Burning Cigarettes

I sat on the old rickety chair on the porch waiting for the approaching car to appear. My hands held the halfway-over book I had previously checked out at the library. I was trying to read but ultimately started picking out wood shavings from underneath my fingernail. I had obviously missed the pesky little things when scrubbing up in the shower. The realization made me nervous, what if I had missed something else? 

Before my nerves could drive me to turn around and take a whole new shower the headlights of a car turned down my street. It was still bright enough outside to not have any lights on but they appeared to not care. Once the car came close enough I could recognize it easily. 

Standing up I step inside and grab my keys- setting the book down on the counter. Before I walk out I check to make sure I have everything. Phone, gun, wallet, keys… I reach into my suit feeling for the small tin canister. There is no way in fucking hell I’m walking in and out of this completely sober.  Walking out of the house I lock the hellhole up behind me. The soft jingle of the keys rattles behind me as I tuck them away into my pocket. My eyes locked with the car now sitting right in front of the short picket fence. This was irritating, I knew walking into this that we aren’t going to come on unscathed. My anxiety wouldn’t allow me to believe the idea. So unlatching the small gate and opening the car door I’m greeted by a large cloud of cigarette smoke. 

Idiotically I breathe right as the smoke hit my face, causing my lungs to constrict and my body to shake as coughs tear through my form. My glaring pissed-off eyes meet with his flaming ones. Leaning down into the vehicle I grip the door, “What the fuck?” He crosses his leg over the other, holding the cigarette out to ash it. “I was just going to say that you looked rather dashing and yet you decide to spit such vulgar words in my presence. Such words could have you killed.” He speaks in sarcastic tones but I could hear the underlying threat as I climbed into the vehicle sitting opposite of him.

Shutting the door I try to turn away from wafting smoke filling the space again. I knew he was a smoker, you could smell it clinging to his clothes on occasion. Yet he never smoked around me, so this appearance was new. The sway of the car finally moving brought Lucio out of his thoughts. I felt his eyes burning my skin, unlike others it never made me mad though. It made me nervous, my skin prickling with a feeling I used to yearn for from another. Now that I discarded the want years later it finally comes back to bite me. My eyes meet his immediately as if he was waiting. 

We silently stare, the tension thickening between us. Before either of us can make a move to speak he rolls down the window. The air whipping past the vehicle drags out the thick smoke. Fresh air fills my lungs as I take a deep breath unknowingly not really breathing beforehand. “I thought you were a smoker?” He rolls the window back up, arching a perfectly groomed eyebrow. “No, I quit smoking a couple of years back. Realized it never helped.” 

He drops the cigarette butt into the ashtray. I couldn’t stand his gaze anymore as I tear away from it. “We’ll be there soon, so sit tight for now.” I could hear his clothing ruffle but didn’t dare look just in case of meeting his eyes again. The fire of hidden emotions left me lost and confused every time I looked at them.

"How long will this drag out?" I sign lazily, slurring my hands together. "It all depends. If some clients I've been looking forward to talking to show up you can safely assume at least a couple of hours. If not I'll make my appearance and we can leave. The boys can deal for themselves." He trails off in a deep voice. 

I take to looking out the window, the blurry trees fly past us. We were going unreasonably fast to be in town so I drew up the conclusion we were headed out. The soft hum of cars flying by with little 'whooshes' and 'huffs.' The wind whipping against the exterior lulled me out of reality and into a subconscious state of thought. I almost fell asleep as the car finally came to a slow, turning down a short driveway. My eyes snapped open looking over to Lucio but he didn't look up from his phone. I pull out my flask, taking a long-needed swig from the metal canister. 

Finally, Lucio looks up, throwing his eyebrows up once again in question. Tucking the flask away into my suit jacket's hidden pocket. "I'm not walking in and out of this completely sober, fuck that." I spot a small smirk grasping his face before turning back to the window. Catching sight of a beautiful white building with accents of sage green approaching. Slowly we pulled to a stop right in front of the building. The side Lucio is on leaned against where the unfractured paved concrete sidewalks lie. His door is abruptly opened by Charles, "Watch your step, Master Lucio." With a guiding hand, Lucio steps out, tucking his phone away. I step out on my own waving off Charles as I shut the door behind me. “You can leave for now Charles, It probably won’t end for a while.” Lucio’s annoyed voice drones out. 

“Thank you, sir.” I stick my hands in my pockets walking up to the building to get a closer inspection. The sound of a car door shutting and cars driving in and out come from behind but I tend to zone them out. The sun had almost fully set by now as beautiful purples and pink lights cast upon the building giving it a mystical look. 

