Chapter Seventy Two

Stephen

I was on the phone with the man who had a major hand in shaping my life. The question that had been haunting me since my wife returned home yesterday, her memory restored, was finally out in the open. I could feel my anger rising, an anger I’d promised my wife I’d keep under control. An anger I’d sworn would never resurface.

But here I was, on the brink of breaking that promise, waiting for this jerk to answer the question that would gnaw at me until I had an answer. I felt my wife’s hand slip into mine, holding it tight. When I glanced at her, I knew what she was doing. She knew exactly what I needed.

Stephen - Cat got your tongue? You were pretty smug when you were intimidating my wife, but now that you’re facing me, you seem to have lost your nerve.

Walis - You must think I’m an idiot to go through all this and then just give you what you want. You really brought this on yourself, Mr. Gotti.

Stephen - So you’re saying an eight-year-old kid, whose life you controlled, brought this on himself?

Walis - No, not that. If you had just stuck to the script, Mr. Gotti, we wouldn’t be in this situation now.

Stephen - You mean continue to feed your corruption?

Walis - Corruption, resourcefulness, call it what you want.

Stephen - You know I’m going to destroy you, right?

Walis - You just threatened the Chief of Police. I could make your life a lot harder than it already is.

Stephen - As if you haven’t already?

Walis - Come on, Stephen. I know you’re not that stupid. How many times over the years could I have arrested you?

Stephen - But you didn’t because you would have lost your extra income.

Walis - And how do you show your gratitude? You still think like a teenager and choose your own needs over your business.

Stephen - Don’t talk about my wife like that. You want a war, I’ll give you a war. I’m going to destroy you. Don’t mistake my words, I will end you.

I hung up the phone while everyone sat there, staring at me. It was Benji who finally broke the silence.

Benji - You okay?

Stephen - I’m fine.

Trinity - No, you’re not.

Stephen - I’m fine.

Trinity - Stephen.

Stephen - Doll, please.

Benji - Mate, I’m worried about you. I know you like to handle your own stuff. But this is bigger than you, Stephen. It’s bigger than all of us in this room. We have to do this right.

Lachie - Would you guys mind if I took Stephen out for a bit? I think we need to talk.

Everyone nodded, and as I stood up with Lachie, I felt my wife grab my hand.

Trinity - Can we just have a minute, guys?

Arlo - I’ll get back to the office and keep working on these cases. Call me if you need anything.

Stephen - Thanks, Arlo.

Benji - I’ll go check on your little ones. I’ll wait with Trinity until you guys get back.

Stephen - Thanks, bro.

Lachie and Benji headed into the living room with the kids while my wife took my hand and led me out back. Once we were outside, my wife stopped and turned to me, taking my hands in hers. I felt her thumb trace over my wedding ring. When she looked up at me, we took a moment to really look at each other. The emotional toll of years of drama, leading us to this moment, all culminated in that phone call with Walis.

Trinity - I know you need to do this.

Stephen - I do, doll. I really do.

Trinity - And I won’t stop you.

Stephen - You won’t?

Trinity - All this can’t be for nothing, baby.

Stephen - I need to end this, and I need to end it now. It’s consumed my life, your life, all our lives for so long. It’s nearly ruined us to the point where I thought I’d lost you forever. I have to stand up and be your husband, your protector, your lover, my kids’ father. I have to fight for our family.

Trinity - Stephen, you’re already our king. We’re only as strong as we are because we’re together. Apart, we’re nothing. Let me build you up like you’ve always done for me. I’ll support and love you through this, but all I ask in return is one promise.

Stephen - Anything. You know I’d give you anything you need, baby.

Trinity - Come home. Come home safely to me, to our children, to us.

Stephen - You and I, Trinity, we’re forever. I’ll never leave you.

Trinity - I love you, Stephen. So much.

Stephen - Baby, I sold my soul to you a long time ago, and I have no intention of asking for it back. I love you.

I pulled my wife into my arms, staring deeply into her eyes. I brushed her hair back from her face, my fingers skimming her skin as I pulled her closer.

Stephen - Kiss me.

She stood on her tiptoes as I bent down. The moment her lips, which had taken my breath away time and time again, touched mine, we became one.

Everything I’ve ever wanted is in this woman. Everything I do from here on out will be for her and the family she’s given me. My second chance at the life I always wanted.

As I slowly pulled away and looked down at her beautiful face, I gave her one more gentle kiss on the nose.

Stephen - Wait for me?

Trinity - For an eternity. Don’t be long, okay? We miss you when you’re gone.

Stephen - I’ll be home before you can miss me. I promise.

I took my wife’s hand as we walked back inside, and I gave her one last kiss.

Stephen - Daddy will be back soon, okay, pea pods? I need to go talk with Lachie for a bit. Look after Momma bear and beat up Uncle Benji for me, okay?

Nate - Yes, Daddy.

Livy - Love you, Daddy.

Stephen - And I love you all. Thanks, Benj. We won’t be long.

He nodded, and I headed out with Lachie. Once we got in the car and drove off, I wasn’t sure what he had in mind. But he soon pulled up at a little coffee cart in the park. He ordered a coffee for each of us, and we sat down.

Lachie - Tell me what you’re thinking.

Stephen - I’m all in with this, Lachie. It needs to end, for my family’s sake.

Lachie - I need to ask you something, and I need you to be completely honest with me.

I nodded.

Lachie - What if you don’t get all the answers you’re looking for? Can you still move on?

Stephen - What are you getting at?

Lachie - We’ve been dealing with police corruption for a long time. From what I’ve seen, Walis won’t talk. He won’t give you the answers you want because the moment he does, he’s admitting his guilt. He won’t do that. Can you move on knowing that we might bring them down and your family will be safe, but you might never get the answers you want?

I can see Lachie studying me as I mull over his words. I know he’s right, but I also know where I stand in my life now and what’s most important to me.

Stephen - I’ve lived without these answers for over a third of my life. What matters more to me now is the safety of my wife, my children, and the rest of my family. Clint, Mia, Willie and Maddie, Dave, Felicity and Belle, Luke and Todd who were unfairly dragged into this, Benji and Maddie who have already been through so much. All I need is for you to keep them safe and I’m with you. We will end this.

Lachie - Good man.

Lachie and I spend another hour discussing the situation before he drives me back to pick up Benji.

Stephen - Lachie, can you let my wife know I’ll be just a minute? I need to call Clint and let him know what’s going on. I don’t want my kids to overhear this, especially when the twins are at an age where they pick up on everything.

Lachie - Of course, mate. No problem.

He heads inside and once I see the door close, I walk back over to his car and lean against it while I pull out my phone. After a few minutes, I hear the voice I’ve been waiting for on the other end of the line.

Walis - So, you took my hint and took it well. Shall we talk now that we’re alone?

Stephen - I didn’t take a hint. I’ve dealt with your corrupt force long enough to know exactly what you were up to. What do you want?

Walis - DuSable Harbour tonight. Just you and me, Mr. Gotti. No one else.

Stephen - 1am. DuSable Harbour. See you there, Chief Walis.