Closer Than Your Shadow

Phantom at My Window

November 23rd 5:24 p.m.
Gotham
19th street

I left work at and Dom bombarded me with calls and texts. He knew my schedule to a t. All his voicemails were along the lines of 'text me back or I'll change the locks'. Then the last one said, 'I'm at the bar off 19th street. Come at 6.'.

I knew that that meant if I wanted a place to sleep tonight, I had to go.

I pushed the chipped red door open and smoke drifted out in wisps. The place wasn't crowded yet, just 14 guys and a smell that made you want to hold your breath. All the way in the back two round topped tables were pushed together. They were seating about 10 Maroni's.

Two lower level guys I didn't know very well. Then the strays. Alex and Jacob, my friends. And the family. Cano, Red, Remi.

Then Dom Maroni.

Tony Zucco and Arthur Rayford sat on each side of him. Both were creeps that never had the best reputations. Specifically, Rayford.

Drug dealer, women beater, murderer.

Tony Zucco was another story though. Tony and Dom were bestfriends back in the day. Zucco left Gotham for Metropolis after his son was born a couple years ago, Tony was back now.

In lots of ways, things changed when he got back. We had more jobs and less money.

Jacob was obviously drunk and barely able to sit up by himself. He was leaning next to the wall with a scowl on his anger sunken face.

Alex had a joint hanging off his lip and a beer bottle snug in his hand. He was talking to Red and making him laugh.

Alex was different than Jacob in practically every way.

Out of all the people I've come to meet in the Maroni's, Alex was the only one who felt like family. Real family.

He was just a sweet kid. A little too mature for his age but that wasn't his fault. His mom was an addict and she ended up ODing a few months ago. He was on the street for a few weeks before Dom took him in. Jacob introduced them. By time Alex came to Dom's house, he was already setting me and Jacob up in the apartments, but we all became quick friends. He was like a puppy. He followed Jacob around but he never grew mean like my neighbor. He was just a sweet boy who needed a home. And Dom was the only one to offer him it.

"The princess has finally graced us with her presence," Jacob shouted over the table. 18 eyes turned to me and I could've melted into my sneakers.

"Thanks Jake." I looked at Dom first who didn't even turn back. He wasn't just displeased; he was pissed.

The air was thick with something, and I couldn't tell if it was the smoke or the tension.

"I said 6."

"I'm here, aren't I."

"I need the money you lost last night," he finally answered in a gruff tone.

Jacob started to laugh and tilted to the side waiting for my reaction like the older brother I never wanted. Alex nudged him and took the joint from his lips. He passed it to Jacob and he left the conversation to focus on his weed.

"You're trying to blame me for last night?" My arms crossed in response to Dom's hostility.

"You're the only one who's seen him. You were the only one to get away and you didn't take anything."

I scoffed.

"You're doing another job," Zucco said as his eyes dropped to his phone.

"No offense, but how do you expect us to get away with jobs when they're all so sloppy? Last night went bad because no one knew each other or the plan. We were asking to get caught." I directed this towards Zucco, but everyone looked a little uncomfortable.