A/N: For those of you keeping score at home, Charles Bronson is one of the stars of The Magnificent Seven. Stupid fuckin' rope!
Irish Slang Lessons: Cheesed off--annoyed; Bollixed--very drunk; Eat the head off--yell at, verbally attack
German: Teletbubi zurück Winker--someone who waves back at the Teletubies/Homosexual
French: Ne tente pas le diable--Don't push your luck
Thanks as always to GoddessLaughs for rockin' out with all the help. Also, shoutout to my newest reviewer shortbutlethal.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Luciana had agreed to stay only because she had no where else to go. She had known, even with all the sangria in her system, that they didn't need her to "hold down the fort." They could probably go away for a month, leaving the front door wide open, and no one would bother even going inside.
No they had asked her to stay out of some combination of pity and duty. At any other time, she would have balked at having those types of sentiments directed at her, but she had an empty wallet and no where to go. The chilly Boston weather was all she needed to convince her that, just this once, she should take the help.
Really, it wouldn't be so bad without them there. They had treated her like she belonged there from the moment she arrived, but that didn't change the fact that she was living with two virtual strangers.
The first thing on her agenda was finding a job. She didn't have enough money left to do a load of laundry, let alone buy food for the next three weeks. She decided to bite the bullet and see if the twins had any idea where she could find some type of gainful employment.
She found Murphy laying on the couch, a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other, watching TV.
"Hey, where's your other half?"
"He's out getting stuff together for the trip. He'll be back in a bit, I expect." He said, his eyes glued to the TV.
"So, are you going to tell me where you guys are going?" She asked for what seemed like the millionth time since the previous night.
"Nope." He said simply.
She gave and exasperated sigh, but decided it would be best to just drop it, for the time being.
"Whatcha watchin'?" She asked, taking a seat.
"Only the best fucking western ever made." He responded, still staring intently at the TV.
"I didn't know Lonesome Dove was on." She said, and he sat up abruptly, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"Please woman, ye've got to be bloody kidding! Ye cannot seriously think that," he paused, looking affronted, "that mini-series is the best western ever."
"Oh, come on! It has one of the best ensemble casts ever put together. You can't do much better than Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones."
"If I had known you were this fuckin' deranged, I'd never let you set foot in this house." His manner took on that of school teacher, lecturing a particularly daft student.
"Rio Bravo, Silverado, and Connor's personal favorite The Magnificent Seven: Those are great ensemble casts. I, however, am watching a movie with the greatest actor ever to hold a six shooter. He needs no ensemble cast to carry a film, ladies and gentlemen, his royal highness, Clint Eastwood! Long may he reign." He stood and bowed to the screen.
Chuckling at his antics, she asked, "So which of Dirty Harry's movies are you watching?"
"Pale Rider, of course." He turned to face her, and, dropping his accent completely, said, "'and I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on his was Death and hell followed with him.'"
"Alrighty then. I guess I'll have to rent that one sometime." She said, rolling her eyes. "Can I interrupt your quality time with Clint?"
"I suppose so." He reluctantly turned off the TV and asked, "What's up?"
"Well, I need to find a job. I've officially hit the end of my bankroll and I think it's best I work as opposed to begging for change on the street."
"Listen, if ye need money, Conn and I…"
She cut him off, her eyes hardening. "Listen Murphy, I'm not a MacManus family charity case."
She started to stand, but sat back down when she heard the beseeching tone in his voice. "Listen, I'm sorry. I wasn't tryin' to offend ye."
"No, I'm sorry." She sighed, resignedly. "I'm just a bit touchy about everything right now."
"A bit?" He said, raising an eyebrow.
She grabbed an empty pack of cigarettes off the coffee table and winged them at his head.
"Peace, woman." He said, easily dodging the flying pack. "I think I know just the place for ye."
----
Connor leaned over towards the nightstand, his hand reaching absently for his coffee. There was paperwork scattered across the bed where Connor sat and there was a box of files still untouched on the dresser.
On the other double bed, Smecker sat poring over yet another set of documents. At first, Smecker had argued vehemently against this proposed trip of theirs, but when Connor made it clear they were going with or without his help the agent had grudgingly relented.
"Hey loverboy, this might interest you." Smecker said, passing a file across the gap in the beds to Connor.
Connor rolled his eyes at the nickname, snatching the file from Smecker's outstretched hand. "Shut it."
