Keeping the Family Business Alive [Bene and Daleeria]

[Bene]

After nearly two decades locked away, Gavin McGonigal was a free man. Originally serving a life sentence, he was able to get out early on good behavior. The state had deemed him "rehabilitated", whatever the fuck that meant, and set him free. It took Gavin about a month after to get his life on track. In that time he got a shitty job at a local distribution center: picking items and putting them into boxes to be shipped out. It was enough money to get him a shitty apartment downtown. Along with that came opening new bank accounts, registering for rewards cards at the supermarket, and learning how to survive in the new digital world he lived in. When he went to prison, cellphones were these big blocky things and now they had the internet on them? Fuck off. Through a program at the prison he got a free one, in order to stay in contact with his probation officer.

The apartment he landed was located downtown in a sketchy neighborhood, but it was cheap. It was on the third floor of a complex, but at least it was an end unit. Right away when you walked in the door, you were standing in the living room. The apartment was decorated like he time traveled back to the 70's, with stained orange carpets and peeling wallpaper. There were two bedrooms, each with the orange carpets, and one bathroom all located in one hallway off of the living room. Attached to the living room was a small kitchen with laminate floors, and laminate countertops. The appliances were the newest thing in there, but still at least 10 years old. But as a convict, it was hard to get anything nicer. At least the state picked up some of the costs.

A few weeks had past now since he moved in and he had more furniture; a couch and television in the living room, decent bed in his room, and futon in his guest room. Not that he had ever had guests to begin with. It was hard to make friends when all you do is work and go then go home. At least it was an honest life. After the life he lived prior to prison, it was a nice change of pace. No more selling drugs on the streets, or people showing up to his house with guns. In truth, Gavin had changed a bit while locked up.

That will happen after spending 17 years locked away for a crime didn't technically commit.

Sure he did some shady shit, but his younger brother was real mastermind of their operation. Louie McGonigal was at the head of a large operation; selling drugs, guns, and even people to whoever would buy. The police couldn't do much to catch him, especially with some of them lining their pockets with his money. The two brothers had it all: fame, women, and a stupid amount of money. But alas, all good things must come to an end. A new police commissioner took over, and cleaned house. This had the police hot on the brother's tails and one of them had to take the fall for everything. That was Gavin. Louie promised him that if he took the fall for everything he'd bail him out after a year. 17 years later and Gavin had never even heard so much as a peep from him. At first he vowed to kill the fucker if he ever saw him again, but now that he was free Gavin let it go. There was no need to get involved with that lifestyle anymore. From here on out, Gavin was going to live an honest life for himself.

---

Tonight was like most; Gavin had gotten work a few hours ago and was now lounging on his couch watching television. He hadn't bothered to change out of his work uniform, a dark blue set of coveralls with a white tanktop underneath. The overalls were unzipped halfway and his feet were up on the coffee table. Since getting out he grew his beard out, which now had gray hairs mixed in with the blonde of its natural colors. The hair on the top of his head was buzzed, and had a grayish tint to it. From working out every day, he was in great shape for his age. Tattoos covered his muscular arms and and touched the side of his neck. Gavin certainly looked someone who had just spent so long locked away.

Gavin was just about to head to bed when suddenly a headline on the news caught his eye:

ARRESTED: After 20+ Years, Court Finally Convicts Louie McGonigal

Gavin nearly spit his beer out and reached for the remote to turn the TV up.

"...news out of city court today as longtime criminal Louie McGonigal was finally sentenced to three consecutive life sentences in state penitentiary. McGonigal was convicted for several crimes including the sale of illegal substances, weapons, and human trafficking. McGonigal was also found guilty for the murders of at least three people, and is suspect in numerous other murder cases. This comes just one month after his brother Gavin was released on good behavior. For this story and more, tune into the 11 o'clock news." the young woman on TV reported.

All he could do was let out a content chuckle as the processed the news. Serves that fucker right.

Suddenly, as if predetermined by fate, a knock on his door drew his attention from the television.

 

[Daleeria]

Lana Rockwell stared up at the shitty apartment building with the CPS officer gripping her arm a little too hard like the man thought that this was a bad idea. Her other options were worse. She had no clue who the man in this apartment was- up until today she hadn't know her father still had any living relatives. Her mother was still unfindable according to the authorities, but even if they had found Reina Rockwell, she was probably so drugged out she wouldn't remember she gave birth seventeen years ago.

Fate hadn't been kind of late to the 5'2" with dark chocolate waves of hair running down her back and skin that was a much different shade than her fair skinned Irish father.

For years she had run the streets of Los Angeles with no fear of any retribution for her crimes. The daughter of one of the most powerful drug lords in the Central Business District, she had been raised in the lap of luxury. Designer clothes, private schools, huge house with butlers and housekeepers to care for her... Doted on as her father's soul heir... And he was very much intending his baby girl to follow in his footsteps; certainly this would be achieved through marriage of course, a strong man to stand beside her was crucial in this man's world. Fast cars, all the coke and weed she could deal and partake in... Already she was desperately missing her Bugatti Veyron and the 240 mph she could hit on a straight stretch of coast driving north to hit the better beaches with her best friends.

Now she had no home, very little money... Even her car had been seized when the feds had raided the house, put her father in cuffs in the middle of a business dinner, and had hauled her off to CPS to be put into the system to find any living relatives capable of putting a roof over her head. That's what had lead her to this side of town four days after her father's arrest. The only person in the world that was able to keep her out of group homes.

"What if he says he won't take care of me?" even with the situation, she still had some brass balls that the officer had to admit was probably the only thing that would keep her going come hell or high water.

"Then you go to a foster home for the next couple of years, or end up on the streets."

Lana looked back at the deteriorating building, the shady looking people hanging on the corners around them... It was just a different level of Game, the same bullshit she had grown up with, just in a poorer sector of the city. Too bad her father's black book was hidden with little idea on her part where he could have possibly put it.

