Page 1 of Badass Women 13: Vincintis

Chapter One

Present Day...

Jake sneaked out of the Vincinti mansion before dawn the next morning.He had something heavy on his mind and he always went to the docks when he needed to think.He’d been rattled when he remembered the recent battle with the Gondos.He realized that if things hadn’t gone the way they did, everyone who lived in the mansion would have been dead.

For some reason this fact bothered him.But what could he do about it?He was just a kid, right?When he sat down under the bridge with his feet only inches from the water, he remembered his life, living on the streets.He and his brother Mikey had to hustle for odd jobs and ways to make some cash in order to eat and find a decent place to sleep every night.They really didn’t have much, then they saved Leon.Now just look at the life they had now.They each had their own bedroom, three hot meals a day, plus nice clothes and shoes.Evelyn was always taking them shopping and to fun places.They even had a tutor for schooling.It was wild after the way they had to live before.

He had come to love Leon and his real family.Jake wiped his tears away and stared at the water lapping the rocks just outside his feet.

The sun was just peeking above the horizon now and no one was around yet.Then he paused as he thought he heard something.He looked around but didn’t see anyone moving.Then he heard the sound again and this time it sounded weird.

Jake got up and turned around in a full circle now.He couldn’t tell where the sound was coming from but he did see Frost.

The bodyguard leaned against the brace for the bridge not too far away.

Jake sighed hard and just stared at him.

Frost saw that he noticed him and he straightened up.He then casually walked over to the boy.Frost just raised his eyebrow and said, “What are ya doing out here on your own, boy?”

Jake sat down again and stared at the water.He didn’t say a word for a long time.Then he whispered, “I guess I’m not used to living in a mansion yet.”He shrugged.“I mean it’s just been me and Mikey for as long as I can remember and we lived on the streets.We hustled to get enough money to buy our own groceries.We had a network of friends out here watching our backs and I guess I miss that part.”

Frost sat down on the sand and he too looked out at the water.“Yeah, I guess I can understand that.Me, Storm and the others know what it's like to live on the streets too.”

“Do you miss it sometimes?”Jake wanted to know.

Frost nodded.“Yeah, I guess I do but I also like sleeping under a roof out of the rain and the cold.Having a soft mattress under me and having a hot meal three times a day, kid.”

Jake nodded.“Oh, me too.But once in a while I come here and just sit for a bit.”He went quiet for a minute then whispered, “This is where Mikey and I rescued Leon, you know.”

Frost cocked his head at him then looked out over the water again.“I didn’t know that.”

Jake nodded.“Yeah, I heard this big fat guy who took him yelling and shouting about being happy to kill Leon.”He shook his head.“Mikey always told me to mind my own business but I couldn’t do that.I mean Leon was alive at the time and I couldn’t just let him die.”He shrugged then said, “Then the day they were gonna kill him I was able to help Mr.Leon get free then I looked out through the door and saw the fat guy who took him leaning over the back rail.So I snuck up behind him and shoved him over.That man was such a wuss, he screamed like a girl when he hit the water.”He shook his head.“Then I went back for Mr.Leon and we just walked off the boat.”

“So, you saved the man who runs Boston?”Frost asked.

Jake paused and looked up at him.“No...I didn’t save the mayor.I saved Mr.Leon.I think that’s why he wanted us to stay with him.”

Frost scoffed and shook his head.“I think Leon has come to love you two boys.”

Jake nodded.“Maybe?But I know we love him.”

Now the low sound came again.

Jake looked at Frost and asked, “Did you hear that?”

Frost nodded and then carefully looked around.The low sound came again from behind them somewhere.He stood up slowly and drew his weapon as he walked toward the sound.

Jake got up and silently followed him.

A few minutes later...

Frost made his way up the embankment from the sand to the top.He did feel surprised that the sound led him to the large parking lot that beachgoers used.He paused to look around then held out his hand to keep Jake back.

They both heard someone crying and whimpering.

Frost couldn’t understand where this person could be.

Jake tugged on his sleeve.