Chapter 4

“Are you okay?” Rino asked, his voice rough but caring as he approached.

Brian nodded, trying to catch his breath. “Thanks,” he said, his words barely there.

Rino slapped him on the back. “No problem.” His tone was protective. It made Brian feel safe.

“You need to come back inside. And you need to tell me what’s going on.”

Brian nodded again. His legs felt weak as they walked back to the restaurant.

The warmth of the pizzeria welcomed him. It was a sharp contrast to the cold air outside.

Conita had already called the police. They arrived quickly, lights flashing and sirens blaring.

As the officers flooded the parking lot, Detective Yumi stepped out of her cruiser. Her eyes quickly scanned the area, landing on Brian. She was small in stature but carried herself with authority. She pulled her black hair tightly back, her stern expression warning others not to cross her.

Brian felt a strange sense of déjà vu. He remembered her from the station. Her sharp mind and no-nonsense attitude were hard to forget. Seeing her now jolted him back to reality. His father’s case remained unsolved, and he had new enemies to think about.

Detective Yumi took in the scene. She nodded at Rino, who briefed her on the situation. Her gaze was cool and professional. Yet Brian noticed a flicker of concern in her eyes as they rested on him.

“Come with me,” she said. Her voice was firm but gentle.

She led him to a quieter corner of the restaurant. The noise from outside faded as the door closed behind them.

Brian quickly recounted his encounter with the two men. His words rushed out. Yumi listened intently, her gaze steady. She took notes in a small notepad, her pen flying across the page.

“What did they look like?” she asked.

Brian described the two men in detail. He could still feel the tension from the parking lot.

Yumi nodded, her eyes locked on his. “I’ll check for any known associates of your father,” she said, her pen still poised. “But we need to be careful. This may have something to do with his case.”

Her words hit him hard. “What do you mean?” he asked, his voice trembling.

Yumi’s eyes were steady. “Your father had enemies,” she said. “If they know you’re looking into his death, they might see you as a threat.”

His heart raced. Fear wrapped around him like a tight coil. “What should I do?” he whispered.

“Right now,” Detective Yumi replied, her tone serious, “you need to stay low. Keep your family safe. If you discover anything new, call me directly.”

She wrote her personal number on a napkin and slid it across the table.

“I’ll talk to Detective Harold,” she continued. “He can help arrange some protection for you and your family.”

Brian nodded. He felt the weight of Yumi’s words settle in his chest. Laura and Emma were in danger.

As Yumi stood to leave, her hand rested briefly on his shoulder. It was a comforting touch. “I’ll be in touch,” she said. “And remember, if you need anything, don’t hesitate to call.”

Brian nodded again. His throat tightened with unspoken gratitude. “Thank you,” he murmured. His voice was barely audible over the rumble of patrol cars outside.

Detective Yumi offered a small smile. Her eyes softened slightly. “Don’t mention it,” she replied, squeezing his shoulder. “Just keep your eyes open and stay safe.”

When she stepped out into the night, her voice drifted back to him. “We’ll ensure patrols monitor Tello’s and your beach house,” she called over her shoulder. “If those guys come back, we’ll be ready.”

Brian watched her go. Relief washed over him, but anxiety lingered.

Brian turned back to Rino and Conita, who stood at the counter. Their faces showed worry.

“Thank you,” he said, his voice heavy. “I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

A lump formed in his throat. Their warmth felt so different from the chill he had faced with the man holding the gun.

“I’m sorry for bringing trouble here,” he added, his voice rough. Brian could see their concern. He felt guilty, but also grateful.

Conita waved her hand. “Nonsense,” she said, her voice strong. “You are part of our Tello family now. We look out for each other.”

Rino’s chest puffed up a bit. He kept his gaze on Brian. “I take care of my customers. They are like our extended family,” he said, his Italian accent thick as pasta sauce.

“Thank you,” Brian said, his eyes bright with gratitude. “I lost my father a few weeks ago.” His words carried a profound weight. “It feels like I’m fighting in the dark.”

Rino’s face turned serious. He understood. “I know what that’s like,” he replied softly. “But you’re not alone. Not anymore.”

Conita joined in, her tone warm. “You’re always welcome here at Tello’s. We’ll help you however we can.”

They talked for hours. The last customer had left. The neon sign flickered off.

Rino and Conita shared their stories. They recounted tales of hardship and sorrow. They came to America with nothing but their love and their recipes. They established Tello’s from the very beginning. Their tale was one of hard work and sacrifice. Brian listened closely.