The officer and she walked up to the third floor and to the end of a hall, her duffle bag full of clothes over his shoulder as he led her to the apartment of the Uncle she didn't know she had.

"Mister McGonigal? I'm Harold Jones from the Los Angeles Child Protective Services. If I may have a moment of your time?" The large officer introduced himself to the man that popped into view from the doorway. "Your brother was recently arrested leaving behind a daughter with no where else to go. You're the only family she has."

Eyes of such a dark shade of brown they were nearly black peered up at him curiously, taking in his muscles and ink. Something she had in common with him; her arms were covered with Catholic religious symbolism, a staple in the community she had grown up in. It didn't match with the short tube dress and three inch heels; she looked nothing more than an expensive hooker.

"Lana Rockwell..." she announced her name to him promptly, clearly sizing him up like any cartel or mafiosa's daughter would a potential employee or body guard.

 

[Bene]

Gavin slowly got up from his couch and shuffled over to the door. To his surprise an office and some girl were standing there. The girl was dressed like a hooker, and a very unpleasant look upon her face. He eyed the officer as he spoke, then shifted his gaze to the girl as she introduced herself.

Rockwell? That was the last of that girl Louie was seeing back in the day. Was this?

A small chuckle escaped his lips as he eyed her. "So old Louie knocked that broad up all those years ago, and now I have to take care of his kid?" he asked the officer. That was just like his brother. Leaving him problems to take care of. The girl looked less pleased than him about all this. From how she was dressed and those tattoos it seemed that she definitely took after her father. That meant she was trouble. And his probation officer was very clear about avoiding trouble. But this girl was family, and that still meant something to Gavin.

"Yes sir. Are you prepared to assume responsibility for the health and well being of this girl?" the officer asked.

"Hmm..." Gavin replied, scratching his bearded chin. "Sure thing. Do I get any sorta compensation for the brat? Guessing her mother isn't gonna pay me child support, but how old Louie? Then again you guys probably took all his money."

"Well there are certain state programs you could use for assistance. I understand you recently were released from prison. This sort of familial help looks good on parole boards." the office said with a wink. Clearly this guy didn't want to deal with her either.

"Fine. I'll take her. But if I change my mind you guys better take her back." he said.

"Very well, just sign here." the officer said and handed him a clipboard. On it was a few documents for legal reasons. Gavin signed each one, surprised by how little paperwork it took for him to take her. Once it was settled the officer turned to Lana and then to Gavin. "You behave now. Give us a call if ya need anything." the officer said. Then took off with a very telling speed.

Now that they were alone Gavin stepped aside to let her in.

"Come in and set your shit down. We got some catching up to do. Niece."

 

[Daleeria]

Lana was equally surprised it was so easy to sign off and ditch her for the officer. The whole signing took ten minutes tops, with the officer explaining a few things. No mentions of home checks or anything of the sort. She was curious that Gavin brought up her mother.

Reina Rockwell hadn't been much more than an eighteen year old escort when Louie had found her. Easy to fuck and keep loyal when he had her fix on hand at all times. A beautiful Puerto Rican trophy ride or die bitch as crazy as he, only far more dependent on the coke and heroin than the slightly older guy. He would never marry her. But in a turn of events he had gotten her pregnant. She cleaned up for the baby, as hard as it was. A little pink bundle of joy that ruined her life when the epidural failed and hit a nerve, leaving her in excruciating pain that no amount of weed, H or oxy coynd alleviate. By the time Lana had turned a year old, Louie had dropped Reina's ass out on a reservation for rehab, and she never came back afterwards. Louie often promised Lana that Reina loved her, but it was healthier if she never came back. "Sometimes we kill the things we love the most. I would have been the death of her. Just accept she loves you enough to let go."

That was hard to hear when you were nine years old.

The brown skinned beauty set her duffle bag on the floor next to the door, half ready to make a run for it if she needed to. Be ready to bolt at any moment, her best survival tactic for the moment.

"Uncle Gavin huh? Didn't even realize daddy had any family left alive. As far as I was raise everyone's dead..." Lana was blunt. Running on adrenaline, two hours of sleep in the last forty eight, and a granola bar from the morning before... She wasn't in any shape to be making greetings or nicesities with strange men who were reportedly her uncles...

The only reason she hadn't flipped out a switch blade to cut and run was the simple fact the fucking pigs had took all her fear. She felt naked, and for the first time, standing in that crummy kitchen alone with an ex-con about a foot taller and far stronger that she... She actually felt the pang of fear. An emotion she was not familiar with. As hard as she tried to keep her mask of privileged bitch up, her exhaustion let slip for a moment and for thirty seconds she was just a tired teenager who had lost everything in a matter of days and not the badass gangster bitch she pretended to be.

 

[Bene]

“…and I didn’t realize my younger brother raised a whore. But then again you probably take more after your mother. That is unless… you’re here cause dear old daddy didn’t want you to get caught up in all this. No… that doesn’t seem right either.” Gavin paused to scratch his chin a moment. He was toying with her; of course he knew why she was here. “Regardless you’re my problem now it seems. I have not the faintest clue how to raise a kid; but you’re not much of a kid it looks like either. So the million dollar question would be what to do with you.” he said and gave her another look over.

This girl, his niece, was trouble. No doubt grew up living off of daddy’s riches. This hole she found herself in now was probably driving her crazy. Gavin had the made the choice to live an honest life now that he was out of prison, and he wasn’t about to let this girl ruin that. Last thing he wanted was to go back. But she was technically family, so against his better judgment he decided to take her in.

With a sigh he spoke again.

“Look, I’m sure you’re just as thrilled about this as me. Let’s just try and get along. But we need some ground rules. Or rather just one rule: no shady shit. I’m not gonna jeopardize my parole because you wanna be like daddy. You’re gonna get a regular job and help out with bills around here. Do that and we’ll be square. Sound good?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.