Dragging my flask back out and taking a long swig I listen as Lucio approaches from my right. “You ready for this hellhole?” Finishing off the flask I frown, hiding it again. Glancing at the man I reply, “Ready as I’ll ever be.” We break apart, walking up the stairs, and head inside. I half expected the gala not to start until Lucio arrived, given that he was the host. Yet stepping inside the bright atmosphere people were already talking amongst themselves, sharing glasses of champagne, and even dancing. If I didn’t know any better I’d just assume this was a rich bastard's birthday or some shit. I gently tap on Lucio’s shoulder to gain his attention, “When will the food be served?” Looking down the man checked his watch before replying, “Should be in a little under an hour from now.” 

Dinner was practically the main event and it started in less than an hour? “Well didn’t you show up late?” I accused the man beside me, “What can I say, I hate these types of fucking events.” The redhead sneers before walking off, grabbing a glass of alcohol from a random caterer. I was alone, in a room full of strangers. I know a total of five people here and there were well over a hundred in this massive ballroom. My eyes scan for some sort of escape from the large crowd, a lookout spot, or something. It felt like striking gold when my eyes fell upon a staircase leading to a second floor. 

Tearing through the crowd with apologetic looks only gained me glares and groans of annoyance. Climbing the gorgeous staircase I grip the railing feeling my legs sting as the skin stretched taut. Reaching the top I’m glad to see not many people up here. My first plan is to check where Lucio could be from up here. It’ll be easier to keep watch from here.

He stood at the edge of the ballroom, shoulders squared as he leaned against a wall. I knew he most likely itched for a cigarette with his hidden hands, placed perfectly behind his back. The don, watching everything before him with passive eyes. Silently prowling as his eyes finally met mine. The maroon with hints of a dangerous bloodied red twinkle with mischievous intent. 

I glare, admittedly taking in his complexion even more. A harsh fresh-faced man with a sculpted chin and high cheekbones. A sharp crooked Roman nose most likely from breaking it, bushy eyebrows, with his long auburn hair with hints of orange pulled into a perfect bun. The suit he wears is an expensive, custom-fit, black four-piece suit with hints of deep reds. When our eyes lock again I notice him taking me in as well, with a soft blush I glare even harder but he only winks in reply. 

Once our eyes break apart I take in the glistening ballroom, my hands resting on the railing. The arch of the second floor wrapped around the back of the ballroom. Two large sets of rounded steps lead to the finished warm wooden floors. The closest half consists of tables with glittering glass plates and polished silverware. Fine handmade white tablecloths adore the tables' faces. 

White marble pillars stand at the sides of the large room. Massive glass chandeliers sparkle from above, gleaming in the lights they cause. Each little table along with its sets of plates, bowls, and silverware are candles each lit up beautifully. It felt like a wedding. 

"Would you like some champagne, sir?" I spun around at the sound of a man, he held out a platter of alcohol to me in one hand. Gratefully I grasp at the drink pulling it to my lips as the man walks away. My right hand grasps the railing as my left allows me to take a long sip of the beverage. Looking back at Lucio, I watch as he easily talks with others. He keeps a passive expression for the most part but plasters on a smile. From my experience with him I know damn well it's fake but from an outsider's perspective, you could never tell.

I want to leave but I know I can't, Lucio asked me to come and I abided by it. My eyes linger on the don's frame, ultimately relaxed whilst in a room full of murderers. Downing the rest of the champagne I start my walk, setting the glass on one of the platters as I go. The chatter of men and women alike fills the air with a hum. The energy of danger and suspicion as eyes unknowingly drift to me. I do a once-over of my navy blue suit, checking for any flaws rather quickly. My hands ultimately fidget as the burning gaze of others cast down on me. 

Stepping down the long staircase, my hands trail along the railing. I mentally shiver, keeping a placid face as my eyes travel about the room. The chatter doesn't stop but to those who look at my scars, they mumble amongst each other in whispered tones. Outwardly I project no weakness and make my way over to Lucio, his caporegimes are somewhere littered around but I couldn't bother to find them. 

Once in sight, the prickling feeling of his eyes force me to look away from others and back to him. The group of few people he talked to went quiet staring at me with confused glares. Standing taller I approach and stop at his side. A large arm is thrown over my shoulders as the man speaks, "This is one of my business associates, Noah. Noah, this is..." He trails off but I stop paying attention and only nod respectfully before I'm dragged off by his side. 

In a quick exchange, he removes his arm and signs to me fluently, "Don't trust anyone besides me and the boys. Nobody is our friend here." I nod once again in reply, grasping his arm to gain his attention we pause. "Do you still have your gun on you? I have a bad feeling about this place." He presses his hip to mine, the hard metal colliding between us as our guns meet. 

With a soft sigh of relief, I step away, "What's the plan?" He looks around out of the corner of his eye, giving the ballroom floor a once-over. "Head off and keep an eye out, I have a couple of deals to strike up before we can leave..."

......