“We had a good life in Sicily,” Rino said, staring into the distance. “But we wanted more, you know?”

Brian nodded. He understood that desire. He understood the desire to leave the past behind. The desire is to create something new. “Yeah,” he replied, glancing at the photograph of the couple. “I know what that’s like.”

Then Rino’s expression changed. It grew serious. “We’ve had our own battles,” he admitted, looking at Conita. “This place, it’s been our baby.”

Conita nodded. Her eyes were misty. “We dreamed of a big family,” she said softly. “But it wasn’t meant to be.”

“I grew up in New York,” Brian said, his eyes drifting into the past. “The city was loud and busy. I left my life there and moved here. But someone I don’t know follows me.”

Conita leaned in, her eyes full of understanding. “That sounds tough,” she replied softly.

Brian sighed deeply and pushed his chair back, feeling the ache from sitting too long. “I should go,” he said, regret heavy in his voice. “Thank you for everything.”

Conita nodded, concern in her eyes. “Be careful, okay?” she urged, holding his hands tightly.

Brian squeezed her hands. “I will,” he promised firmly. “Thank you both. For everything.”

He stepped out into the night. The cool air wrapped around him like a soothing blanket. The adrenaline from the battle had subsided, leaving him exhausted. He slid into his car. The leather seats felt cold against his skin.

For the next two days, life felt oddly normal. But Brian couldn’t shake the feeling of unease.

He was sure the men would come back. Their dark presence lingered in his thoughts, a constant reminder of the danger he had brought home. Every time his phone rang, his heart raced. Would it be Detective Yumi? Would she bring news that would destroy his calm?

But the calls never came.

The beach house stood quiet. The waves outside offered a gentle lullaby, but the silence felt heavy. It pressed down on him.

The next evening, his heart raced as he dialed Detective Yumi’s number. The sound of the ocean calmed him a little, but tension still gripped him.

“Brian?” Yumi’s voice broke through the night. It was a relief.

“Yeah, it’s me,” he said, scanning the horizon for any sign.

“I haven’t seen or heard from those guys since that night.”

“Good,” she replied briskly. “Patrols are watching your beach house and Tello’s. Nobody has reported anything unusual thus far.”

But Brian felt uneasy. “They’re still out there,” he said, his voice tense. “I can feel it.”

“We’re on it,” Yumi assured him. “We’re checking into any connections your father might have had that could lead us to them.”

He nodded, though she couldn’t see it. His eyes drifted over the dark waves. “Thanks,” he murmured. “I simply don’t want Laura and Emma to become entangled in this.”

Yumi paused. She said gently. “I understand. You want to protect them.”

Brian sighed.

The call ended. He stood there for a moment, phone still in hand.

The next evening, Brian felt the strong pull for distraction. He chose to head to the local pub, The Soggy Seagull. It was a place where he could blend in with strangers, even if just for a bit.

He pushed open the door and scanned the room. His eyes darted over the patrons. The dim lighting cast shadows that deceived him, transforming every shadowy figure into a potential threat.

His heart raced as he walked to the bar. He ordered a cold pint of the local brew. He looked around for the shady figures in black suits he had seen earlier. Instead, he found a group of teenagers partying.

For a moment, he tried to relax. The noise wrapped around him like a warm blanket. But the unease lingered, just below the surface. He took a sip of his drink and forced himself to breathe. Sometimes, a cold pint was all you needed to feel a little less lost.

He took a long sip of his beer. The bitter taste barely calmed his nerves. Around him, teenagers laughed and joked, carefree. Their joy only reminded him of his heavy burden—his father’s unsolved murder, the shadowy figures watching him, and the tangled feelings of a secret love triangle.

He envied their innocence. They didn’t see the threats lurking beyond the pub’s warm light.

After a few hours, he left some cash on the bar. He fought his way through the crowd. The music and laughter faded as he stepped outside in the cool night. The parking lot was mostly empty. Street lamps cast a yellow glow over a handful of cars.

As he walked toward his car, muffled cries and harsh laughter drifted from the shadows. His stomach churned. He couldn’t ignore it. He had faced similar situations before.

He quickened his pace. Turning the building’s corner, he spotted a small group of teens from the pub. They concentrated their attention on a girl, her back pressed against a car.

Eve.

