Little Mafia Boy - Chapter 19: Chapter 19

{Nico}
It was Christmas Day and my whole schedule was packed for the day. It was slightly irritating. Okay, well, maybe I could have dropped a few things from my to-do list but I didn't want to leave anything for later when it could end up being too late. I needed to get stupid, idiotic Max to the house Doctor, I had to question our new driver, again, and I wanted to go talk with George.
I couldn't drop my gut feeling that was telling me George leaving suddenly wasn't a coincidence. He's around fifty but still has a lot of spirit in him. He's been with us as the driver since before I came to live with my father. George was the one that taught me about things of life and responsibility. He helped me to balance the two without losing my self. He really was the only person I talk to after Eli avoided me and before Max or Sera came to live with me.
I glanced over to Max who was slumped in his seat with his eyes closed tightly. I would be lying if I said I wasn't mad at him. I definitely was. He had a bad habit of thinking he had to fix everything on his own despite telling him countless times that I would help him with whatever he got himself into. Max had both of his arms laced over his stomach. It was noticeable that even the car moving was hurting him. In all honesty, I was glad that he was in pain. That way I wouldn't feel the need to punch him later for not explaining the situation sooner.
"Sera. Were you able to get into contact with George?" I asked as I looked out the window. The show wasn't falling anymore so I was hoping all the snow would melt quickly. So much soft, white snow in one place was sickening.
"Well, I called him but he seemed in a rush. Either that or like he was trying to hang up the phone quickly." She told me as she was focused on her phone completely as she usually was.
"He's probably enjoying his retired freedom. Let the man-" Max hissed in pain as the car went over a speed bump and continued, "live in peace. He's probably gambling."
"George doesn't gamble, idiot. The injured shouldn't talk."
"You sound like Dylan."
I turned to look at Max with a piercing gaze. Although he wasn't looking at me I could tell he sensed my stare. He shifted his body carefully to face the car door as to protect himself. "You're lucky someone already beat you senseless. Say something like that again and I promise I'll punch your nose in."
Max ignored my comment and pretended to be asleep. Even throwing in a fake snore. Sera in the front seat laughed and said, "You wouldn't beat him. Stop lying to yourself. One sad look from Max and you'd immediately forgive him."
I scoffed a smile lightly and shrugged, "Yeah. Probably." I agreed, "However, it works as a nice threat."
"If you threaten him too often, he won't fall for it anymore."
"No way. It's me delivering the threat we're talking about."
"I suppose. You do have an ugly face after all." She said with a smirk as she turned around slightly to look at me. "It's no wonder you didn't dress up for Halloween this year. So scary~" Sera taunted.
"Oh, ha. Funny." I replied dry and scrunched up my nose, "I'll have you know that I did dress up. I dressed up as a member of the Mafia. Just like I did last year and the year before that."
"And the year before that one, and three years before that one."
"And every year before that." Max said waking up from his 'sleep' to poke fun at me and then snored loudly as he pretended to fall asleep once more.
"I hate you all." I said rolling my eyes.
"You don't but whatever helps you sleep at night." Sera said turning back around to sit correctly in her seat.
I rolled my eyes with a slight smile. I took my phone out of my pocket as I got a text message. I checked and Miki's name lit up with a message attached, 'You never told me you had a brother.'
'You never asked.' I typed back quickly. If he had asked I would have told him I did but that he was off somewhere far away. Seriously, Eli suddenly showing up yesterday really angered me. Sera still denies letting Eli know where we were. The driver, Frederick, said that Eli already knew the location and ordered him to drive to Dan's house. Meaning that he's either been keeping tags on us or Sera really is on his side.
'. . . I'm asking now.'
I frowned slightly as I looked down at my phone, 'You're that curious about me, Miki? I'm so happy I could cry!'
''Of course I am. Shouldn't I be?' He replied back bluntly. I was surprised to see Mikhail show so much interest in my personal life. I wondered if I was finally getting through to him.
'Okay. I'll tell you but it's a lot and I don't really have time to call at the moment. Can I see you later today?' I smiled softly as I looked out the window as I waited for a reply.
There was just something about Mikhail that drew me to him. He was so different from all the other people I had been with in the past. He knew exactly who I was and yet he didn't hesitate to put me in my place if needed. He wasn't scared or asked me to buy him a million things just because I had more money. Though, if he asked, I would without a doubt give him the money because Mikhail isn't the kind of guy to ask things from others without a valid reason. He has his pride to think of.
I was just really glad that he was slowly starting to open up to me. If Max hadn't interrupted yesterday I probably would have been having a complete different conversation with Mikhail entirely. He was so cute and innocent. The way his cheeks flushed a bright red when embarrassed was too adorable for me to handle.
