Torn
2
The sun beat down warmly on the streets of Long Beach, a litle way along the coast from Huntington. James Sullivan, or Jimmy as he was known to those closest to him, casually strolled along in the warm afternoon heat as he made his way towards his attorney's office. Today was the going to be a good day. It signified the end of a partnership, but for all the right reasons. Jimmy knew how important it was for his sister to have the freedom to be completely in charge of Mezmer, and he was proud to hand it over to her, knowing that she would continue to make it even more of a success than it already was. As Jimmy approached the ofice building, he pulled out a pack of Marlboro Red, inhaling on one deeply as he lit it. He rested his 6' 4" frame against the hard brickwork, watching the world go by from behind the dark cover of the sunglasses that shaded his pale blue eyes.
A little way in the distance, Jimmy spotted a black Hummer pull over. He studied it for a moment, and smiled as the occupier jumped out and headed his way. Matt Sanders was a menacing sight. At just over 6', and muscles that could put the fear of god into even the bravest of men, he was one of Jimmy's oldest friends, and a valuable cog in the well oiled machine that they called their business. Matt didn't always need weapons to get his point across, they were just an added bonus to him if they were necessary. In days gone by, he'd worked alongside Cassandra from time to time, they'd been quite a team. Since she'd distanced herself from that side of the business, Matt seemed to prefer to work alone, only ever calling for the assistance of one of the others if he felt the absolute need.
Matt grinned as he reached Jimmy, his eyes masked by the aviators that seemed to be a permanent feature on the young man. They shook hands.
"Shall we?" Matt suggested, nodding towards the door. Jimmy shook his head.
"We're waiting on Cassandra," he stated casually. "I'm handing over Mezmer to her as of today, that's why I called you in, witness paperwork and shit," Jimmy added.
"Fuck, she's been waiting for this day since before that place even opened, bet she's happy."
Jimmy cracked a smile.
"That would be one of the many emotions she's feeling right now. I think she's more looking forward to telling all of us to fuck off and do our business elsewhere."
Jimmy stubbed out the cigarette he'd been dragging on, looking up as the sound of Slipknot could be heard heading towards them. A silver Audi almost screeched to a halt near Matt's hummer.
"She really doesn't change does she?" Matt commented with a smirk as Cassandra made her way towards the two friends.
Jimmy enveloped his sister in a loving hug as she kissed his cheek. Cassandra glimpsed over her brother's shoulder, and smiled at Matt.
"Matthew, it's been a while," she stated happily.
"Cass," Matt greeted, holding the door to the offices open so they could make their way inside.
Cassandra sat watching as Jimmy signed the papers, taking a deep breath as he pushed them towards her across the desk. The pen in her hand shook slightly as she tried to calm herself as the excitement she'd been trying to contain bubbled within her. She quickly signed each copy with a flourish, before handing them back to Edward Dickinson, Jimmy's faithful attorney. The man had been a godsend over the years, and was the one man who always managed to keep her brother from a long stretch in jail. If anyone needed a miracle, Dickinson was the man to have on their side.
"And Mr.Sanders, if you could just sign here...and here...." Dickinson stated, indicating where Matt needed to add his signature "and that's it, all done. Congratulations Ms. Sullivan, Mezmer is all yours. And if you ever need any advice, you know where to come."
"Thank you Edward, I'd appreciate you staying on as attorney for the business if that's ok," Cassandra told him.
"I'd be delighted," he replied with a smile. The older gentleman glanced at his watch.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I have a meeting to get to. You can show yourselves out."
The three of them headed back out into the heat of the day, Cassandra instantly reaching in her purse for her cigarettes, letting out a contented sigh as she inhaled the first lug of nicotine filled euphoria.
"Who's up for a quick drink to celebrate?" Jimmy asked as he accepted a smoke from Cassandra. Matt shook his head.
"I can't, I have to head over to Santa Monica. I got a call from Sheena, she wants me to pick up the cct from the last few days, something's bugging her about some guy that's been coming in regularly."
