Olive
I could not believe the sight before me. The smell of copper hit my nose and my eyes began watering. The only family I had was pinned to the wall. Their once full of life faces now expressionless.
"Oh my god," I covered my mouth and backed out of the room. I was alone now. Somehow, everyone had been taken from me. Papa. My men.
"Olive," I felt a warm hand on my shoulder and I jumped. Instant regret filled my entire body. I placed a hand over my abdomen and looked up to see Detective Vasquez. His face was expressionless as mine should have been. I couldn't hide my horrified face though. I was far too tired.
"Come," He held out his hand and nodded towards the door. I nodded but did not take his hand. I would never ever let a pig help me. Actually I didn't need help from anyone.
Detective Vasquez lead me to his car as other police cruisers pulled up. Armed men with riot shields exited the vans that followed. Whoever did this was long gone and would never be found. One thing Mafia crews were, was thorough. They never left a trace.
Detective Vasquez opened the door and I slowly climbed in, my abdomen screaming in pain with every movement.
"Are you okay?" He asked once situated in the drivers seat. I kept my eyes trained on the men running into my home. It was likely I wouldn't be able to return for a long time. I should have pulled myself together and quickly delt with the mess.
I was fucking weak. I was a disappointment. A disgrace. Papa would be angry if he were here.
I hadn't realized the we started moving until I blinked. Suddenly trees were racing by or I guess we were racing by them. Beautiful swirls of green and grey filled my unfocused view. I blinked a few times and tears fell.
Reaching a hand up to my face, I was shocked. I wasn't raised to be some sort of puss. Why was I crying?
"You're not like them." My head flicked to Detective Vasquez who's once expressionless face now showed all sorts of them. He looked sad.
"Are you okay?" I asked quietly. My voice cracking. Im a god damn coward.
"I should be asking you that." With one hand on the wheel, he reached into his pocket with the other. A white cloth was removed and handed to me. I gratefully accepted and wiped my eyes. I haven't cried since the day I said goodbye to Papa.
"I'm fine." I said and sat up straighter. I could handle these losses. I just needed to handle finding new men. I controlled a very small portion of Boston and it only got smaller. When word gets out that I'm army-less I would be targeted and lose full control.
"Why are you apart of all of this?" Detective Vasquez asked and I cocked any eyebrow at him.
"Why wouldn't I be?" What a stupid question.
"I mean, Why would you want to be surrounded by murder and smuggling? Don't you want more in life?" He kept his eyes focused on the road, was he avoiding eye contact or just a granny driver?
"I was a made man or I suppose woman." I shrugged. I never really thought about anything outside of this. My family and friends were all apart of this and it was all that was ever taught.
"You were forced?" Detective Vasquez asked. For someone who was invested in solving a case involving the mafia, He didn't know a whole lot.
"Detectiv-"
"Carmine," He cut me off and I stuttered for a second.
"Okay, Carmine, I wasn't forced. This is just all I know." Why was I even trying to explain. Omerta was to be followed. He grunted a reply and remained silent the rest of the ride.
His question lead to a whole new set of questions in my brain. Is there really options other then the mafia?
No. I'd be killed if I left. But, I could leave the state. Maybe change my name and looks. Was it worth it? All of these years of training and time spent learning strategies. Was it worth it to leave it all behind?
I thought about what Carmine said.
"What did you mean, earlier? When you said I wasnt like them." I turned in my seat to face him, a hand on my abdomen.
He paused for a second and looked from me back to the road.
"You are compassionate. Most members or men or whatever you guys call them wouldn't have cried. They also wouldn't have accepted help from a cop." Carmine took a turn and stopped the car. I looked around and noticed we were parked outside of a small broken down house.
"Where are we?" I asked, I wouldn't forget what he said. I would have to address it - none of it was true.
"My house." And with that he exited the car. My eyes followed him as he made his way around to my side of the car and opened the door. The cool breeze immediately hit me and I shivered. Fuck Boston.
I carefully maneuvered out of the car, pain coursing throughout my body. His house wasn't really much of a house. The windows were covered with cardboard and the grass was littered in broken bottles.
"Its a beauty, isn't it?" He asked sarcastically as he lead me towards it. I slowly followed behind him. The sky was now a faded grey and cloudy. I prayed it would snow.
"Hurry up," He grunted, already on the porch. I walked faster and joined him, wincing in the process.
"Why'd you bring me here?" I was curious as to why here over a hotel or the precinct.
"They won't look for you in the ghetto, let alone a cop's house." Unlocking the door, he pushed me gently inside and closed it behind us.
The inside was gorgeous compared to the outside. Fresh coats of paint made the walls stand out. I couldn't tell what color it was but Im sure its something fancy like 'burnt orange'. Most of his furniture was white and gold. Excellent taste for a man.
"Why are you protecting me though? You made it blatantly clear you wanted me locked up." I hobbled over to his sofa and placed my hands on the back of it to hold my self up.
"You didn't pick this lifestyle. I cannot blame you for the way you are." Carmine threw his badge and jacket onto the birch wood dining table.
"You can. Im a terrible person." I chuckled and winced once more.
"No." Was all he said before disappearing into another area of the home.
I still didn't understand but I doubt I'd get any answers. Pigs loved to work that way. They'll pry until they get the answers they want but never return any.
"Here," I jumped and turned to see Carmine directly behind me. He was holding a hoodie and sweats in his hands.
"What?" I asked and looked from the clothes to him.
"Go change. You'll catch a cold in that." I looked down and forgot I was in disgusting hospital clothes.
I snatched the clothes and walked towards the first door I saw.
"Wrong door. Down the hall on the right." Carmine spoke, not even looking at me.
"Thanks," I grumbled and slowly walked towards the bathroom.
I prayed I'd survive changing. This wound was a pain in the ass.