscious, had developed an infection and was running a fever. She went back to his room and found two men in suits waiting for her.
"Dr. Malone?"
Maggie started chuckling, "Ah, the FBI. Gentlemen, what can I do for you?"
"Well, we're investigating your brother's unfortunate run in with a bullet. Care to illuminate what's going on, why Donatto put a hit out on your brother?"
Her mouth dropped open in mock surprise, "Really? Donatto? A hit?"
They smirked and looked down at their black patent leather shoes, "Yeah, a hit. We have two dead Italians, two dead Irish and one wounded Irish boss. You want to help us solve the problem or be a part of it?"
"In case you hadn't heard, I was in Princeton having sex with my husband when this occurred."
"We've already verified that you were not in Philadelphia when it happened. But that doesn't mean that you don't know something." He paused and looked over at Theresa who was standing by Jack's bed, "Did it have anything to do with your cousin Dennis being wanted for questioning in the shooting of Donatto's nephew?"
"I haven't had a chance to talk to my brother. I'm not sure…"
"Not sure or you won't tell us?" He looked frustrated, "Your son, do you want him involved in some gangland war?"
Maggie bared her teeth, "Leave my son out of this." She looked down, "You know, get out. Just get out. I have nothing more to say."
They handed her a card, "If you do hear something, you know the drill."
Maggie watched as they left. She turned and went to her brother's bedside. He was hooked up to several IV's and oxygen. Maggie didn't like the fever, worried he might have sepsis. He wasn't going to be coming around soon, which meant Maggie had to step into her brother's shoes and bring an end to the violence which just last night had resulted in the Irish attacking an Italian truck, stealing the whiskey off the back of it and beating up the two low level Italian goodfellows driving it. They would have been killed, but it just so happened that a police car, not driven by Irish cops, stumbled on the beating. The two Micks got away, but just barely.
Maggie knew there was nothing she could do at the hospital, "Theresa, I have to get back, take care of business. If there's a change in his status, let me know, okay?"
"Sure." Theresa smiled as Maggie picked up her purse and to leave, "Maggie, thanks for coming. I don't know what I'd do without you."
Patting Theresa's back, Maggie whispered, "No problem Theresa, we're family."
"What about Greg?" Theresa asked as if his safety had just dawned on her.
"I had a voice mail, he's gone to stay with Jim."
Nodding, Theresa smiled, "That's good. I don't know how safe we are."
Maggie shrugged and looked down at Jack, "I know. I wish Jack had thought this through before…" Maggie wasn't even sure if Theresa knew what was behind the hit. She decided not to upset Theresa with her opinion. She stopped, leaned over and kissed Theresa on the cheek, "I better go."
Colin brought the black sedan around to pick up Maggie. Mac got out and opened the door for her. As they drove out of the parking lot, they picked up an FBI tail. Colin nodded at the guys behind them and Maggie laughed.
"Yeah, they're really clandestine!"
Colin drove her back to Jack's house. Maggie sat in the back seat while the twins remained quiet in the front.
"Colin, I need to see Dennis and his Dad. Is there a way you can arrange a meeting with Louis Donatto?
Colin shook his head and gave Maggie a funny look in the mirror.
"Well? Can you find me someone who can set up a meeting with Louis Donatto?"
"Maggie, you don't want to meet Louis Donatto."
Maggie sighed, "Colin, I know what I need to do. You don't have to worry about me."
Colin tilted his head, "Maggie, everyone knows that you know what's best for the business. You're Jack's sister and well, we all think you're tougher than him anyway. But, that don't take back the fact that, you don't want to meet Louis Donatto."
"And, pray tell, why do I not want to meet him?"
Colin wasn't sure about the 'pray tell' part, but he looked at Maggie in the rear view mirror as his brother turned around to face her too, "Because Louis Donatto died three years ago."
Maggie's breath caught in her throat as she digested this, "How?"
