Renato, page 21
Pulling up to the warehouse, I rushed out and held the door open so they could carry the unconscious Emers inside.
“Tie him up on both ends.”
Remo grabbed him by the shoulders, put him in the chair, and locked his hands and legs in chains.
“Bring out Sumba.” I rubbed my hands together.
The chainsaw started up, and I took it out of Remo’s hands and approached the table, smacking Emers on the face to wake him up.
“Time to get up, sleepyhead.”
Blood seeped from his mouth, and his breathing was shallow.
“Please, take me to a hospital.”
“Something you should have thought of before you trespassed on my property.”
“I can pay you, whatever you want,” Emers tried to plead; Remo gripped the back of his head to make him stay awake.
“Already have your money, taken care of by hacking into your accounts.” I took out my phone and showed his bank account with zero dollars.
He growled and tried to charge at me, but the chains held him down.
“I’m going to kill you!”
“Emers, we had mutual respect, but you allowed your brother to hurt and threaten my wife.” I pushed the saw to his wrist and cut it off.
“Ahhhh!!! My hand, you son of bitch!” His eyes welled up in tears as blood spattered everywhere.
“Just kill him, Renato.” Sante held his stomach, and I laughed at his queasiness. This is what I loved, but my brothers stayed out of this part unless it was necessary.
“Go to the car. It might take me a few minutes.”
“Please get me a doctor, I can’t… Sante,” Emers begged my brother.
“We could have done business together if you would have told your brother to stand down, but now you’re going to follow him to hell.” The chainsaw went to his other wrist, cut it off. His eyes rolled to the back of his head before he slumped forward.
“Grab him up.”
“He’s out, Boss.” Remo tapped his cheek multiple times.
“Can’t even take a little pain.”
I placed the saw to his left foot and cut it off; he popped up, screaming.
“Mhmmmm… arghhhh.” It sounded like he choked on his blood and Remo let his head go, dropping it to the table. I checked his pulse.
“It’s faint.”
“What do you want us to do?”
“Grab the trash bags, cut him up and burn him. Keep the bags close to grab the ashes.” The final pleasure came when I cut into his neck, slicing it straight off. It rolled forward on the table, and I heard my brother vomit.
“You can finish the rest. I have a trip to plan.” I passed the saw to Remo, checked on Sante, and headed back to the car.
“Fucking crazy, Renato.” Sante wiped his mouth.
“Crazy maybe, but you pay me the big bucks to handle that crazy.”
Another car, driven by Savio, was next to the black van, and we hopped in his ride and headed home. Sonya was probably still upset and crying about what happened, and I wanted to be there to comfort her; I hope she didn’t feel guilty.
Chapter 28
Sonya
I brushed my hair, stared in the mirror of the bathroom, and slid earrings in my ears. Three days after I shot Emers, I thought I would have some type of nightmare or nervousness with the police about what happened. But honestly, I had never felt so good and ready for the next step in my journey. I was dressed in a blue pencil skirt and white long-sleeved blouse for my first day at the Prism Gallery as an intern. Renato didn’t think I should quit my job at Calabresi Holdings, but I needed something where I could focus on my goals and not feel obligated. The gallery was the perfect place. Even though they owned it, none of the family worked there, so our working lives would be separated for the most part.
“I’m quitting.”
“Quitting what?” Renato sat on the back patio with RJ nearby, playing with his toys. The events of yesterday over, I needed to make it clear what I’d planned.
“Working at the company.”
“Why?”
“It’s not for me, and I want something I can build on, that I earn.”
“You got the job on your own merits. Why can’t you do both?”
“Because I still have school and juggling both, plus spending time with my family, was a lot, I realized.”
“Not liking how you’ve already decided to quit without talking to me first.”
“I am talking to you.”
“No, you’ve made a decision and forced me to agree.”
“Sounds familiar,” I mumbled under my breath.
“Come sit down.”
“I need to get dinner ready.” I pinched his nose and went to the kitchen to cook.
The memory of our conversation replayed in my mind, and it only continued for the rest of that day until we went to bed. Once we had sex, he understood the reasons I wanted to go in this direction.
Ring!
I placed the curling iron down on the counter and grabbed up my phone.
“Sonya?” I heard the sweet voice.
“Hi, it’s Brilynn’s Aunt Esther.”
I tipped my head in the bedroom looking for Renato, but he wasn’t around. I turned the curling iron off and sat on the edge of my bed.
“Sorry for your loss, Esther.”
“Thank you. It came as a shock to us. Hard thing to cope with since she was so young,” Esther muttered, and a small tear escaped my eyes.
“If you need anything, please let me know.”
“The funeral is happening tomorrow if you want to come, I know you two were close.”
“Uhhhh, did you and Brilynn talk much lately?” I struggled to ask.
“Not really. I hadn’t talked to her in over a year.”
“Sorry to hear that.” My words felt shaky.
“Family sometimes can be complicated.”
“Yes it can.” I bowed my head.
