Between Two New York Skies

The Bronx

 The Bronx was different from what Siobhan had imagined, the streets were quiet and there were almost no bystanders. The night was quiet and only the passing cars were making a ruckus. They passed luxurious apartments and lanes lined with luscious trees.

With much thought Al parked the car strategically by the corner of a building for a quick getaway just in case they were found. Surprisingly the apartment building that Nick had chosen for his hideout was normal and well-lit a contrast to what Siobhan had imagined, a dingy apartment that was not just roach-infested but had also rats in it.

They all climbed up to the third floor of the building and Al who seemingly knew his way around led them to one a very unsuspicious door and swung it open.

When he flicked the lights on, it revealed a very normal apartment that wasn't quite as spacious as Nick's mansion in the Hamptons but was cozy enough for at least four people to sleep in as it had two bedrooms. The rest of the apartment aside from the bathroom was an open area which meant that the kitchen and the receiving area were just one space.

"Al make sure you lock the door." Nick instructed him, shrugging off his coat and flinging it on the sofa.

Al nodded and not only double-locked it, but triple-locked the front door. He turned back to his boss waiting for more orders while Nick settled comfortably on the sofa.

"Call the department, and talk to the chief. Ask 'em how much Piero's paying them and double it. We need to get rid of 'em just enough for me to deal with Piero." Nick explained waving a hand on a telephone that was sitting one the kitchen counter.

Al understood and made his way hastily to the phone and soon enough he was starting the negotiations, quite loudly too while he flung his arms wildly all over the place as if the man he was talking to could see him.

"Do we have to stay here?" Siobhan asked. She was still standing by the doorway and was now watching Nick light up a cigarette from his coat pocket. The cool night air soon enough smelled of bitter cigarette smoke.

"Just for the night." Nick replied gesturing for her to take a seat next to him.

She did, but she remained quite reserved around him, wringing her hands together, unsure of what may happen next.

Nick took a long puff from his cigarette making the butt momentarily light up a bright orange before blowing out the smoke from both of his nose and mouth tilting his head back to let it drift up in the air.

He caught Siobhan watching him and offered one to her while the cigarette dangled between his lips, "Care to join me, sugar?"

Siobhan shook her face not trying to hide her disgusted face, "I don't smoke," She explained and added with a sidelong glance, "And I hate it when people smoke."

Hearing her dismayed statement, Nick burst out laughing in sheer amusement of this young lady, "I only smoke when I'm tense." He replied with a grin, and extinguished the cigarette that had only half remained on a tin ashtray sitting at the coffee table in front of him, "See? I'm not tense anymore." He held up both of his hands to show that his hands were already empty.

He actually was not tense anymore, having Siobhan around him seem to make his burden less heavy and it was a refreshing feeling.

"Good." Siobhan nodded in approval.

"I'm heading out, Nick." Al spoke up from the kitchen counter, "I'm going to meet up with some of the boys tonight. The chief agreed and we're meeting up at the docks in two hours."

"Good," Nick nodded and started to stand up, "I'll come with you."

"No, it's fine. I got the boys with me, you stay here and take care of her–." Al motioned an uncertain hand towards Siobhan, "– I'll pick yous up in the mornin'."