Blackjack

by Kristopher Norris

  “So am I!” I cried out after her, as I thought to myself that I needed a cold shower. The thought increased when she returned out of the bathroom wearing a pair of tight black jeans and a formfitting sweater. The outfit was a perfect way to show off the amazing curves of her body. It was then I made up my mind that she was in the mood to tease me and that I’d be putting up with it all day long.

  I have no doubt my eyes had grown large at the sight of her. She was still smiling from her coffee vs. sex joke. “I’m sure you are. I do hope that I’ll get to find that out first hand.” I didn’t really understand why it couldn’t be today, however I did understand that she had her reasons.

  I was sitting on the edge of the bed tying my shoes. “Ready to go?”

  Her smile faded and she let out a long slow breath, seeming frustrated.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked. I was concerned and wanted to know.

  “I’m just…never mind, it’s nothing to worry yourself over.” She tried smiling, tried to put my mind at ease. It didn’t work, the fake smile did nothing but concern me more. “Let’s go,” she said offering me her hand.

  I took her hand and stood up. Her smile curled a little and finally reached her eyes. It was her real smile. The smile that I loved. “Come here.” Glided my hands around her waist and pulled her close. “If you need to talk I’m here.”

  “I know.” Her arms around my neck.

  I couldn’t think of anything else to say. So I kissed her. By the change in her breathing, and how tightly she held me, she wanted just that. And I was happy I could oblige her desire. “Coffee?” I asked after long moments of kisses and caressing.

  “One more thing first. You know I want you, right?”

  Sometimes. “Yeah. Why do you ask?”

  “I just wanted to make sure you knew; that’s all.”

  “Yes, I know.” Sometimes. It wasn’t her, not really. It was just this on again off again shit that sometimes made me wonder what she did want from me. I still had the thought, deep inside that maybe I was just a distraction for her, which I would not voice. She didn’t need my insecurities fucking shit up. I didn’t want her to see me like that. Maybe it was my pride but I didn’t want her to see me as anything but strong. Strong for her, strong for myself.

  Hand-in-hand we walked to the kitchen for coffee and food. Breakfast at noon that was our style. And as tradition dictated Terry was already there with coffee in the pot and food on the table. That day he was cooking up omelets. I was always glad to have Terry’s cooking. I didn’t know where he got the skill but damn the man could cook. And it wasn’t just tossing eggs, meat, and cheese into a frying pan; he was using spices that I’d never even heard of. Granted I ate out or got my dinners from an easy microwaveable plastic wrapped package so any home cooking was a difference for me. He was a wonderful cook, or maybe I was just used to microwaveable or English food. And we all know my outlook on the English cuisine. “Just in time,” he said not even looking up from the skittle.

  “You are such a good little housewife,” Carmen said slapping his ass as she walked past.

  He gave a little yelp as she did. “Yeah, it is like that I guess. After all, none of us are getting laid. Just like marriage.”

  His comment had her spinning on her heels. “Excuse me?” Her eyes shot from him to me.

  “I didn’t say anything.” Why did I get blamed every time he said something stupid?

  “Come on?” Terry came to my defense. “You can’t tell me the two of you have had sex. Not with the tension between you.” He had a point. “You honestly can’t.”

  It took her a moment before she said anything. “Is it so wrong that we haven’t had sex?” Her voice held just the slightest hint of irritation.

  “I didn’t say there was.”

  I was staying the fuck out of this one. “And how is it any of your business who I am or am not fucking?” Her irritation was growing. “It’s not.” He finally realized he’d set her off. “I’m sorry.”

  Her eyes grew massive. It seemed to me that Terry wasn’t the type to say sorry. “No, it’s okay. I’m just on edge today. I’m the one that should apologize to you.”

  I couldn’t decide who to keep an eye on. Both of them seemed so out of character. My eyes darted back and forth from one to the other. But the show was over, and I was dumbfounded. Terry went back to cooking while Carmen poured two cups of coffee. The moment of tension was over and no one was dead. I should have been able to relax myself. But it wasn’t ‘til my eyes landed on Carmen that I could draw myself away. The sight of her, standing there mixing the coffees, there was a feeling I couldn’t place. Somewhere deep inside me something stirred. It wasn’t just because she was beautiful to look at. No, it was much more than that. We’d spent only a few months together and there was that something. It was that nameless something that welled up inside of me just at the sight of her. She handed me the steaming mug, as I let out a small chuckle. “Thanks.”

  “And what is so damn funny, my dear Mr. Black?”

  I still hated to bring him up but she asked. “Your father, at my house, told me how addicted his daughter was to coffee. I didn’t remember ‘til just now.”

  She smiled that sweet sad smile that showed she was thinking about her father.

  “We’re going to get him back,” Terry said scooping an omelet onto a plate. “So sit down and enjoy this fucking breakfast.” He winked at her.