“I won’t hold you up, but I’ll text you the address and time.”
“Thank you, Esther.”
“Of course, Sonya. I think of you as my niece as well.”
I quickly hung up and dialed my mother’s number.
“Sonya, you all right?”
“Yeah, I just got off the phone with Esther. Brilynn’s aunt.”
“What did she want?”
“Tell me about the funeral.”
“You’re actually going?”
“What choice do I have? Brilynn hadn’t talked to her in almost a year, and she told me she was strained from most of her family. I’d feel bad if no one comes to pay respects.”
“I’ll come with you then. I was fond of Brilynn.”
“You don’t have to do that, Mom, especially if it makes you uncomfortable.”
“Stop worrying about me. I will be fine. Send me the time and you can pick me up.”
“Thanks, Mom. I need to get to the gallery.”
“Today’s your first day?”
“Yes, I’m excited. I already quit the company to work as an intern.”
“Renato is fine with you quitting?”
“He had no choice, but I did tell him what I was doing.”
“As long as you talk, on the same page.”
“Believe me, I won’t be stealing anything any time soon.”
She laughed, and I cackled, standing to slide into my heels, then picked up my jacket and purse.
“Let me get out of this house before RJ wakes up.”
“Bring him over to see his grandmother.”
“We’re planning a trip if you want to come.”
“With Renato?”
“Yes, my husband. At some point, you two need to become cordial or friends hopefully.”
“Friendship is a long way off, but he and I are cordial, especially when you run away.”
“He’s fine with you, I promise.”
“Call me if you get a break.”
“Probably not on my first day, but I will try.”
Mom and I said our goodbyes, then I dropped the phone in my bag and checked on RJ in his room. He wasn’t there, which meant his dad had woken him up before it was time. Renato, for the last few days, had stayed home. It was a surprise to see him so focused on our well-being, and not run out to handle business like before. I made it to his office and heard the TV up loud. I nudged the door open and saw RJ on the floor with his toys and Renato’s feet kicked up on the desk.
“I made mistakes and I want to apologize to my family, staff and all of my fellow Chicago citizens.” Mayor Sanchez was reading from his speech.
I felt bad for his wife, standing there with her children as their father basically confirmed all the things he’d done to the city, from stealing to giving breaks to the mafia. It was sickening. There was no chance based on the charges that he would be out anytime soon. Then get out selling a book, go on tour. But that’s politics for you. I went to sit down on Renato’s lap.
“What are your plans for today?” I rubbed the back of his head, then fixed the collar of his shirt.
“I’m taking him to the park.”
“He looks better today.”
“Think I want to take him to Dr. Wraith to make sure.”
“You’re overthinking it, honey. He is fine. You don’t need to worry. Make sure you call me if you need anything.”
“Today’s my first day at the Prism Art Gallery. I have everything I need.” I held up my purse and computer bag.
“Make sure you stay with Dome. I don’t want to have to come up there.”
“How do I look?” I ignored his request.
“Like you need to not leave. Maybe we could do a revisit of our time at the cabin.”
I slid out of his lap.
“I don’t think so.” I bent down and sucked on his lip. He pulled my head in forcefully, slapping me on the ass.
“You should be exhausted from the past couple of days.” I pushed a piece of her behind my ear.
“Never be exhausted from having you. Oh, I do have a surprise for you.” Renato informed.
“Your surprises, never could I get used to them.” I smiled.
“I’m planning a trip for us.” Renato expressed.
“A trip? Where?” I folded my arms.
“New York.”
“Oh, I’ve never been to New York.”
“I already know you’re going to tell McKayla and Rena.”
“Are we taking RJ?”
“Up to you and the girls.”
“All of the kids and wives should go. But what’s the catch?”
“How do you know there’s a catch?”
“You just all of a sudden want to go to New York, out all other places out there. It just seems a little suspect.”
“Like there is a catch, nothing for you to worry about.”
“Okay. Remember, we’re in this together. I want to know what’s going on.”
“All about celebrating your birthday, and your accomplishments.”
RJ strolled over to me and held out a Lego toy, and I dropped to my knees and squeezed him to my chest.
“Mommy loves you.”
“Wahhhh.” RJ giggled wrapped his arms around my neck.
Dome held the car door open for me, and I slipped inside, dialing McKayla’s number and waiting for it to connect. I heard a baby scream in the background and clicked the phone over for FaceTime.
“Savio Jr. sounds like he’s not in the mood for you.” An impish smile made her mouth twitch.
McKayla rolled her eyes.
“He’s spoiled.” She smiled beautifully.
“Same as RJ.”
“You’re all dressed up.”
“First day at the art gallery.”
“Awww, I forgot.”
“Yes, I’m supposed to connect with Agnese.” A sigh escaped my lips.
“She sounds old.” McKayla flashed a huge grin.
“Maybe, but Vincenzo told me she’s stern, but fair.” My forehead creased in worry.
Dome stopped at the traffic light.
