The Janus Conflict

By Robert J. Knopf, Jr.

The Janus Conflict is a Adult Action/Thriller about a talented public defender with the reputation of being a boyscout but with the martial skills of a trained fighter, Jake Palmeria is determined to fulfill his dreams of being happily married and having a family of his own. But when forced into a life of corruption to appease the demands of his wife, he becomes the target of a growing war who has a new up and coming member – Jake’s twin brother Garrett. Jake becomes entwined in an internal struggle for power, a fight for his family’s survival, and a struggle to survive a stranger determined to exact revenge on him.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robert Knopf Books
• Release date: Apr 1, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311322555

Robert J. Knopf, Jr.

Robert J. Knopf, Jr., though born on Beale AFB in California, was raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He not only writes exciting and adventurous adult and middle grade novels and screenplays... he lives his adventures. When Rob is not writing his next novel or screenplay, he is off on another adventure riding his Harley Superglide, SCUBA diving in the Caribbean, or training in martial arts.A resident of Cleveland, Ohio, Rob has his undergraduate degree from the University of Cincinnati in Civil Engineering and his Masters in Information Systems from Case Western Reserve University.While writing, Rob listens to a vast assortment of music, but in particular Guns-N-Roses, AC/DC, Poison, Beach Boys, and of course, John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band who played at his college graduation.

Book preview

Jake: Red Lantern Inn – 7 p.m.

How can I feel like a complete stranger in a city that I have lived in for most of my life? Two years had passed since my girlfriend, Selina, and I moved out of the old neighborhood to the far Westside suburb of North Olmsted. We hadn’t been back since. We bought the place following my first year of college, when my parents decided to move down south to Georgia to get away from the brutal Cleveland winters.

It was a typical Cleveland day in April. Yesterday, temperatures were over seventy degrees and Selina and I went for a walk through the Metroparks wearing t-shirts and shorts, today I can barely see the lines on the street while driving because of all the snow. A lake-induced blizzard hit the north coast this morning. I’d been trying to spend as much time with Selina as possible the last few weeks, but it’d been hard between taking my pre-law classes and working.

What’s the matter, Jake? You look like you’re a million miles away Selina asked gently, while rubbing my shoulder.

What should I have told her? That I didn’t want her to leave? That I needed her to stay? That I’d miss her? That would have made her feel worse than she was already feeling. You know what I’m thinking about, babe I responded.

It’s going to be okay, honey. It will only be two years. By the time I come home, you will almost be finished with law school. And with me gone, you can concentrate on school and finish up early like you hope.

You know that you never bother me. I’m graduating from undergrad right on my schedule.

I know. You make me so proud of you with your ability to juggle school, work, and me; but this will make it easier.

This is a great opportunity for you. I responded. I still can’t believe you got this internship in China. You’ll learn so much there. I saw Selina gaze at the engagement ring that I’d given her yesterday during our Metroparks walk. I proposed to her near the rapids where we had our first date back in high school. Are you sure you like the ring? I’ll get a better one once I graduate from law school.

Baby, it’s beautiful. It’s more than you should have spent. Every time I look at it, I’ll think of you when I’m gone.

It was true; I did spend a lot of money on it. Vido gave me a great deal on it. I figured he would. Vido grew up with my parents. It wasn’t the older people that had become a problem in the neighborhood. They weren’t the reason Selina and I decided to move away. I turned into the parking lot at Kamm’s Corner where the Red Lantern Inn is located.

The area hadn’t changed much since we moved away. Heck, if I showed someone a picture from fifteen years ago, the only thing they would see as being out of place would be the cars and clothes. It was rough there. It’d always been rough and one of the main reasons Selina and I moved. Some people found comfort in the roughness; they wore it like a badge of honor. Selina was like that for the longest time. She seemed to thrive on the challenge of just surviving each situation that came her way. Nothing seemed to faze her; but it drove me crazy. I worried constantly that something would happen to her when she wasn’t with me. Then that night came.

Selina was on her way home late one night from her classes at Cleveland State. I was at the dojo training with my brother Garrett at the time. I would normally pick her up at the bus stop on W. 150th Street. That night, we were delayed leaving the dojo because someone threw a brick through the front window. I raced home after we finished repairing the hole with some duct tape. I found Selina on the front porch crying while my mom comforted her.

