There was quite a different air at the table in the Mountain Skulls’ clubhouse several days later when they gathered around it. Vic received a call from Antonio to let him know what to expect. In addition to Ticker Liquor, the Santagios owned three other package stores in West Virginia – each near the other three Skull charters for the same reason – to keep close tabs on them. Vic laid out the plan to his six men.
“Carmine believes in indirect messages with an impact. And Emilio’s gonna feel it. When it’s done, he’s gonna arrange for the charters to run their individual store. We’ll not only take over supplying booze to the Santagio’s current customer list, but get a few new ones courtesy of Carmine – in exchange for the fee he proposed.”
Ben took a breath. He was breathing easier the last few days. Things settled between him and Eva, the club was finishing up the event construction at the plaza and the threat from the Santagios was lifted off their plate. New, proposed, legit business was being put on the table. In addition to the package stores, the Caprese family was putting the finishing touches on several gambling rings. Clean enough to wash their heroin money through, but high stakes enough to warrant security and transportation of cash. From the Skulls. Which meant the installation of at least two more charters at the gambling points. This would allow Adamo Caprese to concentrate fully and solely on their heroin empire after he took the torch from his ol’ man. And since Emilio was no longer interested in narcotics, the Caprese family planned to permanently relieve him of that and turn it completely over to the Skulls.
Emilio Santagio was going to rue the day he tried to think he could outsmart a dying
don
.
“Guys,” Aero slapped his hands on the table, “get ready to make some serious bank.”
Doug replied by slapping both hands on the table several times. “Yeah. Yeah.”
Ben ignored Doug’s enthusiasm and returned the tone of the meeting. “When do these…..messages take place?”
“Friday night – after they close. All four family members will be there till at least ten for the cash pick up.
We
all stay here so we’re accounted for.”
Friday. Eva would be out of town attending her first Caprese family dinner. Better that way.
“Residual effects?” Tanner asked.
Vic shook his head. “Not our worry and not ours to question. Assume it’ll be clean and easy.”
Just how Ben liked it.
~~~***~~~
What does one pick out for a psychic?
Eva was looking around her own store for an appropriate gift for both. She settled on a spicy scented candle for Linda then went to the front of the store where Cyndi was behind the counter – staring out the window. Thanksgiving was the following Thursday which meant the day after signaled the official kick-off of the
Shop Small, Save Big
event. Several club members were putting the finishing touches on the necessary construction. “Ahem.” Eva cleared her throat.
Cyndi almost knocked over a display of turkey-shaped chocolates wrapped in colored foil. “Sorry.”
Eva handed over the candle. “Wrap this up for me.” She peered past the young girl to look out the display window she had done a spectacular job on. For that, she could excuse her a big of ogling. But the object of her attention left something to be desired. “Cyndi…..really? He’s four years older than me!”
Looking back over her shoulder, Cyndi stared again at Taz and shrugged. “He doesn’t look
that
old.” That earned her a narrowed stare. “Sorry. I didn’t mean….”
“I’ll be back in a few then I’m leaving for the day at one. Jen’ll be in at two until close.” Now that Cyndi was becoming more responsible, Eva began to enjoy the perks of being an owner and delegating to her employees. Plus tonight was her first dinner with Carmine to which Antonio called – again – reminding her a car was picking her up at five – sharp. She hoped it wasn’t a limousine. Mrs. Bachman just got used Ben’s bike – and his presence – around Eva’s house. A limo would send her into some kind of underworld tailspin.
She entered Linda’s place next door. The place was empty, as usual, nor was she planning anything for the event. It was as if people would be running out to purchase certificates to a psychic for Christmas. Plus, she owned half the place so she wasn’t exactly hurting. Roy Orbison crooned from her CD player. “Linda?”
Cigarette smoke plumed into the main area from the back followed by the woman creating it. “Eva.” She took one last drag before dousing it in a bright, green, plastic ashtray. “Change your mind?”
“No, just a neighborly visit.” She handed her the wrapped candle. “Here. Just a little…..something. Not sure what your taste in jewelry is since you changed your mind about the white stone.”
Linda peeled the paper away then opened the box. “Ah, thank you. My favorite scent.” She winked and leered. “You must be psychic.” Eva laughed as Linda placed the candle on the glass coffee table. “What’s the occasion?”
How could she put it? “Just a…….thank you. That’s all I really want to say and leave it at that.” She still didn’t tell Ben about Linda’s……predictions and how coincidental they were to what had happened. Although Eva wasn’t fully convinced, a part of her still clung to the ‘what if’?”
“Hmmm. I’m guessing it was something I said? Something that came true?”
Eva bobbed her head back and forth. “
Something
like that. Let’s just say I….
listened
and
did what they told me
.”
Linda grinned. “Did it work out……
for your sake
?”
Eva heart skipped, as her finger tips touched the edge of the silver disc hanging from her wrist. “What…..what do you mean?”
Then the psychic let out a snort, taking Eva’s left hand and turning over the charm. “I’m not t
hat
psychic, dear. Saw that inscription a while ago when I came in to look at your jewelry. Your arm was resting on the counter and it was turned just so. Just poking a little fun.”
Eva felt her heart start up again.
“But….did it work out?”
“It…..did.”
“Then that’s all I need to hear.”
Linda walked her out and Eva turned to wave back before heading to the bakery down the end. A woman passing on the plaza sidewalk bumped into them, to which Eva apologized. Linda backed inside and clutched her heart.
