Kiss From a Rose

[SugarSpiceAndLace]

Kiss From a Rose (closed for Nevyn_Black)

Closed for Nevyn_Black.

Rose

The chilly ocean air crept into the car even with the heater blasting on high. Rose moved her hand over the vent to try to absorb some of its warmth. It’d been so long since she’d been back here; she’d forgotten how cold winters on the island could be. Which was exactly why the streets were so empty, because no one was crazy enough to vacation at the beach in twenty-something degree temperatures. Luckily for her, Rose wasn’t here for a vacation.

The last time she’d been down these dreary, deserted streets she’d been just nine years old and it had been at the height of the 4th of July craziness. Tourists had packed into rental houses, spilling out onto the streets, carrying their beach gear and sparklers while slathered in sunscreen. The sounds of summer could be heard anywhere on the island and the sun wouldn’t dare hide behind a stray raincloud. Rose had been a local back then, living on the island year round, but she loved summertime and the excitement that it brought with it more than any other season. Nothing could beat a summer at the shore, with Springsteen declaring that he’d been born in the USA blasting through open windows and the smell of fresh pizza in the air.

Almost twenty years later and Rose could barely remember her way around, dependent on her GPS to get her to her destination. When she finally found where she was going she parked across the street and stared at the two-story, unassuming red brick building. Its sign should’ve read “DiDonato’s,” as it had twenty years ago, but instead simply read “CJ’s” now. She could feel her heart beating in her chest, drumming away like it was trying to escape through her ribs. This was a stupid plan, she acknowledged to herself, but it was the only one she had. She owed it to herself and, more importantly, to her family, to see this through. She’d either avenge them or she’d die trying.

As she climbed out of her beat-up Chevy, adjusting her too-short skirt and pushup bra, she went through the mantra that’d been on repeat inside her brain for the last couple hours. “They can’t know who you are,” she started, her quiet words swept away by the cold wind coming in across the ocean. “It’s doubtful anyone of importance will even be here,” she ticked each point off as she’d done a million times so far. “Gina will be here and has everything set up for you. Mostly they work off the island now. And it’ll be a while before you have to deal with him.” Her breath caught on the last point, the biggest downfall to her plan.

Logan had been eleven to her nine years old the last time they’d seen each other and she really doubted that he’d remember her at this point, but if anyone here could figure out who she really was it would be him. For this to succeed he’d have to believe that she was what she claimed to be… a down-on-her luck friend of Gina’s who was relocating to get out of a bad relationship. Luckily she had time before she’d have to pass that particular test; CJ’s might be part of his territory but according to Gina he only popped in on the last Monday of the month during the off-season. She should have at least two weeks to get herself ready.

Wrapping her hand around the cold metal of the door pull, she took one final steadying breath before stepping into the lion’s den. From this moment on she’d have to rely on every instinct she had to keep her alive, because if anyone ever discovered who she really was she might as well just dig herself a grave right next to the rest of her family.

CJ’s was a typical, completely forgettable small town establishment. The wooden, circular bar sat in the center of a dark room, its leather-covered barstools scattered around it with tables and chairs positioned along the sides of the room. The lights were kept low to hide the grime of years worth of beer not being mopped up properly, but none of the patrons seemed to mind. They weren’t here for the décor after all.

Just one of many like it, CJ’s was part of the Russo family holdings. The bar was a front to help cover the illegal activity the Russos and their cronies had their hands on. At one time it, and the empire it hid, belonged to Rose’s father’s family. That was before, though, back when Rose was a princess of a kingdom waiting to be claimed by her, back when her parents were still alive and summers were magical.

She stood quietly in the dark of the entranceway as she assessed the handful of customers scattered around, finding none of them to be an immediate threat. So far so good, she thought to herself as she looked around for her last attachment to a life she no longer recognized. Just then, Gina came walking out of the kitchen carrying a tray of wings to a table off in the corner. Seeing her, Rose stepped out of the darkness and towards her second cousin on her mother’s side, happier to see Gina’s familiar face than she wanted to admit to herself. That is until Gina turned and caught sight of her, her widening eyes the only indication Rose had that something was wrong.