This was a drag. But Gavin still had a heart. He just hoped that he wouldn’t come to regret this whole arrangement.

“Ya hungry? There’s some leftover pizza in the fridge you can heat up. Grab me a beer if you get some too.” he said before plopping back down on his couch once more. As if nothing had happened at all.

 

[Daleeria]

Lana stared up at the man and rolled her eyes like a typical teenager. "Trust me, if there was anyone else Dad hadn't cut out a long time ago or that they could have found, we wouldn't be having this conversation..." she snipped a bit, irritated by the way he talked to her. The way he talked about her parents too. Obviously there was bad blood, so what did he get out of signing those papers and keeping her around? And did she have anything to gain by staying?

"yeah cuz I'm going to run around doing shady shit when there's probably feds watching my every move to see if I can lead them to other shit my dad had going on..." Lana mumbled this next line and shook her head. It was a concern. She had to stay clean for a bit, keep her head down, maybe actually show up to school? Fuck... School... Her private school was way too far away to easily get to, and with half of their donations coming from her father, there was a shot she no longer had a spot in that ritzy school.

Leftover pizza and beer? Well the beer certainly sounded like something she could use, but she sneered at the way he told her to grab him one too. Who the fuck did he think he was? She didn't have the energy to fight someone his size even in an argument. She was starving but she ignored the pizza and just grabbed two beers.

It was obvious neither of them wanted this. That just meant they had one thing in common besides blood. The beautiful young woman didn't sit; the headline about her father flashed by again, once again directing people to stay up until 11 to hear the report.

It was simple though; her father got cocky and reckless. He was caught on camera shooting someone over drugs and money, conversation was taped and all, incriminating him and almost his entire empire. "My dad left money in a trust fund they couldn't touch. It'll cover whatever bills I incurr... I have school, I can't get a fucking job..." after a few minutes of silence she mentioned that to him, so he'd know she wasn't going to be out working any time soon. Already she was figuring she'd give herself the week to settle before figuring out her schooling situation.

 

[Bene]

"Right... school..." he grumbled as he accepted the beer from her. Gavin never finished school himself, so he didn't really consider that she might still be in it. Though he had the feeling she wasn't really the type to give a shit about school either. Sort of ran in the family. to be honest he had no real idea what to do with her in the first place. Though that mention of a trust fund intrigued him. That was just like Louie too; stashing shit where the feds wouldn't seize it.

Come to think of it, Louie probably had something stashed for him too. Even though it was his fault that he was locked up. There was a spot that Louie told him about years ago now, but there was likely nothing there. Back in prison he received a letter from him that talked about some old oak tree in their old neighborhood. That tree was probably a fucking Starbucks now though. They city had changed so much since back then.

"Well as your guardian I should probably get your enrolled in school. Same way you should use some of that trust fund money to help buy shit like food. My job sucks and barely covers this shithole, let alone the costs of you. So you're gonna need to help out somehow." he said with a wink. With a sigh he downed the rest of his beer and tossed the can across the room to the pile of them. Gavin burped loudly and then stood up and groaned. Fuck he was an old man.

"Well I got first shift. You can sleep here on the couch for now, then tomorrow after work I'll take you to buy a bed. But you're paying for it." he said to her. Not in the mood to discuss it, he stepped away from her and the living room to head down the hall to his bedroom. For added effect he slammed the door behind him and paused a moment on the other side of it. This situation was less than ideal. But perhaps he could make the best of it with her trust fund money.

But then again there was the stash Louie mentioned in the letter. Maybe after work tomorrow he'd check it out.

 

[Daleeria]

Surprisingly, Lana was one of those girls that got good grades despite all the trouble she got into. She was smart, and homework was easy to get out of the way if you knew what you were doing. She couldn't imagine it'd be much harder for her in a city public school. The only reason she gave two shits about school was because her father had instilled a strong sense of want to go to college, to give her a more legit front than what he had started with. Naturally, it was all for his benefit... And after seeing him botch it and ruin it all, Lana realized the risks he had been running by being so flamboyant in his lifestyle.

If the cover of high school and college let her slide through life a little longer with a better chance of staying out of prison, she was willing to do the time and the easy ass work.

"Well fucking goodnight to you too..." she realized a moment too late he was gone when his bedroom door slammed. She grabbed her bag, found the bathroom and cleaned up,brushing her teeth and hair. Trying to make herself feel a little cleaner after being handled by cops for the last few days.

Once cleaned up, she stripped, discarding her dress and anything she was wearing under it next to her bag. There was an old scratchy blanket to cover herself with but it was already stuffy in the living room. Her left arm had the image of the Mother Mary praying with a rosary in her hands, a dove taking flight below the image. Her right arm was an angel bearing a cross, another dove and some roses leading down to her hand. Her back was still a work in progress but thus far across her shoulders in cursive script was her last name, below it a small angel with her wings and arms outstretched in the middle of her spine. There was blank space between the angel and her tramp stamp, two outlines of guns over the background of angel wings.

The front of her body was just as covered with modifications; belly button ring, nipple ring, tongue ring, and her crowning glory, a tattoo spanning under her breasts with a lion half made of roses and beautiful detailing under the cleavage. Someday she'd be covered in ink if she had her say.

For now though, exhausted weighed on her more than anything. She lay her naked body on the couch, pulling out the only thing of value they allowed her to keep; her phone. Who knew when service would be cut off now that her dad had made the news?

Lana stayed up til 11 to watch the report, hear what Bogus shit the media was feeding everyone... The video of him committing the crime was clear; there was no getting out of this at all. Her father was in prison and she was in her own form of hell.

"Fuck it... His fault for being stupid..." she grumbled and shut the TV off, laying down and half ass covering up with the ugly blanket she had access too. At least she could buy her own sheets and blankets when she got her bed. She was going to have to spend that 10k wisely though... Who knew how long she'd have to make it last?