Colin shrugged, letting Maggie know he didn't have the details, "Some brain thing…blood clot."
Maggie started going through the line of succession in the Donatto family. There were only two brothers, Caesar, who was born with cerebal palsy and…Vito? "Is Vito the Don now?"
The brothers nodded.
A chill ran down her back, "But, he's a doctor, right?"
"Not anymore. He took over when his brother died. Best thing that happened to the Wops. They're business is doing much better since he took over."
Maggie needed time to decide what she should do. They drove through the streets in silence again, reaching Jack's home far out in the suburbs a few minutes later. She went inside to find Mary feeding a greedy Bear his very first bottle. Bear seemed content enough.
"I'll take over Mary." Maggie took Bear and sat in the easy chair, raised her blouse and offered him a breast swollen with milk. Bear quickly responded and sucked happily while Maggie thought. Colin came in and, at first, looked away. But Maggie's breast was hidden behind a towel and so Maggie told him to join her. She said matter of factly, "I want to meet with Vito. Make the arrangements."
Colin shifted in the chair, "Dennis should be arriving in a couple of hours. He's been in the Poconos."
"Great," she said.
"Maggie, why are you doing this? I mean you have a baby…why not just wait until Jack gets out of the hospital?"
"Because the Italians are going to strike back soon because of last night's escapade. I want you to bring in Joe, Mack and Michael. And put out the word that no one is to take any action against the Italians without clearing it with me."
Colin got up and left, leaving Maggie to have a moment with her son. Bear looked up at her with his blue eyes, reminding her to call House. She pulled out her cell from her pocket and dialed the hospital.
"House," he said with a gruff voice.
"Hi honey, how ya doin'?"
There was a deep sigh, "How the hell do you think I'm doing? I'm sitting here, exhausted from sleeping on Wilson's sofa bed and worrying about my wife and son who are apparently under siege. I've decided that you need to come home. The FBI were here and they think that you know more than what you're saying. They told me that they can protect you and Bear if you cooperate."
Maggie tried not to laugh; House seemed to think he had it all figured out. "Honey, it doesn't work like that. I have an idea of what needs to be done around here. Hey, did you know that Vito is now the head of the Donnato family? His brother died three years ago."
"I don't give a damn if Marlon Brando took over. Get your ass and my son back here."
She smiled to herself, "No, you come and get us." Maggie knew House wouldn't drive up there and enter a compound of Irish guys, all ready to do her bidding. She heard him curse. "I just wanted to let you know that we were safe and that I love you."
There was a deep pause, "Maggie? Don't be a hero. I don't want you standing outside your brother's hospital with a pretend gun trying to keep the Italians from killing him."
"Oh, but that's one of my favorite scenes!"
"Mags!" he growled.
"I won't. I love you honey. Bye."
"Bye."
She hung up and realized that he hadn't said, 'I love you' in return. He was punishing her in the only way he knew how, withdrawing his affection. It must have been what was done to him as a kid. She was surprised at how well it was working. She desperately needed to hear it from him. She called him back.
"Greg House."
"Okay, I know you're mad at me. But, what if something did happen to me and you didn't tell me you love me? Don't you think you'll feel like crap?"
"Which is precisely why you should come home. If you come home, I promise to tell you what you want to hear."
"I can't come home. Not yet. Jack's still unconscious and he's lost a lot of blood. He's going to have to stay in the hospital for at least a week. In the meantime, all hell is breaking loose."
"Like what?"
Maggie knew that the Feds probably had a tap on the phones by now. "Oh, Luke got drunk and Mary's been crying. Things like that."
"What?"
"Oh, I can't say much, there are people around. Anyway, it wouldn't hurt if you said that you loved me before I hang up."
"How genuine is affection if you have to drag it out of someone?"
"Honey, dragging it out of you has been the story of our relationship. Okay, forgedd about it. I love you. Bye." She hung up, held her arm out and took a photo of her holding Bear to her breast. She sent it with a text message, "Just in case something happens, I just wanted you to know that I know you love me."
