Houston – The Wild Bull Bar - New Years Eve
The door opened while Connor, Murphy, Diego, Lisa, Darcy and Annie walked inside and the sound of voices, laughter and country music filled the air. Connor noticed the men were wearing linen shirts, suit jackets, string ties, cowboy hats, jeans and cowboy boots and the women were wearing dresses, nude hose, high heels, linen shirts. Jeans, cowgirl boots and cowgirl hats.
"Looks like a full house," Diego said while he looked around. He was wearing a blue denim shirt, a black suit jacket, a black string tie, jeans and cowboy boots and he removed his brown cowboy hat. Annie was wearing a denim jacket over her black dress with a skirt ending just above her knees, nude hose and black high heels. Her hair was draped over her shoulders and she wore the silver necklace he had given her for Christmas.
"Think we'll be able t'get a table?" Connor asked. He was wearing a white linen shirt, a dark blue suit jacket, a black string tie, jeans and his snake skin cowboy boots. Lisa was wearing a black suit jacket over her red dress with a skirt ending just above her knees, nude hose and red high heels. Her hair was pulled up into a tight bun and she held a small, black clutch purse in her hands.
"I see a table over there," Murphy said. He was wearing a black linen shirt, a black suit jacket, a black sting tie, black jeans and black cowboy boots. He removed his black cowboy hat and smoothed down his hair. Darcy wore a white suit jacket over a white dress with a skirt ending just about her knees, nude hose and white heels. Her hair was braided back and she had her arms around Murphy's right arm.
They walked to the table while Diego moved the chair back and Annie sat down. He moved the chair in and she smiled up at him. Connor and Murphy moved the chairs out so Lisa and Darcy could sit down then they moved the chairs in. Diego, Murphy, and Connor sat down on the chairs next to them while the waitress walked to the table and she smiled at them. She placed the menus on the table as they looked at the drinks and she waited for their orders.
"Six beers, please," Diego said and she nodded, wrote the order on the note pad then the waitress walked away.
"I don't get it. Why do they call th'spicy chicken wings buffalo wings" Murphy grumbled as he placed the menu down on the table.
"It has to do with the sauce they use," Annie explained and Connor gave Murphy a smug look. "Leave him alone."
"Sorry," Connor said and Murphy lightly elbowed him in the right side. Connor lightly shoved him as they locked eyes and Annie sighed.
"Guys…."
Connor and Murphy nodded as they looked at the menus and the waitress brought over the six glasses of beer on a plastic tray. She placed the glasses of beer on the table then looked at them and they told her what they wanted to eat. She nodded then walked away and Connor sipped on the beer. He watched Annie and Diego talking as she laughed at something he said then Connor looked at Murphy talking with Darcy. Lisa saw the serious look on Connor's face when she wrapped their fingers together and he glanced at her.
"What's wrong?" she whispered.
"Nothin's wrong. I'm fine," he said then he got up. Murphy saw him walking toward the bar when he got up and he followed Connor. He had felt the worry, concern and sadness coming from his twin as Connor stopped at the blackboard with the names of the people who rode the mechanical bull and Murphy noticed Connor's name was still at the top.
"Looks like no one's beat yer time," Murphy whispered, but Connor just looked at the blackboard. Murphy carefully turned his brother to face him and Connor sighed. "What's goin' on?"
"Nothin'," Connor said.
"Don't bullshit me."
"Ok," he said a few times as he nodded. "I was jus' thinkin' about that news story I saw last night on television. It was about this family that got robbed. Th'bastard who broke in th'house, beat th'father in front of their kids an' th'wife had been shot. One of th'kids called fer help, but th'asshole got away."
"Did it happen around here?"
"No. Dallas."
"Did they catch him?" Murphy asked and Connor shook his head. He knew what his brother wanted to do as Murphy sighed and placed his hands on Connor's shoulders. "Wanna go find him?"
"I do," Connor said then paused and glanced over at Lisa. She looked concerned as he gently smiled at her then he looked at Murphy. "But I also want t'go eat my bacon cheeseburger."
Murphy snorted a laugh as he shook his head and Connor shrugged his shoulders.
