Kiss The Ring

Someone was at the fucking door.
Mikey half raised his head and opened an eye. Whoever it was, they weren’t gonna go away that much was fairly obvious. James was still sleeping, a pillow half over his face. Mikey grinned at the memory of that particular little game and stood up, reaching for his jeans. Claire had said she was coming by maybe she had left her key behind. Mikey was well aware that both he and James could be heavy sleepers and knocking politely wouldn’t get it done.
“Hang on, be right there.”
He noticed Gerard had gone and the main room was a mess of bottles and cold pizza. Steeling himself for the inevitable telling off that would be coming to him, Mikey opened the door. The smile died on his lips and he took a step back.
“Good morning Michael.”
Frank stepped in, closing the door behind him. Mikey could take a guess at what had happened, either Gerard had confessed or the boss had been watching. Neither scenario was good and Mikey wondered just how much Frank knew. The pale, hard look said enough to mean they were in very deep shit.
“Morning boss, a pleasure to see you.”
Frank gave Mikey a humourless smile and sat on the couch. The disarray of the room didn’t seem to bother him as he removed his gloves.
“Where’s James ?”
Mikey was about to call out as the young man appeared, still half asleep. James froze, seeing the Don here, in his place, looking almightily pissed was completely unexpected. He glanced at Mikey before Frank beckoned him over.
“Good morning James, come, sit with me.”
James complied, wary and nervous as Mikey pulled out one of the dining chairs and sat down. Frank let the silence hold for a minute before staring him in the face.
“Tell me what happened yesterday.”
Mikey considered for a second before answering carefully.
“We took care of the Russian. I know you wanted us to keep him out of it but Gerard wanted to help.”
Frank nodded, slipping an arm around James’ shoulder.
“Then ?”
“Back here, few drinks. What’s going on ? Is Gee ok ?”
A half smile lifted Frank’s face but the cold eyes remained.
“Gerard is fine, he just needed a reminder about who runs things around here.”
Mikey glanced at James, this was not good.
“I’m sorry boss, we shouldn’t have let him get involved.”
Frank chuckled before putting the cold, hard steel of a revolver up under James’ chin. Mikey started to sweat.
“You think I’m pissed about that. I couldn’t give a fuck about that. I have no problem with Gerard getting a little payback. Now, what happened last night and make it fucking quick.”
“We had some business to attend to, personal stuff. Gerard wanted to see. He didn’t touch the guy boss, I swear.”
Frank rested his face against the young man, knowing he was fighting not to show fear.
“So you made him an accessory to murder ? Anyone could have seen you, my people saw you. Everything riding on Gerard being fucking clean and you take him to one of your massacre parties ?”
James had started running through half forgotten prayers in his head. Damn the Way brothers for this, both of them were to blame. Mikey had gone an interesting shade of milk white and was struggling for words that might save them both.
“I’m sorry boss. Please, really sorry. We didn’t think.”
Frank released James before standing up and walking over to Mikey. Most of the time he liked the guy, well as much as it was possible to like a twisted fuck anyway. He dealt Mikey a hard backhand blow that drew blood before looking back at James.
“I should fucking kill you both. Gee was shot in the head, you know that can have consequences and you should have told me not let him go on the rampage.”
Both men were silent as Frank looked at them, he was still in two minds but they were good at what they did and Gerard had already begged him to spare his brothers life. Frank had been forced to administer some firm discipline to the bitch and he was pretty sure Gerard would not forget it in a hurry.
“I’ll spare you. This time. But you go over there and make sure there is nothing left to tie you to the scene. Then you move into the compound as you clearly cannot be trusted out of my sight.”
Mikey pouted, about to protest before seeing the desperate look James sent his way. Both murmured their apologies and were about to get yelled at again when the front door opened. Claire appeared, loaded down with shopping and not in the position to see the confrontation in the living room.
“Hi guys, sorry I’m late traffic was a nightmare.”
The smile died on her face at the sight of Mikey and James looking scared sick at the immaculately dressed young man in front of them. Frank stared, he had heard them mention her but had no idea what a pretty young woman she was. Immediately the practised charm was turned on.
“Well hello. You must be Claire. I’m Frank Iero.”
Claire was a little disbelieving that the cute, rather short man before her was the famous Frank. The Frank that even Mikey was scared off. Something had happened obviously but she couldn’t help but blush at the sweet smile coming her way. Frank turned back to Mikey and James, his temper having subsided a little.
“Gerard has a big speech on Saturday night and then I’m throwing him a party. So get decent tuxedos and show up at eight sharp. The press know he has a brother now and you are gonna play the role how I want, right ?”
Mikey nodded.
“Yes boss.”
Frank turned back to Claire. He wanted to get to know her better, an instant attraction having sprung up between them. The obvious idea came into his head.
“Would you come too ? I can send a couple of designers over, find you the perfect dress.”
He kissed her hand, Mikey and James exchanging puzzled looks behind him as she giggled.
“I’d love to. Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
He turned back to look at the boys, the cold smirk returning.
“Remember this. No second chances.”
Frank winked at Claire and left, the door closing softly behind him as Mikey and James took ragged breaths. Claire turned back to them, a weary smile on her face.
“Ok, what the fuck did you do this time ?”

Notes