Seven Days: A young black woman makes a deal with a mob boss. (24 page)

Jimmy glanced in his rear view mirror at Victoria. She had her head resting against the window and her eyes were shut. She was definitely a beautiful girl. And one of the sweetest people he had ever met. He really hated that she was going through this and he couldn't imagine what Nic must be feeling. No one had ever tried to hurt Jimmy's family. Ever. He hoped that Sonny wasn't involved. Because if he was, that would mean Paul Marconi would have to get involved, and this would be the beginning of something truly ugly.
After a few more hours of driving and one gas stop, Jimmy turned onto the familiar street that led to an iron gate. He punched in the code and drove down the long driveway.
Victoria's head bobbled against the glass, waking her up. She quickly wiped her eyes as she stared out of the window. Everything was pitch black except for a faint light above the door of a two-story house. 
Jimmy parked the car and hopped out to open Victoria's door.
"Where are we?" she asked, right as the front door opened. 
Out stepped a thin, beautiful woman with a nice tan. She had long wavy black hair and a wide smile. Victoria turned to look at Jimmy, but he was getting her bags from the trunk. She tried to go help him, but he pushed her toward this beautiful stranger. Victoria sighed and cautiously walked closer, when she noticed bright blue eyes. Eyes she'd seen a million times. 'Oh my God,' Victoria thought. This was Nic's mother. No doubt about it. Victoria immediately became nervous. She quickly smoothed her shirt down, trying to look somewhat presentable after hours asleep in a car. 
"Oh my God, Jimmy, look at her! She's beautiful!" the smiling woman said, while staring in Victoria's direction. 'Well, that's a promising start,' Victoria told herself, as she moved closer to the house.
"Hi Victoria, I'm Nic's mother, Marianna," she said.
"Hi Mrs. Andretti, nice to--," Victoria said, before she was ambushed with a huge hug.
"Oh, don't you dare start with the Mrs. Andretti crap. It's Marianna, you hear!" she said, squeezing Victoria tightly. When she finally released her hold, she scooted Victoria into the house, almost closing the door on Jimmy.
"Jeez, Marianna. What am I, chopped liver?" Jimmy joked, as he placed the bags on the floor and quickly hugged her.
"Oh, you know I love you. I'm just so excited to finally meet her. I mean, I hate it's under these circumstances," Marianna admitted, shaking her head. "But even still, I'm so glad you're here," she said looking in Victoria's direction.
Victoria wasn't quite sure what to do, but she was making a mental note to herself to curse Nic out for not warning her that she'd be meeting his mom. 
"Well, I guess I'm glad to be here—I mean I'm glad to meet you," Victoria said, nervously looking around. 
"And you must be hungry. How could you not be? Come," Marianna said, winking her eye, as she quickly marched down the hallway.
Victoria followed Marianna to the kitchen. "Can I help you with anything?" Victoria asked, looking around the large designer kitchen that looked as though it belonged on some fancy cooking show.
"Absolutely not! Sit down and rest yourself. My Nic says you're a waitress. That means you spend all day serving people...well let me serve you. Jimmy, get in here!" Marianna yelled in a slightly Italian tinged Northern accent, while opening the fridge and removing several dishes.
"I'm coming, I'm coming," Jimmy yelled, bursting through the kitchen doors. "Now you see where Nic gets it from," Jimmy whispered to Victoria. She covered her mouth and tried not to laugh.
"Isabelle and the children are well?" Marianna asked, as she warmed up two plates packed full of food.
"They're good. I have her staying at her mother's until all of this blows over," Jimmy answered.
Victoria looked at Jimmy. His wife and kids were hiding out too...all because of her? And now Nic's mom was having to take her in. She felt like shit. She tried to stop the first two tears that dropped, but then she couldn't quiet her soft sob. She felt Jimmy squeeze her hand. "It's okay, Vicky."
"Why are you crying, cara mia?" Marianna asked, rushing to Victoria's side, placing her arm around her.
"I'm sorry—I just—I didn't mean for this to happen. I feel like I'm imposing on you, and Jimmy had to send his family away—all because of me. I feel awful," Victoria admitted, trying to wipe away her tears.
"Don't you dare feel that way! This is not your fault. Not at all. You can't help the fact that there are crazy people in this world," Marianna said, grasping her tighter.
"It's not your fault, Vicky. And no one is blaming you," Jimmy added. He glanced down at his vibrating cell phone. "Oh shit."
"Che cosa?" Marianna asked, walking back to the kitchen to retrieve their food.