Months ago, just after the Yakavetta trial, he, Da and Smecker had come up with a plan to exchange information regarding potential hits. They needed a way to meet that wouldn't attract too much undue attention, and could be easily explained if anyone ever decided to ask. Smecker suggested they meet at a hotel that was popular with the homosexual community for illicit rendezvous'.
Smecker figured that if Connor was always be the one to come for the information exchange, anyone who noticed would assume they were lovers. Da had been quite taken with the idea and thus Connor's time as a fancy boy had begun. Everyone who was privy to their little plan loved to ride Connor about it, especially Murphy.
Fuckin' Murphy, Connor thought for about the hundredth time that afternoon. He was sure his brother was lounging around the apartment without a care in the world, while he became an expert on the Youngstown Mafia.
Smecker had pulled a ton of information out of the FBI database and they were sorting through it all day in an attempt to assemble a list of targets and their pertinent information.
Connor couldn't believe how the mob had saturated the entire city. Destroying evil men would be as easy shooting fish in a barrel.
The file Smecker had just handed him was very interesting. It was Vic Tibolla's file. Luciana had never mentioned that Vic had been involved with the mob, but involved he was. He was suspected in at least three unsolved murders and there were four brutality complaints made against him in the last two years.
"Can this fucking be right?" He asked Smecker.
"Well, in 99 of police precincts, this guy would have been history two complaints ago, but with the chief of police on the payroll…" Smecker trailed off, distracted by whatever was in the file he was holding.
Connor pulled over the notebook he was using for names and addresses and added Vic Tibolla to the list. They just might want to pay him a visit. Looking up at the clock, Connor ran a hand through his hair and got to his feet.
"Well, I've got to hit the road. Need to get home and round up Luciana and Murphy; we're taking her to McGinty's tonight to meet the boys."
"I need to get back to the office, anyway. Have to keep up appearances, you know?" Smecker said, straightening his tie. "Tell the three stooges I said hello."
"Will do." Connor said, and then, seeing Smecker blow him a kiss, he added. "Fuck You!"
"As far as the hotel staff is concerned, you just did!"
----
Murphy walked down the darkening street, completely oblivious to the fact that his companion was almost jogging to keep up.
"I can't believe they hired me. This is so great!" Luciana exclaimed, from beside him.
"Well, I needed to do something to educate ya, and Ramon is an old friend. Conn and I have been going to that rundown theatre since we first came to the States.
He loves to run old movies on Friday and Saturday nights. Lots of weeks, we would be the only ones there. Eventually, Ramon started taking requests and business has picked up. His wife just had twins and I know he's wanted to be at home more in the evening.
Besides," Murphy smirked, increasing his stride "if anyone can reform your obviously poor taste in movies, it's Ramon." He said, increasing his stride.
"Hardy-har-har." She said. Then added in a breathless voice, "Why are we practically running?"
Murphy realized just how fast he was walking, but he didn't slow. "We're late. Connor's going ta fuckin' kill me. We were supposed to be at McGinty's over an hour ago."
"What are we doing at the bar?" She asked, curiously. "I thought you boys still had lots to do to prepare for your mysterious voyage."
"Conn and I thought it'd be best for you to meet some of our friends. One or two of them will be checking in on you while we're away." He said, preparing himself for a verbal onslaught. He wasn't disappointed.
"Wait, are you telling me that I'm going to have babysitters? You've got to be kidding me. Where do you guys get off making a decision like that without even mentioning it to me?" Her voice rose as she spoke.
Christ, she's got a fucking temper, he thought. Aloud, he said, "Listen, ye've only been in Boston like a week. We're going to be away and we thought it might be nice if ye had some one ta call in case of an emergency. Don't forget, Vic is still in town as well."
"You could've asked, or at least let me know instead of dragging me to the bar to be surprised." She said.
"Sorry, I-we didn't think." He said, then hoping a little guilt would help, he added, "Listen, don't make a fuss. Me brother won't be able to relax if he isn't sure yer safe."
"Fine, fine. I'll go along, if only to get the two of you out of my hair for a few weeks." She said, placated for the moment.
Just as Murphy reached for the door to the bar, he felt Luciana's hand on his arm. "Thanks for looking out for me. I really appreciate the help with the job situation." She stood on tiptoe and gave him a light kiss on the cheek.
"Think nothin' of it." He said, uncomfortable with her gratitude. "We best be getting in there afore Connor starts punchin' stuff."
