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The guilt-trip scheme wasn’t working as well as it normally did, thanks to my newfound distraction.
“I have work to do. I’ll see you next time. Take care of yourself, Pop.”
***
For the first time in my life, I left the prison feeling lighter than I ever had. It wasn’t his organization anymore, even if the old crew was still loyal to him. I was the one handing cash envelopes with bigger fucking bonuses than they’d ever seen. I would do what it took to keep him safe. But I wouldn’t take orders from him anymore.
Once I got to my car, I turned my phone on to find a slew of texts from my only two friends. Sure, I had a crew of thousands, but there were only two people I considered friends. I wouldn’t go as far as saying I trusted them because I didn’t trust anyone, but I held them in the highest regard. Respected them, but in the genuine sense of the word, not my father’s definition.
Stephen: What time are we meeting in the ring?
John: Whenever. My afternoon is all clear. Hawk?
John: And I have a great story to tell you guys.
Stephen: I don’t want to hear about your conquests.
John: Come on, man. She was tall and blonde and hot.
Stephen: Hawk? Tell us what time already, so I can turn my phone off and ignore John.
John: She’s 24, and she’s a runway model.
Stephen: For fuck’s sake, John, you’re twice her age. We’re going to be fifty in a couple of years.
John: Don’t be all high and mighty, you prick. Just wait until a younger woman turns your head.
Stephen: It never will. And even if it did, I’d never act on it because it’s inappropriate.
John: Oh right, I forgot. The mighty Stephen Cox doesn’t date. Ever. Hell, you don’t even go clubbing for a bit of flirting. Well, let me tell you, it’s not natural, man. Your dick will fall off if you don’t bury it in some chick soon.
Stephen: Hawk? Time? Answer now!
John: Well, now you’ve done it, Stephen. You know Hawk doesn’t take lightly being spoken to that way. Then again, neither do you. You both really are a couple of over-testosteroned Neanderthals. I don’t know how the two of you manage to stay friends.
Stephen: For fuck’s sake, Hawk. If you don’t answer me in 5 minutes, I’m turning off my phone for the rest of the day, and you’ll be stuck alone with John at the club.
John: Oh right. I remember now. Because of me. I’m the glue that holds us all together.
By the time I caught up with the texts, I had forgotten I was in a prison parking lot. This was the normalcy I was craving for, the perfect antidote to a weekend filled with a traitor, punishment, and a jail visit. I’d drive back to New York City, meet the guys at Titan’s Club, and have a few sparring rounds in the cage. Then John and I would go to his favorite bar, where I’d be able to find a warm body to bury myself into and get a certain someone off my mind.
Me: No. You’re the bratty little brother type we have to put up with. Wait. Why do we have to put up with you again?
Stephen: I don’t have a choice. I work with the jerk. What’s your excuse, Hawk?
Hawk: I haven’t figured it out yet, but I’m sure he’ll be useful eventually.
John: Hey! I’m the life of the party. The heart of our trio. The brains behind the brawn. And the only one with a sense of humor. We’re the Titans of Wall Street. You guys would be nothing without me.
I loved that nickname, given to us by our alumni class at our fifteen-year reunion. John and Stephen had climbed up the ranks at the most prestigious investment corporation in the country. They were the youngest elected CEO and CFO in the industry. And I had already made a name for myself with my hedge fund company, although no one knew back then that my clientele were all criminals.
The Titans of Wall Street. I wished I deserved the nickname. I probably would have never made it without my father’s money as an initial investment and his mafia contacts to recruit as clients.
Whatever.
Why was I so bent out of shape over a nickname?
Perhaps because my father was right about one thing. Reputation was important. Except he and I had different visions. He wanted to be the most feared man in the country, needing recognition for his brutality. I wanted to be the most sought-after investor, needing recognition for my ability to beat the market, not someone’s face.
