Barber Shop Ink - Book 3: Riverworth

by Penny Blush

  It was in that moment I saw Morningstar spark to life. It was just a subtle change, something in her eyes. It was fierce and merciless. The more she kicked and punch the less her screams sound like fear and hopelessness and more like anger and determination.

  I saw an opportunity. I took a sweet innocent girl and channelled all that anger and rage, I made her into a ruthless killer.

  I will go to my grave hating myself for it.

  Chapter 12 Hedge

  What would you do with one of your potential last days on earth? You would do something fun, right?

  You would see how many bucket list items you could check off.

  Eat all your favourite foods until you puke.

  You’d get rip-roaring drunk and get a tattoo.

  Sing Karaoke, belting out ‘Eye of the tiger’ at the top of your lungs, not caring if you sang off key as-long-as you gave it your all.

  You’d contact the high school bully and tell them what a miserable piece of shit they were. Then tell them that what they put you through didn’t break you but strengthened you. In all honesty you’d just walk right up, and junk punch them but if it is your last day, you wouldn’t want the bad karma. So, you would thank them and let them know you are sorry for whatever happened to them to make them that way.

  You’d kiss a boy, kiss a girl, maybe both. Tell the person you have had a crush on, just how truly madly deeply heart-achingly in epic-love with them you are. And then in a final act of brevity you’d grab them and kiss the ever-loving hell out of them so that there was no doubt in their mind how you felt.

  You’d hug and kiss your family and friends; tell them how much you love them. Make long sweet passionate love to the man of your dreams for hours until you fall asleep in his arms.

  You would do all of that and more, right? That’s what you would do. You wouldn’t be sitting in the middle of a leaking bingo hall waiting for something to happen.

  I spent the day scouting around. I reviewed what little information I could glean from Vex’ systems. The security on his computer systems was tight. Gianni’s doing, I guessed. I triple checked all the plans I made, every contingency and every escape route. On that front I was as prepared as I could be.

  I hacked the feeds from the camera’s Vex’ men had installed and sent the link to my phone. I wanted to make sure I was the last to arrive. Vex thought he had the upper hand, he was wrong.

  I stayed away from Georgiou, I wouldn’t disrespect him by spying on him that didn’t mean I hadn’t caught up on all his business dealings. But, the man himself was off limits.

  Gianni though, he was fair game and after all this time that nothing had changed. His business dealings were the same, his staff all looked the same although there were some newer additions. He was a creature of habit, even his women were the same just traded in for newer models.

  What I couldn’t figure out was how he got tied up with Vex in the first place, they didn’t even live in the same country. Vex was no one important, in the grand scheme of things he was a low man on the totem pole.

  Vex worked for Salvatore a third cousin of Gianni, who’s territory was gifted to him because it virtually ran itself. The clients were all ‘low maintenance’, they were long standing clients of the family who knew how things worked. Salvatore was more-or-less the face of the Marino Family in the area, while things were run from the UK.

  Nicholas Vex would have been known to Georgiou. The man liked to know who was working for him, but he wouldn’t have had any direct dealing with the man, he wasn’t that important.

  Gianni’s job was to keep Salvatore and all his employees in line. But what I couldn’t figure out was how Vex managed to get an audience with Gianni in the first place, let alone have any influence.

  So, what am I doing in a bingo hall? Turns out that Vex likes to do his business in the middle of a crowded hall filled with families and the elderly who are on their weekly outing. I guess it makes for the perfect alibi.

  Your honour. I have about a hundred witness that can attest that I was in fact, at a community bingo game for hours at the time of the alleged offence.

  Following Vex to see what he was up to had been interesting. He also wasn’t hard to track. He was either very smart or extremely dumb. I’m guessing extremely dumb.

  He wasn’t hard to find and even easier to track. I still can’t believe he holds position of power let alone that he was still alive. It didn’t take that much effort to unearth all the underhanded things that Vex had been doing. Either Gianni knew all about it and condoned it or he just didn’t give a shit.

  The amount of evidence I uncovered against Vex in a twenty-four-hour period was enough to bury him for good. What I hadn’t been able to figure out was why Gianni had done nothing about it. I mean, it was his family that Vex owed the money to, so why wasn’t he angry about it?

  I sat in the middle of the bingo hall boring holes into the back of his head wishing I was a mind reader. I placed myself in the middle of a long table in between two groups of families. Surrounded by kids and harassed looking parents I looked like any ordinary single mum, aunty or nanny helping manage a horde of children.

  I dressed like every other low-income earning female in the room. No-name jeans knock off kicks, off the rack jacket and a top that looked like it was washed a million times. I’d pinned my shoulder length dull brown wig half up with little effort, the messy bangs hanging over my eyebrows, helped me blend into the crowd.

  After some time, I knew all the kid’s names and had the confidence of the parents who, were more than happy to leave their kids with me as they tackled the food line.

  I needed to get closer to Vex so I could hear what he was saying. There were dozens of kids running around playing a game of tag, weaving in and out of the tables. Vex sat on a table with four of his men and the person he was meeting with and two of his guys. The rest of his table comprising of elderly couples hoping to win some of the groceries available as prizes.

