American Dynasty

T H I R T Y

Flynn shook his head, trying to clear the fog from his mind. He kept seeing Stella's eyes: wide, brown and full of tears. I never want to see her cry ever again. But he knew that would never be possible. It killed him a little inside to know that fact. 

When Stella had left the table Flynn had wanted nothing more than to get up as well, take her into his arms and take her far away from there. Far away from Joe, Beppe and Giovanni. And far away from that little runt Dante. But he had to stay and play dinner guest without arousing suspicion from the other men. He had to watch as Stella walked away from him, her eyes full of revulsion. Flynn could practically hear his heart shattering into a million pieces. 

He lit a cigarette, his hands shaking so much he almost dropped it. He strolled along the road, replaying his conversation with Stella over and over again in his head. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't even notice a sleek car pulling up beside him. Joe Masseria peered out the window at him. "Need a ride?" 

Flynn raised an eyebrow. "Caveat?" 

Joe's beady eyes sparkled with mischief and malice. "We've got something to take care of, you and I. It's time." 

Flynn tried to ignore his racing heart as he dropped his unfinished cigarette on the ground and put it out underneath his shoe. "Already, huh?"

"I don't want to wait any longer. We've got plenty of gangs on our side and the longer D'Aquila lives the longer he's the biggest threat to me. Remember what he did to your boy, Seamus." 

Flynn felt the blood in his veins boil. "Alright." He hopped into the car and Joe immediately sped off down the street. Only now did Flynn notice the three other cars following behind them. He bit back the disappointment in himself that he hadn't been more observant. "What was that all about? At dinner I mean," Flynn ventured, glancing at Joe out of the corner of his eye. 

Joe chuckled lightly but Flynn noted that his grip tightened on the steering wheel. "Just a little test for Beppe. And for Stella." 

Flynn shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "What does Beppe's daughter have to do with this? She's just a silly society girl." 

"She'll be marrying Dante Costanzo, who will be taking over Giovanni's business in the future. I want to know where she stands and how much she knows. And boy," Joe looked over at Flynn as he came to a stop in front of a dingy hotel, "don't underestimate that girl. She's a sharp one and she wouldn't mind getting her hands a little dirty. She's someone you'll want to have on your side." 

Flynn wanted to say that he didn't underestimate her and he knew just how smart she actually was, but all he could focus on was what Joe said about her and Dante. "What makes you so sure Stella and Dante are going to be married?" He asked curtly. He knew he was being reckless, being selfish; but he couldn't help himself. 

Joe shrugged. "They've known each other forever and I think Marcella and Luciana always had plans to marry the two of them. It's been in the cards the whole time." Joe glanced over at Flynn curiously. "Why are you suddenly so concerned about Italian marriages?" 

"Just wondering," Flynn muttered "She just doesn't seem like the type to be involved in this life." 

"This life takes anyone it wants, Flynn. I'm sure when you were a little rogue running around in diapers no one thought you would be snapping necks and running one of the biggest crime operations in New York." Joe opened the door and stepped out onto the street, frowning as he looked around. "Where are the others?" 

Flynn was immediately on high alert, scanning the streets. There was no sign of the two other cars who had been following behind them only moments ago. "Get down," he hissed, slowly opening his door and crawling out of the vehicle.