Maggie was changing Bear's diaper when Colin came back in, hands in his pocket, "Maggie, Vito says he'll come down to Cavanaugh's to meet with you tonight at 7:00 pm."
Maggie was taken back, "He's going to come to my territory?" It didn't make sense to her that he would come deep into the Irish neighborhood. He either had a lot of respect for her ability to control the Irish lads or he was an idiot. She was worried.
"Vito says he knows you and he's willing to meet on your turf."
"I don't know, this doesn't feel good. But, at least I know I'll be protected." Maggie went down to the hospital to take Theresa some food, magazines and a change of clothes. Mary and Luke showed up a few minutes later. Maggie had to get back to Bear, now in the hands of Meggie, who had two kids of her own to look after.
On the way home, Maggie had Colin pull into the shopping mall. She ran into BCBG and within minutes made four purchases, two dresses, pantyhose and shoes. When they went back to the car, Colin was chuckling.
Maggie threw the purchases in the back seat, "What are you laughing at?"
"I've never seen a woman shop that fast. I felt like I was in the Twilight Zone."
She smiled, "I knew what I wanted. I need something special for tonight."
He furred his brow, giving Maggie a look of confusion, "To meet with Vito?"
"Yeah, I can't look like the dumpy Hausfrau can I?"
Colin clearly didn't understand, Maggie was like an Aunt to him. She'd known him since he was born and to Colin, Maggie was always just plain Maggie. He didn't see her in any other terms except the matriarchal leader of the K & A gang.
Maggie saw a truck and several cars in the drive as they pulled in; realizing that Dennis and his father must be inside. When she walked in she could hear Bear howling.
Maggie took him from Meggie who shook her head, "He's been colicky for the last twenty minutes. Nothing seems to soothe him."
"His Dad knows how to soothe him the best. He does this thing with his hand on his chest and tummy. I just put a binky in and pray." They both laughed. Maggie leaned forward, "Meggie, who all is here?"
"Dennis and Peter, Joe, Mack and Michael. They're all in there." She nodded to the door leading to Jack's "Play Room."
Maggie spent a few minutes feeding the always hungry Bear. He calmed down, but when she tried to put Bear down, he started fussing again. So Maggie carried her baby into the lion's den.
The men were playing pool and watching television. Everyone stopped to look at her. The guys on the couch stood up as they waited for Maggie to sit down. She eased herself into the chair with her now sleeping baby. The guys put their cues down and either sat or stood near the seating area.
"Hi Dennis, Mac, Joe, Peter and—"Maggie smiled broadly at Michael, "Mikey!" Waving him over to her side.
Michael came over and gave her a kiss on the cheek and then looked down at the baby, "He's got his Dad's eyes and the Malone hair!"
"I'm glad you all came. Dennis, I need you to tell me about the night you had the altercation with the Donattos."
Dennis was known as the family hothead and there had been many conversations about the inevitable day he would get into big trouble. His father, Peter, sat cautiously nearby, ready to intervene on his son's behalf.
"I'd been dating Loretta a couple of months. She made me think we were just dating each other. I went out on Charlie's bachelor party at the Hawk Club. I walk in, she's there with some guy. I tried to get her to leave with me. He got in my face…hit me…I pulled my gun and shot."
"Why were you carrying a gun to a bachelor's party?" Several of the guys cocked an eyebrow at Maggie. She chuckled, "I see, dumb question, you all carry guns when you go out?" They nodded, "Well, when did it get this bad that you have to carry guns 24/7?"
No one said anything. Maggie took in a deep breath and looked around. "Dennis, you and your Dad go out to the family room, watch some TV, get something to eat. I need to talk to these guys."
Dennis immediately jumped up and walked towards the door. His father hesitated, realizing better than his son, that the young man's fate was going to be dealt with after they left. He looked at Maggie as he rose to his feet.