  “Hey, why aren’t you two playing with the rest of the kids?” I asked Davie and Mathew two of the older kids on my table.

  “’Cos it’s supposed to be a challenge,” Davie said rolling his eyes.

  “Yeah and ith stho not,” Matthew added his missing front teeth making him sound like he had a lisp.

  “Why isn’t it a challenge?” I asked a plan forming.

  “Well, we’re too fafth and they can’t cath uth,” Mathew said with pride.

  “Yeah, besides we are so sneaky that the other kids don’t even know they were tagged,” Davie added.

  “They don’t even notice?”

  “Nah Ah,” they both replied.

  “I bet you couldn’t do it to an adult,” I challenged.

  “So, could,” they replied taking the bait.

  I reached into my pocket pulling out tracers. They were tinny little dots the size of the tip of your finger that has a tracker and listening electronics inside. It is undetectable, waterproof and is viable for about a week. After it has reached its use by date, the electronics would short out and the adhesive dissolves and drops off the target. A gift from Haun.

  The Japanese, just like Batman, have the best toys.

  “I bet you ten quid you couldn’t put these stickers on…” I looked around the room like I was searching for the right target. “… those guys,” I said indicating to Vex and his second in command.

  “The two douche bags with their backs to us, sitting on the granny table?” Davie asked.

  “Yeah, those guys. I bet you a tenner you can’t get the sticker behind their ears.” I pointed to the spot behind my ear where I wanted the tracer.

  “I cothood, stho do that,” Matthew said eagerly.

  “Without them knowing? I think my money is safe.”

  “No way that money is ours, give us the stickers,” Davie demanded.

  I placed the tracers on the boy’s fingers. I made sure they understood that the tracers were very sticky and would stick to anything they came
in-contact with. I told them it was a game I used to play with my brother.

  The boys took off and joined in the game of tag with the other kids. I watched as they weaved in and out of the tables chasing the other kids. The hall filled with noise while the kids played, squeals of laughter, the scraping of chairs and squeaking of sneakers on the floor.

  Davie and Mathew circled Vex’ table a few times before crashing into each other behind Vex and his number two bumping into the men. The kids skilfully placed the tracer dots in the prime location.

  “Sorry, mister, sorry,” the boys apologised.

  “Get out of here you little bastards,” Vex hissed.

  “Sorry mister it was an accident,” Davie said shoving Matthew back towards the centre aisle of the tables.

  The boys kept playing for a few more minutes to not draw suspicions before coming back to the table. Both boys had huge shit-eating grins on their very pleased with them-selves faces.

  These kids could have a career in the spy game if they wanted.

  Neither Vex nor his number two even acknowledged that the boys had made contact planting the tracers. They thought it was just some rowdy kids and crashed into their chairs. I was so impressed that I gave them both twenty pounds. They shoved the money in their pockets and then proceeded to shove chicken nuggets into their starving mouths.

  I checked the app on my phone to make sure that both tracers were live and receiving. Once I was satisfied that everything was working as it should I decided I wouldn’t check the app or listen in. Everything was being recorded, I would review it later. For now, I would just relax and enjoy the competitive, fast passed rivalry that is grocery bingo.

  Chapter 13 Hedge

  In the limited time I had left before the meeting I had to prioritise my time and what I put my energy into researching. I managed a preliminary background check, but not the in-depth level of detail I would have liked, on the major players in Vex’ crew. As much as I wanted to know about everyone involved Vex was the priority.

  It was amazing what you could find out about a person online. Vex was not a social media darling or anything, he’s not posting or tweeting or trending. But between the details online and the information I have been able to get through people in Vex’ past and current crew, I learned a lot about him.

  Nicholas Vex, son to Trevor and Noreen Vex, a mechanic and school nurse. Good people by all accounts. Hard working; both working long hours to provide for their boys Darren and Nicholas. Trevor and Noreen were doting parents attending as many school sporting events as possible. Dropping in between shifts, both working two jobs to give their children the best life possible.

  Noreen working as a school nurse and then the night shift at the local nursing home. Trevor working from six till six in the mechanic shop then as the night cleaner for the school. All their hard work meant that they could provide for their children, but it also meant that they were often left alone. The unoccupied boys got up to mischief – Idol hands and all that.

  The boys would wander the streets after dinner looking for trouble, they found it. Or should I say trouble found them. One of Salvatore’s ‘recruiters’ found the boys late one night, long after a boy of twelve and fourteen should have been in bed, trying to break into a jewellery shop.

  I will say this for Vex he may be a low life piece of scum, but the boy loved his mother. Turns out they were breaking in to steal a necklace their mother had been admiring in the shop window but said they couldn’t afford it.

  Salvatore a Mumma’s boy himself, liked that they were doing something for their mother and brought the boys into the fold. Only working for him part time until they both finished their schooling.

  Once they both started working for Salvatore full time and getting paid handsomely for it, they let their parents know they could retire. Noreen did but Trevor kept his job at the mechanics to keep him busy.

  Noreen and Trevor were so proud of their boys both getting jobs right out of school for that nice Salvatore man. Little did they know their boys were thugs.

