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"Renzo's been faithful to you." I'm not close with the guy but he serves Vaughn without question. Never heard him complain. He's wrapped up in the life of a made man, but I've spent hours talking to him. He's focused on growing his empire and gaining clout with Vaughn.
Could I kill Renzo? If I do, I'll spend my life planning, executing, and covering up more crimes to stay in his good graces and to keep Mila in my life. Running drugs and roughing up some crooked businessmen to collect money is one thing. Cold-blooded murder is another. Is that what I want for myself and for her? Am I willing to compromise my morals farther than I already have to stay close to Mila? If I do it, can I trust Vaughn won't turn on me himself?
As if he reads my thoughts on my face, he says, "Foster, once you're family, you'll have our protection. We'll work it out with the police and the judges. We'll make sure no one touches you."
I pull my eyes away from his pointed gaze and take a step to the door. He's going to make sure I get away with it?
"I need you to do this, Foster. It's important. Would be good for your father too. The old man? Wouldn't want anything to happen to him."
Oh now he's done it. I rush back to him and get in his face. "Stay the fuck away from him." He's the only family I have. Vaughn knows this, and he's using it against me. God, what an asshole. It's much worse than I thought. Mila is in way too deep in this shit and now I am too.
I turn my back on him to pick up my gun and walk out. I know he won't shoot me from behind. He needs me too much. For now, he won't kill me. A week from now? I have no doubt he would.
Chapter 19 Foster Twist
Henry's attention immediately turns to me as I stand frozen in the foyer of my apartment. The adrenaline zinging through my veins makes it hard to focus, but all scenarios lead to one conclusion.
I have to do what Vaughn asked or he'll have me killed.
"What's going on, Foster?" He props his elbow on the arm of the chair and shifts uncomfortably until he's facing me. "What the hell happened to your face?"
"I have no choice but to kill him." My voice feels like it's coming from someone else's body. This can't be happening to me.
"What are you talking about? Come sit down."
I walk to him in a daze and pull him close for a hug. "I love you, Henry. You've been a good father. I love you so much, but you have to leave. Call your son to come get you right now."
His weak hand pushes me away from my vice-like embrace. "Tell me what's going on."
"Vaughn Bianchi ordered me to kill Renzo or he'll kill me."
A deep groove forms in his brow. "How the hell did you get wrapped up in that?"
I stare at him.
"Oh that's right. Anything for your Mila."
I take a seat on the couch next to his chair. Our check-in positions. This may be the last check-in I ever have with Henry. I'm sitting here stunned, wondering how I got to this point. How did I let my obsession with this girl get so far, and how could she be so completely stuck in the situation she's in?
"I have to decide. Do it or give my life. He said he'll come for you too. We have to get you out of here."
He scratches his head and makes humming noises like his brain is working on it.
Finally, he looks at me again. "Are those the only two options?"
"I don't see another way out."
"Why not take Mila and run? Get the hell out of here and away from her father." His voice takes on the old Malibu Elvis swagger, and the corner of his mouth turns down.
"I'm not the guy who runs from a fight. I run into it."
He shrugs. "I did it with Sherry. We took off and hid in our cabin for a week. Everyone went crazy looking for us. I didn't feel any shame at all. Was laughing at those fools we duped."
I hadn't considered the option to run, but now it's churning in my head. "Your cabin?"
"Out in the California redwoods. I still have it. Keep the utilities running. Rent it out in the spring. I'll never sell that cabin."
"We hide there?"