'I actually have to work for a living. We don't exactly have the luxury to close on Christmas Day.' I laughed softly at Mikhail's message. It was very much like him to say something like that. Before I got the chance to reply, he sent another text, 'Tomorrow at the cemetery around 9. I'll meet you at the entrance.'
I raised an eyebrow up in question. Ah, right. He only has his father left I did. I had completely forgotten. 'Should I bring anything? Flowers? Incense?'
'I run a flower shop. . .'
'Oops! So, just incense then? I'll see you tomorrow."  I sent feeling a little stupid for suggesting to bring flowers when he had a full shop filled with them.
'Merry Christmas. . .'
I looked down at my phone and couldn't stop the smile from forming on my lips. "He's going to be the death of me!" I said out loud, very aware that I was acting like a love sick idiot.
'Merry Christmas, Miki.'
"What's up?" Sera asked curiously.
"Hm, nothing." I said, still with the smile on my face as I leaned back comfortably on the seat and hummed quietly as I waited to arrive home. "Nothing at all."
* * *
"Talk." I said a bit impatiently. Sera and I sat around Max as he was laying down on a small hospital bed. The room was big enough for around five beds inside, all singles. The walls were painted a very light blue, because I hated the white walls I had them painted although Sera chose the color.
The doctor had already left from checking Max. He mentioned that he, thankfully, didn't have any broken bones but the bruises were going to take a while to heal and we're going to be extremely soar. Max had no permanent brain damage but was advised not to move around too quickly. He had lost a bit of blood but nothing life threatening. Rest, food, and medication would have Max back to normal in no time.
I crossed my arms over my chest and leaned back on the chair. Sera was on the other side of the bed looking curious.
"I don't know where to start exactly."
"Preferably the beginning but, you know, that's just a little suggestion." I said with a small grin.
Max groaned and attempted to sit up by himself. Sera got up from her chair and helped him. She picked up  his pillows and set them against the wall so that he would be comfortable. She sat back down and she sighed. Max looked at sera suspiciously but let out a sigh and said, "I'll just hit you with a bomb then. I actually have an uncle who's still alive. I also have a younger sister." Before I could add my two cents he quickly added, "but it's not like I lied about that! You never asked if I had relatives alive." He tried defending himself.
"Okay, while that may be true." I said trying not to get mad. "That's sort of the thing you would usually tell me, Max."
"There's still more." He said. I opened my mouth but thought twice and closed it. I figured I might as well listen to his whole story with an open mind. Also, I didn't want to get into a yelling match with Max. I motioned with my hand for him to continue. He did. "I, well, my parents aren't really dead either. At least, I don't think so. They... Sort of... left me and my sister to die."
Sera spoke up for me, "Sort of? Max, you gotta be straight with us-"
"I really don't want to hear that from you." Max interrupted as he refused to look at her. He wouldn't even look at me. He kept his gaze down at his interlocked fingers in his lap.
"What's that suppose to mean?" Sera asked, angrily.
"Stop." I said quickly, "I really don't have the time to listen to you bicker. Hurry up Max. The Doc gave you medication so you could sleep and it'll take effect soon. I want to hear the whole story out of your mouth before I decide what to do."
Max glanced at me and then looked back down. "Okay... So when I was younger-"
* * *
"He fell asleep, Nico."
"I see that, Sera. I'm not blind." I whispered back at her. I scratched my head softly in thought.
Max had finished telling us about his life before I found him. He was laying down so peacefully. His chest rising and falling in a rhythmical patten. As he talked, it really made me understand him better and why he did what he did with strangers. Though, if I was being perfectly honest, I wanted to go over to his uncle's house and torture the guy as inhumanly as possible. I would do everything he did to Max but ten times harder. There would be absolutely no mercy.
During the story telling Max had begun to tear up. I realized that no matter how old Max pretended to be, he really is just a sixteen year old boy who's been to hell. It was tough keeping my calm demeanor as his voiced cracked every other word. From start to finish Max refused to look at me. He probably thought I was angry at him. Impossible. I was angry at his grandparents for not seeing the signs quicker. I was angry at his parents for choosing drugs over their own flesh and bones. I was absolutely furious at his uncle for ever raising a hand to him and putting his own sister against him. Never once was I angry at Max. Okay, maybe a little bit but that anger was quickly overthrown.
"What are you going to do?" Sera asked.
"I want to go kill his good-for-nothing uncle but Max already told me not to."
"You're going to do as he says? Shouldn't we just get rid of him now that we have a chance?"
