The Bachelor's Bride

Chapter 38- Jack

I pulled up the lapels of my dark coat to cover myself from the onslaught of rain. Despite the bad weather, New York was still bustling with life. The smell of wet horses and manure filled the air, making everything reek.

I rapped on the door of the small, dirty apartment. It creaked open and the lingering scent of cigars and whiskey tickled my nose as I stepped inside. The room was dimly lit and it took a moment for my eyes to adjust. I could barely make out the outlines of a few forms lounging around the room. Two men where sitting at a small, round table, smoking cigars and playing a game of cards.

The one who caught my eye was the man leaning against the far, back wall. The end of his cigar lit up bright red whenever he pulled in a drag of smoke.

"Well look who finally decided to show up," he said around the cigar in his mouth. He tossed it to the ground, grinding it under his heel. He stepped out of the shadows, and a familiar set of blue eyes greeted me. "Welcome home little brother. It's been a while, hasn't it?"

"What do you want with me?" I asked crossing my arms defensively. "What does James have to do with anything?"

"I just wanted to see your precious face again. Am I not allowed to want to see my little brother?" The man smirked.

I raised an eyebrow at him. "It's not typical of you to ask me out here, Adrian. What's happening?"

"Well, you see, Pa's got mixed into some trouble with another mobster. He's gonna meet him at that speakeasy down on Waterloo tonight. You know, the one near the pub?" Adrian explained, checking his fingernails. He looked up at me. "And we need a little cover up. Just in case it gets a little messy, per say."

I crossed my arms, "Adrian, I left this life a long time ago. I can't get mixed up in these kinds of things, not when I have my wife to take care of now."

"But you're the best man for the job. No one handles a Smith and Wesson better than you." Adrian pointed out.

"I'm not killing anyone and I'm not doing this for you." I said through clenched teeth.

Adrian raised a challenging eyebrow. "Really? Then why did you come back, Jack? No one forced you here."

"I'm not stupid." I rolled my eyes. "I know that you have eyes all over me. I came because I don't want Etta hurt or mixed up in any of this."

Adrian snapped his fingers at one of the men and they handed him a heavy, black gun. He passed it to me, the cold metal pressing into my palm. "You don't want your precious wife hurt? Then get the job done, Jack. We aren't asking you to kill anyone, you're just standing guard."

I closed my eyes, holding my breath and weighing my options. All I had to do was stand guard for one night. And then I could go home and try to get away from my family. Etta would never have to know. She would never find out. I could take her with me to another state or another country and we could start over, somewhere far away from all this. But I just had to do this one last job.

"When's it happening?" I asked.

Adrian smiled, "Tonight."

"Let's do it, then." I said, tucking the gun into my waistband. "I'd like to get home to my wife tonight."

...........................................

"You aren't to move from this spot, unless one of those guys gets away. Understood?" Adrian asked, eyeing both me and my other brother, James. "If they get loose, do whatever it takes to catch them."

James and I nodded, our hands resting by our guns as we stood in front of the pub.  Adrian turned on his heel and marched inside with two other men. James leaned against the brick building, sighing. "I never thought I would see you here again.  What brought you back?"

I shook my head at him, "I'm leaving after this. I'm not staying."

James studied me for a long moment, before shrugging, "I always thought you were the odd one out.  You never did like any of this mob business. You're too soft."

I held my tongue against his insults.  I wasn't here to talk to my family or make amends.  I was just doing my job to protect Etta. 

It was deathly quiet outside for at least half an hour, the only sound coming from the inside of the pub where the music was blaring in the basement.  And then the doors burst open and three men went racing down the street. I had barely shared a glance with James when we took off after them, firing shots. 

They split off down different streets, and I chased after the shorter, pudgy looking man.  I didn't have a plan for when I stopped him. I couldn't kill him. I could maybe hold him off until Adrian and James showed up, but I couldn't go through with killing him. 

I finally had him cornered in an alley when I finally got the chance to catch my breath, "Look I'm not looking for trouble-"

My words were cut off at the sound of a gunshot. But the gunshot wasn't from my gun. The man I had been chasing held a gun in his hand, and he was smiling at me maliciously.  "I'm not either." He said tucking the gun into his coat before racing off.

I looked down at my chest and saw a spot of red blooming there. I gasped quietly in surprise at the sight of it.  And then I felt the searing pain climbing it's way up my chest and I keeled over, clutching the wound in hopes of stopping the blood.  The crimson red dripped over my fingers and onto the ground. I waited for so long for someone to come and find me, for Adrian or James to show up and get help or to help me get back to the apartment.  But no one did. The streets were quiet but for the light pitter patter of rain on the sidewalks.  And that's the place where I took my last breath.

A/N

I know I haven't updated in forever, but I've been trying to work out the best ending for this story. It's time to finally come to an end with it, and I wanted it to be just right with the perfect amount of plot twist.

I'll probably write 2 or 3 more chapters before I finally call it a day and end this book. Thank you so much for all of you that have been reading every single time I post! I do pay attention and I see everyone who's voting and commenting and being amazingly supportive. So thank you!

As Always
Stay Awesome Possums
Rosanna 🌸🌺🌵