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“Hey,” I hear called out. I turn to see a brown-haired woman around my age. “You’re new.”
I nod as I cross my arms over my chest.
She reaches for me and pulls me into the queue behind her. “What’s your story?”
“My dad died, and I have nowhere to live,” I say. It’s not a lie but it’s also not the full truth.
“I’m sorry about your dad. Girl, stick with me. We’ll get you sorted. I’m Portia.”
I give her a soft smile. “Hey, Portia. I’m Tee.”
“They’ll be opening the doors soon. We should be good to go in and get a bed. Some nights, it’s chaotic with people trying to get one. It’s always worse when the weather turns nasty.”
I can’t imagine how hard things can be out here on the streets.
“There are a few rules you have to learn, Tee. Rule one: don’t steal anything from another one of us. That shit’s not tolerated. We band together in groups. There’re now six of us. There’s Ursula, Markus, Nell, and Paulie. It’s always better in numbers. Remember that.”
I nod, taking in her advice. I may not trust her, but I’ll listen to knowledge she’s freely giving me. I want to stay alive. I’m finally free and out on my own. I want to thrive and survive.
“Rule number two,” she says, ticking off her fingers as she goes. “Don’t trust anyone. No matter who they are.”
I have that one down already. I doubt there will ever come a time when I’ll be able to trust anyone. Not in this lifetime anyway.
“Rule number three: never, and I mean never, be alone. No matter where you go, you have to do it in pairs. The streets are dangerous, especially now that the motorcycle club has been taken out. It’s every criminal for themselves right now trying to fight for that turf.”
My eyes widen. “An entire chapter taken out?” I ask slowly, trying to act shocked and surprised at the same time.
She nods. “Get this: the Gallagher’s took them out. Or so the word on the street says. Well, them along with the Gallo’s. From what I’ve heard, the Demons took a Gallagher girl and the family were out for revenge. As for the Gallo’s, the Demons sideswiped one of the Gallo’s cars, injuring the second brother. It’s fucked up if you ask me. Who the hell goes after the biggest and most connected crime family of them all?”
I shake my head. “Crazy,” I murmur.
She nods. “Exactly. Only those that are either crazy or power hungry would try and take on such a force.” She lets out a tut. “Stupidity. And now look where it’s got them. Six feet under.”
“Who are the Gallo’s?”
Her eyes widen at my words. “Girl, the family dynamics of the Gallagher’s are crazy, but I can give you a quick rundown on the Gallo’s.” She takes a deep breath, her gaze scanning the crowd. “You know Jade Gallagher, right? The daughter of Liam—he’s the boss of Chicago? Well, she married the Capo of the Italian mafia in Chicago. The two of them are the modern-day Bonnie and Clyde. Vicious, ruthless, and so in love it’s sickening. But Rocco is a Gallo. Hence why you’d be stupid to take on the Gallagher’s. They’re connected, but more than that, they’re powerful.”
My lips part in surprise. I was right, Jade is part of the Clann, but I had no idea just how powerful they were.
“The Gallo family is as follows. Aldo and Natalia had five children. Three boys and two girls. No one knows what went down between the family, but word is that Aldo was sick with cancer and handed Rocco the reins of the mafia before he killed himself. His wife died not so long after he did.”
Did they kill themselves or were they killed?
“Their youngest daughter was only thirteen when she was caught in the crossfire of a war the Gallagher’s were involved in. They almost lost their other sister too. She’s also married to a Gallagher. Hayden is the boss here in Indiana.”
God, they’re everywhere.
“Oh, here we go. Are you ready?” she asks as the door opens and people start to enter the shelter.
“You said not to go anywhere alone, but you are,” I say, wondering if it’s one of those things— do what I say and not what I do.
She nods. “I’m not. Nell is ahead of me. She’s talking to a friend of her grandmother’s. Nell was born on the streets and has never left them. She’s a social butterfly. She knows everyone there is.”
“Any more rules that I should know?” I question, wondering if I’m making the right decision in asking.
“One last one. Rule number four: information is money, Tee. If someone has money, you’d better believe that most people on the street would give up their own mother if it meant they’d get cash.”
I swallow harshly. “I don’t know anyone or anything,” I say instantly.