She fell asleep on her back, small enough that she fit perfectly on the couch, chest exposed throughout the night as the blanket fell off her body in the warm room, leaving him with quite a sight upon waking.

 

[Bene]

Gavin to sleep fairly quickly after his grand exit. It was easy to fall asleep when you got old it seemed. A few hours later he awoke to the sound of the alarm on his phone. His shift started at 7am sharp so he woke up around 6. It was just a short walk, he didn't have a car, so it wasn't too bad. He rose from bed and dragged himself out of his bedroom and to the bathroom. From the sound of things, Lana was still asleep in the living room. Probably for the best. It was too early for that. Though he couldn't help himself from taking a peak out in the living room to see how she was doing.

That's when he saw how she slept. Naked as the day she was born. He hated to admit it, but she had pretty nice tits. Lana also had a lot more tattoos than he originally thought. She took after her father in that way too it seemed. Gavin lingered a bit too long than he cared to admit, and turned around to head into the bathroom. As he got undressed to shower, he realized seeing her had actually turned him on a bit.

After his shower he got dressed in his coveralls and headed back to the living room. He lingered a bit again, but realized he had to get to work and moved on. Gavin took care to close the door quietly as he left.

---

Work was typical. Packing more shit into boxes for people who didn't need it. But Gavin was a good worker-bee, and worked his whole uneventful shift.

After work, he decided to take a detour. The distribution center wasn't far from his old neighborhood, so he figured he would check it out. So much had changed while he was in prison. The sidewalk was brand new and free of weeds, the road free of potholes, and the buildings in good repair. It was almost sad to see. The letter mentioned the old oak tree on 32nd and 12th. It was the tree the two brothers started selling pot on, so there was sentimental value there. Louie always a sucker.

Ten minutes later he reached the tree. To his surprise it was there, and much taller. 17 years would do that after all. As he recalled, there was a hole towards the back. Gavin stepped around the tree and found a much smaller hole than there used to be. Must have closed as it grew. There wasn't much to lose, so he said fuck it and reached his hand into it. His fingertips brushed against something, but it felt like a stick. He was able to get a grip on it, and yanked it out. It was a stick, and on the other end a key to a PO box. Son of a bitch must have put this here before getting locked up.

The post office was just across the street, so he headed there right away. The key said A355, referring to the box it opened. It wasn't hard to find. Gavin opened the box and found a large envelope inside. Cautiously, he withdrew it and tore the top off. Inside was a small black book and stacks of 100s.

Holy shit. Louie actually hooked it up.

 

[Daleeria]

In the daylight of 9am, the light coming through the living room window finally woke her up. She hadn't slept in this late in a long time. Usually she was a 6am riser to take the time and effort her hair and makeup required. Well, at least the routine she had chosen. Her hair was always a pain, naturally curly but tamed down into loose waves through hours of styling.

Her eyes opened with a yawn, and she looked around, for a moment forgetting where she was. That was until she saw her naked body uncovered by the blanket and for a split second recalled that first shift was some early bullshit. "Fuck. I really hope he didn't..." she sighed, obviously not as bothered by it as a teen girl should have been.

A shower and morning beer eased her frayed nerves as she changed into something a bit more appropriate for walking the streets. She had $50 in her wallet and all that was in the cupboards, fridge or freezer was the left over pizza, beer, a can of mixed veggies that would probably never be used, and a box of frozen fish sticks... Nothing a girl her age had any use in eating.

Smartphones were a godsend; three blocks down there was a little local market that would do nicely for getting her some real food. She just had to make it there alive...

The neighborhood wasn't so bad in the light of day, graffiti everywhere, a few gangbangers on front stoops all flying the same colors. One guy whistled at her as she walked past in her ripped jeans, white tank top with no bra and the old brown leather jacket that was once her father's favorite coat. It was well worn and loved, and while a bit big on her it still complimented her style well and made her feel protected. Especially since it was easy to hide her knives on her. She flicked her butterfly knife out and swung it around her fingers expertly, and the kid that whistled tilted his head but left her be.

The market seemed like the center of the neighborhood; people walking in and out with the carts and groceries, kids screaming in front of the sidewalk as they played hopscotch. Lana pulled her coat a little tighter. No one noticed her as she grabbed a cart and entered the store or shopped around. At least there was one skill she was capable of performing, and it was cooking. She picked out some meat and vegetables, soda and other necessities to keep herself and Gavin fed.

In the end she spent exactly $49.99 and never in her life had she actually held a penny. She didn't manage to get much, but it was a start. She'd have to find an ATM and get some extra money out of the account she had, but she also had no intention of carrying around more cash than needed in a part of the city she didn't know yet.

By the time he got home, the apartment smelled like tacos and she was eating on the floor with the TV on and the window open, writing in a notebook. A budget of sorts. "Foods on the stove, just got done..." she called out as the door opened, closing the notebook and shoving it into her bag suspiciously. Lana stood up, her dark pierced nipples clearly visible in the thin fabric of her tank top.

What the fuck did was she supposed to say to him? She had been thinking about that for hours now. As much as Lana hated the situation, she needed to make nice with him, try to keep him from sending her back to CPS. Her best chance of survival, and her goals, was tugging on whatever familial bond she could manage.

"Listen, we didn't get off on the right foot last night. Four nights being questioned by cops got me exhausted. I'm Lana, your niece. I don't want any trouble, there was no one else they could find though. Dad left me some money, I can help with bills. I bought some groceries already," Lana had to fight to humble herself but it was worth it if he bought her 'I don't want trouble' bit. She even plucked her only vulnerable bit when she asked, staring up at him with innocent lying brown eyes that hid genius: "Did you really know my mom?"

It didn't matter if he cared, it only mattered he stayed off her back going forward.

