Betraying Giovanni

Chapter Fifty-Five: Sign Of The Times

Third person

Vince is in and out of consciousness, he knows that he's in the arms of his angel, Julie. He didn't think that this would be how he would go, he always thought it would be more glorious but regardless, he was going to die in the arms of his love, and there is no better way to go.

"I love you, mi amore," he whispers, "Look after the family for me."

Julie's eyes fill up with tears, "Please no,"

Vincent looks into her eyes one last time and then he goes limp in her arms Julie screams, she pulls him close to her chest and she cries.

"I love you too," she whimpers, caressing his cheek, "I love you too dammit, please don't be dead."

She feels herself being pulled away from him and into the arms of her best friend, "I'm sorry baby, it's going to be okay."

Time seems to move in slow motion for Julie as she is pulled out of the house by Mona, the police arrive and so do the paramedics, their entire plan was a success except for one thing, Vincent.

The entire plan was boarded around getting McCredie into the hands of the Feds, Gio had set the whole thing up, he knew the Feds were looking for McCredie, he was an international criminal wanted in almost ten countries but somehow managed to slip through each of their fingers, all the way from South Africa to Russia, he was a criminal mastermind. They had all struck deal that stated that if they got McCredie, dead or alive, any criminal charges brought against them would be dropped and their files would be sealed and kept far from law enforcement and they did just that, now there are two dead men, Vincent, and Thomas.

Monica and Julie are standing outside the house, being questioned by the FBI, Julie is answering the best she can, knowing that this is the only way she could do right by Vince.

"So, you're telling me, that you don't know who shot Mr McCredie?"

Julie nods, "I just heard a gun go off and Thomas fall over and when I looked at Vince, he was out too."

"What about Carmen?"

Julie shrugs, "I don't know, everything happened so fast, but I know she was in the room with me."

The agent nods his head," That's all I have, for now, I'm sorry for your loss Julie,"

"Thank you, Jonathan," Julie says and Agent Jonathan walks away to where the other agents are gathered.

"So you mean to tell me that, you guys were working with the Feds the whole time?" Mona questions in disbelief, "Here I am thinking I'm finally getting in on some of that mafia action."

I nod, "We didn't tell you because we were trying to protect you and AJ, we didn't want you in harm's way.'

"I understand," Mona nods, "I just wish you would have told me chicka, I would have helped."

"It's okay Mona, you showed up when I needed you and that's what matters to me," Julie replies, hugging her best friend.

"Gio is here," she says.

Julie lets her go and watches as her best friend runs into the arms of her boyfriend, wishing that she could do the same.

Agents walk out of the house one by one with men in handcuffs, Carmen is one of them and she looks a mess, she's been crying, she can mourn in jail, Julie thinks.

Angelo walks out of the house and rushes straight to Julie, embracing her in his arms.

"I am so sorry," Angelo says as tears slide down his cheeks, "I should have been there."

Julie sobs in his chest and he caresses her back, "I'm sorry,"

Gio and Monica approach the two of them.

"What's going on?" he asks confused,

Mona sighs, "Baby, there is something I need to tell you."

"What is it?"

"It's Vincent, he's -

"Move! Get out of the way," a paramedic yells as they push a gurney past them.

"We've got one male, critically injured," another yells.

The four of them look at each other, and they rush over to the ambulance but they are stopped by a group of Feds.

"You cannot go past this point, stay back and let the paramedics do their job," Jonathan says.

"We just want to know who it is Nathan," Mona begs.

"I don't know, who is it but I'm sure you'll know soon," he says.

Julie looks at Angelo, "It's okay, let's give them their space."

"He's alive!" Someone yells.

Julie turns back and pushes through the group of Feds and gets into the ambulance, there laying on the bed, her heart beating out of her chest in fear and excitement. She could have sworn she saw him die, he was dead, she was sure of it, but I guess now, God had proved her wrong, miracles do happen.

"Mi amore?"