Four guys started harassing her while she was walking from the bus stop. Cat-calls were common whenever a good looking girl walked by. Touching crossed the line, especially since everyone knew that Selina was my girl. They started pushing her around, getting rough with her, acting like animals. They started groping her when Officer Fox drove by, recognized Selina, and stopped his car. The guys ran off and Officer Fox dropped her off at my house.

When I got home and asked her what happened, she said she recognized one of the guys as Marty Espinoza. My mom stayed up with her that night while I went out searching for the guy with Garrett. We walked the streets all night, looking for him around the projects, where we knew he lived, shouting his name. People in the neighborhood already knew what happened. It wasn’t hard to track him down. We received tips, probably just to shut us up and get us off the streets shouting like madmen.

We were told to look for Philipe Consisto by a group of kids we knew from school who were out walking around. It turned out to be great information. Philipe was having a party at his home in the Section- eight housing about a mile south of Kamm’s Corner off of Rocky River Drive. We crashed the party, dragged him and his friends outside and beat the shit out of the four of them. It was over in a matter of minutes. No one interfered. Later that month I moved Selina to an apartment in North Olmsted.

Not at Selina’s request, but for my sanity. I couldn’t stand worrying that something was going to happen to her. I was going to be a lawyer and would be working late nights. There was no way that I would be able to concentrate on my work thinking that something could happen to her at any time. I wasn’t going to let that happen to her, not then, not ever.

I parked the car in the back of the Inn. The parking lot was dark; it was always dark. Only the regulars parked back there. We’re here early. Do you want to go in? I asked her. We got there about one hour early.

I don’t know why don’t we just stay here for a little while. Selina leaned over and started kissing me. We kissed gently at first, getting more passionate. She reached down and unbuckled my belt and unzipped my pants. She straddled me and placed me inside of her.

Our sex life was great. We made love typically three or four times a day, depending on my schedule. We hadn’t had sex in the car for a while, though. It was incredible. We kept kissing. I kissed her neck, grabbing her hair as I keep kissing her. I removed the straps of her dress, exposed her breasts. I gently kiss her nipples, sucking on them; biting them. I could hear her get more and more excited. I held onto her waist just above her hips, forcing her down onto me harder and harder. I wanted to explode, but I waited for her. I felt her muscles start to contract around me. I kissed her deeply. She wrapped her arms tightly around me. She screamed into my mouth in ecstasy. I exploded inside of her.

***

We walked into the Red Lantern Inn through the back door. The place was just like it was when I worked there. It was packed with the same old crowd of drunken middle-aged blue-collar workers and the youthful degenerates of the local neighborhood. I felt like I was an outsider there. I guess I’d changed a lot over the last few years.

I’m going to the restroom to clean up. Selina told me as she gave me a quick kiss.

Okay. I’ll order some drinks. Selina walked off to the restroom as I made my way toward the bar. I noticed a few people that I recognized, but tried not to make eye contact. I didn’t want to come here, but Garrett insisted. When I got to the bar, Johnny, the owner was working. He was a tough old Irish boxer who acted as his own bouncer. If things got rough in there, Johnny usually stepped in before they get bloody. He was getting older, but most of the locals wouldn’t let anything happen to him.

Johnny noticed me and gave me a quick hug from over the bar. He normally wasn’t that emotional. Hey, Jake, it’s been a while, how you doing, you look good. What can I get you?

Doing great, Johnny, I responded. Its good seeing you too; just a couple of beers.

Johnny reached down and grabbed two beers and handed them to me. Where’s your girl? You still with Selina?

Of course I’m still with her, she’s just washing up. I handed Johnny some money for the beers and he moved on to take care of some other customers. I sat at the bar, and glanced around to see if I recognized anyone. I made the mistake of keeping my back to the bar, I should have known better in that place.

I can’t believe that you have the nerve to show your face here in my neighborhood. I recognized the thick Hispanic accent. It was Marty. He turned me around and punched me in the jaw. I shrugged it off; it hurt, but didn’t faze me. I didn’t want to fight. I saw the crowd clearing around him and five of his friends. I heard Johnny yelling behind me for them to stop. The bar opening was on the other side of the room; this will be over before he can make it over here. Marty threw another punch. I blocked it and punched Marty in the gut, and then I grabbed his head with both hands and slammed it down onto my knee. He staggered back a few feet. His buddies helped him up and Marty flicked open a switch-blade.