 

[Bene]

Gavin was in disbelief. He quickly folded the top of the envelope and darted out of the post office, leaving the key behind. It was probably under a fake name anyways. Once he made it a bit down the street, he ducked into the alley to count the money and look at the book. It was a nice neighborhood with kids playing and people jogging. It was safe. The envelope was PACKED with money. Between the stacks the book, it was bursting at the seams. By his rough estimate there was at least 10 grand in bills.

But there was the matter of the book too.

He withdrew it from the envelope and flipped it open. It looked like one of those notebooks from school with the black front and black bindings. As he flipped through the pages all he found was names and numbers. A few pages in and he realized what he was holding; Louie's black book full of clients. The clients ranged from street thugs to even his fucking parole officer. Gavin flipped to the back to find his brother's handwriting.

'Gavin, if you're reading this the feds got me. I can never begin to apologize for setting you up, but that's business. Now that you're free here is a bit of a consolation: $15k in unmarked bills. Use this to get your life together and pick up my work. In this book are clients. Loyal clients, who owe me favors. Mention you're a McGonigal and you're in business. I'm sure the DA told you to lay low and live an "honest life" but fuck that. Pick up where I left off.

P.S
Take care of Lana. '

That son of a bitch. Even from prison he was dragging him back. The cash was nice but the book - that was dangerous. Gavin wanted to burn it, throw it away or hell even turn it in his parole officer to make that fucker rot longer. But in the back of his head, he knew he could make it work. He wouldn't make the same mistakes as his younger brother. And that bit at the end; take care of Lana. Did he know she would end up with him?

Ignoring the book for now, he shoved the envelope into his coveralls and started to head home.

The walk home was the most anxious he had felt in years. Walking through his neighborhood with this much cash was dangerous. Especially since he didn't have protection. Gavin made it home okay and walked into his apartment to see Lana sitting on the floor. From here he could clearly see through her tanktop but the money was more pressing. Without a word he walked past her and slammed his bedroom door, praying she didn't notice the yellow envelope poking out of his top.

 

[Daleeria]

Lana stared at the door in disbelief, outraged that after she went through the effort to buy groceries, cook, and even apologize he slammed the door in her fucking face like she didn't even exist. "Fuck you then!" she hollared after him in rage, grabbing herself another taco before going back to her 'work'. Screw him then, if he didn't give enough of a shit to speak to her than she didn't have to worry about any threat he posed. She pulled out the notebook again, to a page listed with the names and numbers she could remember thus far. She hadn't reached out to anyone yet, she wanted to lay low for a few weeks at the very least before making any moves.

Lana leaned back against the couch and turned on the TV nice and loud whatever was the first thing that popped on from the night before. Took stock.

The trust fund had $10,000 in it- hopefully he'd tell her the expectations on rent sooner rather than later so she could plan for that. Her personal savings had another $3000 in it, money they also couldn't touch because it was solely in her name. She needed a bed, and bedding. There'd be a bigger shopping trip in the works for food... Maybe she should put something aside for a car in the near future?

Somehow she was going to need to make an income, and she was pretty sure with her looks, she could flirt with that kid down the street, get a link on some drugs and start selling real easy.

She glanced at the door, wondering what Gavin's deal was and why her dad never mentioned him. It was mentioned he had been in prison. She didn't know why though. Fuck, why couldn't her father have just taken his confession to the fucking booth at St. Michael's like any other Sunday?!

"You know what, this is fucking bullshit." she stood up and stormed to his door, pounding on it like she was ready to break it down. "Listen, asshole, I want to be here as much as you want me here, the least you can fucking do is eat the food I made and try to at least catch up with your niece!"

 

[Bene]

Well she was pissed. But she'd be more pissed if she knew what was in the book. Especially if she knew he was keeping things from her. But it was for both of their protection, and there was no easy way to handle this. Gavin had just about begun to compose himself when he heard banging on the door. Great. For a moment he had forgotten she was a teenager, and as a result, moody.

Finally he could take it no longer and opened his door quickly. As he did, he stepped towards her and looked down to her. From this close it was obvious how much taller he was than her.

"Don't talk to me like that. Ever." he said in an eerily calm tone. "Secondly, I'm sorry. Had a long day at work and forgot that I have company now. Your food does smell nice though, can you fix me a plate while I change out of my work clothes?" he asked, in almost friendly tone. In the last 30 second his mood shifted from pissed off to almost cordial. Gently this time, he shut the door.

Gavin stripped out of his coveralls and changed into a pair of basketball shorts and a tank top. After he redressed, he grabbed the envelope and slipped it under some clothes in his dresser. Best it stayed hidden for now. They could cross that bridge when they got there, for now he decided it wouldn't be such a bad idea to get caught up with his niece as she suggested. It was in Louie's not to take care of her. It was the least he could since Louie left him all that money after all.

A few moments later he stepped out of his room to find Lana.

 

[Daleeria]

The door opened to the large man, and for all of five seconds Lana looked ready for a fight. Louie was a temperamental man, volatile and quick to explode when someone angered him... Add female teenage hormones to that and you ended up with a little half Latina that was extra spicy.

But Gavin was not her father; he didn't immediately start fighting fire with fire by bitching back at her, and that above all wiped the irritated look off her pretty face. There was an undertone of 'don't fuck with me' in the calm of his voice. Lana had the decency to look surprised. No one had ever spoken to her like that and made her feel they could seriously do her harm. Lana went to open her mouth.

The newfound uncle still didn't leave room for argument or discussion, as he shut his door gently this time. Despite her epic levels of pride, she went and fixed him a plate with a couple of tacos on it, just meat and cheese, leaving the lettuce and tomato and sour cream on the table for him. Paired it with a beer for him, figured maybe it'd be a surefire way to get on his better side. Men liked women handing them beer, right? She was standing in the kitchen when he came back out, remaining silent for the moment.

