Shakin' Hands (Mafia)

"I....I meant Del Rio's bodyguard Brodus," she covered up. "And I like Central Park. It's beautiful."

John nodded. "Brodus is gay. And why would a guy like that give you a necklace?" He muttered. "And you better not be seeing that lawyer." He scoffed, not even thinking that it might be true.

Nolee looked at him, "N...never..."

John was too annoyed with the world to notice the stutter in her voice. "Good. Because Hunter is pissed off at this rival gang. And he doesn't need this bullshit with that DiBiase to deal with." He said, taking a long drag of his cigarette.

Nolee looked at him, "How bad is this new gang?"

John shrugged. "Their white collar, but they have blue collar employees for the dirty work. They run prostitution rings and drug trades and robbery. Us? We're prostitution and assassination. It's dangerous right now to work the streets. Even Matt and they others have to be careful when they're sent out for a hit."

"Any names I should be on the look out for?" Nolee asked, her eyes glancing to where she kept her gun under her pillow and making a mental note to pack that just in case.

John shrugged. "I don't know the name of the gang. Or any names. I just know that if they see strippers from rival gangs, they'll attack just to make a statement." He said lazily. "So if your planning on sneaking out to see some guy, I wouldn't. It ain't worth it. Central Park is danger zone on our radar."

Nolee looked at him, "I'm not planning on sneaking out. Honest." she hated lying to him but she had to. Brett and her were forbidden. It was like those books she had always read growing up.

John sighed. "Kid, I've been lied to a lot in my life. When people say 'honest' at the end of a sentence, it usually mean they're being dishonest." He said. "You better not leave. Hunter will have a fit if he comes in here and your gone. And you and I both know who's he'll take out his frustration on..." He finished quietly before going into his room.

Nolee put her head in her hands. She had to go see Brett. She was supposed to tell him about the last month. Instead, she texted him on the phone that she was only supposed to use for emergencies.

-Backyard tonight. Midnight. Love you-

John laid down on his bed, groaning. Why couldn't people just follow the damn rules in this house? Hunter would take it out on him when he was pissed. But no one seemed to care. They just broke the rules and did as they pleased, knowing full and well Hunter would beat the shit out of John. He was sick of it.

Nolee got her necklace back out of her drawer, smiling at the picture of Brett inside of it. There was no way that any of her clients or even Hunter would see it because she kept it in her dresser for times like these when she was alone. And once Hunter, who was getting older everyday, died she wouldn't have to hide how she felt.

John sighed and pulled out his gun he had for emergencies. He held in his hand, wondering what it'd be like to just... end it. He slowly put it his forehead, tears running down his cheeks. His life was hell... he wanted to end it, but he couldn't pull the trigger. He moved the gun into his mouth, crying harder. He still couldn't do it, even if he wanted to. His finger lingered over the trigger... how badly he wanted to...

Nolee got up and went over to John's room, knocking on the door. "Hey Johnny you wanna go get drinks in the kitchen? I...I need someone to talk to...."

John didn't hear her. Pull it, just do it... He mentally screamed at himself. He pulled back the hammer, tears dripping off his chin. He couldn't decide. Do or die... end it, or keep going.

Nolee opened the door, screaming when she saw John with the gun in his mouth. She tore over to him and grabbed it from him, "What the hell are you doing Johnny!"

John jumped. "Well, what does it look like? I'm sick of my life! All I do around here is fuck clients, get beat by Hunter when he's mad, and do all the chores. I'm treated like a slave. You'd have killed yourself a long time ago if you went through what I have." He cried, burying his face in his hands.

Nolee wrapped her arms around him, "Hunter loves you. He was so worried when you were attacked."

Johns scoffed. "Yeah, worried that I wouldn't be around to make him money. I'm a money maker around here. That's all I ever was, all I am, and all I ever will be."

"No, he seemed genuinely worried. Like he loves you worried. Like how I feel about Br-" she stopped herself, turning beat red.

John blinked. "You love that DiBiase kid? Your insane? Like clinically insane? Have you been sneaking out to see him?" He asked incredulously.

Nolee jumped up, "Forget I said anything. I...I never..."

John groaned. "My god, why can't you people just play by the rules." He groaned. "Look, stay off the streets and parks. This DiBiasi kid ain't worth the risk." He said.

"I will," Nolee sighed softly. "I'm...I'm afraid what will happen to him sometimes. What Phil will do if he decides he's a liability or something..."