"Hey...hey wake up Jenna," he was still in a lot of pain and I could tell by his voice.
For whatever reason I had a guardian angel that day, and his name was Tom. He had woken up with Jeff in the room with him and Jeff gave him a quick run down on how I saved him from getting questioned at the hospital. Tom had hobbled down stairs just in time to see Nicky fly down into the basement to find me.
Everything was a blur but I faintly remember Tom slamming Nicky to the wall thus saving me. I was left on the floor for a good while, but Tom came back. He had a bottle of water as his foot nudged me in the ribs.
"You really put me in a bind Jenna," he sounded more angry at me than thankful. "Now my father is on his way here wondering how I could fuck up so badly." he shook his head and tossed the bottle at my side before turning to walk away. He stopped and saw his shirt soaking in the sink. The blood had dissipated almost completely. He picked it up and turned to me with it dripping on the floor.
"What's this?" he inquired. In his head Tom couldn't believe that not only had I patched him up so well, but I got his favorite shirt looking good again. He felt bad for yelling but his father killed his own cousin for messing up a job when Tom was a boy. He knew the repercussions were on their way and he was scared. Scared for himself, Nicky, Derrick, and even me. His father entered the home in stern steps. He found Tommy sitting in the dining room at the head of the table. His face was swollen a bit, but he sipped some Crown from a rocks glass, awaiting his demise.
"Boy..." his father Tony was a big man, a very big man. At six foot eight he towered over everyone he walked by. "we have a few things to 'discuss' this evening." his tone was firm but concerned.
Tommy sat there looking at his father square in the eyes. He showed no fear to his dad. He couldn't. Tony sat down in a chair next to Tommy and took his brown fedora off, rubbing his forehead. After a long two minutes of silence Tony finally spoke,
"Why is this girl here?" his words were cold.
"Pops it wasn't..." Tom tried to explain but his fathers backhand met Tom's cheek swiftly. Tom wouldn't dare show pain though. He knew that it would make it worse.
"Take Tommy boy in the basement, I'll be there in a minute." his father scoffed as he went to the restroom. Nicky and Jeff were there. They hung there heads low as they all traversed to the basement. My door was then unlocked as I saw the animosity in all their eyes. Nicky was about to watch his best friend and boss die. Tears filled my eyes as I tried to plead with Tom. He slapped me so hard across the face I literally saw stars. Tony came into the room and saw me in the corner of the room, petrified. He looked me over and turned to Tom.
"I can see why you didn't want to kill her, you were always a tits and ass man, to which she has plenty of both my boy. I'm sorry she has to go and you have to be the one to do it." he stared at Tom. This was the only way Tom wouldn't die possibly. Tony handed him a 9mm with silencer and stepped back. My eyes became huge as he walked up to me. I shook my head back and forth wildly now begging for my life.
"PLEASE DON'T I WONT TELL ANYONE... ILL MOVE, ILL CHANGE MY NAME!" no body was listening. I heard the gun kick back, I did something unspeakable. I betrayed my family in that instance.
"Your warehouse on Cicero avenue is going to be raided tomorrow at eleven thirty in the morning!" My heart pounded so hard I'm sure everyone heard it. Tommy pulled the gun back to his side and looked at his father with inquisitive eyes.
"What are you talking about girl?" his father snarled. "Who are you and how do you know this?"
"My father... my family rather is all legal people, Sir. I...I am Jenna Mallory. Honorable Judge Mallory's daughter," my voice shook as I talked to this man. Even being in his sixties he was still in shape and looked about forty. Tom took after his father in that aspect as well. At thirty one he looked twenty-two at most. His father was in dismay at my words. Not only did his son bring me home but now they all knew whom I really was. They stood around me not knowing whether to believe me or not.
"Why should we believe you, bitch?" Nicky was still heated that Tommy would defend me; only knowing me for a few hours compared to the lifetime he knew Tommy.
I stared at Tony, "Sir there is no reason I should lie about that... its not like I can go anywhere anyways. Why not let me live for 16 more hours and see that I'm not lying to you. I'll make you a deal," I would have given anything to have Tony listen to me, " if I'm right about your warehouse, you let me live. If I'm wrong and you go move everything and it's a big waste of time... I'll kill myself with my own gun that Tommy took from Zach's house."
Everyone was so silent you could hear blood flow through your own body. Tom was screaming on the inside in desperation for his father to make this deal with me, he was pissed at me but didn't want to kill me. Tony cocked his head to the side and lit his cigar.
"Ok."
Tom's father turned and walked away. He began barking out orders to everyone, including Tommy. Within ten minutes everyone was gone. And they left my door unlocked. It was late but I couldn't sleep. I cautiously treaded the home and started to clean. I was bored. I found Tom's clothes and took them to the laundry. Knowing where and how big the warehouse was from my family talking about it to each other, I estimated how long it would take them to get back. It was about three thirty in the morning when they all realized I had been left unattended and they didn't lock me in my room. Tom, Nicky, and Tony all rode together back to the house. They couldn't believe that they didn't secure me and were sure I had vanished. Tony was furious that this was even possible of happening. They pulled up to the gates and Tom noticed lights were on in the house which were not when they left. With guns drawn they entered the home slowly, making sure to stay quiet. They were all in a state of surprise when they smelled bacon being cooked. Coming around the corner first was Tom. I was in the kitchen, fresh from my first shower in days wearing a Chicago bears jersey I had seen of his.
"Jenna what the fuck?!" is all he could utter out. He really expected me to be gone. Who in their right mind would stay after having a gun put to their head? I would, that's who. I knew leaving would have worse consequences and also, I genuinely started to care for Tom while I was patching him up before.
His father stood there looking at what I had prepared, bacon, pancakes, an apple compote that was still warm, and I had eggs beaten for scrambling.
"Boys leave us," Tony was astonished as he spoke. "I want to speak to Jenna alone."