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I squinted at him through heavy, tired eyes, taking in his rounded figure.
His white hair showed his age, but the clean-shaven baby face gave him a deceivingly youthful appearance. If it wasn't for the mane of snow, people might mistake him for a man half his age.
"What're you doing up, Dad?" I asked, my voice laced with a mix of curiosity and exhaustion. Why would anyone willingly choose to be awake at this ungodly hour?
He shrugged, a nonchalant expression on his face. "Can't sleep, baby girl,” he replied.
He had been working at the fish market overnights, getting the extra fish off the boats before the market the next day. Anything really, to keep him busy after Mom left.
I let out a tired chuckle, running a hand through my disheveled hair. "Tell me about it," I muttered. "Sometimes I wish I could stay up forever, you know? Cases just keep getting tougher."
A soft sigh escaped his lips, and he looked at me with concern. “You know I’m proud of you…” he started, and I rolled my eyes. I knew where this was going. “But you’re too good for all this police work, Annabelle," he said, his voice filled with fatherly sincerity that made me want to gag. “It's taking a toll on you and your health, and for what? Pennies!”
“Dad…” I said, warningly. “We’ve been over this.”
He rolled his eyes and with a mocking tone, “It’s my passion.”
I laughed.
“Yeah, yeah.” He sighed and waved me on as he approached the fridge. “I just know you could be rich with those smarts of yours, but I’m in your corner, no matter what.”
I couldn't help but laugh again, even though my yawn cut it short. Dad always had a way of seeing the best in me, even when I doubted myself. He believed in me when I struggled to believe in myself. And man-oh-man, did he make it known that he hated police work. But I knew it was only because he loved me and wanted more for me than what he had.
Even working at the factory all those years, my dad made more than I did as a police officer.
I think that was why he was so upset.
And of course, he was worried I’d get shot.
Leaning over, I planted a tired kiss on his cheek. “I love you, Dad," I murmured, my voice muffled by exhaustion. “Goodnight."
With a nod and a smile, I felt his eyes on me as I stumbled toward my bedroom, ready to collapse onto my bed. I knew he'd always be on my side, even if he couldn't understand my love for the job. I felt lucky to have him as my rock, a constant presence in a world that sometimes felt too chaotic to handle. A world that was far eviler than most realized.
I mean, really. How could New York be so ok having the mob around?
As sleep started to claim me, his words echoed in my mind, reminding me that I was never alone.
3
LUCA
I leaned against the bar,nursing my drink, surrounded by two women who could've passed as clones. Both blondes, they rocked the same shade of fiery red lipstick. They looked like they’d walked straight out of a magazine, but they also seemed about as deep as a kiddie pool. I was convinced their personalities were as basic as it got.
The noise of the lounge and the clinking of glasses filled the air. The scents of whiskey and perfume mingled, creating an almost intoxicating atmosphere. There were two great loves in my life: women and booze.
And at the moment, I had both in my company and in my grasp.
The women, vapid as they came, were stunning. They had long, luscious blonde hair that cascaded down their shoulders and perfectly framed their flawless faces. Their figure-hugging dresses accentuated their curves, leaving nothing to the imagination.
I had approached them with confidence, closing in on my prey. I was only originally going to try for one of them… but the longer I talked to them, the more I figured I’d challenge myself.
When their eyes met mine, I could see a flicker of intrigue in their gazes. It was game on. I turned on the charm that had won over countless hearts and made my way toward them with a confident and arrogant stride I knew women drooled over.
I could already envision both of them in my bed and their laughter echoing through the room.
I felt the sexual energy crackle between us. “So, what brings you two beautiful ladies to this part of town?” The women looked like upper-east-siders. Why the hell were they out in Hunts Point?
Part of me wished I could remember their names, but the other part didn’t give a damn. One of them leaned in closely, her lips tugging into a smile. “We were hoping for a little excitement.”