Jimmy studied Matt silently for a moment. The strip clubs rarely had trouble, that was why they'd decided to use them as cover for everything else they did. Jimmy didn't like the fact that Sheena was getting worried.
"Ok, just call me later and let me know what's happening."
"Sure. I'll see you around Cass," Matt called out as he made his way back to the hummer. Jimmy turned to his sister. "I guess you have to get Emily from school."
Cassandra nodded.
"Yeah, but if you have time, why don't you come with me, join us for dinner. It's been a while since we did that." Jimmy smiled.
"Sounds great."
Sitting infront of her dresser, Cassandra brushed her damp hair, trying to rid it of knots from the shower she'd not long vacated. She smiled to herself as she heard the voices of Jimmy and Emily coming from her daughter's room as she was entertained by one of her uncle's amazing bedtime tales. Inspite of how much time Emily spent with Brian, there were times when Cassandra couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for denying her daughter the chance to have her father there every night. Cassandra sighed as she placed the brush down, and wandered through to Emily's room. She stayed in the doorway, not wanting to disturb Jimmy's story
"And then the handsome prince kissed the princess, and they lived happily ever after." Jimmy finished.
"Mommy used to be daddy's princess didn't she Uncle Jimmy," Cassandra closed her eyes at her daughter's words.
"She sure did munchkin, but sometimes princesses need to be on their own. It doesn't mean they don't love their prince, they just can't always live together."
"Hey pumpkin!" Cassandra called out as she stepped inside the room. Jimmy looked over his shoulder, the half smile on his lips letting her know that he knew she'd heard what had been said. Cassandra knelt down by the bed as Emily wrapped her small arms round her neck.
"You all ready to have sweet dreams now?" Cassandra murmured.
"Yes mommy, Uncle Jimmy's story made me sleepy," Emily whispered, trying to hide her yawn.
Cassandra held her daughter away from her, looking into eyes that were the same chocolate brown as her father's, only these ones sparkled in the way Brian's hadn't for so long. She kissed her daughter's nose and wished her goodnight, before joining Jimmy in the hallway. They descended down the long sweeping stairway in silence, Cassandra making for the kitchen to grab two beers. She found Jimmy out on the back porch, handing him one of the bottles as she joined him. Jimmy breathed out a stream of smoke, before looking over at where his sister sat sipping on her beer.
"I know, Cass." he stated. Cassandra continued to look up at the night sky.
"What do you know James?" she questioned, wondering just where the hell this way going.
"I know who's been keeping the other side of your bed warm recently."
Cassandra wasn't quite sure how to react to this information. There was every chance Jimmy could be trying to call her bluff, to see if he could try and find out whether she'd finally allowed someone into her life. But she knew her brother too well, when it came to her, he didn't play games.
"And just how do you know?" she asked quietly.
"I stopped by last Saturday, went to come round the back, and saw him leaving. And the way you were kissing him goodbye, it kind of said it all."
Jimmy took a swig of his beer.
"Why Cass? Why out of all the men in the world does it have to be him?"
"He fulfills a need," Cassandra stated, trying to keep her voice even.
"What do you mean he fulfills a need?" Cassandra laughed at her brother's question.
"James, I'm sure you really don't want your baby sister going into every delicious detail of what goes on in her bedroom.You know damn well what I mean."
"This will kill Brian when he finds out."
"And why would that be?" Cassandra enquired.
"You left him because of the life he leads, the job that he does and all that it entails. And now, you're making a fucking mockery of that by being with a man who's life is filled with the same things that you grew to despise! You're bringing a man into yours and Emily's lives that stands just as much chance of being ripped away from you the way Brian almost was."
"He is not in Emily's life, James, he's never here when she is. She only needs one father, and despite all he does, Brian happens to fill that role more than adequately.This is nothing compared to what I had with Brian, it's a good fuck a couple of nights a week, and that's all it ever will be."
Jimmy shook his head.
"Real nice Cassandra, you sound like some cheap whore."