Maggie grimaced, "Pete, is there something you wanted to say?"
His face contorted as he looked over at his son and then back to Maggie, "Dennis, go ahead, I'll catch up."
Dennis left.
"Maggie, he's a good kid. Yeah, he's got a hot head, but he's been good to your brother. He's done all of the little jobs your brother has asked him to do. He's been loyal."
Maggie smiled, "Yes, I know. My brother wouldn't have done what he did unless Dennis had been loyal and he loved him like his own. But that decision killed two guys and landed him in the hospital with no spleen and part of his liver decimated. Do you think it was the right decision?"
Peter's shoulders slumped, he pleaded, "Mags, he's my son. Of course I do. Wait until yours is older Maggie."
"I didn't expect you to say anything different; I'd do the same for my son. Now Pete, could you excuse us? We need to talk."
Maggie turned to the others as Pete left the room. "Okay, guys, I need to hear what you have to say."
Mac burst out, "Dennis is a good kid, he's our go to guy when we need certain things done. We need guys like that…he's your cousin for Chris' sake. Jack would have done it for anyone in the family, you know that Mags."
Michael shook his head, "Maggie, the kid went out with a Donatto. How was he expecting it to end? He carried a gun into a nightclub and used it on a guy who didn't have one. He wasn't there on business. This wasn't done as part of a job. Jack blew it. He shouldn't have protected the boy."
Maggie turned to Joe, "Well Joe, you're Jack's closest thing to a right hand man. What was he thinking?"
Joe scowled, clearly not happy with Jack's decision, "I told him not to hide the kid, but he didn't listen. He just kept saying that Pete and Dennis were his cousins, family. He had to protect family. If this had been a job gone bad I'd understand, but Michael's right, this wasn't even business. Jack shouldn't have protected him."
Maggie nodded.
Michael watched Maggie think and had to admit, she reminded him of Al Pacino, all broody and contemplative. "Mags, what are you going to do?"
"I haven't quite decided, but I wanted to know how you all felt. You're very important to my family, we value your thoughts. I'd like each of you to stick around; I'd like to have a little one on one before you leave."
Maggie spent the afternoon talking to everyone on an individual basis, including Dennis. By the end of the day she knew what she had to do, but it depressed her. Meggie took care of Bear while his mother went upstairs to dress for her meeting. Maggie came downstairs in a jersey tie dress that clung to her curves. It was low cut enough that you could see cleavage. The guys all looked at each other.
Michael laughed, "Mags, you look hotter than you did when you were in your twenties. You've got the body of a woman."
"Michael!" Meggie yelled at him, "You don't go tellin' Maggie how hot she is just before a meeting with the Donnatos."
Maggie laughed, "No, actually, that's just what I needed to know. Vito's going to remember me as the young med school student with the freckles. I want him to realize that I've grown up."
"Oh, there's no mistaken that you're a woman Mags." Joe said with a smile. Joe was in his late fifties and known to be a real ladies man. He reminded women in the neighborhood of Paul Newman.
Maggie kissed Bear and then walked with Colin and Daniel out to the car. As they rode over to the bar, Colin kept looking at her in the mirror. He seemed apprehensive. Maggie spent her time looking at the neighborhood, she was always amazed at how much it had changed and yet, in many ways, stayed the same. When they arrived at Cavenaugh's there were three or four guys at the bar drinking and a table of guys watching the Phillies on TV. Cavenaugh's was still popular and, as part of her share, Jack gave Maggie the income off of the bar for Bear's college fund. Maggie waited at the bar; drinking a diet coke, when the door opened and two large Italians came in followed by the very handsome Vito Donatto.
