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Chapter 23-Interrogations
Dom's POV
I growled as the faint sounds of my cell phone continued to ring. I glanced at the clock on the hotel room wall. 3:52 a.m. I looked at the body next to me. Glad you can still sleep, I whispered. I grunted as I rummaged through my bags on the table. Toothbrush ... belt buckle ... gun ... cell phone. I grabbed it and flopped back down on the bed.
"This better be good." I said in a low roar. Last thing I needed was Elijah waking up and talking me to death. It took me three hours to get him to bed in the first place.
"Hey Dom. It's Tej," I sat up slowly. Tej never called unless it was an emergency.
"What's up man? How's everything?"
"Not too good D. Sorry to call so early but I didn't have any time before. Jesse's in some big trouble dawg," I grabbed my pants off the floor and buckled them. I didn't bother putting on a shirt. I grabbed my .45 semi-automatic from my bag and tucked it in my waistband behind me.
"Big trouble like what?"
"Like if you and your boys don't get down here quick, Jesse'll die of an overdose or two bullets in his ass for not doing so. These are some wannabe gangsters and they ain't afraid to shoot someone to get their way. Get down here Dominic," with that, the phone line went dead.
I hung up my phone and shook Elijah's body. He grunted similar to me and turned over, not waking. I smiled and slowly crept to the door. I grabbed the keycard off the dresser and tucked it in my back pocket. I walked slowly to the room next door that Vince and Leon were sharing. I swallowed hard and banged on the door. That was the only way to wake Leon over Vince's snoring. I was sure to wake up the rest of the floor with the knocking too. I banged on it again, but stopped when I heard footsteps. The door swung open, revealing a messy looking Leon. He just turned away, letting me in the room. He sat down on his bed, head in hands. I grabbed one of his pillows and tossed it at Vince's head, begging for a little silence. Vince grunted and slowly sat up.
"The fuck do you want Dom? Do you know what time it is?" Vince asked, ruffling his hair.
"You don't even know. You just woke up, so shut up. Listen, guys we gotta get moving," I replied, pacing their hotel room floor.
"Why Dom? We've been driving for hours man. I need some rest dawg," Leon said, tossing his legs back into bed. I walked over and knocked them back down.
"Cut the bullshit Leon. You've driven longer and for more dangerous reasons. This is important though. We need to get moving."
"Brotha, what's going on?" Vince asked, finally becoming concerned with my presence.
"I'll explain it all on the way. Just get your shit together. Let's go," I said, exiting the room.
I walked down the hall a little further, glancing back at my room to make sure Elijah wasn't awake. I knocked on the door in front of me. This time, Brian answered.
"Get ready, we're on the move." Thankfully, he didn't give me any trouble. He just nodded and closed the door.
I walked back to my room, surprised to see Elijah sitting up quietly.
"What's wrong bud?" I asked, making my way back to the bed.
"Couldn't sleep anymore. Where'd you go?" he replied, rubbing his eye with the back of his hand.
"To see Uncle Leon. Look buddy we're about to leave so get some clothes on," he nodded and got out of bed. He grabbed pyjamas from his bag and slipped in them. I grabbed a clean tank from my bag and slipped it on, making sure I pulled it over my gun. I zipped all the bags and sat them at the door. I made the bed as fast as I could. As we were leaving the room, I noticed Brian and Rome standing outside their door, waiting. I glanced at them, then at Leon's room, as if to ask where the hell were they? They shrugged, grabbing their bags and shouldering them. I walked back to Vince and Le's room, knocking once again.
"We're coming!" Vince growled, the door swinging open.
We made our way downstairs to the main lobby, to check out and turn our keys. After doing so, we loaded our bags in the cars and took off. I picked up the walkie-talkie and pressed the button on the side.
"Guys, we need to book it to Miami and fast," I spoke into it.
"What's goin' on Dominic? Cut to the fuckin' chase already man," Leon replied.
"Jesse's in trouble-"
"We know that already. That's why we're going," Vince cut me off.
"Shut it Vince and let me finish. Tej called me and said shit's getting serious. Jess is in with some gangsters threatning to kill him. If they don't, he'll die from overdose," it broke my heart to say that. Jesse was like my little brother. When I saw his body lying on the ground ten years ago, bleeding to death, I felt like picking up that shotgun and ending myself. I wouldn't put him or Leon through that day again.
"So what are we talkin' for? Let's go get our little brother and put some assholes six feet under!" Roman yelled into the talkie. I smiled and tossed it in the seat next to me. I looked over my shoulder, happy that Elijah was back asleep. I shifted gears as we flew down the highway, yellow, red, and purple neon glow lighting it.
A few hours later...
We had finally made it to Austin, TX around 3:30 pm. Usually it'd take a lot longer, but we were doing about 120 mph. I guess God was on our side because cops were no where in sight during the whole trip. Lucky for the guys, I was the one riding with a six-year old talkaholic.
"So, how come Uncle Jess and Auntie Di don't just come live with us?" was about his 40th question in the past ten minutes.