"I saw a news story on television th'other night. It was about th'Yakavettas," Murphy said.
"Is it th'one about a mob killin'? I saw that story."
"They showed where it happened. It was in front of our old place."
"Think it's real?"
"Nope."
"You think they did it t'call us out?"
"Aye."
"Which means they know we're no longer in prison."
"But they don't know where we are."
"Aye," he said with a nod. "That's another thing that's botherin' me. They're not gonna stop comin' fer us."
"What do you wanna do? Go back t'the homestead an' spend th'rest of our lives as hermits?"
"No. I just don't like th'idea of someone from their organization showin' up an' harmin' us, Annie, Diego, Lisa, Darcy or th'kids."
Connor and Murphy looked at Annie, Diego, Lisa and Darcy as Connor frowned and Murphy pressed his lips into a thin line.
Boston
Michael Yakavetta walked down the hallway while the sounds of his footsteps echoed behind him and his dark eyes looked straight ahead. He could just hear the sounds of his guests' voices and laughter in the other room, as well as the classical music, and he walked to the oak doors. He barely glanced at the guard as the guard snapped to attention then opened the door.
"This better be important. I have guests," Michael said as the guard closed the door after Michael walked in the room and Michael looked at the man with dark hair standing at the desk.
"I have information in regards to your son," Anthony Borelli said as he handed Michael a file folder after he had walked to Michael. Vincenzo Yakavetta was written in black pen on the flap of the file folder and Michael opened the file folder. Michael looked at the information then closed the file folder with a soft snap.
"Has this information been verified?" Michael asked.
"Yes, Don Michael," Anthony said.
"My son was executed by the FBI while imprisoned at Hoag Maximum Security Prison."
"Yes."
"Have they found out which FBI agent ordered the hit?"
"Yes. It was an Agent Paul Smecker."
"Where is Agent Smecker?"
"According to our people in the FBI? He was last reported to be in Houston."
"That is Sam Warren's territory."
"Sam Warren is dead."
"I am aware of that. Do we have people in the Houston branch of the FBI?"
"No, Don Michael."
"I see."
Anthony handed him another file folder and The Saints was written in black pen on the flap of the folder. Michael opened the file folder as he read the information and looked at the photographs.
"It says here the Saints are dead," Michael said as he glanced at Anthony.
"Yes, Don Michael," Anthony said with a nod.
"This information is months' old."
"We had to authenticate it. It could be a fake report."
"Is it true?"
"Yes. They are dead."
Michael looked at the autopsy photographs as well as photographs of what appeared to be a funeral and he frowned.
"Where are they buried?" Michael asked.
"In Ireland. But they weren't buried. They were cremated," Anthony said.
"Which means they could still be alive."
"If they were alive? Don't you think us faking that mob killing in front of their old apartment building would have called them out? It was on the news."
"Not if they aren't in the country and didn't see the news report. They weren't here when my nephew killed their priest."
"May I speak freely?"
"Go on."
"I was against your nephew's actions. I was also a member of their priest's congregation. His death was unnecessary."
"I agree. Which is why I wasn't upset about my nephew's death at the hands of the Saints."
"Do you still wish for us to keep looking for the Saints?"
Michael looked at the autopsy photographs as well as the photographs of the funeral when he closed the file folder shut with a loud snap.
"No. I believe this foolish vendetta has gone on long enough. My father paid for his sins. Let them rest in peace," Michael said.
"Shall I inform the other factions and mob bosses as well as the international mafia heads?"
"Yes. Tell them the Saints are finally dead. If they are not? They are not to be harmed. Nor is anyone associated with them."
"Yes, Don Michael," Anthony said as he headed for the door then he turned when Michael called his name.
"Happy New Year," Michael said.
"Happy New Year, Don Michael," he said, opened the door and left the room. The guard closed the door while Michael looked at the portrait of "Papa Joe" Yakavetta then he crossed his arms over his chest.
"Thanks, Mike. Knew I could count on you to do the right thing," startled him as Michael quickly turned around then smiled.
"Anytime. Happy New Year, Rocco," he whispered then walked to the door. He opened the door as he left the room and the guard closed the door.
