She Belongs To Him

Chap. 45: Turn Around (pt.1)

• black fence around Sisters of St. Abernathy's Home For Troubled Girls •

Four days had passed since Lane stormed Lakefront Roadhouse Bar, that morning he got a call from Lebedev. The Russian needed to meet with his superior to talk business and though the Russian did not verbally tell Lane that he had information, there was something in his voice that made the blue eyed man understand the purpose of their meeting.

Lebedev told the crime lord to meet him at the abandoned old laundry mat that used to be called Shelly's. So that morning, Lane had showered for the first time in four days. He changed his clothes into black pants and a dark grey hoodie, his white sneakers he rarely wore. Lane tucked into his brown coat.

It hadn't rained for three days and the sun had partially come out, but not enough to warm the valley. Axel drove Lane to the dark side of Pinewood, parking on the side the street a block away from Shelly's due to the lack of open spots on the road. Also, Lane had time considering his thirty minute early arrival. The gang was allowed to stay home and rest while Lane was out.

As the two men wait for Lebedev's signature vehicle to pull up, they patiently wait for time to pass. Axel looks in the rear view mirror at Lane. The crime lord's eyes have dark bags under them from the lack of sleep and his skin is paler. Katie's death had drained the life from Lane.

"Boss?" Axel asks, "Can I ask you a question?"

"You just did. Twice." Lane says with annoyance, his eyes staring out the window. "Go ahead, Axel. Might as well."

"When you need to go somewhere, you always ask me to take you." Axel points out, "Though I'm flattered, I don't understand why."

Lane rolls his eyes tiredly. "What's your question? Spit it out."

"Why do you always want me to drive you places?" Axel asks curiously, "I don't mean to sound ungrateful or disrespectful-"

"Because I trust you." Lane continues to stare out the window at the street. "There's a lot of people in this business that I don't trust. You always do as I say without question or hesitation and you're an honest man. Much more than I can say about myself."

Axel nods slowly, remaining silent. Lane slouches, taking a heavy breath in and out. He wipes his freshly shaven face with his hand, feeling the small stubble he didn't get under his chin. He silently grumbles at this.

In the side mirror on the passenger side of the black Cadillac, Lane spots a small group of school girls in their blue uniforms with a nun. The crime lord suddenly remembers when he was young, how he would have picked up one of those girls with the most attractive figure before having her spread her legs for him the backseat of his father's car while they listened to the radio. He purses his lips at his past regrets.

Suddenly, as the group of school girls begin to pass by the black Cadillac, something shiny blinds Lane's eyes. He holds his hand up to shield his eyes, his brows narrowed.

"The fuck was that..." Lane lowers his hand to see what had shined in his eyes, blinding him.

Slowly trailing behind the group of girls is a tall read head who slouches. Beside her is a wavy haired girl with golden hair that goes to her shoulders. It shines in the sunlight. Lane's heart skips a beat, his mind racing. His eyes widen. A voice inside him whispers to his heart and brain.