I readied myself for the next assault, and then heard a very familiar voice. Marty, you know not to show your face around here. This is my neighborhood. It was Garrett with one of our old buddies, Bugs. Marty looked over to Garrett and back to his boys but he looked afraid.

My mistake, we’ll be leaving now. Marty stuttered as he nodded to his guys and moved quickly through the crowd to the front door.

Garrett came over and gave me a big hug. You’re here for a few fucking minutes and already starting trouble. Garrett smiled as he razzed me. You remember Bugs?

I looked over to Bugs. He came over and gave me a quick hug. Of course I do, how you doing man?

Doing great, just trying to keep the chicks off of me. Difficult job but someone has to do it.

Selina returned from the restroom and walked up behind Garrett and gave him a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. Hey, sexy, it’s great to see you! I loved that the two of them got along, my brother and my lady.

You look incredible, sis. Almost glowing, so you still with this bum? You ever get sick of him; you know where to find me. Garrett had been calling her his sister since we’d been dating in high school, although we’d all known each other since grade school.

Did I miss something? I heard some commotion when I was coming out of the restroom. Selina asked as she reached for her beer.

I just had to save my brother a little. He got himself into some trouble.

Hey, I took care of myself. I said as I looked over to Selina. Marty showed up and started some shit with me.

Where did he go?

Garrett showed up and he took off. I looked back to Garrett. What was that about? He doesn’t normally back off from a fight.

Johnny came over with a couple of beers for Garrett and Bugs. Hey, Jake, sorry I couldn’t get over there to help you. I couldn’t get through the crowd.

He looked sad. Something more though. He didn’t usually apologize. Hey, it’s okay. I can take care of myself, you know that. I tried to hand him some money.

Don’t worry about that. You guys drink on the house tonight. Johnny left to help some other customers. That was weird. He never offered drinks on the house.

The four of us moved from the bar toward a table. The people sitting there looked up, saw Garrett, and asked us if we want their table. They got up and we sat down.

So what’s up? Everyone is acting weird. Johnny giving us drinks on the house, people giving up their table. I asked Garrett.

People are just showing respect. That’s all. So let me see the ring. Garrett asked Selina, changing the subject. Something was up, but I dropped it. I’d have time later to find out what happened.

Selina showed Garrett and Bugs the ring. Isn’t it just beautiful?

It’s really nice. I like it. Did you decide on a date? Garrett asked even though he knew. He was with me when I got the ring.

We’re going to wait till after Jake finishes law school, a few months after I get back from China.

China? What the fuck you going to do in China? Bugs asked Selina. You’re going to trust this guy to go without pussy for that long? Selina squeezed my hand under the table.

It will be good for her. Plus I’ll keep Jake under wraps, he won’t do anything. He loves this girl too much. Garrett defended us. Why don’t you make some calls and check on things.

Uh, okay. Bugs got up and walked away. Why is Bugs listening to Garrett? That’s different. I didn’t take any offense to what he said about Selina’s leaving, it was just the way he was.

Sorry about Bugs. You know how he is. He hasn’t learned how to fucking talk in front of women yet.

It’s okay Garrett, I trust my man. I know that he’ll wait for me. Anyway, he’s going to be busy. He plans on graduating from law school in two years.

It won’t be that difficult. I got embarrassed when Selina spoke highly of me to Garrett, actually when she spoke that way to anyone.

Bullshit, said Garrett. It’s going to be hard as hell. Plus working? Shit, I could never do it. When are you leaving for China?

Next week. I’m going to miss this guy bunches. Selina rubbed my arm and kissed me. But this will make us stronger in the end. And I’m not leaving him totally alone. You’ll be here.

I’ll take good care of him. Then to me, have you heard from Mom and Dad? Garrett didn’t talk with them much. They wanted Garrett to go to college, but he just wanted to work. I helped defend his position to them.

I started to answer, but Selina interrupted me. We just talked with them this morning. They wanted to congratulate us on the engagement. They are doing great.

They would like you to call them a little more. I was thinking of visiting them during my next break. Want to join me? I asked Garrett.

"Yeah sure, I’ll go with you. I should be able to get away for a few days.

A waitress came by with a round of shots. These are from Johnny. He says congratulations on your engagement. The waitress left.

