Chapter 7: Ah!
Alex stepped out of the shower; it was almost time to leave for lunch with Cody. He needed someone to talk to about Luca and...everything. It was a lot. Too much for just him. He knew he could trust Cody not to say anything but there was also a deep sense of dread growing in his gut over it.
What will Cody say?
Alex thought to himself. He stood in the mirror drying himself and brushing his hair when his phone rang. He glanced at the screen - it was a number he didn't recognize. He let it go to voicemail. Alex had bigger things to deal with right now.
Cody ensured that Alex's arrival to the restaurant didn't go unnoticed. "
Over here, bitch
!" His voice sang across the patio, heads turning as Cody waved Alex over. He sighed.
"Cody, I saw you from the parking lot." He gave his friend a once over, noting the sheer, bright pink mesh top. "Did you just come from a circuit party?"
Cody struck a pose and wiggled his eyebrows. "No, but I am going to one after this." He popped a chip into his mouth, gesturing to the basket of salsa and tortilla chips. "I ordered both of us some margs." He grinned.
"It's noon." Alex said, incredulous as he slid into his chair.
"Gotta pregame." Cody took another bite.
Alex laughed; it felt hollow. The weight in his chest felt impossible to shake. He tried playing it cool, attempting to swallow the lump in his throat. Cody caught the look. He always caught the looks.
"What's up? You said you wanted to talk." Cody's voice softened, smile dimming as he leaned across the table.
Alex hesitated, fingers tapping against the condensation on his water glass. How the hell was he supposed to say this? How do you start a conversation like this? "Yeah, uh...it's -" He stumbled, searching for the right words. "It's about Luca."
Cody's eyebrows shot up. "Oh, honey. I'm sorry. I
never
liked him anyway. Too tall. And his hair? Ugh." Cody flicked his wrists to punctuate the sentences.
Alex blinked, "We didn't...break up." His nerves made his voice dance around the bush in front of him.
"Oh, then he's so hot." Cody tried to save face. Alex chuckled. Cody was a good friend.
"Thanks." Alex sighed. His pulse pounded in his ears. He gripped his glass tightly.
Just say it
. "You were wrong...sort of."
"About?" Cody leaned back and cocked an eyebrow.
Alex looked around the patio, the place was quiet - a few tables, but no one close enough to hear. He dropped his voice. "Luca."
"What about him?" Cody could sense there was more.
Alex shook his head. He couldn't believe what he was about to say. "He isn't a drug dealer."
"Okay..." His friends playful demeanor faltered.
"He's in charge of the drug dealers." Cody's jaw fell open, but Alex wasn't done. "He oversees some minor weapons deals, illegal alcohol sales, launders money..." Alex trailed off.
"What?" Cody's eyes were wide, he sat frozen.
"He's in the mob." Luca whispered as he leaned over.
As if on cue, the bubbly waiter appeared with two margaritas and a basket of queso. "Here you go! Can I get you two anything else?"
Cody's hand shot out to his drink and he downed it in seconds, repeating the move with Alex's drink. "Another. Strawberry this time."
"We don't have -"
"Strawberry this time." He cut them off with a flat tone.
"Okay." The server stuttered and disappeared.
"Cody calm down." Alex could see Cody's face about to crack.
"
Calm down
?" Cody was shocked. "Alex, you're dating a fucking hitman." He whisper-screamed.
"He's not a hitman."
"Then what the hell is he?"
Alex hesitated with the answer, then softly: "He's the son of the Don."
"What!" Cody balked.
"Shh!" Alex swatted. "I need you to not freak out, so I don't freak out. I am
barely
holding it together as it is."
Cody exhaled slowly, clearly trying--and failing--to process. "Fine. Tell me everything." He rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath, "I cannot
believe
how good of a friend I am."
Alex nodded, taking a breath to steady himself. "Okay... here goes."
And so, he began.
Luca poured amber liquid into the crystal tumbler. "Whiskey," he murmured with a small smile, bringing it to his lips. He sank into the plush chair, his shoulder pulsing with a dull ache. The pain meds he'd grabbed from the bathroom were starting to kick in, and for the first time in hours, he felt a hint of peace.
Peaceful. Light, even. Telling Alex had been a relief--more than he thought it would be. No more secrets between them. He'd braced himself for shouting, for breaking things... hell, for Alex pulling a gun on him. But none of that happened.
He closed his eyes and exhaled deeply, letting the weight lift off him. He enjoyed the moment.
"Luca!" Moment over.
His father's voice boomed through his apartment.
"Luca!" Giovanni yelled again.
"In here dad!" Luca called back; he sat up in his chair with a hiss of pain.
Seconds later, "Oh, Luca! Thank god!" Giovanni stormed into the living room. Without warning, he pulled his son out of the chair and hugged him tightly. "I'm so relieved."
"Why? What happened?" Luca let his father squeeze him.
"There was a shooting!" Giovanni's dark eyes narrowed, scrutinizing him. "You weren't answering your phone. Your mother and I were worried sick. Our informants were saying--"
"I dropped it last night while I was out," Luca interrupted quickly. "I'll get a new one later. It's fine."
Giovanni wasn't convinced. "
Fine?
Word is the Riccis are making good on that promise of a hit they put out. I thought you'd been caught in it." He went to the bar cart and poured himself a drink. "The idea of losing you..." His voice trailed off, but his stare spoke volumes.
Luca forced a chuckle, trying to lighten the moment. "Well, I'm here. A little hungover maybe." He took a long sip of his whiskey, watching his father carefully.
"Who were you out with last night?" Giovanni asked, sitting across from him. He swirled the glass around.
"Just...friends." Luca stiffened.
"What friends?" Giovanni pressed.
"Like I said. Just friends. I met up with an old buddy from college. He's getting married." Luca kept a neutral face, despite the prickle of irritation.
