29
As I sat with Yas in my lap, Tariq just sat across the couch from me.
"Dad's at work… Mom went to go see Grandma." he announced. I nodded as I glanced at the TV that Yas's eyes were glued to. I then glanced back at him placing Yas on the floor. She didn't seem to mind. I turned and faced him now.
"Your mom told me you killed Raina's killer." I replied and he looked down now, his eyes fading some.
"Yeah." he replied lowly and I nodded watching him.
"And how does it make you feel?" I asked and he looked up at me.
"Bad at first, but then knowing he couldn't hurt anyone else, made me happy. I'm glad I did it." he replied honestly. "Does that make me a bad person?"
"Do you think it makes you a bad person?" I asked. He shrugged which I felt was normal. He looked at me.
"What would you do if someone shot and killed, Dad?" he asked. I looked up in thought before looking back at him with an icy gaze.
"I would have had the killer flayed while still alive." I replied coldly. He didn't look surprised or afraid. He looked like he understood, he was not afraid of death. As we spoke and relaxed, I got emails from Clay on applications for penthouses and had him fill them out and send them to housing offices.
"So what all do you do at your job?" he asked. I grinned as I sensed the interest in his tone.
"Well I am what is known as an ambassador. Each Ambassador is in charge of a major city. I have a secret list of the most dangerous and lethal gangs and I supply them weapons and drugs so they can continue their business." I told. His eyes popped.
"So you run New York then." he said. I shrugged.
"Something like that." I replied gently. I felt my phone buzzing and I looked at it to see Clay was in the lobby. I felt bad for basically recalling him back after telling him I wouldn't need him, but Clay loved his job, even if he didn't always shot it. As I replied to his text, the elevator doors opened and in came James walking in like a man on a mission. When he saw me he shook his head completely taken back.
"Yara, whachu doing here?" he asked. I slid off the couch and walked around the sofa.
"I was here to see my niece and nephew, you know take an actual interest in their lives." I replied and he frowned, and I smirked turning to Tariq. "I'll come by a little later."
"Bye Auntie!" Yas waved.
"Later." Tariq replied smiling genuinely. I then looked at James.
"See that James, I know how to make your kids actually happy." I said before whipping my hair at him and getting on the elevator. But before it closed, he slid right through standing directly in front of me, his eyes deep and serious.
"What the fuck are you really doing here, Yara? You don't come around here." he said. I shrugged.
"Well James your son asked me to come around. He wants me in his life." I replied.
"Bull shit you've never shown interest in my kids." he said.
"Yeah well that makes two of us." I replied. He stepped closer to me.
"What the fuck did you just say to me?" he asked.
"Need me to repeat myself, because as Lizzo said truth hurts." I replied just as dangerously. The elevator doors slid open.
"Take the next elevator." James demanded hardly glancing over at who was there. I just stared up at him as the elevator doors started to close, but a familiar hand gripped the left door and made the door open again. James turned and looked to see Clay just standing there with an innocent tilt of his head.
"My man we got a problem?" he asked. Clay looked at James for a moment before looking at me.
"Are you ready to depart Ms. St. Patrick?" he asked. I smiled and just pushed James aside with my shoulder.
"I am. Thank you Clay. See you later, big brother." I replied and walked ahead of Clay of which he followed behind. I found that incredibly amusing. Clay didn't see James as a threat. Once he opened the door to the back of his vehicle, we were back on the road. "I thank you for coming back. If you'd like to just drop me off at Vincent's, you can go straight back to your place and I won't call you for the rest of the night." There was a small moment of silence.
"And miss a chance to have some fun with a Sicilian gang… not a chance." he replied. I smirked.
"Vincent will be thrilled that you're joining us." I teased. As we drove, I checked messages. One of my higher ups sent a chat about the Jimenez ordeal.
Ortega
How do you plan to take care of the Jimenez problem?
Y. St. Patrick
Diego Jimenez will be coming to the city to meet and discuss potential clients to add to the company's list.
Ortega
Make no final decisions. Send the list of buyers to me and I will look them over. If that does not sit well with Mr. Jimenez, eliminate him. We will only afford to keep Alicia Jimenez contract.
Y. St. Patrick
Done
I forward the discussion to Clay so he would have our orders. Once we were back at Vincent's, we were let in and numerous maids were everywhere cleaning and mopping the floors. Al was just walking by when he saw me. He looked stunned to see me now.
"Yara, my god, what are you doing here?" he asked. I arched a brow.
