Chapter 16

Chapter 16

"Mrs. Miller are you ready to go?" A blonde woman in her early twenties walked out of the house and into a car. She was beyond beautiful and she strived to keep it that way.

"Steven how many times have I told you to call me Erica?" Erica said as she looked at the driver.
"Yes ma'am. Where to Erica?" Steven said as he pulled the car out of the driveway.
"To my private jet, seems I need to make a trip to Toronto, Canada."
"Yes ma'am." Steven started to make his was to the airport.

Jude, Tommy, Sadie, Big Lou, and Chris finally made it to Coral Springs, Florida. They drove for a total of 21 hours, 47 minutes and 6 seconds not including the stops they made. When they finally arrived at the house, no one took time to observe it they all just crashed.

They all got up 4 hours later to Chris running around the house. Tommy and Jude smiled because now was their chance to be a family. They unloaded their things from the vehicles after Tommy assigned rooms to everyone. Since Tommy knew this town better than everyone else he went to get some food while Sadie watched Chris. Jude and Big Lou set up surveillance cameras inside and outside the house. They were taking extra precaution. Big Lou even called up some of his friends to see if any of them would be interested in walking the perimeter at night. They agreed to help out at night and whenever they were needed.

Tommy returned with everyone's food. They all ate and then decided to watch a movie before they went to sleep. The next morning Jude woke up and went to get Sadie so they could go shopping. While they were out shopping they stopped at a hair salon. Jude decided to cut her hair short and dye it a dark brown. Sadie also cut her hair short but dyed it an auburn color. When they were done they went and picked everyone else up.

They all went to get new identification cards. Jude decided to go by the name Alexandria Stevenson, Tommy went with the name Kevin Stevenson, Big Lou's name was Anthony, and Sadie changed to Angela Roberts. They decided that since Chris was so young and would not understand that they would leave his name and only change his last name. They gave him Jude and Tommy's new last name.

When they got home Jude and Tommy sat Chris down to tell him.
"Chris I need you to listen very carefully ok." Tommy tried to be as gentle as he could.
Chris nodded his head yes.
"When we go out in public we need you to call me daddy auntie Sadie and Big Lou by the new names we chose." Jude knew he probably did not understand but she had no other way to tell him.
"Do you think you can do that for us?" Tommy asked.
Chris not really understanding why just nodded his head. Jude and Tommy knew that he probably didn't understand any of this but they hoped he would. Chris ran up to his room to play while Jude and Tommy sat in silence.

"What about your music?" Jude asked looking at her husband.
"What about it?" Tommy looked at Jude not knowing what else to say.
"From what I can remember it was an important thing in your life." Jude needed to know what he wanted.
"It was and it was important to you too." Tommy said wondering if she had a point to this.
"Yeah but I think you should continue it." Jude was starting to get antsy.
"I don't know. I need to find a studio first." Tommy answered truthfully.
"Come with me." Jude said as she grabbed Tommy's hand and dragged him along.

Jude covered Tommy's eyes with a blindfold when they got to the car.
"Jude what are you doing?" Tommy asked with a hint of worry.
"I have a surprise for you." Jude said noticing that he was worried. And she did not blame him especially with all she has put him through.
"What is it?" Tommy was excited but still a little skeptical.
"You will see soon." Jude said as she rolled her eyes at Tommy.

The rest of the ride was silent. Tommy was anxious to see what the surprise was. Jude was nervous because she didn't know if Tommy would like it or not. Jude finally stopped the car 15 minutes later. She helped Tommy out of the car and led him towards the building. When they were standing directly in front of the building she took off the blindfold. Tommy stared at the building and then turned to face Jude.

"I know how important music is to you and I know that you gave it up to be with me. So I was thinking that you wont have to give it up maybe we could run record label." Jude said hoping he liked his surprise.
"Are you serious?" Tommy stood in awe over what she just did for him.
"Yeah, I mean only if you want to." Jude could tell that he was excited and that she did a good thing.
"Of course I do." Tommy took in the site of the building and then walked over to Jude.
Tommy gave Jude a kiss.