“Renato told me about a trip to New York and he said I could invite you guys.”
“A trip out of town, no kids? I’m for that.”
“Actually I want to bring RJ.”
McKayla groaned, and I giggled at her response.
“That means Savio will want to bring his son.”
Dome arrived at the gallery a few minutes later. The building was a standalone, trimmed in white and gold, with a large sign in gold labeled Prism.
“Thanks, Dome.”
“Let me help you out.” He reached for the door handle, but I stopped him.
“I got it from here. You don’t have to stay.”
“You know that’s not going to happen.” Dome came to my side of the door, helping me out.
“McKayla, I’m here. I’ll call you later.”
“Have fun and enjoy yourself.”
I sauntered in; my eyes wandered around the space, taking in the eclectic pieces on the wall. A young man who looked to be in his late twenties stood at the front counter.
“Hi, I’m Sonya Calabresi, interning here.”
“Nice to meet you, Sonya, I’m Rocky. Agnese is in the back. Let me grab her for you.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll be in the car.”
“Okay.”
Rocky returned from the back area with an older, gray-haired woman, probably in her late fifties.
“Hello, I’m Agnese.” We shook hands.
“How are you? I was telling Rocky my name is Sonya, the new intern.”
“Welcome aboard, I spoke with Vincenzo, and he spoke highly of you.”
“That makes me nervous, but excited.”
“To be expected as your first day in the art world. Don’t let it be too intimidating, but you'll be fine.”
“You’re closed right now, correct?”
Agnese picked up a few pamphlets from the counter and went through the employee area, and I followed.
“We’re in the process of reopening the gallery, but I have enough time to kind of show you around and let you get acquainted with a couple of things.”
“Oh, great.”
“We have this office over here so you can put your things down. And basically, it’s a couple like three or four of us that work here.”
I laid my purse and computer case on the desk. It wasn’t a large room; it held a computer desk and chair. I could decorate with pictures and a few flowers to brighten it up.
“Our interns start with studying the background of the Prism Gallery, what we bring in and curate for our clients.”
“How long does it take to get in the position to make purchases for the gallery?”
“You’ll assist me on appointments and learn the ropes. Normally, it would take years for interns to get to that status. I know you’re studying and almost done with school.”
“The complexity of paintings speaks to me.”
“I normally curate at least once a month, and you’ll get to sit in on bidding.”
“Anything new coming in today?”
“Today is slow so you’ll just do reading on these and catch up.”
She pointed at the stack of folders on the corner of the desk.
“Get familiar with our database and learn about our clients, shipping and purchases. We make up to twenty million in profit a month.”
My eyes glanced at the stack of papers.
“Hopefully it won’t take too long. Can I take some of these home with me?”
“Sure, just make sure you bring them back. Confidentiality.” She headed out of my office.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I’m not too bad to work with no matter what Vincenzo says.” She smiled at me, and I smiled back. I logged into my computer and set up my password and opened the client portal of the Prism Gallery and scrolled through the names.
“Multimillionaires, Giosuè Calabresi.” I whispered the name I came upon that had to be related to Renato and his family.
“Interesting.” I continued to study all the past works they’d taken in and read the history of how it came about from the beginning in Italy. Four hours later, my stomach growled, and a knock on my door pulled my attention.
“It’s open.” The person on the other side twisted the knob, and I saw a vase full of red roses with a large smirk on my husband’s face.
“Are you checking up on me?” I dropped my pen on the table and stood to greet him with a kiss and hug.
“I knew this would be the perfect time to take you to lunch.”
“You’re right; I really didn’t eat breakfast today.”
“Come and let me take you out.”
“I have a lot of studying, though.”
“That can wait. You have to eat.”
“Hey, Sonya, we’re closing up early. Agnese wanted me to let you know.” Rocky stepped into my office, and I felt like Renato had something to do with us leaving early.
“She just happened to want to close early on my first day?” I crossed my arms over my chest, staring at Renato.
“Don’t look at me.”
“Renato, did you force her to let me leave for the day?”
“No, I just suggested it would be a good idea to have a spa day on me,” Renato remarked, and I felt annoyed at him going behind my back.
“It never ends with you.” I moved back to turn off my computer and grab my purse and the folders I wanted to take home with me to study.
“Stop being a brat.” Renato extended his hand for me to take.
“Whatever.”
“Boss, we have company,” Dome said, and I looked behind him and saw a black Honda parked a few blocks from my workplace.
“Who is that?”
“No one. Get in the car.” Renato helped me get in the passenger seat of his car, and Dome trekked to the car that he'd driven me in earlier.
“Should I be worried?”
Renato shifted the car across a lane of traffic.
“Not with me. Put on your seat belt.”
“Tell me the truth.”
“I think that’s Gallagher following you.”
“How long?”
“Not sure, my first time seeing him.”
“How do you know it’s his car?”
“I have a file on him with that car’s description.”
“Try not to get pissed. RJ and I don’t need you going to jail for killing an FBI agent.”