"I forgot to call Nic to tell him we had arrived," he exhaled. He clicked open the phone. "Hey--yeah, we're here, I forg—I know, I know, I'm sorry. But we're here now--yeah, hold on," he said as he passed the phone to Victoria.
"Hello?" she said, wiping at her tears. "Are you okay? Why are you crying?" Nic rushed out. 
"Yes, I'm fine. I just feel bad that everyone is having to do things because of me." 
"That's not your fault," she heard him say.
"I know, your mother already said that." 
"I love you, get some rest and pass the phone to my mom," Nic said.
"I love you too," Victoria whispered, before she passed the phone to Marianna. "He wants to speak with you."
"Mio figlio!" Victoria heard Marianna say, as she walked back into the kitchen, and proceeded to talk to Nic in Italian. So much for eavesdropping. 
"How long do you think I'll have to be here, Jimmy?" Victoria whispered.
"I'm not sure. Hopefully no more than a few days. Why, is Marianna already getting on your nerves," Jimmy smiled.
"No! No, I mean, she's great as far as I can tell. She's so friendly. It's just that I miss Nic already. And I'm sure you miss your family."
Jimmy patted her on the back. "It should only take a few days to get everything sorted out, and then it should all go back to normal."

"Jimmy! Get in here..per favore!" Marianna yelled from the kitchen. "Nic wants to speak with you again."
Jimmy laughed. "I love that woman," he said, before he hopped up and walked further into the kitchen.
After dinner Victoria could hardly keep her eyes open. She felt like she had already slept most of the day away, but her eyes just couldn't stay open any longer. Marianna showed her to the room she'd be staying in, and Jimmy brought up her bags. Marianna gave her another hug, said goodnight and walked out of the room. As if on cue, Victoria fell back on the bed and stared up at the ceiling. After a few minutes of reflection, Victoria closed her eyes and fell into a deep slumber.
Nic didn't sleep at all. He sat at his desk sketching, trying to calm his nerves. He knew he couldn't make a move until he got a few more answers, but his gut along with years of experience knew that Sonny was behind this shooting. He never trusted him, even when they were kids. He glanced at the clock. It was already four in the morning. He wanted so badly to call Victoria, and just hear her voice, but he didn't want to wake her up. 
Nic was about to start on a new sketch when he heard his stomach rumble. He couldn't even remember the last time he had eaten. He walked down to the kitchen and poured himself a large bowl of Victoria's sugary cereal. He normally didn't eat things like this, but in some weird, childish way he felt he was closer to her by doing so. He took a big bite and surprisingly, it was pretty good. He stared down at his bowl as he thought about what steps he had to take next. He needed to call favors in on some people around town who always had their eyes and ears open.
"Nic, mind if I join you?" he heard Antonio ask from the kitchen door.
Nic kicked out the chair beside him for his answer.
Antonio walked in and grabbed a bowl of cereal for himself as well. He sat down in the chair that Nic had offered and took a few bites of cereal as the two of them sat in silence.
"This whole thing is crazy, huh?" Antonio asked, not being able to stand the quiet.
Nic just stared straight ahead while taking another big bite of cereal.
"I remember the first time I met her. She was at your party—in that red dress. She seemed so out of place," Antonio laughed. He turned to Nic and noticed his expression hadn't changed.
"I mean in a good way. Well, I mean, not that your guests are bad, but—well, she just seemed different," Antonio tried to quickly correct. When Nic didn't respond, Antonio exhaled and continued to eat his food. He was slowly learning what Nic did and didn't like. And apparently him talking was one of those things Nic didn't like.
Antonio swallowed another bite and was about to take his food elsewhere, when he heard Nic speak.
"She really pissed me off that night she left with you."
Antonio looked at Nic. "I know, I'm sorry about—"
"I think that was the first time I realized I felt—that my feelings were crossing over the 'business' line. I had asked her to leave that night," Nic continued.
Antonio sat back down, not really knowing if he should say something or not.
"But of course she had to run her mouth, and I just couldn't let her go after that," Nic admitted with a smile, remembering that night vividly.
Antonio gave a nervous laugh also. "Well, hopefully after all of this blows over, everything can go back to normal. She's had a very crazy year. And can you believe her dad? What an asshole, huh?" 
"What do you mean?" Nic asked, placing his spoon back in the bowl.
"You know, with the way he treated her and everything," Antonio said, taking another large bite. He looked over at Nic and stopped mid chew. Fuck! He quickly swallowed. "Oh man, I thought she told you. You probably don't want to hear about all that stuff now."