----
Connor was leaning against the bar, tapping his foot impatiently. He had one eye on the door and the other on the dart board. If Murphy and Luciana didn't turn up soon, he was going to hunt his brother down and duct tape a watch to his wrist.
He had arrived back at the apartment, only to find it deserted. After a quick search of the place, he realized both his brother's coat and Luciana's were gone. Connor had figured that they must both be at the bar already and he headed over there himself.
Irritated that they hadn't even taken the time to leave him a note, he had stalked over to McGinty's. He walked in prepared to eat the head right off of Murphy, but he when his eyes scanned the bar, the only familiar face was Greenly's.
Now, an hour and 4 beers later, Dolly and Duffy had arrived, but still no Murphy. Connor had gone from cheesed off to royally pissed. It had even started to affect his dart game. He was losing to fucking Greenly, for Christ's sake.
"You're up." Said Greenly, sitting on the vacant stool next to Connor and looking quite pleased with himself.
"So Connor, where's that brother of yours and this mysterious woman we're supposed to be looking out for?" Dolly asked, taking a swig of Guinness.
"Seriously, my wife is gonna kill me." Duffy said, sighing. "I was supposed to watch the kids tonight so she could go to her sister's."
Connor threw his dart with way more force than necessary, and turned to face the three men at the bar. "Listen guys, if I knew where me fuckin' brother was, I'd go get his sorry ass and drag him back here."
At that moment, as if summoned by his brother's words, Murphy came barreling through the door. He looked up and caught Connor's eye. Connor stood, feeling a mixture of relief and anger. He moved forward, ready to pound his brother, but Murphy pulled Luciana forward and held her in front of him.
"I swear to Christ, it's her fuckin' fault!" Murphy yelled, keeping Connor out of reach with his human shield.
Twisting out of his grasp, Luciana said, "Oh no you don't mister! No one told me about this meeting. Not my fault you're late."
"Judas!" Murphy gasped at her, as Connor caught him in a headlock.
Connor and Murphy had been fighting each other since before they could walk and it was hard for either to keep an advantage. A flurry of curses flew back and forth between them in a variety of languages, while they both struggled to maintain control.
"Teletbubi zurück Winker!" Murphy shouted, punching Connor in his quad.
Rubbing his leg with one hand and maintaining the headlock with the other, Connor growled, "Ne tente pas le diable, brother." And knuckled the top of Murphy's head.
"Boys," Luciana said, in a patronizing voice, "if you keep this up, you'll be sent to bed with no beer."
Relinquishing his hold, Connor addressed her and Murphy. "I hope the two of ye are proud of yerselves. Duffy probably won't get laid again this week, thanks to you."
"Fucker." Duffy muttered, taking a long drink, while everyone else chuckled.
Putting his hand on Luciana's back, he steered her towards the bar. "Luciana, let me introduce ye to the boys."
----
Connor downed one of the shots Doc and just placed in front of him and looked down the bar. Luciana was making girly type noises over pictures of Duffy's kids, while Murphy refereed the game of pool that Greenly and Dolly were embroiled in.
"Hey, Murph!" He called to his brother, pointing to the full shot glass.
"I'll be back, boyos. Jackie D. is callin' ta me," Murphy said, heading over towards Connor.
"So where the fuck were ye tonight?" Connor slurred slightly, trying to keep his voice from betraying his curiosity.
His brother made short work of the shot and said, "Job hunting."
"Huh?" Connor grunted.
"Huh…ye sound like a fuckin' caveman." Turning around, he called, "Hey Doc, can we get two more?"
"H-here ye go, boys." Doc said, setting down their glasses. "Fuck! Ass!"
Murphy tossed another one back and said, "Luciana wanted ta get a job, so I took her to see Ramon."
Connor was completely bollixed and this news took a while to reach his very impaired brain. He was forming a response, when he saw Greenly shank the cue ball for the second time in just a few minutes.
"Greenly needs ta start watchin' the table and not the other patrons." Murphy laughed, and Connor followed Greenly's gaze over to Luciana. "It appears he's got eyes for our houseguest."
Connor watched as his brother stood a bit shakily and headed over to the pool table. He couldn't hear what his twin whispered to Greenly, but knowing Murphy it was easy enough to guess. Greenly took a half-hearted swipe at Murphy, as a blush spread over his face.
"I've got winner!" Luciana announced, as she and Duffy made their way over to the pool table.
"That's going to be me." Dolly said, surveying the table. "Someone here is too distracted to play a decent game."
They all laughed as Greenly promptly scratched the cue ball again.
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