I must have looked puzzled. Word gets around fast here, you know that. Garrett told me. We lifted our glasses. To my brother and sister, the two most important people in my life, may the next two years fly by so that I will stop hearing my brother complaining about how much he misses you. And so that the most beautiful woman in Cleveland will officially become my sister. We clicked our glasses and downed the shots.

***

Selina and I were driving back to our apartment in North Olmsted. We were both a little buzzed. I was driving down Lorain Avenue. It was safer that way. Not as many cops patrolling, especially with the snow.

It was great seeing Garrett. I’m glad we were all able to get together before you leave.

Me too, I love that he makes me feel like family. It makes me feel so good. I can’t wait for the next two years to be out of the way so we can get married.

I can’t wait either, being able to call you Mrs. Palmeria, getting to introduce you as my wife and starting a family.

It will be so magical. I still have to pinch myself sometimes to make sure that I’m not dreaming. And you will be such a great dad. I can’t wait to have children with you, just to be pregnant and to have a life growing inside of me. You’re going to have to put up with me being fat, though.

"You will never be fat to me; you will just be more beautiful.

I want you to know that I support your going to China. I don’t want you to go, but I know it is important.

I don’t want to go either, but it will be for the best. I’m going to miss you so much. I looked over to her and saw tears forming in her eyes. I squeezed her hand tightly, assured her of my love. Even though we’ve been together for so long, I feel this is the start of a whole new life for us.

Chapter 2

Garrett: Stop On Inn – 6 p.m.

It was amazing how different life could be based on a few decisions made when we were younger. Here I was, Garrett Palmeria, a twenty-eight year old, dark-skinned, good-looking hood waiting outside of Stop on Inn, a local neighborhood bar, for my crew to show up. This place wasn’t like the old Red Lantern Inn, I still went there every once in a while. This place was a little classier. It was nice, I wasn’t just used to it, and it wasn’t my style. I took a new box of smokes from my pocket and removed the plastic surrounding one of my many vices. I opened the pack, took the first cigarette out and replaced it upside down in the pack, my lucky smoke. I would need four of them before the pack was done. I placed the cigarette between my lips and lit it. They tasted terrible, but hell, I’d been smoking since I was fifteen, why stop now?

Jake, my twin brother, was a lawyer. Jake worked as a fucking public defender. It was kind of ironic considering what I did to earn money. While Jake studied throughout high school and got into law school, I was busy hanging around the cool guys in the neighborhood. I guess I saw the Godfather one too many times growing up, I always wanted to be some sort of wise-guy or something. Funny about getting what you wish for.

I didn’t see Jake much anymore. Frankly, I hadn’t seen him much since his wife left for her little sabbatical in China. It wasn’t entirely his fault; I was busy too. I had just started working in my new career field a few months before Selina left for China. Actually, I started the day after we went to Vido’s to buy that damn ring. I still remember that night at the Red Lantern Inn. That was the last good time I had with the two of them.

Our parents had good jobs, but they were loyal to where they grew up. They wanted to stay near their old neighborhood. That was where my brother and I learned to fight. We started taking karate when we were three years old; dad wanted us to be able to defend ourselves. So, here we were my brother and me. Total opposites in so many ways, but as close as can be. He became a lawyer, married his childhood sweetheart – she’s a real bitch, and moved out of the neighborhood. Me, I stayed.

This was my territory, or rather Loverboy’s, my crew chief. Is this what I planned for my life? Of course not, no one thinks that they’re going to end up a two-bit thug like you see in the movies, without all the glamour. We get the women, but that’d always been easy. We had money, but we spent it as soon as we got it. Power? Only one guy had power, that was Pops Morani. But for how long, no one knew? A Chinese guy came onto town a few years ago and started gobbling up businesses.

How do I explain our situation? Were we at war? No. But if they showed up in our territory, we shot first. I just hoped they’d kill me if I got in a spot. I do not want to be interrogated. I saw what they did to one of Pop’s men a couple of weeks ago. He was caught trying to bring one of our businesses back into the fold. Pieces of him were sent to Pops one day at a time. His dick was sent to his wife; that was why I’d never get married or even attached. Fuck’em and leave’em – that was my motto. Poor guy, hopefully they offed him before they cut him to pieces.

Yo, Gar! A familiar voice called from behind me. I turned around as Loverboy punched me in the arm. You day dreaming? That can be dangerous nowadays.

Loverboy. Good looking? Yes. Been with Pops since he was sixteen and acted like he and Pops were tight. Were they? Who the fuck knew and who the fuck cared. He was a pompous ass who wanted everyone around him to think that he was important.