"Told me what? What did her father do?" Nic asked, sliding his bowl away and sitting straight up.
Antonio shook his head. He just HAD to open his big, fat mouth. "Nic, she should probably be the one to tell you this," he said trying his best to back his way out of this admission.
"I'm asking you. What did her father say?"
Antonio knew he had no option now. Shit. "He...um, he called her some names and then kicked her out of their apartment."
"Like what?" Nic continued.
Antonio really didn't want to tell Nic. Victoria was going to kill him for even bringing this up. What a big fucking mouth he had.
Antonio exhaled. "Well basically he called her a whore and a slut and said he didn't want her staying in their apartment because she had...um, well slept with you to clear their debt. And then he kicked her out," Antonio answered, lowering his head. This was all a personal matter, and really none of his business.
"So then she went to your house," Nic said, staring at the side of Antonio's face. Nic wasn't sure if it was the fact that his girlfriend's life had been threatened and now he was separated from her, and hearing Antonio tell that story on top of it all, but he was furious. He wanted to fucking break something...or shoot something. After all this blew over, he was paying her father a visit. 
Nic stood up and stretched. His body hurt, even up to his teeth. He walked out of the kitchen without another word to Antonio. He had to get rid of this energy. It wasn't a nervous energy, but more of an adrenaline rush he kept feeling. Anticipating when the shit was going to hit the fan. He walked up to his bedroom and changed into a loose shirt and workout pants. He had to run...anything to keep from getting in his car and fucking up Sonny Marconi.
The next morning, Victoria awoke with sunlight streaming down on her. She wiped her eyes and walked to the window and peered through. Her mouth dropped wide open. All she could see was plush green land, a creek and several horses. She saw a stable in the distance and a few other animals. This was a ranch. She had never been to a ranch before. She ran into the bathroom to take a quick shower.
When she was done, she finally opened her suitcase. 'Damn Mina,' Victoria thought, as she rummaged through all of the short, tight designer clothes Mina had picked out for her. Nothing in her bag even remotely looked comfortable. But at least she had packed her Converse for her. She put on a cute shirt and skirt, and pulled her hair back into a ponytail.
Victoria walked downstairs, to find Jimmy and Marianna sitting at the kitchen table laughing and sipping coffee.
"Good morning!" Marianna said in a cheery tone, getting up to give Victoria another bone crushing hug and kiss. "Did you sleep well? Tell me the truth? If you were not comfortable, I can get another mattress."
'Another thing Nic gets from his mother,' Victoria thought with a smile. "No, I slept wonderfully. I guess too well, since you guys were up way before me," Victoria said, pulling her hair back into a ponytail.
"Nonsense! You had a very difficult day yesterday. You deserved your rest. Did you miss Nic?"
"Um, yes, I did."
"You are so in love with him?" Marianna asked, with a huge smile on her face.
Victoria looked over at Jimmy, who was trying to hide his smile behind his coffee cup raised to his lips.
"Yes. I am." Victoria simply stated, as she grabbed a cup of coffee. "Marianna, do you mind if I look at some of the photos you have in the living room?"
"Go ahead. I have a beautiful family," Marianna said, filling Jimmy's plate with what was easily two pounds of food. 
Victoria smiled as she grabbed her cup and walked into the living room. Modesty didn't run in the Andretti family either. She walked over to a stand where she saw some black and white pictures of Marianna when she was younger. She was absolutely stunning. Her hair was pinned back in a prim and proper way and she was wearing a floral dress with what now would be considered vintage high heels. She had a huge smile on her face as she stood holding a tall man's hand. Victoria could only assume that this was Nic's father, Nicolas Andretti III. He was definitely handsome. Actually, other than Nic's eye color, which he took from his mother, Nic looked just like his dad, including the cold stare and lack of expression. 
"That's my late husband," Marianna said behind Victoria. "Good business man. Not the best husband and father, but he tried. Some men are good family men, some aren't. But he always made sure we were provided for."
"And you have five kids?" Victoria asked, turning around to look at Marianna.
"Yes, four boys and one girl. She's the baby," Marianna said, as she grabbed a picture of her children when they were all young. She handed it to Victoria. She spotted four different young men and a young girl. They all had jet black hair. Only Nic and the younger girl shared the same eye color as Marianna. The other boys had darker, brown eyes. In the picture two of the boys and the girl were standing on steps in front of a house, and two other boys, one being Nic, were sitting on the steps.