Every instinct flared into overdrive as Rose scanned the bar again, trying to determine what was wrong. She knew she wouldn’t be able to simply ask Gina, not without risking everything, so it was up to her to determine if she should duck back out the front door, and quickly, before things were set into motion that she couldn’t undo. She saw nothing, though, and so she decided to stay. Whatever it was, she’d deal with it.

“Rose,” Gina called as she made her way over to her. “I’m so happy to see you,” she said, but Rose recognized the look of sheer panic on her face as she was pulled into a tight hug. “He’s here,” the words were whispered right next to her ear, so low that if she hadn’t been tuned in with so much focus she would’ve missed them. Rose’s body tensed up as she knew who “he” was, and it took everything inside of her to not yank out of Gina’s embrace and turn around and walk back out the door.

He wasn’t supposed to be here for another two weeks! Everything she had done to prepare for this could all be undone before she’d even fully made it inside the building. A shiver went through her body as for the first time terror enveloped her and she realized exactly how stupid she’d been. Not only was she putting herself in danger with this venture, she was putting Gina’s life at risk too.

She had placed a large sum of money into an account for Gina, to try to circumvent the risk and assuage some of her guilt - enough so that Gina could flee and start a new life if this went wrong - but she wasn’t expecting it to go wrong so damn quickly.

“Is this the friend you told me about, Gina?” a low, silky voice asked from behind them, and suddenly fleeing was no longer an option… either she would pass this test or she’d forfeit her life. With one last shaky breath, Rose pulled out of Gina’s tight embrace and stared back at the boy who had once saved her life before becoming her worst enemy.

 

[Deleted member 1306910]

Once, Logan had been a rather quiet, intelligent young man. He liked learning and enjoyed reading a good book. He might even have been called a nerd by some, though he was just as talented with athletic pursuits. That was before.

Logan was nothing if not a dutiful son. He led the family as he was asked, taking on the image and the role that had been demanded of him. His once unkempt dark hair was now neatly styled, his glasses replaced by contacts. He wore tailored, somber clothes now, always formal. Black slacks, white dress shirt, black jacket. This was his uniform.

Duty was an iron chain that bound a man. Family was the most precious obligation, that which had to be protected, sacrificed for. These were the laws Logan lived by. These were the burdens he carried. Most people would have called him cold. He could even be accused of ruthlessness. But in the end everything he did, was for family. As his father had demanded of him.

He sighed and counted the cash in the envelope that Gina has passed him on arrival, one more time. Always check twice and be certain of your count. Never assume anything, even with family. He heard voices from the dining room, and peeked to see Gina hugging someone.

Pocketing the money, Logan stood from the desk and walked from the back office, habitually glancing to every side, checking for threats and exits. He wore no weapon when out on these runs, he kept his pistol in the car. If he needed a gun here, it was already too late. Plus, he really didn't need one. He was the weapon, the gun was just backup. He ambled into the main room and eyed the two women. “Is this the friend you told me about, Gina?”

 

[SugarSpiceAndLace]

First I wanted to say thank you to everyone who has reached out with positive feedback about the story so far! Thank you, it's definitely been appreciated!!

Rose

“Is this the friend you told me about, Gina?”

For one fragile moment Rose thought she might do something stupid like pass out or throw up. Instead she managed to squeeze Gina's arm tight to help hide her reaction, before turning to him with what she hoped was a curious look on her face. Play dumb, she reminded herself, knowing she couldn't show any recognition.

And there was recognition somehow. True, the man standing in front of her was much different than the boy she was friends with as a child - Logan at eleven was lean and lanky, too awkward in his already very tall frame and far too shy to command a room. Logan at twenty-one was almost strikingly handsome, with piercing blue eyes that seemed to take in everything around him down to the most minute detail. His frame leaned more towards lithe than muscular, but there was no mistaking the power hidden beneath that tailored suit. This man was used to ruling the kingdom around him completely and would do anything in his power to protect that kingdom, even, Rose knew, dispense of her if she got in his way.