"Stop being a fool." I hissed quietly at her, "What will become of his sister if we get rid of his uncle. We can't exactly take her in. She doesn't recall her memories of Max and she'll just blame us for killing her 'father'. The last thing I need is a child sneaking into my room at night to stab me with a kitchen knife when I already have Eli killing off Mafia members. Who knows when I'll be next."
"That hasn't been proven-"
"Bullshit." I said. I stood up and took one last look at Max. "You know Eli doesn't like me. He's looking for the right opportunity to kill me." I let out a deep breath and checked my phone. We had spent nearly two hours talking. Max had done his best to stay awake through it all but I allowed him to just sleep. He needed a quick escape from this twisted world we lived in. I walked out with Sera right on my heels. She closed the door as quietly as she could behind her. I stopped in the hallway and faced her. "You have a free day to do whatever you want. I'm going out."
"Where? I could go with you if-"
"No. Just want to clear my head." I said. "I'm out of cigarettes."
"I have some if you need."
"I don't. Your brand sucks." I told her.
"What about George? Are you not going anymore?" She asked putting her hands on her hips. "and you were so keen on visiting him earlier."
"I can't exactly go talk to George when I have other things to worry about. I'm not going anymore. We can go another day. Don't follow me. That's a direct order, Sera." I stuffed my hands in my pockets and kept walking. I felt sick to my stomach. "I just want to be alone right now."
I hated lying to people.
I felt like every time I lied I was becoming into the very person I despised, Eli. His specialty was lying after all. A fox wearing Sheep's clothing, if you will. That's what I saw him as. Not as a human and not as my brother anymore.
Although, I lied because it was necessary. I was still definitely going to go see George but I didn't want Sera following. After what happened at Dan's house with Eli showing up suddenly. I didn't want him to be at George's house and knowing where he lives. No way would I take that risk.
I made my way downstairs and saw Eli standing on the last step with a knowing smirk on his face, "Where are you going little bro?"
"Like it's any of your business. I'm going out." I told him as I tried to move around him.
He smacked his hand against the wall to block my path. "I thought I told you last time that I hate the way you speak to me. I'm your older brother and currently have more power than you. I'll ask again: Where are you going." I squinted my eyes at him with annoyance. I wasn't really looking to pick a fight but if he was then I wasn't going to back down. I'd show him who really stands on top with power between the two of us. "I see puberty has made you such a wild child." He teased
"Hey." I said, "What were you and Mikhail talking about yesterday and why were you two so friendly?" Ahhh, I wanted to smack my face against a wall as soon as those words left my mouth. I was showing interest in something to Eli and he was going to take it away from me again. Just like he did with everything. "Never mind. Forget I asked." I said trying to get out of the situation my stupidity got myself in. I pushed his arm aside and started walking towards the front door.
"Leaving so soon? I guess you don't want to know how I met Mikhail." I froze. He laughed, "Remember when our father made you accompany me somewhere? I ran into Mikhail down by the ocean. He looked cold. I offered him my gloves."
I turned around and glared at him, "Did he take them?"
"Hm, I wonder." Eli teased me. "My memory is so bad nowadays. I tend to forget things easily. Oh, but he is just so cute, isn't he? I was thinking I'd make him mine. After all, he seemed to enjoy my company more than yours."
Something snapped inside of me as I lunged forward and grabbed Eli by the collar. I yanked his body roughly, "Don't you ever get near him again. He's a hundred percent off limits. I won't tolerate-"
"Sounds like a challenge, Nico." He said, still holding a smile on his face. He pushed a cold object against my neck and it wasn't until I felt something running down that I realized he had pulled a small dagger on me. I clenched my jaw tightly and he laughed, "Nico, do you hate me?"
"I'd kill you any chance I got if I wouldn't be severely punished for killing family." I spat with venom in my voice.
"Good." I frowned in confusion and he said, "Hate me more. Hate me until it consumes you entirely." I huffed out angrily at the nonsense he was spitting out and pushed him back roughly. He hit the wall behind him roughly but didn't wince from the pain. He stood up straight and chuckled.
I clicked my tongue and turned back around to walk away. I really didn't want to be around Eli at a time like this. I was already really angry about Max's uncle. I didn't want to take out my anger on Eli, although it sounded like a good plan in my head but if Naomi were to find out she would make father punish me and I wouldn't be able to get to George's house by the end of the day. Eli was playing his mind tricks again. Eli said something behind me but I couldn't make out what he was saying as I slammed the door behind me loudly and made my way to the car.