Brian’s heart sank. She was Emma’s best friend, the young woman he had met just days before. Now, she was engulfed in a scene that stirred his emotions. A massive guy with an intimidating presence led a group of jocks around her. Their faces twisted in mockery under the sickly glow of the streetlights.

He felt a surge of anger. He had to act.

Eve’s eyes were wide with fear. Her face flushed, and she struggled to push them away.

Sonny, the ringleader, wore a cruel smirk. His handsome face twisted into a mask of malice. Beside him, Amanda stood with her arms folded. Her eyes gleamed with a sadistic glee as she watched the scene unfold.

Without hesitation, Brian marched toward them. Brian clenched his fists at his sides. The jocks didn’t notice him at first. They were too engrossed in their cruel game.

But then they turned to face him. Their expressions shifted from amusement to annoyance.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Brian’s voice was low and dangerous, cutting through the still night air.

Sonny’s smirk widened. He looked Brian up and down, his gaze dripping with mockery. “What’s it to you?” he shot back. His tone was thick with entitlement. “This is between us and the freak.”

Brian’s vision blurred. Rage surged through him. He took in the scene, heart pounding. Without thinking, he lunged at Sonny. His fist connected with Sonny’s jaw with a bone-crunching punch. Sonny stumbled backward, shock on his face.

The other jocks stepped back, their smirks wiped away. “You’re a dead man,” Sonny snarled, blood and teeth spilling from his mouth. But before he could strike back, another figure rushed in.

Lucy, Eve’s sister, sprinted toward them. Fury flashed in her eyes. “Leave her alone!” she shouted, her voice fierce. It was a command that shook the very air.

The jocks saw her determination. One of them reached out to grab her. But Lucy was faster. Her fist slammed into his gut like a piston.

The boy doubled over, grunting in pain. Lucy was far from finished. With a swift motion, she swung her leg. Her foot struck the side of his head, and he crashed to the ground.

The other jocks froze. Their earlier bravado vanished. Lucy spat, her voice steady. “Get the hell out of here. Or I’ll make you regret ever touching her.”

They didn’t hesitate. The teenager group turned and ran. Their laughter faded, replaced by the sound of hurried footsteps echoing in the lot.

Sonny picked himself up. He wiped blood from his mouth, his eyes narrowing. He felt the sting of humiliation and anger. The confrontation had shifted.

Sonny’s eyes jumped between Brian and Lucy. He seemed to weigh his options. Then, with a final sneer, he turned and staggered away, melting into the night.

Eve leaned against the car. Her legs trembled. The adrenaline was fading fast. “Thanks,” she whispered, her voice shaky. “I didn’t know what to do.”

“It’s okay,” Lucy replied softly. She wrapped an arm around her sister’s shoulders. “You’re safe now.”

Brian offered Eve a hand. She took it, her grip firm.

“You okay?” he asked, searching her eyes for any sign of distress.

Eve nodded. A small smile appeared on her lips. “I am now,” she said. Their eyes met. “Thank you.”

Lucy turned to Brian. Her face showed both anger and relief. “Thank you, Stranger,” she said.

Brian narrowed his eyes. “You’re welcome,” he replied, then turned to Eve. “But maybe you should introduce us properly.”

Eve smiled, her cheeks turning red under the streetlight. “Oh, right,” she said, her voice a bit shaky. “This is Lucy, my sister.”

“Nice to meet you, Lucy,” he said, trying to ease the tension. “And I’m Brian,” he said. His grip was firm and reassuring. “Emma’s brother.”

Lucy looked surprised. “Emma’s brother?” She narrowed her eyes. “You aren’t from around here, are you?”

Brian shook his head. “No,” he replied, his voice tight. “I’m new to town. I’m what you would call a long-lost brother.”

“A long-lost brother,” Lucy repeated, her gaze searching his. “What are the odds of that?”

Brian nodded and glanced between the sisters. “Why don’t you tell me what happened here?”

Eve looked down. “It’s those guys,” she said, her voice trembling. “They’ve always been after us at school, me and Emma.”

Lucy cut in, her tone sharp. “But they messed with the wrong girl tonight.”

Brian felt his jaw tighten. “What do you mean?”

Eve replied, “They’re just bullies.”

Lucy’s anger was clear. “I left Eve for just a second to find help with our car. It’s been acting strange all night.”

Brian’s mind raced. “How about I give you both a lift home?”

Eve looked at him, surprise and hope in her eyes. “Really?”