For a minute, she took a good look at the man. It was clear he was older and rougher than her father, then again prison would do that to a man. Already, Lana was assuming that the twenty to life her father was receiving was going to be the death of him before he ever got a chance for parole. Louie McGonigal had certainly made his fair share of enemies keeping himself on high. Still, Gavin had a few things in common with his brother; the shape of his eyes, the color of his hair. She could see they were legit brothers. How had her father kept silent for so long on this? Lana could only assume he had something to do with Gavin's prison time. Did he hate his brother for that? Was she just a reminder on all he had missed out on?

Speculation did her no good. "There's soda and other food in the fridge too. If you can get me to an ATM, I can easily give you money up front for rent," she offered as a way of easing the tension she was feeling.

 

[Bene]

"Thanks, but I recently came into some money myself. Lotto pool at work, and I took home 5 grand. That's why it took me so long to get home, I had to go withdraw it." Gavin said, lying. Though he didn't think she would pick up on it. He moved past her and grabbed a plate with the tacos. He added some veggies and grabbed a beer before taking it to the couch and sitting down. All as if she had not blown up on him a few minutes prior. To Gavin, it was like it never happened.

Gavin took a bite of the taco and sighed contently. "These are great!" he said to her with a smile. "Thanks." he said before stuffing his face more. The food in prison was terrible, so this was incredible. The past month all he had eaten was frozen food and fast food stuff. A homecooked meal was just what he needed. After about a taco down, he turned to Lana and gave a thumbs up.

As he looked at her, he noticed more that her nipples were visible under her shirt. And the piercing on one of them. Gavin found himself staring a bit longer than he realized and lifted his gaze to her eyes again.

"So what do you want to know. I'm sure you have questions, and we should hash this out now. There is no way either us are gonna enjoy this." he said to her bluntly.

 

[Daleeria]

Lana flopped herself herself on the other end of the couch from him, a can of soda in her hand. She tried not stare at him eating as if she cared what he thought of the food; the way he scarfed it down and the fact he only owned one pan and a few dishes indicated he hadn't really been eating home cooked food. Honestly she could have made trash and he probably would have given the same reaction.

Whether it was to appease her or to put on a front to make their home life easier, Lana hated that she appreciated the thumbs up. However, looking over had him gave her an opportunity to notice where his gaze was pointed. The long stare. For a moment she almost thought she saw a flicker of want.

How long had it been since he had gotten laid? How can I use this to my advantage?

"You're right. I'm sure you're aware how good he was at hiding secrets he didn't want known. You clearly didn't know about me, and I sure as hell never heard of you, except for them mentioning your release from prison for a whole slew of shit in the news report last night..." Lana did nothing to cover her chest, stretching and puffing a bit to test how to catch his eye again. "So who are you? Why didn't dad tell me about you? Clearly you know my mom. You got enough features that look like dad to be his bro... What did you go away for?"

 

[Bene]

“Well I’m Louie’s older brother. But that much you probably already knew. Him and I got started together. We started selling pot for this guy name Vincent when I was 18 and he was 16. Started out innocent enough, but over time we got real good at our jobs and Vincent started trusting us with more and more. Eventually we were off the street, and working with suppliers. Fast forward a few years and we were running the whole operation. Around the time that he started seeing your mom, he started acting weird and cutting me off. Next thing I know, the feds show up with a bunch of evidence linking me to all of this.” Gavin explained, pausing a moment to take a sip of beer. “The trial was over in just a day, and I took the fall for everything. He promised me he’d get me out right away but as I’m sure you know I spent 17 years in there. I got out a month ago now and have been trying to live an honest life now. I’m too old for that shit.” he finished and sighed. Talking about it all brought his heart rate up. Despite setting him up, Louie left him that book and some money. Was that another trick? Or was he atoning.

Gavin turned his attention to Lana again. “How about you? You look like Louie for sure, but also his whore. I’m guessing daddy groomed you to take over?” he asked with a smirk. That was a question he already knew the answer to. From the way she dressed and conducted herself she likely never had a hard day in her life. But kept the appearance up still. Yet beneath that she was just a scared teenager who wound up on his door.

A teenager with great tits.

No. Can’t be thinking about that. No matter how nice they are and how much she flaunts them. Between seeing her this morning and how she was dressed now, it was clear she didn’t give a shit if he saw her chest. It had been actual years since he had slept with a woman so he couldn’t help but steal glances at her. It was mostly harmless. Gavin had zero intention of doing anything aside from looking.

Once he finished his tacos he set the plate down on the coffee table and leaned back into the couch to listen to her story.

 

[Daleeria]

Lana sipped on her soda and took his story in. All it did was increase her curiosity tenfold. More locked doors and unanswered questions, ones she already knew he didn't have the key to. If he did, he'd probably be in a different position right now.

If she was capable of any sort of empathy, she might have felt the slightest bit of guilt over the way her father shafted his own brother. It was a shit hand to be dealt, and she knew damn well if he could have framed someone else for his recent debacle she'd be back home flaunting her body for his contacts' pleasure and trying to net a husband worth her father's time.

"Epidural fucked moms back up. She was clean all of ten months from the time they realized she was pregnant, but they shoved the needle in wrong, messed up a nerve. Dad says he tried to rehab her, but I'm not convinced. People are just objects to him. I was maybe two when he dropped her off somewhere in the desert. Never told me why. Just gave me her maiden name, let her name me... And then ditched her when she was broken," which was extremely on brand. Lana seemed to be the only thing he cherished on any level. "Me being his only legacy and him not wanting more than one kid, naturally it made sense to him to groom me for this. Pushing weed and coke to all the rich white kids looking to party and rebel against parents that don't even looking at them since thirteen. Entertaining his business partners, his goal finding me the exact perfect husband to help keep me on my throne."

