with my name like that, and I hate it. Just because we ended things doesn't mean that she's gotta do that shit. I loved hearing her call me Tommy.
“Talk to me, baby.” I hope my answer warms her up to me. I know she's gonna tell me she's pregnant and she's probably worried. I don't want her to be though. I'm gonna be there for her. Even if Vince tells me I've gotta leave, I'm not leaving her.
“I need you to meet me,” she says calmly. There's no emotion from her at all.
“Sure, baby. Wherever you want.” Again I soften my voice. I want her to know I'm receptive to whatever it is she's gotta tell me. I'm also anxious though. I wanna hear it from her lips. “We could talk now, if there's something on your mind,” I offer.
“It's nothing.” My forehead creases. Nothing? She's carrying my child, and she thinks it's nothing?
“I just want to see you before I leave. I thought we could meet where we first met. A small smile plays at my lips as I answer her, “At the station.” She doesn't laugh. Instead she replies flatly, “At Rosetti's. I know it's closed now, but it'd be nice to say goodbye by the creek in the back. Where we first met.”
Something's off. My eyes bore into Vince's skull until he looks at me.
“Something's wrong.” I mouth the words to him as I put it on speaker. We've never been there before. It doesn't make sense. She's trying to tell me something. “Sure, baby, you want me to bring anything?”
“No, I think it will be quick.” I don't understand what she's getting at, what she's hinting at.
“Maybe a bottle of wine. I can bring those chocolates; you remember the two packages we had at your place the first night? The two on the end table before I had your taste on my mouth for the first time. How many of those are you expecting?” I'm hoping she's getting what I'm talking about. Vince looks at me like I've lost my damn mind.
“I think four would be good.” She's quick to answer, and I nod my head. Four men. I knew it. Thank fuck my girl is so smart and so damn strong.
“Alright, baby. What time do you need me there?” I ask.
“As soon as you can.” Her last word comes out with strain. My heart aches in my chest like it never has before.
“Hey, baby, you okay?” I have to ask, even though I know she's not.
“I'll be better when you get here.” With those last words the phone cuts out.
I put the phone down and look at Vince, my cousin. The boss of my familia, but also my friend.
“What's wrong?” he asks as I try to compose myself. I can't help that I'm choked up. I just realized how much I love her. I just chose her over everything, and now she's in danger.
“There's gonna be shit happening tonight,” I tell him. “I need you.”
“You think it's a setup? She's setting you up?” Vince looks pissed.
“No. No, she wouldn't do that. But someone's got her, Vince. Four men.”
He stands up and runs his hand through his hair. “Fucking hell, Tommy.” Vince looks out of the window like he's debating on what to do.
“You gonna leave me to go in there alone?” After everything we've been through, too. We grew up together. He's my blood. My familia.
He cusses under his breath. “You go in first, but we'll be there.”
Tonya
I can't stop my body from trembling. They didn't bother blindfolding me, but I'm gagged, and my wrists are tied behind my back and my ankles are bound. Zip ties dig into my skin. I'm on the ground, propped up against a shed to the right of the restaurant parking lot. There's a creek to my left, and I'm almost certain that's where I'll be soon. I guess they wanted to hit him with shock factor. His girl, tied up and gagged, in clear view of the dirt road that leads here. Just beyond the treeline is the highway. I can hear the cars. I can even see the headlights. But they can't see me. No one can save me.
Maybe Tommy, but I may have also led him to his death. I'm certain he knows this is an ambush, though. Why else would he talk in code? My heart stopped when he said packages. My eyes almost darted to look at the man holding the phone, almost gave