Subtle Endearment

19. No More Secrets

Ian

Friday approaches quicker than I want it to and before I know it I'm seated in the small company on the other side of New York as Madam Melanie glares at me. The meeting ended several minutes ago. It was the usual, detailing progress of the several companies Stubborn Elites had managed to get a hold of, assigning new missions, and collecting funds. Madam Melanie seemed to be satisfied with everyone's progress during the meeting but the second she told Landon and I to stay back I knew I was screwed.

"What do you think you're doing hanging around women. You know you have better things to do than hoeing around with women," Madam Melanie screams as the clack of the door closing sounds. I'm sure that everyone can still hear her. "You're lucky I didn't have the girl killed altogether. You need to direct your priorities back to Stubborn Elites. You've been out of it ever since you returned," she says crossing her arms as she sits in the seat beside me. "Don't get me started on you, Landon she says waving her hand in his direction. "What do you mean? I've been good all this time," he says clearly enjoying her stressful state.

"You sent Jamal to Rochester and it was coincidentally the same day that I send him to deal with Ian's little girlfriend," she spells out for him. "I had an assignment for him there," Landon shrugs. "In Rochester? That was your mission, you know he can't handle being in their territory. That's the whole reason you were going and now he's dead," she says now tapping her fingers against the table. Rochester is ran by The Mob as they call themselves. They don't associate much with organizations and mainly concern themselves with loansharking. Despite this, they're pretty wealthy and have managed complete control over the west side of New York for decades.

"Listen Ian, I'm doing this for you. If you really want a wife I have someone in mind that would advance the organization," Madam Melanie informs me. "I'm not interested, if you really want to do something for me you can cut me loose from this whole thing," I say more to myself than her. The grin she'd had is quickly replaced with a frown and she walks around to me squeezing my cheeks as she speaks. "You know I can't do that. When you two joined me you made a promise to stay till the end and I plan on getting every ounce of work out of you until that day does come. I wouldn't have made it this far without my number one assassin and businessman now would I?" she says leaving a scratch on my cheek as she moves her hands off my face.

"We know, Madam Melanie," Landon says kicking me under the table. "Yes, we know. I was only kidding, I know we we can't leave," I joke. Madam Melanie gives a sigh, releaved to have us back at the palm of her hands where she wants us. "But about what you said, I think I'll wait a while longer before settling down with someone," I say hoping to get her off my chest. "Okay, if you insist. She's quite the beauty though. Just call me when you're ready but don't wait too long, I need you both wedded before I'm gone," she says. "What do you mean?" I ask. "I'm not doing too well and it's not like I have my own..." she remarks. "So you want us to carry on the Stubborn Elites," Landon finishes.

"And what if we don't?" Landon challenges. "Then everything we've worked for up until this point goes to the ground and it's not like you two exactly have the best track record. It'll be hard for either of you to make a living out here without the mafia," she says matter-of-factually. I hate to admit it but she's right.

These last couple of years I've been the CEO of FixedTech and while the title might mean a lot to people outside of business, most companies are aware of FixedTech's history. It would be near impossible to get another job, especially one that grants me the luxuries I have now. FixedTech is comprised of 75% of Stubborn Elite associates. Not all of the 75% are a part of the mafia but they all have some connection to the organization whether it's an uncle, a friend, or themselves. Only about 25% of employees are regular associates. It helps to have them around especially when so many other mafias can easily identify those who are a part of Stubborn Elites. Unlike Violet who has an uncle in the mafia, Landon and I are associated directly.

"Think about what I said, Ian," she says before leaving us in silence. "Doesn't this mean that we can be free when she's gone? i don't know why she'd tell us that," I whisper to Landon. "Yeah, but she's right. We won't be living if we stay. We'll be right back where we started on the side of the road. Besides, we don't know how long she's got. For all we know it could be another decade," Landon says leaning on his hand as he talks in a normal tone. "About the other day, thank you for handling things," I say partially guilty to have caused his death. "Don't worry about it, he took the job willingly. He was after the payout for the job," Landon says. "I know but still..." I begin. "But Madam Melanie was right," Landon begins glaring at me. "She doesn't fall short on her promises. If she catches you with her it might be the last time you see her again," Landon states.

"I know," I say rolling my eyes. "I don't think you do, Ian," Landon says slamming his fist on the table. "How long are you going to do this?" he questions. Landon is obviously heated by the whole thing so I choose to not respond. "You're gonna keep seeing her aren't you?" he chuckles to himself. "You don't have the luxury of going to see whoever you want anymore, you're a member of Stubborn Elites, the least you can do is tell her the truth. Let her make a decision herself," Landon says. "I can't" I say. The words sound foreign to me. I'd been avoiding telling her for a while now but I'd always been able to tell myself that it was for her own safety. Now, I couldn't use that excuse. What if she did decide to leave me. What would I do then?

"I know why you're doing this but you can't keep doing it. Can't you see the damage you're causing her, Ian? Trust me, I know what it feels like but you can't keep doing this. That night when you were in the tub-" Landon starts. "I-I have to go back to FixedTech," I say fighting back tears as I eye the doorway. "Ian," Landon says his voice softer this time. "I'll talk to you later, I need to get back now," I say grabbing my coat from the chair and walking out the front door. I plaster on my business smile as I walk out of the room and make a beeline for where Trevor likes to hang out after meetings.

"Hey, Trevor," I say approaching the man as he blows smoke out in front of him. "What do you want, Ian," he asks grumpily. "There's one debtor that I need information on," I say. "It's gonna cost you, who is it?" he asks. "Her name is Kira Torlei," I say pulling out my wallet. Trevor shakes his head as I reach in my wallet. "I don't have any information on her," he says promptly. "What do you mean, you accepted the payment that I gave you for her before. How is Stubborn Elites in contact with her?" I ask. "She's just another beggar trying to get quick money," Trevor says blowing smoke in my face. The suffocating smell is on Trevor's had ever since I've known him. I still can't get used to it.

"You and I both know that she's not a beggar," I say arching an eyebrow. "Listen kid, I know you've been here a while but there's some things that even you don't need to stick your nose in," he says turning away cigarette in hand. Trevor works as Madam Melanie's right hand man so I can only assume that there's some connection but why would Madam Melanie be concerned with Kira even before I met her?

"Okay, it was nice talking with you too Trevor," I say before heading out. Stubborn Elites have several locations, I'm just glad that Madam Melanie chose to hold the meeting near FixedTech this time.

As I drive down the road I can't help but worry about how I'm going to tell Kira about this whole thing. Landon was right. No matter how I look at it, it's better that I tell Kira. I can't keep avoiding her questions. She's getting worried and she already knows about Madam Melanie. There's only a matter of time before she discovers it and I'd rather tell her myself before she finds out. But what happens if I do tell her? She'll no doubt leave me in fact if I were her I would leave me.