Lana had now definitely noticed his eyes on the 'prizes' and even as she told her story, she was formulating plans within plans. A little morning yoga, a tease here, a touch there? Just little things to distract and peak interest. If he had been running the business since the start of it all, that meant he knew things, and people... If she could just get him to confirm a few things... Maybe probe his brain for any old stashes her dad might have...

Lana Rockwell could be Queen again, this time not under the thumb of her violent, idiotic father.

 

[Bene]

Gavin had pegged her wrong. Sure she had the money and power that came with being a McGonigal. But it came at the price of her mother it seemed. Knowing Louie, he probably just left her for dead out there. But Gavin didn’t have the heart to bring that up. Plus he figured that she already knew that deep down. Louie was the sort of person to treat people like objects just as she said. If he turned his own brother in, there was no bond he wouldn't break to get ahead.

“Well here’s to your piece of shit daddy.” Gavin said and lifted his beer in the air. He downed the rest and tossed the can aside. It was that same piece of shit that left him all that cash. Plus that black book of all his contacts. Part of him wondered what Lana would do with it. Would she try to pick up her father’s work? Or was she committed to living a normal life like him.

Part of him knew that would never be possible.

Gavin stood up and stretched, then looked down at Lana. That’s when he realized how late it was. They were supposed to go to the store to get her a new bed, but his detour after work wasted too much time. That meant another night on the couch for her. It also meant another show as he left for work in the morning. The idea of it actually turned him on. Before she would notice he turned to walk toward the kitchen.

“Want another beer?” he asked from the kitchen. While he waited for her answer he scooped up some beef from the pan and shoved it into his mouth. Fuck she could cook. Must take after her mother in that way. Gavin never had much interaction with Reina, aside from her cooking. And having to hear her through the walls. Louie saw something in her though and kept her around despite her profession. But according to Lana that didn’t last long.

 

[Daleeria]

Lana looked at the couch she'd be once again forced to sleep on and at the clock on her phone, already recognizing he had taken too much time getting home. Part of her wanted to rage, to make him feel inconsiderate and unreliable, like she'd have done to any of her dad's employees if they were late. And then her mind flashed forward to him staring down at her in his bedroom doorway, calmly telling her to never speak to him like that again... It stopped her in her tracks.

"Here's to my piece of shit idiot dad..." she acquiesced and lifted her drink in the air to salute the asshole. So this was how it was for everyone. Her face was fine using and abusing who ever pleased him at the time, but were any of them more than canon fodder to him? It made a girl stop and wonder. To look down at her bag full of sexy designer slutwear and not much else and realize she was probably just as much untouchable eye candy to him as she was to his clients. A trophy to flaunt, one he had influence over.

Like any party girl Lana loved her coke and weed, but didn't consider herself dependent on any of it. She hadn't smoked in five days and was fine and her last bump was during the dinner party he had gotten pick up during. Thankfully none of the people there were illegal contacts, all legit business partners and investors. Louie had spent so much time building the foundation of his castle, he had forgotten basic protections all over the place. Hadn't diversified his income enough.

"Sure, another beer would be good. I didn't buy more, wasn't sure if my fake ID would go over so well out here and didn't want to risk getting hauled to juvvie over it," though she had seriously considered it. Maybe put something better in the fridge than whatever swill he was able to afford.

Louie had made sure his daughter could cook. It gave them a sweet little family front if anyone cared to take a look. At one point Lana assumed it was because he liked that little bit of unwinding time with her. He always sat and watched her cook, unless he was entertaining guests. "A staple of a strong, Christian home is a woman that cooks. And you are better than your mother," Louie used to drunkenly tell her while his eyes bore into her back while she did her work. The more Lana had her introspection, the more she wondered if his lies were meant to cover his roaming eyes... Eyes that his brother seemed to have.

When Louie came back, Lana looked up at him, one last question on her mind: "Do you hate him? For doing what he did?

 

[Bene]

That was a loaded question. For the first 3 or so years being locked up, Gavin wanted nothing more than to get out and kill Louie for what he did. It was the thing that kept him sane at first. Over time however, he let go of a lot of that anger and by them he got out harbored no real anger towards him. Sure he’s the reason he got locked up, but now that Louie was rotting in a cell Gavin felt they were even now.

“In short - no. I don’t. Business is business, and I learned a long time ago holding only hate doesn’t do you any favors. Now that he’s getting locked up, I feel like he got what he deserved. Do you hate him?” he answered, but asked a question of his own.

As she would respond, he moved out of the kitchen and leaned against his living room wall. His gaze was fixed on her eyes now. That was something he was sure of this time. Talking about her dad felt like the wrong time to stare at her chest.

It seemed that court mandated counseling actually woke on him. Even staring into Louie’s daughter’s eyes he felt no anger. But given their relationship, it was hard to remember that she was his niece now. And now legal guardian. What a fucked up situation. Getting her a bed would be his top priority now, as would making sure she was comfortable here. So long as she stayed out of trouble, he was actually looking forward to getting to know her better. The two had already bonded over their stories of Louie.

Gavin sipped his beer and moved to sit next to her on the couch.

“So what do you like to watch? I’m overwhelmed by how channels there are these days. Plus what’s this about streaming?” he asked, his age showing. It was a more pleasant subject than Louie, plus it would distract them the rest of the night hopefully.

 

[Daleeria]

Did she hate her father? No... She could safely say she didn't... Was she increasingly suspicious and maybe a little concenred about the behavior he exuded these last years especially? Fuck yes. Introspection was a heavy weight to bear. "I don't hate him, I just think the power got to him and he got stupid. I can't blame him for kicking mom out, she was the druggie who did it to herself. And I didn't have a normal childhood, but it wasn't all bad. This is probably the worst that's happened to me," she finally spoke as he sat down next to her, seeming sure of her answer. "Besides, what's holding hate for a man who's probably going to be dead in prison within the first five years. Useless without a gun. Should have learned some hand to hand combat skills. Fucking forced me to. Mostly cuz I'm a girl."

