The Wicked End

“So Frank, what are our plans for the upcoming financial quarter ?”
“If your wife and mine have anything to do with it we need to purchase Italy by the end of the month. Can’t keep up with the overwhelming need for…..shoes.”
Frank leant back in the plush comfort of a chair in the Oval Office and took a drag his cigarette before winking at his best friend sitting behind the desk. President Toro returned the smirk, allowing himself a moment of simple pride at how far they had now come. A second term had been hard won but fairly, Frank had diplomatically kept out of the campaign and contented himself with supplying the funds necessary. Ray had achieved this on his own, finding that a career germinated in the organised crime business translated well into politics.
Approval ratings were high, the economy weathering global conditions fairly well and even the fact that the country was now embroiled in a minor war in the Middle East had not dented his appeal. Ray had ensured that Frank supplied all the major arms contracts to the military at a healthy kick back and both men were now rich beyond even their wildest dreams.
“As much as I like to please Sharon and Claire I really can’t invade another country.”
“Damn, just have to keep paying those credit card bills then.”
Frank knew there wasn’t a better man to have running the country, slightly crooked or not. Ray had the quality of loyalty that so few had and it was something that he had always admired. Frank himself remained loyal only to his family, the rest of the rat politicians that Ray had to work with were not to be trusted and he kept tabs on them all. The rumour mill still ran wild and the occasional appearance of Gerard Way and his younger brother in Washington only served to keep the whispers circulating. The charming face of Frank’s family and the patient enforcer made people incredibly nervous.
Gerard himself never wavered, the bullet to his brain now only troubled him occasionally in the form of violent migraines and controlled acts of rage that Mikey had long since learned to see coming. He remained Frank’s lover, confidante and willing bitch, handling the negotiations with both legitimate contacts and the underground network of Mafioso that still called to kiss Frank’s hand. His confidence had grown and he was now a formidable ally and a feared opponent just as his little brother had always been.
Frank had channelled the younger Way a little differently. Neither Mikey or James was interested in the intricate details of management or politics although both were highly intelligent. They enjoyed the sweet kick of violence and fear that came from working on the ground, handling disputes among the captains of the street quarters and looking after the businesses that brought in the money from drugs and prostitution. Like all businessmen during a depressed period in the economy. Frank had diversified and now owned several fronted businesses that he left to his boys to patrol. James in particular enjoyed handling the informants and inside dealers in the city police forces that ensured his boss remained unseen.
“Seriously though, we could lose money on that deal to China. Fucking shits undercut us again and some of those weapons are definitely not ours.”
Frank nodded slowly, making a mental note to ask Gee to arrange a meeting with his Asian contacts.
“Counterfeit foreign crap is not a problem in itself. I don’t want it to interfere with the global deal with Europe. I’ll get Gee on it.”
“How is he ?”
“Well enough, keep telling him we should dig that metal out his skull but he’s a stubborn bitch.”
Ray sniggered quietly and kept his eyes averted from his secretary’s ass in the tightest skirt as she brought him in yet more papers to sign. Frank gave her his best smile, wondering idly if Ray was fucking her as the woman bustled out of the room again. Nothing in the rules said you couldn’t enjoy the perks of office but somehow he couldn’t see it. Ray remained in love with his Sharon in the sweetest of ways that Frank had never considered. He remained grateful that Claire had never asked him to be exclusive.
“I should be getting back, got the boys stopping by in the morning to go over revenue and any removals that may be required.”
Frank stood, slipping easily into the charming public face that so disarmed people. Ray had never got used to this ability, he had seen Frank covered in blood that was both his own and other peoples and yet within the hour he had been greeting diplomats in the best suit money could by. He was half tempted to ask him to be his ambassador to the Vatican the disguise was that good.
“I’m leaving for Europe at the end of the week, sure you don’t want to come ?”
The shorter man grinned.
“Invasion of Italy was nixed remember ? Besides I make your Foreign Secretary nervous.”
“Only because Mikey threatened to castrate him.”
“He smacked James on the ass. Men have died for that….”
Ray laughed, pulling Frank into a tight embrace. Part of him missed the chaos and violence that had come with working for his friend. Being the leader of the free world just didn’t compare to negotiating for black market arms and the risks of getting killed were only marginally lower in his current role. Maybe once this second term was done he could go back to just being a hood same as before. Of course Frank was bound to have eyes on a replacement, forever one to see the long game and play the odds.
Frank was outside before his phone started to buzz in the pocket of his greatcoat. The armed guards and staff were used to seeing the foremost businessman in the country striding around the White House like he owned the place and made sure not to meet his eyes. The man had enemies but none had dared to get close enough to be in the direct firing line, too many foolhardy souls had disappeared before ever finding anything concrete.
“Frank Iero, you were due home three hours ago.”
“Ray’s a politician now, he would send me to jail if I didn’t listen to his problems.”
Claire’s giggle tightened his groin enough for Frank to draw breath. He had married her the year after Ray got elected and never regretted it for a second. She managed his life in a way that enabled him to sleep at night, a constant friend as well as his lover and often Gerard’s . Whatever jealousy had been there at the beginning was now a distant memory. He guarded her, adored her and coveted every second of her company. Which meant these trips to the capital were almost a torture.
“I’ll catch the next flight, be home by the morning.”
“Screw you Iero, I’ll just get Gee to wear the maids outfit without you then.”
“Damn…..send me the photos.”
Another line buzzed, drowning out her reply and Frank quickly checked the number before smiling slightly.
“Can I call you back ? Mikes is on the other line.”
“Fine, call me when you board.”
Frank nodded to the limo driver, slipping into the expensive car before answering his other call. To his surprise the quiet voice on the other end of the line didn’t belong to the younger Way but to his lover. James hated the phone, would avoid it unless absolutely necessary so Frank was immediately on guard.
“Hey boss, got a slight issue down here.”
“You okay ? Mikey ? Gee ?”
“We’re fine but one of the doormen at the club got taken out last night.”
Frank frowned, shit happened but it didn’t explain the call.
“So ?”
“Left the door with a woman and turned up stabbed through the heart with a single blow. Perp left Mikey a message in blood on the wall.”
Frank looked out the window at the streets rushing past searching his brain for a reference that was currently escaping him. There had been many times when they had been called to deal with personal attacks but this one made him nervous for a reason that he couldn’t remember.
“What was the message ?”
“A bible reference.”
“Fucking shut the place and have the boys ready for when I get in. Last thing we need is attention.”
The call ended and Frank sat back to brood. He remembered now alright, a memory that stretched back a decade to when they had all been just starting out on the path that had made him Don. A memory that was still a cold sick feeling in the pit of his stomach and he felt something that he had long thought dead.
Fear.

Notes