REBEL

Chapter Forty Eight

Dom saw how unsettled Rebel was the next day , Tuesday, when he answered the buzzer and heard the grumpy doorman say he had visitors. He knew Rebel's sister was coming to town and Rebel wasn't really looking forward to it.

" Thanks," Rebel said," show them up. "

Dom said," I'm not leaving. "

Rebel said," I didn't ask you to. She probably has her husband with her. I don't know what she thinks coming is going to prove. "

There was a sharp knock at the door. Rebel went to answer it with Dom right behind him. A young woman with pageboy styled hair and uncertain eyes stepped in.

" Ricky Joe," she said as moved into the foyer. Her eyes widened as she saw Dom. " Who is this? "

Dom nodded at her as Rebel said," My bodyguard. What do you want?"

Emily said," You never mentioned having a bodyguard. Is this Bailey's doing? "

Rebel tensed. " You wanted this. What do you want? "

Emily didn't answer. Something about her made Dom wary. He hadn't felt this way since that one fateful day in the Bronx.

( " NYPD! Open up ! )

" You. " That was spoken by a tall older White man with solid grey hair and cold eyes. He came from behind Emily and approached Rebel who looked terrified. He grabbed Rebel by the arm and held him in a strong embrace.

" Get your hands off him ," Dom demanded as he pulled out his 32 and pointed it at the man.

" I don't think so," the man said as he pulled out his own gun from his pocket and pointed it at a pale faced trembling Rebel's head. " Let me introduce myself. I am Jasper Lewis, mayor of Geary , Arkansas. Some call me Jed. I'm her father in law. I'm here to reclaim my lost property. I wasn't expecting you but you're about to have a tragic accident. "

His lips kissed the top of Rebel's head softly. Dom saw Rebel flinch. His own finger tightened on the gun but he couldn't shoot. Not while he had Rebel. Fuck it all.

" I missed you, Ricky Joe. I tried to rid you from my soul and my heart but it's impossible. I told you in my letters. You never responded. My bad boy. I'll punish you for that. Thankfully your dear twit of a sister helped us reunite. Thank you so much, Emily Jean. "

" Drop the weapon, asshole," Dom snarled. " This is going to end one way. With a hole in you. "

Jed laughed coldly. " I don't think so. I'm leaving with my beautiful boy. I have the perfect place to put him. We need to get better acquainted. "

Then there was a movement from the still open door and a familiar voice saying," What the hell is going on here? "

Jed turned along with Rebel still in his tight embrace and scowled as he saw Bailey Mullins standing there. " You. You are the one who kept me from my Ricky Joe. "

Jed moved the gun from Rebel's head long enough to quickly fire once into Bailey's chest. Bailey yelped in pain and sank to his knees. Then the gun was just as quickly back at Rebel's head as he moaned ," Oh God no. Bailey....."

Emily sobbed and reached into her purse.

" We're leaving now, Ricky Joe," Jed said. " Say a last goodbye to your dead friends. "

" No ," Dom commanded. " You're not. Put the gun down, release Rebel or I'll shoot you. "

Rebel screamed and jerked free from the man's grip and ran to his fallen manager.

Jed aimed the gun at Rebel, screaming," Betrayal! "

Dom pulled back the trigger.

So did Emily on the 22 she pulled from her purse.

Both fired on Mayor Jasper Lewis AKA Jed. He was dead before he hit the floor.