Houston – The Wild Bull Bar
Connor and Murphy walked back to the table when they sat down on the chairs and Connor saw the plate on the table. He lifted up the top bun of the bacon cheeseburger as he saw the burger was well done and he placed the top bun back down.
"What is going on with you two?" Lisa asked and he glanced at her.
"We were talkin' about th'news story that was on television last night," Connor said as he picked up the bacon cheeseburger and took a bite.
"Are you talking about the news story about that family who were robbed in Dallas?" Darcy asked and Connor nodded, swallowed then took a drink of beer.
"I can't believe someone would do that. Those poor kids," Annie said.
"What makes it worse is the guy got away," Lisa said when she realized why Connor and Murphy were upset and she sat back in the chair. "You want to go after him."
"I was thinkin' about it," Connor said then looked down at his chest. "Changed my mind after I took a shower an' looked at th'scars on my chest an' stomach. Didn't mind gettin' shot in th'shoulder. But I still can feel th'bullets hittin' my chest an' stomach."
"I get what you mean. I still feel 'em, too," Diego said.
"What about you?" Darcy asked as she looked at Murphy and Murphy nibbled on one of the buffalo wings, licked his fingers then wiped his fingers with the napkin.
"I was thinkin' about it," Murphy said then took a drink of beer. "Then I remembered how much it hurt when I got shot. Never wanna feel anythin' like that again."
"What else were you talking about?" Lisa asked.
"There was that news story on television about these mob killin's in Boston," Connor said, took a bit of the bacon cheeseburger, chewed and swallowed.
"They happened in front of our old apartment buildin'," Murphy said as he took a sip of beer.
"I saw that news story. Weren't the Yakavettas involved?" Diego asked.
"Aye."
"Do you think it's a trap?" Annie asked.
"Aye," Connor said with a nod then placed a few fries in his mouth.
"You think they might still come after you?" Diego asked.
"Aye."
"What do you want to do about it?" Lisa asked.
"Not sure."
"Th'only thing we can think of is goin' back t'Ireland," Murphy said and Annie glared at them.
"Th'only way you can do that is if I go with you," Annie said with her accent.
"Which means I have to go," Diego said.
"Me, too," Lisa said.
"Me, too," Darcy said.
"And the kids, Devil and Ebony," Annie added.
"Which is why we decided against it. Gettin' tired of runnin'," Connor said and took a long drink of beer.
"He's right," Murphy said with a nod when he noticed the small dessert menu on the table and he picked up the small dessert menu. He looked through the choices when Darcy smiled and she pointed at one of the photographs.
"They make the best peach cobbler," Darcy said.
"Looks good."
"You can only have that if you promise you're not going anywhere," Annie said.
"Can I have ice cream on th'top?" he asked as he looked at Darcy and she smiled, nodding her head.
"Is there anything else bothering you?" Lisa asked Connor and he moved his right index finger over the rim of the glass of beer.
"Did th'FBI talk t'you an' Darcy about what happened?" Connor asked.
"Yes. They did."
"When?"
"It was the day before you guys were released from the hospital. We went to see you when that Bloom bitch showed up."
"Hey!" Diego said and she shrugged her shoulders.
"She was with this older guy. We went into the security room and we told them what happened."
"What no one could figure out was who those guys who rescued us were, where the van which took us to that house came from or where that house where you found us is," Darcy said.
"I think I know who those guys were," Connor said.
"Who were they?" Annie asked.
"We think they were Rocco an' Romeo," Murphy said.
"They're dead," Diego said.
"Aye. They are," Connor said with a nod.
"Are you saying they were our guardian angels?" Lisa asked and he nodded after taking a bite of the bacon cheeseburger.
"What about the van?" Annie asked.
"I did write down the van's license plate before we left the house. I gave Bloom the piece of paper with the license plate number on it. I guess they found out it was either stolen or belonged to Sam," Lisa said.
"That leaves the house. Where did that come from?" Diego asked.
"It must have been a safe house. There for the police or those mob guys to use when they need to," Annie said. They started eating when Lisa noticed the worried look on Connor's face and she lightly nudged his side.
"Now what's wrong?" Lisa asked.