Frederick was outside leaning against car and talking on the phone. I still had suspicions about him as well. As soon as the door slammed behind me, Frederick looked up and said a few quick words to whoever was on the other side. He hung up and shoved his phone in his pocket. He opened the back door and waited for me to get inside. I did so without saying a word and watched as he got in the drivers seat and turned the ignition on.
"Where am I taking you to, sir?" He asked in a monotone voice. He always spoke like that. His expressions truly was a poker face. He only ever had one face when he was around. I couldn't tell if he was ever angry or sad or even happy.
"Thirteen twenty four Forest Drive." I told him and put my seat belt on. He started the car and I grabbed my phone. I hit Mikhail's name and put the phone to my ear as it rang three times before he picked up.
"I thought I told you I had to work today. Is it important? I don't have time to play."
"Did my brother give you gloves?"
"Huh?" He sounded confused for a second and then said, "oh, yeah. Is that all you were wondering? I have to go. It's busy-"
"Burn them." I told him, bluntly. I was letting my jealousy run away, I knew that but the thought of Mikhail having Eli's gloves in possession when he had mine bugged me more than it should have.
"What? Are you crazy? I can't just burn them. They're not mine to just-"
"Then get rid of them. Give them to some guy on the streets. Bury them. I don't care. I don't want you to have them."
It was silent. All I could hear was distant talking in the background. There must have been a few customers at the shop. "You don't tell me what to do. Listen, I get it. You're a member of the ma-" he stopped himself, "well, you know." He said not wanting to say Mafia when he had customers around. "You're used to getting what you want when you want it. You order your friends as if they work for you because you can. You give out demands and automatically expect everyone to obey them. I do not work for you. Understand?"
My eyes were a bit wide as Mikhail stood his ground. "I wasn't... I wasn't trying to tell you what to do. I just- I got jealous. I'm sorry."
I heard Mikhail choking on the other side of the phone, "You what?! Jealous?" He said in a flustered tone.
I chuckled softly, "Yeah, I got jealous that you spoke friendly to my brother when you're only rude to me. I want to see all the sides of you others don't."
"I'm not-!" Mikhail said and then stopped himself. He lowered his voice after apologizing quietly to his customers, "I'm not trying to be rude. I just don't know how to express myself around you properly." He admitted.
I found my face getting getting hot as he said that to me. "You're killing me here, Miki."
"Huh? Why?" He said, confused.
"You're too cute." I looked out the window and saw we were on George's street already. "I have to go. Bring Eli's gloves tomorrow. I'll return them to him. That should be fine, right?"
"Hm, okay." Mikhail said giving in. "Huh? Oh, one minute please. Bye Nico."
"Bye Miki." I purred gently and hung up the phone. I bit my lip to stop myself from smiling. Really. Just a phone call with Mikhail could make me feel like I was flying.
"Would you like me to wait for you outside?" Frederick asked as he parked outside of George's house.
"Yeah. I shouldn't be too long." I told him as I opened the car door. From the corner of my eyes I saw him reaching for his phone. I narrowed my eyes but shut the door behind me and walked up to George's front door. I didn't know why, but I could feel eyes watching my every move. I stopped and looked around. It was a normal neighborhood. Dogs roamed the streets and children were seen playing in the front yards. The house next door to George felt a bit more strange than usual. It had been empty for as long as I could remember. No one had bought it. I kept walking  and knocked two times and then waited patiently.
The door opened to reveal George standing there. He looked the same as I remembered. His grey hair on top of his wrinkled face. He had a lot of eye wrinkles as he smiled at me and then frowned softly, "Why are you here?"
I opened my mouth to answer but felt someone push my back roughly. George stepped aside and did his best to support my stumbling body. The door behind me shut softly. I turned around and saw Frederik standing by the window and peering out cautiously.
"What the hell? I thought I told you to wait outside?" I said. I apologized to George and stood up on my own.
"Shut up for a second." He demanded, which both shocked and angered me. "Junky, you see anyone?" He asked holding his phone to his ear. "Yeah, come in through the back." He looked at George and asked, "It's open?"
"No. I'll go open it for him." George said easily and rushed off through the kitchen.
My eyebrow twitched as everyone seemed to understand what was going on but myself. Frederick looked back at me. Suddenly, all politeness and respect gone. His face seemed to change into a resting bitch face. So many questioned filled my head but before I could ask someone came in.
"Winter! Ya look good man. We've missed you back at base. Boss still makes horrible lunches for us sometimes. Lucky bastard I tell ya'. Being able to go undercover and all. I'd trade you anytime." The new guy who entered walking in front of George was wearing casual clothing, a flannel shirt and jeans. He had a very faint accent that would be easy to mess at first. He had shaggy dirty blonde hair that was all over his face. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows and exposed tattoos on both forearms. "Hm? Is this the muchachito you were telling us about? He doesn't seem like a nasty sun of a bitch."