Vito Donatto was maybe 5'10 or 5'11'' with just enough gray in his hair to let you know he wasn't a young man. But, he still had those soft brown eyes rimmed with deep black eyelashes. The best she could describe him is that he almost looked like Louis Jordan when he was his age, except a little more Italian. His features weren't quite as sharp as the actors. He was in an Armani suit with a European cut that let Maggie know that he worked out and took pride in keeping himself trim and fit. His shoes were Italian with a gorgous sheen to them. Maggie was impressed, the man knew how to dress well.
Maggie got off the stool and walked over, shaking Vito's hand, "Let's go in the back. Can we leave everyone else out here?"
Vito nodded and waved the guys away. They walked into the back towards the office. Vito watched Maggie's nice, round ass as she walked in front of him. When they sat down, Maggie offered Vito an Irish whiskey.
"Maggie, you've certainly grown up. I heard you're a new mother?"
"Yes, he's two months old. Mathuin."
"Gaelic?"
Maggie nodded and pulled a photo from the credenza showing House, Maggie and the very newborn Mathuin in Maggie's arms. She handed it to Vito.
"Oh, that's right. I forgot that you married House. What in the world would possess you to do that? He's not exactly the easiest person to deal with."
"I tend to do best under pressure."
He chuckled at the double entendre, "Well Maggie, now what? Your brother's been hiding that cacaseno. He should have given him to us; we might have just knocked him around. Now, we want him and he won't be coming back home."
"But this happened a month ago. Why take Jack out?"
"When we hit his construction business as pay back for what he did, he hit back, hard. He rubbed what he was doing in our face. I'm not a vindictive person, but members of my family tend to be. I have to retain their respect. So Maggie, we went after your brother to teach your family a lesson." He paused, "When Jack is dead, because we will get him; do you step into his shoes?"
"Let's not go there, you're not killing Jack."
"Maggie, don't be naïve, we have to finish what we started. You know, just because you're a woman, don't expect us to go soft."
"I thought women and children were exempt from retribution?"
He laughed, "Maggie that was old school. Too many women run part of our businesses now. But we tend to leave the spouse and kids alone. House and your son are civilians, they'll be okay, I promise."
"I'm here to make you a deal Vito. I'll give you Dennis and I'll order a halt on the attacks on your trucks. But you have to promise to call off the hit on my brother."
Vito was a smart businessman, he was hoping for a way out. Gang wars were a thing of the past, something to be avoided at all costs. But, still, he had to keep the threat real, to see what Maggie would come up with. He smiled seductively, "Maggie, how can you promise these things for Jack? You're a doctor and a parent!"
"And so are you. But, here we are, doing business. You don't have to worry, the guys will honor my decision."
Maggie got out of her chair and came around to the front of the desk, leaning her well-defined curves against the oak top. Vito could appreciate the move, it was clearly meant to be seductive and it was working. Maggie wasn't a beautiful woman like a Grace Kelly, but she was hot, pretty and the power she wielded made her incredibly enticing.
Vito thought a minute, eyeing her; he shrugged his shoulders and threw up his hands, "These hits on our transportation are starting to hurt. Alright, when do we do the exchange?"
"Tomorrow evening, 6:00 pm, I'll come to your shop."
Vito stared intently, "Philadelphia Waste Management at 6:00 pm?"
Maggie nodded.
As he was getting up, Vito took a good look at Maggie's cleavage. "Maggie, if you ever get tired of House's antics, give me a call."
Maggie narrowed her eyes, "You're married Vito."
"So are you, to an ass."
"Ah, but I love that ass."
Vito snickered as they went out front where his entourage had been drinking beer. Vito nodded, they all got up, sneered at the Irish and then left. Maggie went to the bar, "Give me a Bushmills."
"Sure Mags, but what about the baby?" He nodded at her breasts.
She laughed and slammed back the shot glass Mac handed to her, "Ah, my Grandmother used to give me a little whiskey in my milk to help me sleep. He'll be okay."
Mac frowned, "You're going to give them Dennis aren't you?"
"Do I have a choice? I either give them someone who went out on his own and bent the rules or they take out my brother."
