John had been undercover for 3 years. An assignment that was only supposed to last 6 months max, had stretched into 36 months.
But they were so close. That was the only thing keeping him going.
His first undercover assignment with the FBI had been with this organization – and lately he had the sense that he had come full circle with this assignment being his last. John was only 23 and been with the FBI just under two years when he'd been given this assignment. Back then, the gang was run by Dominic Mazzola Sr – and was very small operation. It provided the usual barrage of illegal substances to the tourists, but the volumes were small. That's why the FBI didn't mind sending in a young agent when they learned of an opening as a Bartender at one of his properties. Within a few weeks, John had been able to get close to Dominic – and by month three was a trusted employee in all elements of his business dealings. John's age helped – Dominic was a single father to two boys – Dominic Jr, who was 17 at that point and Joseph who was 13 – both boys were struggling with the recent death of their mother, so John had become almost a big-brother figure to them both. The fact that John opted to spend his days off with the Mazzola boys endeared him to Dominic Sr, and helped him rise up the ranks quicker than most.
He was undercover for only 9 months before he managed to get the information needed to take down the organization. The FBI opted to have the bust carried out by other agents to maintain John's cover – and John Muphy (as he was going by then) found himself "arrested" on previous charges and extradited back to Chicago. Dominic Senior had died in the raid along with two of his other top enforcers, one of which had been believed to be the FBI's source – so there wasn't any trial to pull him back in. As far as the FBI was concerned it was an excellent operation, and one that helped John become seen as something of a rising star.
In the 20 years that John had spent in the FBI and then Llaview PD – Dominic Mazzola Jr. had managed to resurrect his father's organization and take it beyond what it once was. He kept it small, very contained – having learned from the mistakes of the past. But it now went beyond drugs – Dominic had his fingers in prostitution, weapons and illegal gambling. The FBI hadn't been able to get anyone deep into the organization, the best they had managed was getting a female agent placed as the bartender at his main Bar, but even that didn't yield them the information needed. Everyone agreed that Dominic Mazzola was the face of this organization but that his brother Joe had to be the brains. But any records of Joseph Mazzola were impossible to find past his high school graduation. Seeing the Mazzola gang starting to grow even quicker, the FBI knew John was their best option. They wanted to send him back in as John Murphy – with the story that he had completed his prison sentence and was looking for work.
If his personal life hadn't been in the midst of falling apart, he likely would have refused. But the undercover assignment offered an escape and cowardly he jumped at the chance to take it. Six months was nothing – it would give Natalie time to cool off and if it came down to a big custody fight, a glowing recommendation from the FBI wouldn't hurt.
It wasn't until he was on route to the assignment that he realized he'd made a huge mistake.
The text came in just as John was putting his personal affects in the FBI locker. He'd been taken to their Las Vegas facility for his briefing and it was now time for John Murphy to re-emerge. His phone had been off since arriving in Vegas the day before, but he figured he would send one last text to his Mom and Michael. Turning it on, he was shocked to get a bunch of incoming text alerts.
They were from Natalie.
He sat down on the bench, bracing himself to read them.
"John, we need to talk. I just learned about the letter and restraining order. I had NO idea. It was all Clint. I am so sorry – regardless of what happened between us, I would NEVER keep you from Liam. Please call me."
"I've tried calling about 10 times. I know you must be hurt and angry. I swear I had no idea."
"John, please. I'm not trying to disrupt your life. If you have now found happiness with Sam, fine. But Liam needs you in his life."
"I've just spoken to Anna. She told me about the FBI assignment. I don't even know if you will get this before you go under, but I need you to know, I will NEVER EVER keep you from your children."
He should have known it wasn't Natalie. Why didn't he fight harder? Make more of an effort? How could he had just assumed she wanted him away from Liam – after everything they had been through. He was an idiot. And an idiot that had to wait an additional 6 months to fix this giant mess.
He thought about calling her, but he knew if he heard her voice he wouldn't be able to go through with this assignment. And at this point he was here – about to begin and fully committed. He quickly texted back,
"I just got your messages. I should have known it wasn't you. I really fucked it all up this time Natalie and I am sorry. About everything – I have made so many mistakes these past 4 months but I should have known you'd never try and keep me away from Liam. I am going undercover now – its only supposed to be a few months, a small assignment. I swear to you, the second it's over – you'll be the first person I call. I want to be a father to Liam – a father that is there for him. A father he can look up to. This will be my last assignment – after this I am coming home to Llanview. And I don't know if I can fix things between us – I hope we can, but even if you are only willing for us to go back to being friends and co-parents, I swear to you I am done running. Done chasing ghosts. I'll be someone you and Liam can depend on. I Love you both."
He could see that the text was read – and could see that she was in the process of responding but John opted to turn off his phone. Anything else had to wait.