"Because they need their own place Eli. They have to have room to take care of cousin Jessica."
"So what. I'll sleep in the basement and they can have my room. That'll work won't it Daddy?" I smiled in the rearview mirror at him. He was always trying to do the right thing.
"I wish it would Bruno," I said, using the nickname Letty gave him. We followed Brian and Roman into a McDonald's parking lot. The look on Vince's face when he got on the car was pale and expressionless. "What's wrong V?"
"Ol' Coyote is dieing of starvation. Let's get food before he passes out," Leon said, causing us all to laugh. V said nothing in response, just walked into the McDonalds.
I ordered Elijah a Happy Meal and myself a Big Mac meal before we sat down at our table. I thought maybe because we were eating, the interrogation would stop, but was I wrong.
"So when are you gonna drive fast again Daddy?" he asked, a mouth full of fries. I scrunched my eyebrows together in thought. I hadn't thought about racing in years.
"I dunno Elijah. Probably never," I saw the looks Vince and Leon were giving me, but I ignored them.
"But why not Daddy? You love driving fast don't you?" he asked, his head tilted a bit.
"Not as much as I used to. Now shut it and eat," I said, wanting to change subjects. No such luck.
"What's that supposed to mean Dominic?" Vince asked, dropping his burger on the paper.
"Yeah, dawg, for real. What's up with that?" Leon joined in.
"Look, it's just not as exciting as it used to be. I'm getting old, whether you realise it or not."
"That's bullshit Dominic. You're only sayin' that because you haven't raced in so long." Vince said, finishing off his burger.
"For real, dawg. You know if you had the chance, which you do, you'd die to get back out there." Leon said, in a matter-of-fact tone.
They were right, though I would never admit it. I missed racing like hell. But I was getting old and I have responsibility now. The responsibilities I had back then was way different. They grew up and got married. I would kill to get back out there and dominate the blacktop one more time. Show those youngsters this legend is still around and kicking. But I had to be a father now.
"Enough. Let's get moving," I said, standing from the table. I could feel my body being attacked by menacing looks from the guys, but I just brushed them off. We piled into our cars and continued our trip to the sunshine state.
xxx
Leon's POV
It was creeping up on 9 o'clock when the guys and I decided we'd take another break. We stopped at another hotel in Alexandria, Louisiana. I didn't know if I'd be able to get any sleep knowing that my little brother could die any minute. This whole ordeal was wearing thin on me. When we got to our hotel room, I went straight in to take a shower. I wanted to wash away some of my stress. Only fifteen minutes, I got out. I stood in front of the mirror, a towel hanging low on my waist. Look at yourself Le, you look a mess. Though I still had washboard abs and biceps to die for, I looked like hell. I had dark bags under my eyes and I hadn't shaved in weeks. My hair was thick and almost to my shoulders. I usually kept it up, but it was becoming more difficult to deal with. Tomorrow when we're back on the road, I think I might make a stop at the local barbers.
On top of my dealing with Jesse's situation, I missed Senia. She was everything Bianca wasn't and that's what I loved most about her. I'm glad she's sticking with me throughout this shit. I didn't know if I'd be able to do it without her. I missed Xavier too. He was growing up so fast. His thirteenth birthday was next month. I'd have to think of somethng special to do for him.
"Le, I need to shower to ya know. Let's go," Vince yelled from outside the bathroom door. I tossed some water on my face and exited the bathroom. I tried to walk past him, but he blocked me with his arm. "You alright brotha?"
"Not until I get Jess back, no." I admitted, running my hand threw my hair.
"Don't worry brotha, we'll get him back. If we don't, I'll personally hand over the keys to my baby," Vince said, raising one eyebrow in my direction.
"That's real sweet, but you can't replace my brother with a fucking car Vince!" I yelled. I knew he was just trying to lighten the mood, but I was way too on edge for jokes.
"Cool it Le. We're gonna get the Kid back. Damn, you've really turned into Oscar the Grouch lately." Vince said, continuing into the bathroom.
I sighed exasperately, walking over to my duffle bag on the floor. I grabbed a pair of boxers and slipped them on. I flopped down on the soft hotel bed, pillowing my hands under my head. I shut my eyes, trying to relax my mind a bit.
Fourty-five minutes later...
The bathroom door opened and the light shut off, the small amount of light creeping in the room casting a silohuette of Vince in the doorframe. He flopped down on his bed the same as I had before, propping his head up over one hand.
"You think he'll move willingly back to Cali?" Vince asked, somehow knowing I wasn't asleep.
"Knowing him, he'll definitely put up a fight. You know how independent he's become," I replied.
"Yeah. Sasha and I agreed he and Di can have the spare rooms in the house."
"No fucking way, Vince. Either he stays with me or he gets his own place."
"Stop being stubborn, brother. You know we have much more space than you and Senia. C'mon Leon, it's like three blocks away man." Vince was right.
"Fine, Go to sleep," I said, turning my back facing him.