  After a time, they had set up their own business. The Vex boys had developed reputations of their own. They may have had their own dealings, but Salvatore still owned their asses.

  Salvatore had sent Darren to London after their parents had passed and Nicholas stayed working his way up through the ranks. It was just pure dumb luck he got in favour with Gianni.

  Gianni had been visiting Salvatore checking in on things, ensuring the business grew while being kept under the radar of the cops. Vex was in the room during a meeting between Gianni and Salvatore. He was a prop, background noise just there to fill space and make Salvatore seem more important than he was.

  Gianni asked a question about supply and shipment of a new product, Salvatore being the smug bastard he was, waved off the question.

  “Let’s not discuss such things. Gianni, we’re family let us drink, invite in the women and enjoy ourselves.”

  “Salvatore, this is information I need. My father will want to know.”

  “I’m sorry Gianni. It will take me a moment to get you that information.”

  Cue Vex and his big moment. Stepping from the shadowed corner of the room to provide the information.

  Gianni was impressed that Vex had both the knowledge on hand and the balls to speak up. Thus, began the rise of Vex.

  Through hacking Vex’ systems, I learned that he decided that he was over being number two. Vex was sick of Gianni getting all the credit for his work. It would seem that Vex has been feeling this way for quite some time and was just biding his time until the perfect opportunity presented itself.

  Vex had been planning for almost two years to take over from Gianni by either having him sent home to England permanently or by putting him in the ground. Vex planned to use Morningstar to eliminate my family, wipe out Georgiou and Gianni and take control.

  It would appear that a conversation in a church on a Sunday morning was the perfect opportunity.

  Chapter 14 Hedge

  I had planned and researched and had contingencies. Even my contingencies had contingencies. I just had to accept that I was prepared and that it was all in the hands of the gods now.

  No one likes to say goodbye. I didn’t want to say goodbye, but that’s what I was doing.

  I spent the rest of the night with Kelly and Sam eating a spectacular homemade pork roast with all the trimmings. We joked, laughed and did our best to forget this may be the last time we were all together.

  I had arranged for Kelly and Sam to go on a cruise that would take them far, far away. New Zealand to be exact. I did not want them in the UK while shit was going down. If by some miracle Vex succeeded, if Charlie and I died, I wanted them out of the way to protect them. They wanted to wait until the day before the meeting, but I wanted them gone ASAP.

  I said goodnight to the boys and got wrapped up in smothering hugs, making promises I would be careful and come back alive. I hope it’s a promise I can keep.

  Before I got into bed, I had a quick shower and put on Memphis’s tee, I brought with me. I stood in front of the vanity in the bathroom brushing my teeth when inspiration struck me. I finished brushing my teeth and grabbed my phone.

  I stood in front of the full-length mirror in the bedroom and took a photo of me in his tee blowing him a kiss. My hair was out, the waves of my mahogany hair flowing around my shoulders. The V-neck of Memphis’s large tee had the material falling off one shoulder showing off the top of my breast, and the short length exposing my long legs. Smiling to myself, I climbed into bed and sent Memphis a text.

  ME: Just heading to bed

  I’m thinking about you

  I have unlocked your phone for messages

  If you want to say goodnight

  Goodnight Baby, I love you.

  Within a few seconds, my phone pinged with a reply.

  MEMPHIS: I wish I were there to tuck you in

  ME: Not as much as I do

  MEMPHIS: Not possible. I want to
kiss you, goodnight.

  I smiled and sent him the picture of me I had taken.

  MEMPHIS: Baby Girl that’s just mean! God, you look sexy in my clothes

  Oh, my God, could he be any cuter.

  MEMPHIS: Not as good as you do, out of them ;)

  I grinned to myself kicking the sheet off my legs taking another picture. This one was down my body showing that his tee had ridden up higher up my legs showing a lot of naked thigh and sent it to him.

  MEMPHIS: Not fair 

  Then my phone pinged again

  MEMPHIS: Show me more ;)

  I couldn’t help giggling and decided I would try to make the rest of our time apart as easy on both of us as possible. God willing this time next week I would be home in his arms and this would all become a distant memory.

  I turned onto my side and pulled the tee up over my hip showing him I was not wearing any underwear. Still not revealing anything other than my tattooed skin and sent it smirking.

  MEMPHIS: Why are you teasing me?

  I was now wide awake and kept playing, loving that it felt like I had power over him. I rolled onto my stomach and contorted myself so that my naked ass and legs were showing along with a little cleavage. I sent the pic giggling knowing what it would do to him.

  MEMPHIS: You’re playing dirty...

  “Oh, Baby you think that is playing dirty?” I said out loud pulling his tee over my head.

  I lay across the bed positioned my arm over my breasts to produce maximum cleavage while keeping my nipples covered. I crossed one leg over the other exposing my body enough, while still hiding my pussy from the camera and his view. I held the phone above my head and took the photo down the length of my body and sent the pic. I was laughing uncontrollably when my phone pinged except this time it was not a text, it was a photo. It was of Memphis’s handsome face, his eyes sparkling, and the corner of his mouth kicked up in a smirk.