No, just thinking about shit. I told him. It was the truth. I thought about shit all the time recently. Things just didn’t go as planned.

You were fucking thinking? Leave that to me and we’ll be just fine. Seen Mikey or Bugs yet? Loverboy asked me as he slapped the back of my head lightly. Who the fuck was he to tell me not to think? The only thing he ever thought about was what pussy he wanted to go after each night.

No, I haven’t. Why do you think I’ve been standing out here? I told him, gave him a weird expression that pretty much expressed my thoughts on his intellectual prowess.

You gonna to be a smart ass now? I’ll fuckin whack you upside the head. Loverboy told me, trying to show that he’s tough. He wasn’t tough. He just kissed the right ass way too well. I knew I could take him if I wanted to. Wouldn’t be a problem.

I’m cool man. So what’s up tonight, typical meeting? I asked him.

Yeah, just meeting with Brooks; just a quick pick up, nothing special.

So, why do we need the full crew? I questioned Loverboy. He hated when I did that. I could tell by the look on his face, mainly because he didn’t know. He just did as he was told.

Just in case there’s any funky business, I guess. Who the fuck knows? That’s what I was told. Does it fucking matter to you? It doesn’t fucking matter to me.

There they are. I saw them. Mikey was a real skinny Italian guy and the fat Italian guy trying to catch up to him was Bugs.

What’s up guys? Bugs said with a smirk, as he wiped the light sweat from his forehead. He sweats all the time. We would be sitting in a completely air-conditioned tundra-like room for a meeting and he’d be sitting there sweating like he just went for a jog.

Where the fuck have you two been? We’ve been waiting for a fucking hour. Loverboy lied to them. He loved fucking with them. He must have thought it was fucking funny. It might have been funny back in grade school, but we were supposed to be adults now. That wasn’t the case. We just fuck around like a bunch of kids all the time. Kids with guns.

I thought we were supposed to be here around six? Mikey said apologetically. Jesus, he was such a sap. He should have known that Loverboy was playing him.

You’re fucking with us? Right? You fucker, you’re fucking with us? Bugs asked.

Loverboy shook his head and slapped Bugs in the back of the head. Let’s get a couple of drinks before we have to do our thing. Loverboy said as he walked into the bar.

***

Stop on Inn was very crowded. It was too crowded for me. If it had been night at one of our clubs where I could just relax, then it would have been different. That was not the case. This was business and it was too crowded to see if anyone tried to whack us, not that anyone would try anything with our being so deep into Morani’s territory.

I sat with Loverboy, Mikey, and Bugs in a booth near the front window talking. Amy, one of the waitresses, came over to our table. I think she was in her mid-twenties, but I could never be sure anymore; heck, I got a hard-on driving by the high schools. And no, I wasn’t a fucking pervert, it was just hard to tell how old these chicks were once they got all dolled up and shit. I stared at her eyes. She had these deep puppy-dog brown eyes, reminded me of Lady from that movie I saw when I was a kid. Fuck, what was that, uh Lady and the Tramp. That was it. For some reason she reminded me of that fucking lady dog from the movie.

What can I get you guys today? Amy asked with a beautiful smile. Do you need a dinner menu? I’d seen her before; I might have even gone out with her once or twice. Who knew? She was a fucking waitress and they’re all the same. Out for some money or to have a good time. You threw a few bucks at them, they’d blow you, and you’d drop them off. Simple.

Yeah, I know exactly what I want. How much do you cost and can I get it to go? Bugs asked with a slight smirk across his face, like he just said the greatest pickup line ever. Amy gave a quick look of shock, and then rolled her eyes and smiled. Bugs was such a dumb ass. I loved him like a brother, but he was still fucking stupid.

Enough Bugs. I interrupted as I lit my cigar. We'll just take four beers. Guinness. We don't need any menus tonight. I didn’t want to embarrass him anymore than he already had himself. Many times, I got put in charge of the crew when Loverboy was busy. I was used to making decisions, it came easy to me.

Be right up. Amy said then moved quickly toward the bar.

I heard the gooks have been squeezing some of our guys pretty tight lately said Mikey.

I know that Pops is feeling some heat. The organization isn't used to losing to anyone. Loverboy said, as if he knew more than anyone else at the table. I didn’t like him