Meeting with My Dad

ZANE

I found myself parked outside a house I hadn’t visited in over three years. My dad only made the trip here every few years when work demanded it. He was usually too busy managing his businesses back in Italy.

He’d bought this house during a period when he was visiting every three months. Now, it mostly sat vacant, with only a handful of workers keeping it in shape.

I stayed in the car for a while, taking deep breaths, hoping I could avoid what was coming. Not just for my sake, but for Shay and our child.

I’d always known this life could be tough. I’d seen my dad navigate it all, even tagging along to his meetings to learn how to handle various situations. And my training was top-notch.

I closed my eyes, picturing Shay’s face to soothe my nerves. She was my sanctuary, my everything. This time, I was determined not to screw things up.

As I stepped out of the car, Conner and Noah pulled up. “Boss, do we really have to go through this again?” Noah asked, scuffing his shoe against the pavement.

“He couldn’t have survived. We made sure of it. I don’t know what this is about.” Conner punched his car in frustration.

“We have to see what he wants. Usually, we’re the ones who have to go to him.”

We walked into the house. It hadn’t changed much—some new couches, but otherwise, it was as I remembered.

I entered my dad’s office, where he was waiting. His dark brown hair had more gray than the last time I saw him.

Despite being in his late fifties, he still looked youthful—just a few wrinkles around his eyes, signs of the stress and hard life that came with this job.

He looked up and smiled as we walked in. We took a seat on the couch across from his massive cherry desk.

“Boys, I’m so glad to see you. I’m glad you decided to accompany Zane today.” His face showed more age than it had three years ago when we last visited.

“We couldn’t let him face this alone. It took us two years to pull him out of the darkness last time he did this for you. We’re here to make sure that doesn’t happen again,” Conner said.

My dad leaned back, crossing one leg over the other and clasping his hands behind his head. Most people were terrified of my dad, but Connor and Noah were like my brothers—that’s how he’d raised them.

His face hardened and he narrowed his eyes at Conner. “Watch your mouth, boy. I may not be your father, but you’re my son in my eyes. If you weren’t, I would have shot you for that comment.”

Conner shrugged. He knew how far he could push my dad.

“Just reminding you that he nearly killed us and himself. What’s this about anyway? We killed the guy and made sure of it once it was safe to sift through the rubble.”

“Yes, you boys took out Mateo, but now we’re after Luca, his brother. He came out of hiding about two weeks ago.”

I jumped up from my seat, but under my dad’s deadly glare, I slowly sat back down. “How? He was in that building with his brother? We found his body along with Mateo’s.”

“That’s what we thought. But when we brought the body back for an autopsy, we found out it was a woman—their sister was in the building, not Luca.

“Luca ran, and I covered it up. But now he’s out for your blood. He took out some of my best men last week and left this note on one of the bodies.”

He handed me a piece of paper. There was a drop of blood on it.

~Hello Zane,~

~You thought you got me, but you only killed my brother and sister. I was on my way to that building for our meeting.~

~It’s been years, and now I’m back to collect on a debt I swore that night you would repay. I’m coming for you and everything you love.~

~Conner, Noah, Shay, and your family members who helped cover up all of your doings that night. Blood will be spilled, and it will be yours this time.~

~This drop of blood is the only drop you’ll get from me.~

~Enjoy your last few days because when I catch up with you, I’ll make you watch as I torture everyone in front of you.~

~You’ll know that I’ve taken everything you’ve ever loved in your life away from you, and then it will be your turn. I’ll watch you draw your last breath and life leave your body.~

~See you soon, friend.~

~Luca~

I looked at Conner and Noah as we read the letter together. I could feel it coming back, slowly creeping up on me. I closed my eyes, trying to wish it away. ~Please no, not now.~

“Zane?” My dad’s voice sounded distant. “Son, come back from wherever you’re drifting off to. My side of the family is safe. He can’t touch us, I made sure of it.

“You need to secure your place here and make sure you make it through this as yourself this time. Not the monster you allowed to take over last time to keep everyone safe.”

My body started to shake as I tried to suppress the demon within, tried to keep it from taking over again. I was losing the battle as the darkness seeped into my soul.

I felt my emotions slip away and the beast step in. Noah grabbed my shoulders and got in front of me, yelling in my face.

“Boss! Boss, you can’t do this. Think of Shay, please! She’s the one who can hold you together and keep this beast at bay! ~Zane!!!!~”