Mac took a sharp breath, "Mags, I'm glad it's you and not me."
"I bet you do."
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When they got back to the house, Maggie made several calls and then had Colin drive her to a diner. She told Colin to come back in an hour. Maggie went inside and met with her uncle, Cornelius, who handed her a package. They talked for a few minutes and then Maggie got up, kissed her uncle's cheek and left.
When he picked her up at the diner, Colin wondered what was in the package. Colin drove her home through the gates where numerous guys and now some women were sitting around the lawn, pool and gate. Even though it was night, everyone had on ball caps and there were several bottles of sunscreen on the picnic table. Maggie fed Bear, but he was still teary, not calming as he usually did at her breast. Maggie thought that he probably missed his Dad and home. She bounced him a little, watching the suckling boy suck and pout at the same time. She admired his long face, blue eyes and auburn hair. He had calmed down and was ready to play. Bear was starting to look like a human, smiling and curious, his eyes always searching hers when he suckled. They were House's curious, intelligent, eyes, but he had Maggie's nose. She played with him for almost half an hour before giving him the other breast. She sang him an Irish lullaby as he nursed. His lips fell away from her nipple as his eyes began to close. She chuckled as her baby fell asleep.
The next morning, Maggie called down to the bar and had Mac bring Dennis to her. Dennis, a pink skinned, freckled-faced, twenty-five year old with reddish-brown hair, walked in with his shoulders hunched and his eyes downcast. Maggie was sitting in her levis and t-shirt at the breakfast counter.
"Dennis, the Donattos want an apology from you and they want you to pay for the gravestone. We're going over, just me and you, to South Philly and you're going to apologize to the boy's family. You better bring as much money as you can scrape up. Do you understand me?"
Dennis nodded, his face somber. But, he knew. "Yeah Maggie, I understand. Can I go now? I need to say goodbye to my family."
Maggie looked at the young man. He wasn't frightened; he was resigned to his fate. Maggie admired his calmness and resolve. She stood up and hugged him, "I'm sorry Dennis."
"It's okay Mags. I fucked up."
Maggie met with several people during the day and finalized the arrangements for the evening. She tried to call House, but there was no response. It meant he probably had a patient.
Maggie put on the dress she had bought, it was rouched in at the waist and made her look sexy, without being too revealing. During the day she had pumped out several bottles of breast milk to freeze. She fed Bear just before she put on the final touches of eye shadow and perfume.
Theresa was home on a break, "Jack's awake some of the time. He wants you to come in and see him tomorrow."
Maggie nodded, "Sure. How is he?"
"Actually, he's ornery, barking orders to all the nurses and me. But mostly he's anxious to see you, find out what's going on. No one who goes in to see him seems to know anything."
Maggie laughed, "I've been playing my cards close to the chest…this big, milky chest that is."
Theresa smiled, "Maggie, I heard a rumor that you're going to South Philly tonight.© I don't think that's wise. Since this started, Jack didn't go south of the bridge."
Maggie put a hand on her arm, "I don't really want to go, but someone has to stop the madness and I guess it's me. I can't let them take Jack, can I?"
She shook her head, "Be careful. Jack doesn't trust Vito, he says he doesn't play by the rules."
Maggie nodded, "Tell Jack I'll be in tomorrow. Let Meggie know that there's four bottle frozen, that should get him through until tomorrow morning."
"Okay."
Dennis pulled up in Jack's sedan. Maggie got into the passenger side, softly patted Dennis on the shoulder and motioned for him to start the car.
As they were driving, Maggie could see a thin bead of sweat on Dennis' upper lip, "Maggie, tell Jack I never wanted him hurt, okay? I really feel bad about that. He's always been good to me."
Maggie put a finger to her mouth and pointed to the roof, indicating that the car might be bugged. Dennis nodded, understanding.
She said out loud, "The FBI has quite an interest in all of this."
"I don't know why. It was just too guys who got into an argument over a woman."