~~~***~~~
By four p.m. Eva had selected a simple, black dress, hoping it didn’t give off a double meaning. Ben had to be at the clubhouse late tonight and wouldn’t be home until about the time she arrived back. Stepping into matching pumps, she chose a pearl drop necklace and matching earrings. Switching purses, she headed downstairs just as the doorbell rang. It was way too early for her escort. Glancing out the side glass, she stepped back and opened the door. “Elle. Hi.”
“Sorry.” She pulled her sunglasses off to step inside, then held back. “Mind?”
“Not at all. I have to be out by five, though.”
Elle was dressed in all black herself – flared, dresspants, silk buttoned blouse and pointy-toed stilettos. The only color was a deep, ruby-red fur jacket. Normally that color would look gaudy, but on Elle it looked natural and fashionable. She gave Eva a once-over when she crossed the threshold, the aroma of Chanel No. 5 trailing her which brought back not-so-pleasant memories. “You look nice.”
“Thanks.”
“Dinner with the
don
?”
For someone who stayed out of her husband’s business, she knew everything that went on. But that’s the kind of ol’ lady Elle was – in-the-know, yet out-of-the-way. Eva nodded, not wanting to talk about it. Even though it’d been a week, it still hadn’t sunk in fully. Although searching for her own closure, she was doing this for one reason one. For Ben. For his sake. “This about the event?”
Elle shook her head. “Social call. Thanksgiving – next Thursday. Couple of the single guys coming who don’t have family – Doug, Aero…..Ben did too. Our two kids are coming up – one bringing a significant other. Should be interesting company. You two are welcome to join.”
This would be the first Thanksgiving and Christmas without her dad. Easter was never a big deal, but the end of year holidays were special. Always had been for the two of them. MaryLynn extended an open invite to her home since she got married, but Eva preferred the holidays with just the two of them.
This would also be the first holiday season in her own home – with Ben. Just the two of them. As much as she appreciated the offer, Eva wanted to keep to her own promise to begin new traditions. “Thanks, Elle. That’s really kind of you, but…….I think I’d like to take a stab and do Thanksgiving dinner myself in my own home.”
Elle gave a pursed-lip smile of understanding. “Got it. How about coming over for dessert at least? Tanner’s bringing his ol’ lady and kid, plus Taz and his mom who brings half the bakery with her.”
Deal. “Okay. Thank you.”
Elle stepped forward, putting a hand on Eva’s shoulder then bending down to kiss her cheek. “No, thank
you
. What you’re doing – tonight, isn’t easy. Why you’re doing it….” Did….did Elle – Queen of Tippitt Town Hall just……shudder? “Let’s just say, it wouldn’t have been pretty. Like I told you at the meeting, you’re a strong girl. Finding out something like this and swallowing it hard…” She didn’t finish her sentence, instead putting her sunglasses back on. “My father was……tough,” she continued. “Hard, Irish drunk. Didn’t know how to show love. Never hit us – or my mom – but was belittling. Said I’d never ‘cling’ to a man when I got older. That’s I’d be my own woman. Then I met Vic. The club’s ways…..well, your ol’ man’ll guide you.”
Ol’ man?
“You’re family now. Club family. You’re my girl, my……ol’ lady. No question about that now.”
For Elle to coin their designation pretty much sealed it.
“I figured Vic out – decided when I had to lean on him and when not to. I know he’s there to take care of shit which allows me to do my own thing. I know what’s going on, but I don’t meddle in his territory – because I trust him to handle it. You two’ll find that balance.” She hoisted that embossed satchel on her forearm and stood up straight. “That’s all the free advice you’ll get. Gotta go. Good luck tonight.”
And just as she usually made her entrances, Elle Connors made her exit – swift, polite and always with the last word. Checking the clock, she got her coat, retrieved the cannolis from the fridge then sat in the chair by the fireplace – Ben’s chair – waiting for her ride.
~~~***~~~
It was close to ten fifteen p.m. and every member of the Skulls sat around the bar with an eerie quiet about them. Even the club girls kept their distance as they senses something was up. The last bottle of Glenfiddich scotch had finally been cracked open and poured around. Ben thought it quite apropos, considering what was about to go down, which meant they stayed at the clubhouse a little while longer.
Ben’s phone buzzed in his cut, signaling a text. It was from Eva. She just finished up and was getting ready to be driven back home. Perfect timing. Not only would she be entering town after it was done, she was no doubt being escorted back by an armed driver. He couldn’t wait to get home.
Home.
Yeah, it was finally nice to say that word and mean it. Not a sardine-can trailer, not a jail cell, not a clubhouse dorm and not his cookie-cutter rental. His home. His and Eva’s home. That old Victorian with decades of character, creaky wooden floors, solid, plaster walls and a whole lot of possibilities. He couldn’t wait to get his hands on that kitchen project. Fuck, he couldn’t wait to get his hands on her. What she was doing tonight saved their asses from a proverbial bloody sling. And it was about to get worse before it got better. He checked the time on his phone……two minutes till……
“Talked to the missus.” Vic came up next to him at the bar. “Dropped in on your ol’ lady this afternoon before her scheduled pick-up.”
Ol’ lady. Ben never thought he’d have one of those. Not with his life. Not with what he did with it. Of all the guys, only he, Vic and – for all his blowhard attitude- Doug wore the
Three Deadly Sins
patch, having ‘dealt with’ those who came against the club because of them. Doug was a happy bachelor running his snow removal and landscape business with his brother. Vic, on the other hand, married and raised two children now grown and living their lives on the outside. Normal. Non-outlaw. Civilian.