"Ok well I will call in some workers to get started on construction." Jude was proud of herself for what she just did.
"Thanks Jude." Tommy was still ecstatic over what she just did for him.
"Anytime, I love you Tommy and I wanted to give you something to say thank you." Jude looked at him and just smiled.
"For what?" Tommy looked at her confused.
"For never giving up on me." Jude looked like she really regretted all the choices she made in life.
"I would not change it for the world." Tommy could tell she felt bad for everything she put them through but to him it was all worth it. Their struggle has made them stronger.
"Good because there is no going back." Jude just hoped he could handle what's coming next.

Jude and Tommy started to make their way back home. They entered the house to see Big Lou yelling at someone. When Jude noticed who it was she started to clench her fingers.
"How the hell did you get in?" Jude's anger took over.
"Some chick let me in. Look I am not here to argue with you I am here to tell you something." The mystery guy said as he gave Tommy a quick look over.
"What do you want Eric?" Jude crossed her arms over her chest as she stared down Eric waiting for him to explain himself.
"Mike is out of jail. Erica let bailed him out." He really hated having to tell her this and to betray his family but he knew it was the right thing to do.
"What? I didn't know he still talked to your sister." Now Jude was worried. What if Mike finds us?
"He does and just to warn you she lives here. So I would watch my back if I was you." Eric gave her a sympathetic look as he knew this was not going to go well.
Eric left them to think about what he just said.

Tommy who was lost during that whole conversation decided to get some answers.
"Anyone care to explain." Tommy said looking between Jude and Big Lou.
"You want me to explain Jude or you." He said looking directly into Jude's eyes.
"I will. Erica and Eric Miller are the second largest crime family. They are friends with the Giovanni family. Erica and Mike use to date until he moved to Toronto but they still remained best friends. I thought they stopped talking to each other but I guess not. The Miller and Giovanni's are trying to merge their families to become one unstoppable force." Jude did not meet Tommy's eyes. Her mind was trying to figure out how to protect her family.
"So what do we do now?" Tommy asked seeing her internal conflict.
"I don't know. If Eric found us then that means Mike can. How did he find us anyway?" Jude had a look of terror written on her face. If he knew then so did his family.
"I told him where we were." Big Lou said hoping she would not kill him.
"Why?" Jude said as anger started to fill.
"Because he said he had important information on Mike. You know he has been our ears on the inside." Big Lou said reminding her all the sacrifice Eric has made for them.
"True ok so then we are safe for now." Jude was much calmer now.
"Ok so what do we do?" Tommy asked not fully understanding what was going on.
"Act normal. Try not to draw attention to ourselves." Jude said looking at her husband and then to Lou.
"Ok." Tommy said still looking confused.
"Lou can I talk to you in private for a moment." Jude said motioning for him to meet her in the other room.
"Sure." Big Lou said as he turned to leave.

"Tommy I will be back in a little while." Jude said as she could tell Tommy felt left out. She wanted to involve him but she couldn't risk him getting hurt.
"It's ok take your time. I am going to go for a walk." Tommy tried to sound convincing. He was hurting because he knew she was keeping him at an arms length.
"Ok be careful." Jude could hear the hurt in his voice but she knew this was what she had to do.
"I will. Love you." Tommy started to get his thing ready to leave.
"Love you too." She gave him a kiss before she walked into their surveillance room.

Tommy decided to take in the scenery and clear his mind. What the hell did he get himself into? I mean yeah I love Jude but is all this stress worth it. I mean we are living the lives of someone we are not. I am second guessing myself. Don't do this again damn it. Now is not the time to be second guessing myself. I need to be with Jude and Jude needs to be with us. We are a family and nothing is going to tear us apart.

"So how did you get into trouble this time?" She asked with a look of curiosity.
"I shot a man trying to get rid of Jude's husband." Mike said nonchalantly.
"She still has not come to her senses yet." Erica sneered at this. What the hell does he see in her? I mean her I am willing to be with him but no he wants his Jude.
"No but I will get her to." Mike stated confidently.
"How do you plan on doing that?" Now she was intrigued to here this plan of his.
"Start planning funerals. I am going to start killing those she holds dearest, starting with Tommy, then her son Chris, and then her beloved sister Sadie." Mike smiled at this plan. It was going to be flawless he thought. What better way then gets rid of those she holds on to for support and guidance?
"We are here to mourn the life of Tommy, Chris, and Sadie." She said mocking a funeral.
They both laughed as the jet was getting ready to land in Coral Springs, Florida.