"I was thinkin' about Smecker," Connor said with a sigh.
"Why are you thinkin' about that asshole?" Murphy asked as he nibbled on some fries.
"We don't know where he is."
"Don't care."
"He's still out there."
"Aye. But, if he knows what's good fer him, he'd stay away from us."
"Guys…," Diego said and they looked at him. "He was there when we took out Sam. For all he knows? We're dead."
"He has a point," Annie said.
"Still wonder if he found out we're not," Connor said with a sigh and leaned back in the chair.
"Stop," Lisa said and he saw the seriousness in her eyes. Nodding, he went back to eating the fries, but the thought of Smecker being out there caused a cold ball of ice to develop in his chest.
FBI Headquarters
Eunice watched the other agents talking, laughing, drinking or eating while classic music played over the speakers and she sipped on a glass of white wine. She wasn't sure, but something felt wrong. Sighing, Eunice walked to the window as she looked out at the darkness and her reflection stared back at her. She had her hair down and she was wearing a black dress which ended at her knees, nude hose and black high heels. She saw how tired and worried she looked. She knew she should let go of Smecker, but the thought of him getting free and going after Connor and Murphy again kept creeping into her mind.
"Having a good time?" made her turn and she looked at the man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes walking closer.
"Yes, Sir," she said, but he frowned.
"Still concerned about Agent Smecker?"
"Yes, Sir."
"I assure you he is still in custody."
"But for how long? I'm sure his lawyer is trying to get him released."
"He has tried," he said with a nod of his head then he took a sip of wine from the glass in his right hand. "But you were legally obligated to record your conversations with him."
"I understand that. But people like Agent Smecker tend to find loopholes."
They stood in silence when the man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes looked at her and she sighed.
"Follow me," the man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes said and they headed for the doorway. They walked down the hallway when they stopped at the elevator and the man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes pushed the call button. The doors to the elevator opened as they walked in the elevator car and the man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes pushed the button. The doors closed as the elevator car moved down and Eunice watched the numbers moving. A few seconds later, the doors opened and they left the elevator car. They walked down the hallway as Eunice looked straight ahead and she flexed her fingers in and out. They stopped at the security area then they were scanned and the doors opened after the security guard pushed the button.
"Still have nightmares about being down here," Eunice said, softly.
They stopped at the door when the man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes moved the slot back and Eunice walked to the door. She looked in at Smecker sitting on the floor in the left corner and she noticed he was wearing a hard plastic helmet on his head and hard leather gloves on his hands. His white pajamas were dirty and he was barefoot.
"Why is he wearing a helmet and gloves?" she asked as she looked at the man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes.
"He has been clawing at the walls and slamming his head on the door," the man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes said.
"Have you had anyone look at him?"
"Yes. We have had a psychiatrist in to see him. He attacked her."
"Shit."
She watched Smecker slowly rise to his feet when he slowly walked to the door and she saw the hate in his eyes.
"Bloom?" Paul asked with a growl in his voice.
"Hello," she said and he glared at her.
"Where are they?"
"Who?"
"You know damn well who."
"They're dead."
"No. They're alive. They! Are! Alive!"
She backed up as Smecker ran and slammed his head on the door. He backed up when he ran against and slammed his head into the door. He staggered back then fell unconscious onto the floor and she looked at the man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes.
"What….? What are you going to do with him?" she asked after a few seconds.
"We're still trying to figure that out," the man with white hair peppered with gray and brown hair and hard blue eyes said and they headed back down the hallway. She looked back at the door when she sighed, turned and she looked straight ahead.
The Wild Bull Bar
Diego danced with Annie while she held him around his waist and she looked deeply into his eyes.
"Wanna know something?" he asked and she nodded. "I wasn't sure if we'd be doing this."
"You mean because of what happened at Sam's place?" she asked and he nodded. "I wasn't sure either."
They danced as she slid her hands around his waits then up to his chest.
"Still worried about Connor and Murphy?" he asked.
"Yeah. I hope all this isn't going to change them."
She looked down at their feet when he lifted her chin up and she saw the seriousness in his eyes.
"Know what? All of this made me think about our wedding. I think we should get married as soon as possible," she said.