But it hadn't been a quick assignment. Everything else had gone according to plan – he was able to make contact with Dominic who welcomed him back like a long-lost brother. He quickly obtained a position within the organization and was once again able to rise – but Dominic's paranoia was far more than the FBI realized. Even John Murphy, who had been like family to Dominic, couldn't get any information about Joseph. He got the same story that they had had a falling out, and Joseph had taken off. But John knew it was a lie. Joseph Mazzola had always been the smart one in the family – a child genius in computers, security and strategy. Dominic on the other hand was the opposite. He was impulsive and reckless, and there was no way he had grown this operation himself. Within the first two years John and the FBI had managed to get enough that they could take Dominic down, and a few of the local drug suppliers. But they knew the main leader was Joseph – and the money and weapon connections would be gone without him.
So they kept at it. Hoping that the longer John stayed, the more inclined Dominic would be to bring him into the inner circle. They were now playing a long game – and one that finally seemed to be working. John had become Dominic's right hand man, he was with him for every deal and decision. It seemed like it was only a matter of time before they got the information they desperately needed to dismantle the organization.
The only roadblock he'd encountered was one of Dominic's enforcer's – Ricky. Ricky was the son of one of Dominic Sr's enforcers and was about the age Joseph would be. He knew Dominic Jr and Joseph when they were kids, but it was more of a passing acquaintance. When Dominic started rebuilding the organization, he had brought in Ricky. They had been working together for over 10 years before John had remerged, and Ricky had taken an instant dislike to him. He was suspicious of John, and tried to find fault in any of his actions. But the longer the assignment stretched on, the more resigned Ricky seemed to get of John's place, and was now just a minor annoyance.
John wasn't supposed to be working that Monday – but he had some stuff to drop off for Dominic at the bar. Days off and downtime were pointless when you were working undercover since you couldn't exactly have any form of life. All the time one would normally spend with loved ones, browsing social media or working on their hobbies and interests, weren't possible for him. His life had nothing, so he put everything into his work. That apparent "dedication" is likely one of the things that helped Dominic come to rely on him so much.
The only other FBI agent in place was the bartender – and through the guise of a friends with benefit's arrangement, they had become close. That cover allowed them to spend time together a few times a week to go over information/prepare it for their handlers. Chrissy was essentially his only friend – and only connection to his real life. This was her first assignment – she was young like he had been and despite the years dragging on, remained excited and invested in their work. She reminded him a lot of what he had been, and had grown to consider her a close friend. The fact that she had a long-term girlfriend back home also helped ensure that there was never any blurred lines in regards to their covers – their so-called sexual relationship was strictly a front.
He had gone in through the basement entrance, setting up in Dominic's office where he began to go over the weekends ledgers. It wasn't work that needed to be done, but he was here. Dominic had come down shortly after his arrival, surprised and pleased to find him there.
"Jonny, you work so hard for me. I get to have all the fun, while you do all the work."
John shrugged as he continued going through the paperwork. "I like the work. You enjoy the fun."
Dominic laughed. "You know me so well. We make an excellent team Jonny – you have become a brother to me. I don't think I tell you that enough."
John could smell the whisky on Dominic's breath and knew where some of this sentimentality was coming from. "This family is all that I have Dom."
A serious expression came over Dominic's face and he gazed down at John intently. "I know. Come spend Thanksgiving with me and the wife Jonny. Family should be together for the holidays and I have some things I would like to discuss."
John kept his face impassive as he nodded, "Sounds great." This could be it, the break they had been wanting.
John kept working for another 30 minutes and was just about to leave when Gabe – a newly hired barback, came down to find him.
"Mr. Mazzola wants to see you Jonny." The young man cautiously interrupted. John sighed. Gabe was a good kid, with no clue what he was getting mixed up in.
"Did he say why? I am just heading out."
Gabe's face suddenly lit up, "There's a hot chick killing it at the pool table. Mr. Mazzola says he's never seen anyone play like her. I mean, it doesn't hurt that she a smoking hot red head, so she's easy to watch…." He smiled suggestively.
A redhead playing pool. That was not what John needed to see. All that kept him going in his assignment was to force away any and all thoughts of Natalie and Liam.
"I don't need to watch some chick playing pool."
Gabe nervously laughed. "But you have to. Mr. Mazzola wants you to play against her."
John signed and ran his fingers through his hair. "Tell him I'll be up in 5 minutes."
Once the young kid left, John went back over to the computer and pulled up the security footage from upstairs. It would be best to know what he was dealing with before heading up.
Natalie.
John felt his knees go weak and he half-fell back into the desk chair as he saw her upstairs talking to Dominic. A million thoughts started running through his mind – the most prevalent one being 'What the hell was she doing there?'
He knew he had two options – leave through the back door, making some excuse to Dominic or go up and face her. Option one was the safest option for him. It would protect his cover and maintain the integrity of the operation. And he had almost convinced himself it was the right choice. But then he watched Dominic place his hand on Natalie's arm. John could see the unease in her eyes and the slow suggestive smile on Dominic face.
Option one be damned. There was no way he wasn't going up there.