In Love With the Mob

Chapter Twenty One Evan

The guys have gone out of their secret mission, leaving me home with Father Criss and some of the security team. Currently we are sitting out on the balcony surrounded by beautiful oranges and yellows as the sunsets over the horizon. Father Criss is  teaching me how to assemble and disassemble different firearms. When I asked Father Criss to teach me, I never anticipated to catch on as quickly as I have or even that I would enjoy learning about Bash's world. Do I think I'll be an underground crime boss, no not at all. The thought honestly doesn't even appeal to me, but I know that when Bash does decide to retire, I could most definitely help with any of his company's. It's nice knowing my MBA will be used for more than running the library.

Speaking of which; my social media has been blowing up with messages from patrons wondering when we will be opening again. Unfortunately, I can't give anyone a time frame, not even Ari. She is still abroad with her parents traveling Europe. We check in with each other often and I can tell she is worried sick about me. I just can't want everything with this Daniel Situation ended before I open again. I don't what I would do if something were to happen to her or any of my regular patrons. Probably attempt to kill Daniel myself.

A small tap to my wrist brings me back to the present, as Father Criss stares at me with furrowed brows. "Where did that mind wonder off to little one?"

"Sorry Father, was thinking about the library again." This happens a lot recently. My entire life is wrapped up in that one building, and I miss it dearly.

"No need to be sorry, I was just curious how many times you were going to keep taking apart the pistol before you realized you have it down to a science." He chuckles softly. I look down at the table and sure enough, I was absent mindedly putting the revolver back together. I can't help the smile that fills my face as I do a little happy dance in my seat. Father Criss smiles and gives me a small applause. Father Criss and I have become so much closer over the last few months. I never knew my dad and I can't help but long for a relationship I never knew. I don't know if father Criss has ever had any children but giving his line a work, I don't see how he would have had the time.

"Father, I'm sorry if I'm intruding but I really must know, why does everyone call you Father Criss? Did you use to be a priest?"

Father Criss leans back in his seat, humming softly as if preparing for a long story. "Thirty years ago, I was a fresh faced newly appointed Don. To say the job was stressful would be an understatement. By that time, I had killed more men that I would honestly like to admit. I was around thirty-six at the time I think and was looking for some guidance. The streets of New York weren't like they are now. Back then, you couldn't take three steps without running into a dead body. So of course I would be rethinking my decisions.

One day I decided to go into this Cathedral. It was a huge, beautiful church with stone carvings and these little twinkling fairy lights you could only see at night. The stairs were massive and as I took each one, it gave me plenty of time to decide if I really should take the next one. I mean, I am a stone-cold killer, there was no place in there for someone like me, so I thought. The inside was just as nice as the outside. Rows and rows of pews could fit hundreds of people in there; carved cherubs lined all four corners. And on the ceiling; the most beautiful painting of Michelangelo's The Last Judgement. Taking it all in, I knew deep down that I had made the right choice." He takes a slow sip of his whiskey before continuing.

"Before I knew it, I was sitting in the back pew, begging the lord for forgiveness. When the voice I could only describe as angelic, asked me if I came for redemption. When I opened my eyes, there stood the most beautiful nun I think I have ever seen. Her deep green eyes showed nothing but kindness, and she had this smile I would almost pay to see. And can you imagine what happened next my son?"