"I have been thinking the same thing," he said.
"When should we do it?"
"How about Saint Patrick's Day?"
"You wanna get married on Saint Patrick's Day?"
"Yeah," he said with a nod and she moved his head closer and kissed his lips.
"Sounds good to me," she said and he smiled.
Connor was dancing with Lisa as she slid her hands up to his shoulders and he smiled at her.
"Wanna go home?" he asked. She saw the look in his eyes as she shyly smiled and she ducked her head. He lifted her chin up to look into his eyes and he lightly kissed her lips. "Too soon?"
"For us to have sex? No," she said with a grin and he softly laughed.
"Good to hear."
"Just think we need to wait. We just started dating."
"Which is summat I'm still gettin' used to. Normally…."
"Normally you and I would be in bed by now."
"Right," he said and she moved his head closer so she could kiss his lips.
"Good things come to those who wait," she teased and he grinned, moving her closer and she moved her fingers over the back of his head.
Murphy watched Connor and Lisa dancing while Murphy scooped some of the peach cobbler and peach ice cream into his mouth and Darcy saw the look on his face.
"What's the matter?" she asked and he turned his head to look at her.
"Guess I'm a little jealous," Murphy said as he pointed the spoon toward Connor.
"You're jealous of Connor and Lisa?"
"Nope. Jus' Connor. He's always been th'better dancer. Not good at th'slow stuff."
"Neither am I."
"Uh….," he said as he looked down at the peach cobbler and placed the spoon in the bowl. "You wanna dance with me?"
"I'd love to," she said as Darcy stood and held out her right hand. He rose to his feet, took hold of her hand and they walked to the dancefloor. He turned her to face him as she slid her arms around his waist and they started dancing. Connor looked at his twin when he grinned and Lisa lightly tapped her fingers against his chest.
"Leave him alone," she whispered.
"Jus' lookin'," Connor whispered and he nodded his head toward Murphy. Murphy nodded back as he looked at Darcy and he watched the colored lights moving over her hair.
"You look amazin'," Murphy whispered.
"You look amazing, too," Darcy said and she swore he was blushing.
"Are we gonna take some of that cobbler home?"
"Yes."
"Do we have any ice cream?"
"Is that all you can think about?"
"Sorry. Didn't have anythin' t'eat all day."
"You're forgiven," she teased and he snorted a laugh.
"I thought Murphy didn't like to slow dance," Annie said and Diego looked at Murphy and Darcy.
"I didn't like it either," Diego said and she looked at him. "Not until I met you."
"Guess all it takes is the love of a good woman," she said while moving her hands down his chest to his waist.
"Guess so."
"Wanna go home?"
"What about your brothers?"
"I think they'll be ok."
Diego arched his eyebrows up while his eyes widened and she gave him a sly grin. He took hold of her left hand as they headed for the table and she picked up her denim jacket and his suit jacket. They had paid for their meals as he placed some money on the table as a tip and they headed for the door.
"Hey! Wait up!" Connor said and they watched him running to them. "Where are you goin'?"
"We're going home," Diego said and Connor saw the annoyed look on Annie's face.
"Oh…!"
"Is there summat wrong?" Murphy asked after he ran to them and he looked at Diego and Annie.
"They wanna go home."
"Why?"
"They wanna go home!" he repeated and Murphy looked from Diego to an annoyed Annie.
"Ah….!" he said as his eyes widened and Annie, sighed, rolling her eyes.
"I was thinkin' of takin' Lisa home."
"You were?!" Murphy asked with a stunned look.
"Aye."
"I was thinkin' of takin' Darcy home."
"Then let's go get 'em."
"Darcy's gettin' some peach cobbler t'take home."
"T'eat?"
"Aye. Get yer mind outta th'gutter," Murphy said as he playfully pushed Connor and Connor laughed, pushing him back.
Annie watched her brothers running off when she looked at Diego and Diego smiled.
"And you were worried," he teased and she playfully swatted at his right arm.
A short time later, Connor watched the road and he smiled when Lisa reached over then she slid her fingers over the fingers of his right hand. He wrapped their fingers together when he squeezed her fingers and the cars headed down the road.