They drove down through South Philly and the Italian neighborhoods to a semi-industrial area and over to the waste management office. Maggie had Dennis parked two blocks around the corner from the warehouse. She turned to Dennis and handed him the package. There was a paper on the top of the package which he read:
"Shut up and do not say anything. I'm going to say some things for the bug in the car, but when I'm done and leave the car, drive over to the Geno's Steaks. You'll find a dark blue 2005 Volvo. The key to it is on the key ring to this car. Get in the car, drive towards New York. Stop and read the package just before you get to the city. You'll find everything you need to leave the country. There's a ticket to Spain and a passport with your new identity. There are more instructions in the package. Use the ticket, get out of here."
Maggie continued to play the part, "Look, I'm going in first to soften them up, you follow in five minutes. When we get in there we won't have any guns or any protection, so don't say anything unless I tell you to say something, do you understand?"
"Yeah."
Maggie got out of the car and Dennis leaned over to the passenger side to look out the window. They looked at each other, Maggie smiled sadly and waved at him. He mouthed, "Thank you" so that the FBI wouldn't hear him. The car lurched out of the parking space and around the block the way they came. Maggie started walking towards the Waste Management Company. She walked slowly, until she finally came into view of two men in the window across the street from where she was headed. Maggie was no fool, the men in the window were Feds who constantly watched the comings and goings of the Donattos. They would see that Dennis wasn't with her, but they wouldn't really understand why at first. By the time it dawned on them that Dennis wasn't around, that he'd done a runner, he'd have a good head start. Maggie walked into the concrete building.
It was an old, but clean lobby with plastic chairs and gray flecked linoleum tiles. "I'm here to see Vito."
The thirtyish man with beautiful brown eyes nodded for her to sit on one of the chairs, "Just a minute." He disappeared into an office.Five minutes later he came out and growled, "You can go in."
Maggie took a deep breath and realized she hadn't talked to House since the tiff on the phone. She felt a little sick to her stomach, realizing that if this didn't go her way, the last thing they did was argue over her wanting to hear him say 'I love you.' He wouldn't acknowledge it, but it would eat him alive if she died and he hadn't said it to her. Maggie thought about excusing herself to call him, but it was too late. She could see the four Italians in the room standing around Vito, who was sitting. The four men were staring at her.
Vito was obviously pissed at Maggie. He didn't try to hide it. "Did you forget something?"
"The Feds arrested Dennis around the corner from here. What was I supposed to do? Tell the FBI that you needed your pound of flesh? I was lucky they didn't take me in with him. What can I do to make it up to you?"
Vito shook his head, "You think I believe you? I think Maggie Malone doesn't have the stones to hand over her cousin. She thinks she can talk her way out of anything." He looked around at all the waiting faces. Maggie could tell that Vito didn't like what was going on, he was clearly looking for an out, but there wasn't any. He shook his head and took a deep breath, "No, I'm sorry Maggie, I can't take your word. I think you let him go." He motioned to the men around him, "You see these men? They expect me to make things right. So, Maggie, I'm afraid you put me in a very awkward position. I'm afraid if you're going to let your cousin live, then you have to forfeit your life for his." Vito looked down, closed his eyes briefly and then waved at the two guys on either side of Maggie. They grabbed her upper arm and started to lead her out.
Maggie was alarmed, she had anticipated that this could happen, but thought it was only a remote possibility. Her adrenalin spiked, "Vito, you know that this will bring down a war of blood. My brother, Fishtown, Port Richmond, Darby, Colwyn, they'll explode if they find out that you killed me, a woman, a new mother."
"Maggie, that's precisely why it has to be you. It sends a message to the entire city that we're not playing." He shook his head sadly, "Sorry Maggie."
Only two more posts and the story is over. I really hope that you've enjoyed it! Thank you for reading. I know it's been a long story, but Maggie has been with me for a long time through many of my other stories.
