Foreword
Thank you for the suggestions on where to go with the story. I've added some of those thoughts in here and will add the others in another section.
Again, if there are wacky scenarios you would like to see or other misunderstandings Josh should find himself in, feel free to comment and I'll see about working it in.
Thanks!
***
The Mob Connection
Jim 'Jimmy' Blanco was having a horrendous week. His boss had just been busted on federal charges for racketeering and the entire organization had been uprooted. He and a few had managed to get away, but there wasn't anything to start over with. He ground his teeth thinking of the smarmy lawyer on TV, going on about how justice was being served. Little piece of shit! That was his job he was talking about!
He grabbed the phone, opening up the second line app, and punching in the guy's home number. It rang for a moment before he answered. Jimmy didn't even let him speak.
"You little shit, you think you're going to be safe after this? We know where you live asshole, we know all about that girl of yours too. You are a dead man! Do you hear me? Dead! The girls? Dead! Your dog? Dead!"
Charles Morgan was shaking and pale, this had been his biggest case, and that had made him a target. He was in way over his head here. "You don't have to do any of that." He stuttered into the phone, "It won't change anything. The jury is already making a verdict."
"Did I ask for your fucking opinion? I'm sending a real professional after you. You'll know him when you see him, and he'll make it nice and slow. He'll make you watch while he takes your girls apart. Then you'll be next!"
Jimmy hung up the phone and removed the second line. He felt a lot better now.
"You really gonna do that Jimmy?" Mark asked while handing him a blunt.
"Fuck no, where am I gonna get the money for that?" He took a long drag, letting it circulate in his lungs before blowing it out. "Like we even know anyone who could do it. They all got busted."
Mark opened a bag of chips, munching on them before handing the bag over to him. He started chuckling, "I bet that guy is shitting bricks right about now."
Jimmy started laughing, scarfing down some chips, and taking another hit. "I wish I could see his face now."
Charles couldn't stop shaking. He tried to call back and plead for his life, but the call couldn't connect. He placed his shaky hand on the counter to support himself, running the other over his sweat-soaked face. He needed to get them out of here. He glanced around in a panic; they could already be here.
He ran to his car outside, pulling out of his driveway with a screech and gunning it down the road. They knew about his daughter, he needed to get her. She was his little girl, he had to take her somewhere safe.
He desperately made a call to his wife. He needed to warn her. They'd be after her too. It went right to voicemail. Shit! She must be in a meeting with the clients. He'd need to get her as soon as his little Callie was safe.
He racked his brain as he drove to the college. He remembered she had a friend. A friend with a rich family. They'd have security. They could protect her. It was his only hope.
***
Callie was out on the curb, waiting for her dad to pick her up. She had received a garbled text message telling her to be ready, but then didn't hear a reply. She shrugged at it, he was probably on the phone or driving anyway.
She waved to her friends who were heading to another class. She was the shortest of the group, coming in at 4'11". She couldn't help that her Asian genes were predisposed to being short, but she had luckily got her dad's genes for her tits. She quickly buttoned up a bit, remembering that her dad was a bit on the conservative side. She also tugged down her elastic skirt a bit. She grimaced, if she had known her dad was coming, she wouldn't have worn the miniskirt.
She saw her dad's car coming into the pickup area. She waved, but he just pulled up with a sharp break and opened the door.
Callie got in, looking worriedly at her dad, "Daddy? What's wrong? You're pale."
He took off as soon as her butt touched the seat, the door slamming shut. "Daddy? You're scaring me."
"Sweety, we have to go." He licked his lips nervously as he shakily drove the car through traffic. "Do you remember about the case I told you about?"
"Yeah, the mob case. What's the problem?" Her heart was pounding in her chest as she managed to get her seatbelt on.
"They found out about you." He was scanning his head wildly, constantly checking behind him for any following cars. "I kept your name hidden, but they found out. They're coming for you baby. We need to hide you."
The blood drained from her face. This wasn't happening. It couldn't be happening. "Daddy?" she whispered. "Are they going to kill me?"
He cast a worried glance at her, his lips pulled taut. He swallowed heavily and looked back at the road.
Callie felt like she was going to throw up. Her whole world was crashing down on her. There was nowhere safe. She was going to die at 18, barely having lived.
"Baby, where does your friend live? The rich one? She'll be able to hide you while I make arrangements."
She could barely think straight, but she tried to focus. "You mean Allison? Yeah, I can put it into the GPS."
"NO!" He almost swerved into traffic. "Don't use your phone! They can track us." He looked over at his terrified daughter, "I'm sorry baby. I didn't mean to scare you. We can't use phones. Give it to me."
She handed him the phone and he chucked it out the window. She swallowed heavily, too scared to cry. She stretched out a shaking finger, "In two blocks, turn right. I can get us there."
***
Charles pulled into the driveway of the house, finally calming down. He took several deep breaths before turning to his daughter. He smiled reassuringly, "It's okay now baby. We're here. You'll be safe here. I promise." She gave him a brave little smile and nodded, though she was still shaking with fear.
They walked up to the door and rang the doorbell. He was already thinking of what he needed to do next. Call the police? That probably wouldn't help. Maybe get some private security? Get her out of the country? He was completely lost on his next steps.
The door opened, and everything went slow-motion for him. The smile on his face slowly dropped, being replaced by horror, as the man he had prosecuted some time ago stood before them. The man had said he would recognize him, this must be him. How had he walked into this trap? Was it Allison? Her dad must be in the mob, that's why they're so rich and always away. It all made sense now, but that was little solace as Josh's face grew dark recognizing him.
"Well, this saves me a whole bunch of trouble." Josh growled, looking at that prick lawyer who'd taken everything from him. "I've been wanting to kill you for a long time now." He cracked his knuckles. He was going to punch this guy so hard.
"Wait! Please!" Charles begged, shaking so badly he could barely speak. Callie's eyes grew in size, knowing that this must be the killer. "Not here, please, do whatever you want, just don't hurt her."
Josh's eyes flicked to the stunning Asian girl next to him. Small and stacked, with soft brown hair and brown eyes. She was gorgeous, if not for the terrified look in her eyes. He looked back at the lawyer prick, glaring. "And what exactly are you expecting me to do?"
Charles saw a ray of hope, he was open to negotiating. "Whatever you want, I have money."
His face dropped when Josh seemed to frown "I don't need money right now."
Of course, he was being paid to kill him, he wouldn't need more money. Charles licked his lips, "What do you want then? Anything, really, please."
Josh stepped back a bit, his anger replaced with curiosity. Why the hell did the lawyer show up here of all places? Was he trying to make amends? Then who was the girl?
Charles nodded nervously, understanding the gesture. He placed his hand on Callie's back, ushering her in with him. He whispered quietly, "Don't worry baby. I can get us out of this alive." She gave him a shaky nod as her wobbly legs carried her into the house.
Josh sat them in the living room, suddenly frowning. Allison had asked him not to have friends over, surely this didn't count. He didn't want to make her upset; she had been so nice to him.