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We drove slowly down the street and I spotted a few guys I knew. I waved as the group of them called my name and gave me a salute. They were Steven’s guys, young soldiers out for a good time. I spotted a few more people, some doctors and lawyers in the area I knew, and gave them serious nods.
“You know everyone,” she said.
“You have no clue,” I said and smiled to myself.
This was my town.
Sometimes out in New York, I forgot what it felt like to be the king. Out there, we were a small family just fighting for a little territory and a little respect. I carved out a nice niche for us, and I was building our empire brick by brick, day by day, but in Philly the work had already been done. We already owned the city, we already had respect.
When I was in town, I was a king again, and that felt fucking good.
But I had to remember it was temporary. This wasn’t my home, not anymore. My father built this world, my father earned this respect. I was given it because I was his son and I was an important member of his organization, but I hadn’t earned it all, I hadn’t created it out of thin air like I was out in New York.
I couldn’t let myself forget.
I parked the car down toward Mifflin Street. We walked along Passyunk Ave, heading north. I didn’t have any particular place in mind, and as we went, I stopped and greeted the people I knew. Mona hung close, sometimes her body pressed against mine, and I felt a thrill of excitement to be spotted out and about with her. For a little while, I forgot that she was a journalist.
“Do you come out here often?” she asked.
I shrugged. “Sometimes. It’s a good spot.”
“How do all these people know you then?”
I gave her a little smile. “My family owns a lot of businesses in this area,” I said.
She laughed. “Interesting answer.”
“What can I say?” I held out my hands. “That’s the truth.”
“So your family… owns this spot,” she said, trying to keep her tone neutral.
“You could put it that way.”
“Interesting. And all those people?”
“Some of them are in my organization, you know, employees of my various businesses,” I said. “Some of them are important people in their own right and simply worth knowing.”
“And you think you’re worth knowing?”
“Oh, I’m definitely worth knowing.” I grinned at her and nodded at a fat bouncer standing outside of a pulsing nightclub. I couldn’t remember his name, Fat Mikey or Big Tommy or maybe Bulbous Billy.
“I think you’re showing off,” she said, walking a little closer to me as a couple walking their little white dog came strolling past arm in arm.
I gave her a look and slipped a hand across her lower back. She looked surprised as I drew her closer right as the little white dog barked and lunged at her.
“Watch your fucking dog,” I said.
The guy gave me an annoyed look, yanked his dog’s leash, and pulled it along.
“Jesus,” she said.
“I know, fucking people,” I said. “You’d be surprised how many shitty dogs are around here. And the fucking idiots let the dogs do whatever.”
“You saved me from a real beast,” she said, grinning.
“I saved those nice shoes,” I said. “Maybe your ankle, depending on how hungry it was.”
She laughed and leaned against me for a second longer than necessary, then drew away. I let my hand drop from her body, but the feeling of her warmth stuck with me.
“Do you ever miss all this?” she asked. “You know, since you’re in New York now.”
“Sort of,” I said as we dodged a loud group of teenagers.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, it’s like this.” I came up to a stop next to a bench set out in front of a little pizza place. I nodded at the guy working behind the counter, a nice kid named Raul, and looked at Mona. “All this respect? I didn’t build it.”
“Who did?” she asked.
“My father. He built all this.” I gestured around me vaguely.
“But you’re respected on your own though. I mean, these people aren’t coming up and asking about your father. They’re just… greeting you.”
“True,” I said, palms up. “It’s not like I’m just some fucking asshole. But in New York, I’m building my business all on my own. There’s nobody out there to siphon away the glory and nobody to blame when shit goes wrong. Out there, it’s all on my head.”
“And you like that?” she asked.
“Fuck, yes, I like that,” I said.
She looked at me with an odd expression for a long moment then startled as Raul pushed open the pizza place door. He poked his head out and held out a bottle of Coke.
“Hey, Vincent,” he said. “How’s it hanging?”
