_cjma Mafia Story

Chapter 9: Like Father, Like Son

I'm Chrystiane's father. 

You could tell from the smile. Even before he said anything, he had the same suave demeanour as his son. The nurse shook his hand, "how did you know he'd be here?" she asks.

The man smiled, "we got a call from his friend saying he was headed here. I'm assuming this is the girl who brought him in?" he turns to look at you. 

Had it been any other day, you probably would've been intimidated, probably scared out of your mind, but you couldn't even focus on the fact that this was CJ's father. Someone called them. Only Paolo knew where we were. He's okay. You sigh in relief, and turn your attention back to the conversation happening in front of you. 

"Where did you find him, girl?" he asks. "I've never seen you in his group before so you're obviously new."

You try to explain the situation as best as possible. How Paolo had taken you to the docks, how you spotted the blood. You leave out CJ's late night texts though, you feel maybe he wouldn't want his father to know about that part. "Is Paolo ok?" you finally ask after detailing the events.

The father nods and the elderly man sitting at the chair finally speaks up. "He was badly beaten up, but he's a strong boy. I had my men pick him up and send him home."

So he wasn't too badly injured then, hopefully. You thank the man for the information. The two men get up and usher the nurse outside, probably to talk about details, police involvement, etc... You turn your gaze to CJ, who was still unconscious in the bed. You pull up a chair and sit next to his bedside, gently caressing his hand. "Can you hear me, CJ?" you whisper. No response. Obviously, he's still recovering. You want to punch him, scream at him for being so stupid. I mean, now's the time, he won't know and you can release all your emotions.

"What the hell were you thinking?! Even if there wasn't an ambush, what the hell were you doing in the shipping yard? I don't know what you guys were doing, but, it scares me." you feel tears welling up as a knot forms in your throat. "CJ, I can't explain just how scared I was yesterday. I drove a bike for the first time and it was with a practically dead body behind me. Do you know how that feels?" you sob, thinking of his cold body pressed against you on the bike. 

"You better not die, because I want to kill you when you wake up, and I'm not letting some stupid gunshot wound beat me to it." You ramble on about ways to torture him, describing every feeling you'd ever felt since that first day. Suddenly, you're aware that his hand had been holding yours for some time. How did his hand move when he's unconscious?

"CJ, can you hear me? I swear to the gods, if you've been awake this entire time, I actually will do those things I described." You notice a small crack of a smile. "CJ! What the hell!" You punch him.

"Ow." he mumbles faintly, as his eyes open slightly. "Don't you know I'm an injured soldier? I need to rest." he says, as his smile widens. 

You'd been holding in most of your tears, but seeing him so weak, yet still smiling, you burst. You felt like the Niagara Falls, you were crying so much. CJ's hand tightened around yours. He couldn't say much but just that gesture was enough. I'm here for you, it said, and it's okay to be scared. 

"What the hell were you doing at the docks, CJ? Paolo wont tell me but you have to. And why did that person call you the leader?" You feel like you can finally ask someone all the questions that have been piling up in your head. For a while, CJ tries to avoid the questions, saying he's tired, he'll tell you another time, but you keep pressing. I need to know. 

"Y/N..." he finally says. "I know you've probably heard of the talks. Everyone wonders what my father does and all that." 

Your heart races, what is he going to say?