"This one is Marcus, he's the oldest," Marianna said. Victoria stared at the young man that Marianna had pointed at. He was just a tad overweight and he looked miserable, even though he was smiling. He wasn't as handsome as Nic, but he could be more pleasing to the eye, if he didn't look like it was killing him to smile.
"He's a police officer in Chicago. He divorced a few years back, and is now married to his job."
"He's a cop? How does that work with, well--Nic and his occupation?" Victoria asked, trying to tiptoe around the sensitive subject.
Marianna laughed. "It doesn't, that's the problem. Those two barely have a civil word to say to each other. Anyway, this is Vincent, he's two years older than Nic. He's a principal at a high school and married. He's the only child of mine that's given me grandchildren. Two girls, seven and four. I don't get to see them much," Mariana said with a sigh. "They live so far away and don't make it up here to see me, but I get pictures all the time." Vincent was much shorter than his older brother, Marcus, but at least his smile was pleasant.
"Two grandchildren, that must be nice," Victoria added.
Marianna elbowed Victoria. "You and Nic could give me more," she said, staring at the next child in her photo. Victoria started to say something, but then decided against it. Marianna was definitely more forward than she was used to. Nic never opened up about anything, yet his mother couldn't stop talking. But she enjoyed someone who could finally give her some more insight into Nic's personality.
"Um, how old was Nic in this picture?" Victoria asked, looking at Nic and the other young boy who was sitting on the steps with him.
"Hmm, I think he was seventeen or eighteen in that picture. I think that was the last time I had all of my children in the same place. Now I can barely get two of them in the same room together."
Nic was an extremely handsome teenager. Not as physically overpowering as he was now, but the same handsome face and long limbs. He was the only one in the picture not smiling, but the young boy beside him was grinning brightly and had his arm resting on Nic's shoulder. He was handsome too. Probably the second best looking of the boys, Victoria thought, secretly rating her man next to his brothers. Nic being first, of course.
"And who's the one sitting with Nic?"
"That is Bobby," Marianna said, with a sadness laced in her voice. "He was killed shortly after his twenty-first birthday."
Victoria sucked in a gasp. "What? Oh, I'm so sorry!"
"It was hard on all of us. Bobby was so charming and friendly to everyone. He and Nic were really close since they were only a year apart. I guess it was the whole, opposites attract. He and Bobby's personalities were nothing alike, but they got along the best."
"Do you mind if I ask what happened?" Victoria asked.
"Bobby had a gambling problem. He would borrow money, gamble it away and then try to talk his way out of it. He borrowed from the wrong people one day, and...well, he went missing."
"Oh my God, I know that must have been torture," Victoria said, as they both walked over the couch and sat down.
"It was. He was missing for two months. I remember my Nic saying, 'Don't worry mama, I'll find him'. You see, we didn't know if something had happened to him, or if it was the drugs. He had gotten hooked on some bad things and would disappear. He didn't want us to see him like that. But he'd always come back clean and sober with a big smile on his face. I miss that smile," Marianna said, staring at Bobby's picture. "But then I got a call from my husband saying that his body had been found. Actually, his head had been found, but the rest of his body didn't wash ashore until weeks later."
Victoria thought she was going to be sick. She had heard of several missing people's stories that ended in tragedy like this. Even the ones that made national TV, but to know of someone who actually went through it--a mother who had to know her child's body was dismembered, is something quite different. She didn't even know what to say. She felt tears rush to the corners of her eyes.
"Nic went with my husband to identify what was left of the body. Neither one would talk about it. But I was a complete mess after that."
"God, I can't even imagine," Victoria whispered.
"About a month after we buried Bobby, the guy that Bobby had borrowed the money from went missing. And that's when the police came snooping around here. But in my husband and son's business, I don't ask questions. And a part of me was relieved that some justice had come from my son's death. I know it's not right, but when you lose a child, you don't think rationally."
Victoria thought about the fact that Nic could make people disappear. It sent a shiver up her spine. And not because of what he could do, but the fact that he could be caught. And that was a new line of thinking for her. 
"And this is Juliet, my baby girl. She's a spunky one," Marianna said with a smile. "She travels a lot. She never spends more than a few months to a year in any place. Right now she's backpacking through Europe for the third time with her new boyfriend. And from there she said they plan to settle down for a year somewhere in Australia," Marianna said, rolling her eyes. "I love her to death, but I told her to settle down and find a husband. I'm not getting any younger...and speaking of that, do you want babies?" Marianna asked.