"Get out."
"Cass..c'mon.."
"Now James."
Jimmy sighed, placing his bottle on the small table in front of them as he stood up. He stopped at the back door and looked at his sister once more.
"Just don't let yourself get in too deep," he murmured, before walking away.
Cassandra didn't look as he left, his words ringing in her ears. Even though she wouldn't admit to anyone, she had a feeling she already was.
A little way in the distance, Jimmy spotted a black Hummer pull over. He studied it for a moment, and smiled as the occupier jumped out and headed his way. Matt Sanders was a menacing sight. At just over 6', and muscles that could put the fear of god into even the bravest of men, he was one of Jimmy's oldest friends, and a valuable cog in the well oiled machine that they called their business. Matt didn't always need weapons to get his point across, they were just an added bonus to him if they were necessary. In days gone by, he'd worked alongside Cassandra from time to time, they'd been quite a team. Since she'd distanced herself from that side of the business, Matt seemed to prefer to work alone, only ever calling for the assistance of one of the others if he felt the absolute need.
Matt grinned as he reached Jimmy, his eyes masked by the aviators that seemed to be a permanent feature on the young man. They shook hands.
"Shall we?" Matt suggested, nodding towards the door. Jimmy shook his head.
"We're waiting on Cassandra," he stated casually. "I'm handing over Mezmer to her as of today, that's why I called you in, witness paperwork and shit," Jimmy added.
"Fuck, she's been waiting for this day since before that place even opened, bet she's happy."
Jimmy cracked a smile.
"That would be one of the many emotions she's feeling right now. I think she's more looking forward to telling all of us to fuck off and do our business elsewhere."
Jimmy stubbed out the cigarette he'd been dragging on, looking up as the sound of Slipknot could be heard heading towards them. A silver Audi almost screeched to a halt near Matt's hummer.
"She really doesn't change does she?" Matt commented with a smirk as Cassandra made her way towards the two friends.
Jimmy enveloped his sister in a loving hug as she kissed his cheek. Cassandra glimpsed over her brother's shoulder, and smiled at Matt.
"Matthew, it's been a while," she stated happily.
"Cass," Matt greeted, holding the door to the offices open so they could make their way inside.
Cassandra sat watching as Jimmy signed the papers, taking a deep breath as he pushed them towards her across the desk. The pen in her hand shook slightly as she tried to calm herself as the excitement she'd been trying to contain bubbled within her. She quickly signed each copy with a flourish, before handing them back to Edward Dickinson, Jimmy's faithful attorney. The man had been a godsend over the years, and was the one man who always managed to keep her brother from a long stretch in jail. If anyone needed a miracle, Dickinson was the man to have on their side.
"And Mr.Sanders, if you could just sign here...and here...." Dickinson stated, indicating where Matt needed to add his signature "and that's it, all done. Congratulations Ms. Sullivan, Mezmer is all yours. And if you ever need any advice, you know where to come."
"Thank you Edward, I'd appreciate you staying on as attorney for the business if that's ok," Cassandra told him.
"I'd be delighted," he replied with a smile. The older gentleman glanced at his watch.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I have a meeting to get to. You can show yourselves out."
The three of them headed back out into the heat of the day, Cassandra instantly reaching in her purse for her cigarettes, letting out a contented sigh as she inhaled the first lug of nicotine filled euphoria.
"Who's up for a quick drink to celebrate?" Jimmy asked as he accepted a smoke from Cassandra. Matt shook his head.
"I can't, I have to head over to Santa Monica. I got a call from Sheena, she wants me to pick up the cct from the last few days, something's bugging her about some guy that's been coming in regularly."
Jimmy studied Matt silently for a moment. The strip clubs rarely had trouble, that was why they'd decided to use them as cover for everything else they did. Jimmy didn't like the fact that Sheena was getting worried.
"Ok, just call me later and let me know what's happening."
"Sure. I'll see you around Cass," Matt called out as he made his way back to the hummer. Jimmy turned to his sister. "I guess you have to get Emily from school."