"I'm staying here, Al." I replied. He shook his hands and waved his hands in front of his body.
"No I mean what are you doing here right now? We got guests coming over." he said. I nodded.
"I know. I was invited." I replied.
"What Vincent invite you?" he asked. Yes, who else? I nodded and he sighed rubbing his forehead.
"Al, qual è il problema?" I asked.
"Vito, l'orso, Sosa." Al replied.
"E chi è quello?" I asked.
"A very powerful Spanish drug dealer who has had history with the Mosconi crime family." Clay replied. Al nodded.
"For the longest time we've been in a blood feud." he replied
"What caused it?" I asked. Al snorted and placed his hands on his hips.
"A young and naïve, Vincent was dating Vito's niece. One day, there was a shoot out between our guys and some… African American boys back in the Bronx. Vito's niece was shot. She lived, but Vito never got over it. He wanted Vincent's head, but as you can imagine, we don't let anyone fuck with our family." he said. "Vito's old fashion. He don't like us no mores and he definitely don't like titsunes-"I didn't react to the slur, but from him looking over my shoulder at Clay obviously, he raised his hands in defense. "African Americans. We're trying to end the bad blood now and form an alliance so we can all do some business. Or else the war continues."
"It probably isn't a good idea for us to be here while business it is taking place, Ms. St. Patrick." Clay advised. I nodded.
"You're right. Al, I won't get in the way. I'm going to freshen up, then I'll be out of the house." I replied and he nodded patting my shoulder.
"It would be an honor to have Vincent's girl over for dinner. But tonight, only family needs to be here. You get it." he said. I nodded politely, although deep inside I scowled some. But I nodded.
"Of course." I replied and walked around him and headed up stairs. Clay followed and I was lost in thought over his words.
"It would be a bad idea to try and recruit Sosa into Red Lake wouldn't it?" I asked.
"Extremely." Clay replied and I nodded and headed up to Vincent's room. Clay remained outside, while I got dressed into something more casual. Why would Vincent invite me to a meeting that was clearly a business meeting between two rival gangs? The day was still young so I felt maybe some apartment shopping was in order just so I could stay out of the way until this dinner was over. I placed on a blue dress with black lines going down the side. It was strapless and pressed my breasts up a bit more than needed. I pulled my hair back and grabbed my purse from the bed and opened the door.
Clay looked at me and stepped aside.
"You can drive me to some of the hotels we found so I can make a final decision on a new hotel." I replied. Clay nodded and followed me down the hall. As we were stepping down the stairs, I found myself caught in the middle of something already. On the left side of the stairs was an older man with salt and pepper hair wearing a white suit. Behind him were men in black sunglasses. On the right side, was Vincent, in a black hoodie and pants. Behind him were his men. He looked up at me and looked almost stunned by my presence. Now all eyes were on me as he smiled.
"Right on time. One of my other guests, and my most favorite." Vincent replied as he raised his hand to me. I smiled warmly and took his hand, although I was mildly on edge as Vincent pulled me in to his side to face the man. He had a long scar across his right eye.
"Yara St. Patrick, Vito Sosa." he replied. "Vito, this here is Yara St. Patrick and her good friend, Clay Richards." I looked at the man and I could tell we were both at a stand still on who would say something first. His entitlement was going head to head with my dominance. I held the top of my palm out to him finally.
"Mr. Sosa." I replied, and he arched a brow as if mildly caught off guard. He stepped forward and took my hand and brought it to his lips and kissed it.
"Ms. St. Patrick. A beautiful name to match a beautiful face." he purred. His accent was thick and rich. I continued to smile at him.
"A pleasure to meet an associate of Vincent's." I replied. He grinned.
"Not yet. But now we may see. I hope you are planning to join us for dinner." he asked. I could feel Vincent's grip tighten just a bit on my hip. I hummed gently.
"Well now I don't know. I got word that you men were having an important meeting. I would hate to interrupt." I replied. Vincent shot Al a quick glance, his hidden intentioned smile still on his face.
"Nonsense, I would love to have a beautiful woman such as yourself eating a delicious meal with us. Who knows, I may be able to steal you away from Vincent here." he said and began to walk himself toward the dining room. Vincent smile dried up slowly.
"Over my dead body." he replied lowly and began to turn us and lead his family into the dining room.
"Vincent why am I here?" I whispered.
"I want you to see what I am all about." he said lowly, almost seriously.
Author's Notes
Yara: Al what's the problem?
Al: Vito, the bear, Sosa
Yara: and who is that?