"This is his brother, Nico."
"Oh! El Niño exigente!"
"What did you just call me?" I asked stepping up to him. He was around my height so I believed I could take him on.
"No! I didn't mean any offense at all. Don't misunderstand."
"Whatever!" I said, irritated, "Tell me what's going on. Who the hell are you people?" I asked seeing as Frederick was referred to Winter.
"We're private detectives hired by the F.B.I." Frederick said so bluntly.
"The fuck did you just say?"
George put a hand on my shoulder to stop me and said, "Wait a minute boy. Hear them out."
"Woah, man! At least tell him gently! Ya gotta ease into it." He motioned his arms like a wave, "Just like sex, little bit at a time! You can't ram it in!" The guy I was assuming was named Junky said. "I'm, well, if you need to talk to me then just call me Junky. It's a code name. Pretty cool, huh!? It's like I'm officially a spy roaming the nights catching criminals-"
"Junky. Stop talking." Frederick said.
"Yup. I'm done." Junky said smiling softly
Frederik's eyes met mine as he said, "Keep calling me Frederik. I'm sure you've realized it's an alias by now. There's no need for you to know my real name. We were hired by the F.B.I. to do some investigation on Zechna and it led us to Elisha. We needed to get close to him without raising suspicions so we talked George into temporarily handing his job to us. It was easy to make a fake application. You should probably fire whoever gave me this job. They didn't even question me. If I was working for Elisha's side, you'd be dead by now." He added quickly, "He'll get it back once we're done." I felt like this was all just some crazy dream. Like, I would wake up any moment in my room with sweat beads dripping down my forehead. "We stationed Junky to keep a watch on George in case Elisha decided to attack him." That explained why I felt like I was being watched when I stepped inside.
"So, you guys are dogs to the government and are trying to catch Eli?" I asked, skeptically. His story sounded insane yet I couldn't help but to believe him.
"No. We're a team of private investigators. Detectives if you must." Frederick explained. "I called my boss before coming in and she said it would be best to confide in you. You know your brother better than we do. If we want any chance of catching him, you are our best bet."
"Exact-o-mundo! That's how it is, kid." Junky said smiling widely.
I looked over at George and he smiled weakly, "I agreed to it without telling you because you never would have agreed to getting help from the F.B.I. I, too, want to get rid of Eli. I never trusted him. I want you to live a good life in the future and that won't be achievable if you're always waiting for Eli to stab you in the back."
"Damn right I wouldn't have agreed." I told George. I looked at Frederik and asked, "How do I know you won't go after the Delacroix family while you're at it? It'd be a perfect chance. Kill two birds with one stone."
"That won't happen." Frederik said, "We only do cases we're paid to do. The F.B.I. asked us to look into Eli and give them proof he's behind the murders. That's all. No more, no less. We have no need to go after the Delacroix as a whole"
"Why does the F.B.I care? The murders have all been Mafia members. If they were taking each other out, wouldn't that benefit them the most?"
"Not necessarily." Junky spoke up and leaned against the wall, "The public has been scared lately. They all think it's some kind of Mafia war. The F.B.I. wishes to stop the killings before it gets out of hand."
I didn't speak. I didn't know what to say or how to react. I had just found out that my old driver was working with my new driver and the F.B.I to catch my brother who has been behind several murders in the past weeks.
"You'll catch him and send him to jail?"
"Yup. He won't ever see the light of day where he'll be going." Junky reassured me.
If temporarily playing nice with some private investigators would ensure Eli would be out of my life for good and Mikhail would be safe, then I was all in. I wouldn't stand by in the sidelines and just watch as Eli took something else important from my hands again. This time I was going to fight and stand my ground. "What do I have to do?" I asked.
George pat my shoulder with a proud smile. Junky clapped his hands with joy. Frederik looked at me closely and then nodded, "Now, we go over the plan." He took out his phone and started making a call.
George directed me over to the couch. I sat down and he said "I'll bring some coffee."
I nodded and watched him go into the kitchen. I sighed loudly and leaned over my knees in thought. There was no way in hell I could let father know about this. I was going to have to keep this to myself if I wanted to catch Eli. I couldn't risk any information leaking about these investigators working on a case for the F.B.I. It would also be bad for the Delacroix if anyone found out the boss's sons and future head was working with the very people we are taught to hate. I took out my cigarette and lit it inside my mouth.
I really just hoped these investigators knew what they were getting themselves into.
For all of our sakes.