Cassandra nodded.
"Yeah, but if you have time, why don't you come with me, join us for dinner. It's been a while since we did that." Jimmy smiled.
"Sounds great."
Sitting infront of her dresser, Cassandra brushed her damp hair, trying to rid it of knots from the shower she'd not long vacated. She smiled to herself as she heard the voices of Jimmy and Emily coming from her daughter's room as she was entertained by one of her uncle's amazing bedtime tales. Inspite of how much time Emily spent with Brian, there were times when Cassandra couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for denying her daughter the chance to have her father there every night. Cassandra sighed as she placed the brush down, and wandered through to Emily's room. She stayed in the doorway, not wanting to disturb Jimmy's story
"And then the handsome prince kissed the princess, and they lived happily ever after." Jimmy finished.
"Mommy used to be daddy's princess didn't she Uncle Jimmy," Cassandra closed her eyes at her daughter's words.
"She sure did munchkin, but sometimes princesses need to be on their own. It doesn't mean they don't love their prince, they just can't always live together."
"Hey pumpkin!" Cassandra called out as she stepped inside the room. Jimmy looked over his shoulder, the half smile on his lips letting her know that he knew she'd heard what had been said. Cassandra knelt down by the bed as Emily wrapped her small arms round her neck.
"You all ready to have sweet dreams now?" Cassandra murmured.
"Yes mommy, Uncle Jimmy's story made me sleepy," Emily whispered, trying to hide her yawn.
Cassandra held her daughter away from her, looking into eyes that were the same chocolate brown as her father's, only these ones sparkled in the way Brian's hadn't for so long. She kissed her daughter's nose and wished her goodnight, before joining Jimmy in the hallway. They descended down the long sweeping stairway in silence, Cassandra making for the kitchen to grab two beers. She found Jimmy out on the back porch, handing him one of the bottles as she joined him. Jimmy breathed out a stream of smoke, before looking over at where his sister sat sipping on her beer.
"I know, Cass." he stated. Cassandra continued to look up at the night sky.
"What do you know James?" she questioned, wondering just where the hell this way going.
"I know who's been keeping the other side of your bed warm recently."
Cassandra wasn't quite sure how to react to this information. There was every chance Jimmy could be trying to call her bluff, to see if he could try and find out whether she'd finally allowed someone into her life. But she knew her brother too well, when it came to her, he didn't play games.
"And just how do you know?" she asked quietly.
"I stopped by last Saturday, went to come round the back, and saw him leaving. And the way you were kissing him goodbye, it kind of said it all."
Jimmy took a swig of his beer.
"Why Cass? Why out of all the men in the world does it have to be him?"
"He fulfills a need," Cassandra stated, trying to keep her voice even.
"What do you mean he fulfills a need?" Cassandra laughed at her brother's question.
"James, I'm sure you really don't want your baby sister going into every delicious detail of what goes on in her bedroom.You know damn well what I mean."
"This will kill Brian when he finds out."
"And why would that be?" Cassandra enquired.
"You left him because of the life he leads, the job that he does and all that it entails. And now, you're making a fucking mockery of that by being with a man who's life is filled with the same things that you grew to despise! You're bringing a man into yours and Emily's lives that stands just as much chance of being ripped away from you the way Brian almost was."
"He is not in Emily's life, James, he's never here when she is. She only needs one father, and despite all he does, Brian happens to fill that role more than adequately.This is nothing compared to what I had with Brian, it's a good fuck a couple of nights a week, and that's all it ever will be."
Jimmy shook his head.
"Real nice Cassandra, you sound like some cheap whore."
"Get out."
"Cass..c'mon.."
"Now James."
Jimmy sighed, placing his bottle on the small table in front of them as he stood up. He stopped at the back door and looked at his sister once more.
"Just don't let yourself get in too deep," he murmured, before walking away.
Cassandra didn't look as he left, his words ringing in her ears. Even though she wouldn't admit to anyone, she had a feeling she already was.
8/5/13