Lana looked at the TV and thought of how often she actually utilized the TV at home. Good change of topic. "Funny story, I don't really watch a lot of TV. Too many channels, not enough on them to be worth the search. We had Netflix, one of those streaming things. But between school, working with dad and my own friends I didn't exactly have time to sit around and watch things. There was always something to do, somewhere to be. Business, parties, school events. Private school demands a lot of social attention. The school work part is easy. 4.0 GPA and I don't think I've cracked open a text book there yet..." she shrugged. Her dad turned the news on after dinner if he wasn't on a 'business call', or he'd pop on a movie while he typed away on his laptop and sipped on wine with her. Some of the better memories she had with him.

"I like action, fast cars, shit like that. The Fast and the Furious movies are garbage but they're fun to watch and call the guys out on their car knowledge and terminology!" that was the thing she knew the most about, cars. Racing. How fast a vehicle could go 0 to 60. How far a passenger seat could go back for a different type of ride...

"I have an HDMI cable thing somewhere that let's me hook my phone up to the TV!" she moved, walking over to the corner where her bag was and bending over to shuffle. For him it'd seem like an innocent sudden reminder, while for her, she purposely stood and bent over for him, her jeans gripping that firm ass tightly. As she pulled out her phone to HDMI converter, she wiggled her hips with intention and then moved over to the TV to hook her phone and the Netflix on it.

"Now we can watch movies without commercials... Anything special you want to check?"

 

[Bene]

Everything Lana spoke of sounded foreign to him. Most of the time he was in prison, they only had basic cable in the common area. But it was usually stuck on the news all day. His last year or so however, they got a smart TV that had some of those apps she mentioned. The younger guys mostly took care of it, and put on stupid shit like old romcoms or shitty action movies. Or whatever superhero bullshit was out at the time. Gavin didn’t care much for TV aside from the noise it provided. And the distraction. Speaking of distraction, his mind came to a halt as Lana bent over to grab that cable. It was wrong to stare, but holy fuck did she have her moms body. Better even.

When she stood back up and cleared his throat and looked from her to the TV.

“Uh whatever you want to watch is fine with me. I don’t real have a taste in movies anymore. I prefer the classics but I don’t think a kid like you would.” he teased. Though it reminded him that she was only 17. And his niece. Though after this morning it was hard not to stare at her.

“While you get that going, I’m gonna shower.” he said and stood up. Without really waiting, he headed right to his bedroom and grabbed a pair of sweatpants to change into. From there he went right to the bathroom and shut the door behind him.

Gavin got undressed quickly and turned the water on. While he waited for it to heat up, he thought of the whole Lana situation. It seemed like she was a good kid, but he worried she’d take after her dad and start selling shit again. That was the sort of thing he didn’t need in his life. It was bad enough the way she paraded her body around the apartment. It was getting hard to cope with. Perhaps he’d find a girl and release some of this sexual frustration. In Louies book there were sure to be a few numbers.

Once the water was warm enough he stepped under it and quickly rinsed off. He didn’t want to leave Lana alone for too long. Once he was rinsed he hopped out and dried off, then got dressed in those sweats pants and a tank top. Gavin left the bathroom and the tossed his dirty clothes on the floor of his bedroom before coming back out.

“So what’d you pick?” he asked and sat back down on the couch.

 

[Daleeria]

While he grabbed his shower, Lana put the food away. She already determined she was going to need a slow cooker soon for some of her key dishes. The leftovers weren't much, but she put them away in what little plastic ware he had available. More investments to make if this was going to work out.

And she was determined this would work out one way or another. While she cleaned the kitchen, she plotted: if she could just get Gavin tied up enough in her to drop some information once she knew which questions to ask, she was sure she could get what she needed out of him.

Way to use him just like your old man did... Her mind told her. She told herself when she got to where she was going she'd make sure Gavin never had to worry about a damn thing again. Make up for the seventeen years of wasted life her dad had caused, plus compensation for dealing with her shit for the moment. She'd make it worth it.

For a moment, staring at Gavin's arms, a flash of heat ran through her. Curiosity, stress and lust... Those arms could easily lift and break her if he so chose. And she was sure he could hide a body with ease. That both frightened and turned her on, though the fear quickly translated into the other feeling.

"Uh... Oh yeah, well you said classics, so I typed in classics and searched around. There's really old shit like Casablanca if you're looking for classic classic. Otherwise I was eyeing up Jurassic Park. Is 90s classic enough?" she tried to cover her stare by walking past him to the kitchen. For a brief second she slid past him in the narrow walking path, turning her back and sliding past him so her ass brushed against his crotch as she went to grab him another beer. Just enough that he'd be able to feel the warmth and softness of her ass cheeks graze his bulge.

Lana set the open beer directly in his hand and planted her ass next to his after hitting play on their choice.

 

[Bene]

As her ass came in contact with the front of him, his heart nearly stopped. It was just for a moment, but she definitely grazed him underneath his sweats. Instantly a wide bulge formed in his sweats and he hopes she wouldn’t notice. When he sat down, he put his hands in his lap in an attempt to hide it. Like he was in fucking high school again and got hard in class. It was almost pathetic how easy that was, and how wrong it felt given their relationship.

Yet he found himself wishing it lasted longer.

“Jurassic park sounds good to me. Didn’t they make more of them?” he asked, trying to keep his mind off of her. In prison he heard about all sorts of reboots and remakes for old movies. A few of them even got played for them, but he wasn’t a huge fan. Especially of what they did to Star Wars.

Gavin turned his head to her and stole another glance at her chest. Fuck she had a nice chest. All he could think about was how she looked this morning on this very couch. Maybe tonight he’d have her stay on his futon instead. That way she would have a door to be naked behind. He cleared his throat and looked straight ahead to the TV. For the rest of the night he wouldn’t look at her, he decided.

Though with how small his apartment was, there was no way he could keep that up.