In Love With the Mob

Chapter Nineteen Bash

My chest heaves as I try to catch my breath. Laying flat on my back I reach for my t-shirt to wipe the sweat from my eyes. I look over at Stoff who is just as winded as I am. He smiles as he sits up, taking a long drawl from his water bottle. "Ready to go again?" I think he's trying to kill me. 

"Fine, but this time I'm on top." He laughs and pulls me to my feet. He squats down and I climb on his shoulders. He carefully stands and hands me the long stick girthy stick rightfully name big bastard. Stoff and the guys decided we should play  an early game of basketball before we start our day. This really was a bad idea, especially after already going for a run and lifting  weights.  

The sun is just barely peeking over the mountains, giving off hues of orange and soft pinks. The smell of fresh cut grass surrounds us filling me with a wave of nostalgia. The backyard court was especially designed for all of us roughnecks, as Father Criss would call us. He thought learning a sport in the middle of our training would be good for team building. The only thing it did was cause fights and broken bones. From the day we all got together we would fight like brothers;  but truth be told, as much as I bitch and complain about them, I would lay down my life for any one of these guys. Except for fucking Steven of course.

"If you would just let me shoot it, I could have it down already."

"If you shoot it, dumbass, it would be flat and we still wouldn't be able to play." One of these days, I really am going to put a bullet in his head, and I don't think anyone would fight me over it. Somehow we managed to get the damn ball stuck between the rim and the backboard. The process of trying to get it down was a shit show in itself. First it was a contest to see who could jump and knock it down. Major fail as the goal is like nine feet tall. Then it became who can knock it down with a rock or whatever object any of these dumbasses can find. Once that didn't work, Stoff and I decided to try to this route. After twenty minutes of swatting, the ball finally comes down, but I have lost all motivation to play. 

"That's it for me guys. I'm going to go shower and have breakfast with the wife." A chorus of boo's followed me into the house as I wave them off. Evan isn't a morning person, I've known that for as long as I have known him. The highlight of my day is to watch him wake up. It's almost like waking up a kitten. He gives a big stretch as he slowly turns to his side as he blinks away the sleep. It's literally the cutest fucking thing I have ever seen. 

Slipping into the shower I let the hot water cascade on me. Washing away all the sweat and grime from the mornings work out. Wishing it was just as easy to wash away the storm that has taken over my mind. Daniel Twist has taken over my every thought so much that it's almost obsessive. He is out there and I know he is planning something and I have to stop him before someone else get's hurt, like Evan. I would die if something were to happen to him. In the short amount of time we have known each other I have fallen beyond head over heels. He is everything I never knew I wanted and I will protect him at all cost.  

I feel like I am drowning at all times. I always thought that I was invincible. Two steps ahead and prepared for any and everything that may come at me. My life was planned out to the letter. Expand my business, quietly retire from the. mob, and make sure everyone that is standing with me at the end is set for life. Evan was the wild card I was not expecting. He came into my life at a time that I had sworn off love completely. Relationships are a liability that I could not risk. It was bad enough that Jennifer wouldn't stop trying to play George of the Jungle on my dick. Her gaydar is broken I guess. 

With Evan though, it was different. It was like, seeing color for the first time. Everything was brighter, flowers smelled sweeter and the sky was bluer. Everything changed, including myself. Now everything I do is for him and his safety. Father Criss is supposed to continue Evan's training later tonight which will give me and the guys a chance to follow a lead. The Steven's has a lead on someone who is said to be a close associate of Daniel's. I'm hoping we can get some information out of him, one way or another.