"Logan, this is my friend, Rose," Gina said, giving Rose a few precious seconds to collect herself.

They had decided that it was safer if they introduced Rose as a friend instead of Gina's cousin. Though their family connection wasn't known - Gina's mom's family had moved to Idaho when her mom was still a kid and hadn't often come back to visit - they didn't want to take any chances. As it was, they had debated over what to do about Rose's identity. She'd already been given a new one once - her mom's brother had purchased new identities for both Rose and her mom after her dad had been killed and they’d had to flee. To make it easier on her, her uncle had changed hers from Rosalinda to Rose. It hadn't been a nickname anyone had ever used with her as a child, and her last name was completely different now, but she still worried it was similar enough to trigger something for Logan. In the end, though, they had decided that creating a whole new identity would be dangerous in and of itself. Better to go with the name that had a history attached to it than risk creating a whole new persona.

"Rose," Gina continued, "this is Logan. I told you about him, he's the one offering you this job."

"Thank you so much!" Rose gushed, playing the part of the damsel in distress even though she hated it. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you giving me this chance.”

“It’s a bad time of year for it,” he warned. “In the summer you’ll make great tips but right now the island is quiet. We’ll make sure you take home enough to pay your bills, but if you’re looking to make some quick money this job isn’t it.”

He watched for her reaction, and it felt to Rose like he was trying to get a read on why she was there. Why she was really there, that is. Did he not believe Gina, not think he’d been given the whole story, or did he just distrust everyone? Rose wasn’t sure which it was but her instincts told her he was withholding judgment on her.

“That’s fine,” she responded. “I’m looking for a little quiet right now anyway.”

He stood staring at Rose for an uncomfortable amount of time while she fought the urge to fidget. She was determined that he wouldn’t read her in any way unless she wanted him to, which meant being conscious of movements and reactions that would normally be unconscious for her. If she wanted a chance at revenge though she needed to be focused around him and the rest of his family 100% of the time. There was no room for mistakes.

Just when she started to worry that he’d seen through the deception somehow, he gave a quick nod. “Gina will show you around for a bit then you can start training with her tomorrow. Next week you can go on the schedule by yourself.” And without waiting for a response he turned and headed towards a door at the back of the bar.

 

[Deleted member 1306910]

Logan

Walking back to the office, Logan couldnt shake the feeling of...something about the new girl. She was cute, no denying that. But she wasn't lush, walking sex like Martina. He shook his head and concentrated on paperwork for the next hour, enjoying the mundanity of it. The ink on the page comforted him.

Until Paulie called. Logan sighed even as he answered, knowing something had gone wrong. "Yes?"

"So, yeah, boss, there's been a incident."

Logan pinched the bridge of his nose and gritted his teeth. "Precisely how do you define, an 'incident', Paulie?"

"Well, ya see, me and Joey Migs was shakin down ole Mister Clark for his months dues and the ole man got smart wit us, so Joey popped im one. Only the old man aint so spry no more and Joey broke his nose. Da old man's wife called da Sheriff. We're all out at da house now, talkin it over and Sheriff Mike says you betta bit over here. Sorry boss."

Logan had to put the phone down to keep from shouting. He took a couple of deep breaths and got back on.

"Paulie, if you move from that spot, you wont need to worry about Sheriff Mike. I'll be there in about 12 minutes. Do. Nothing. Until I get there, I want you to stare at your shoes and only speak when spoken to."

Logan calmly pocketed his phone and took the keys to his car from the desk drawer. He passed the girls and tersely spoke to Gina on the way out.

"I've got something I need to take care of. Do not expect me back tonight, go ahead and lock up."

He stormed out, ready to break noses of his own.