  I placed my hand over hers. Her big beautiful eyes locked onto mine. She grinned like she was expecting a deep statement. “You’d better enjoy that fucking breakfast.” 3, 2, 1 and there was her true smile, followed by an eruption of laughter. “I’m just saying I’ve seen him shot. I wouldn’t want to cross him.”

  He tossed a plate in front of me. “You too.”

  “Sir, yes, sir.” As I tossed him a half-assed salute.

  “I like her,” he said, “but I’ve got nothing against shooting you if you don’t like my eggs.” See I didn’t always start the pissing contest.

  The remainder of breakfast was light hearted, filled with smartass comments and laughing. We decided to go into town for a day of absolute nothingness. I really liked the plan.

  “I’m just going to go get a coat,” I said placing my plate in the dirty dish rack and walking out the door.

  “Well make it fast,” Carmen cried out to me. Hey I was still used to years of living in the fucking desert, this cold wet hell that was England I wasn’t used to.

  I did not want to keep them waiting long so I rushed to the room. I was digging the key out of my pocket to unlock the door to my room when I heard a beeping from within the room. Why was my computer beeping? I wasn’t expecting any new messages anytime soon. Days at the earliest. We’d only been away from the room an hour.

  Inside the room I went straight to the computer. I’d left the network connected. The unread message rhythmically beeped and flashed on the screen.

  MEETING DOABLE LONDON TOURNAMENT STARTS ONE WEEK RULES TO COME His, or her, riddles were getting worse and worse. No matter I had my meeting, that’s all I cared about. Now that I had it what was I going to do about it? I grabbed my coat and rushed downstairs to tell Carmen and Terry about the development.

  They were waiting at the base of the main staircase. “Took long enough?” Carmen asked jokingly. She caught the smile on my face and her demeanor immediately changed to one of curiosity. “What? What happened?”

  “Can’t I just smile?”

  “Not like that. You never smile like that.”

  Never? I’m sure I smiled like that every now and then so I

  questioned it. “Never?”

  “Only when a scheme of yours is coming together.”

  Okay, so I did like it when one of my plans, schemes as she put it,

  came together. “Okay, point taken.”

  “Now what happened?”

  Terry was looking just a curious as she did. No more playing

  games. “I got a message.”


  “We know that,” Terry said.

  “No, I got another.”

  “Already?” They asked together.

  “Yeah, already.”

  “So?” She asked. Okay so maybe I was still playing games. “So?”

  She was laughing now. “Stop fucking around and tell us.” She was

  getting frazzled the slightest hint of an English accent brushed her voice. “We’ve got a meeting in a week. They’ll send more details on the when and the where.”

  “So how are we going to handle it?”

  “We? The price is on my head. We don’t know if the two of you are involved in this yet at all.”

  “Yes, what are we going to do about it?” Terry said there was no joking in his voice. “She said it right.”

  “Even if we are not involved, even if the price on your head has nothing to do with the vampires or The Guild, it involves you so in turn us.”

  “But…” I began to protest.

  “You are helping with my father. You have no involvement in that.”

  But I did. I was there. I was there when he was taken. And I didn’t stop it. That alone pulled me into this fight.

  “We are in this whether you like it or not. So deal with that. Let’s go I need a fucking smoke.” He turned on his heels and walked out the door.

  “What’s wrong with him?”

  “You are our friend, Vincent. You look out for us. Why won’t you let us help you?”

  I’d never had anyone help me before, never had anyone to count on. It was hard for me to except anyone. “Just something that’s new to me.”

  She took my hand. “Let’s go, luv. Terry’s waiting and you haven’t had your morning cigarette.” After knowing me for only short while she knew me too well.

  “Alright, let’s go.”

  Terry was waiting outside for us, a cowboy killer pressed between his lips. “Ready?”

  “Yeah,” she said climbing into the passenger side.

  “You got any plans on how we can handle this meeting?”

  “We?”

  “Yeah, we.”

  “Let me think about it.”

  “Thanks.”

  The drive to the city was rather quiet. Everyone had their minds filled with something. I was rattling my brain trying to think of the best plan to handle the meeting with my contractor. I came up with a hundred ideas that all seemed to have troubles with them.

  Terry broke the silence. “What if we ask Amun and Michael for help?” The suggestion coming from Terry was still somewhat of a surprise. “Don’t you think they would help?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “They have called us allies. It would make sense that they would. After all we are helping them against the Council.” Carmen made a logical point.

  But I had to play the devil’s advocate. “But they are already helping us with finding your father.”

  “Doesn’t mean they won’t help us on this.”

  “It’s worth a shot.” Though I didn’t like asking for help, I also didn’t know what was in store for me, us, at this meeting and perhaps there would be more trouble then we could handle on our own. Having vampires and werewolves at our backs would not be such a bad idea. Then I found a problem with the plan. “What if it was the vampires or werewolves that put the price on my head?”

  “It’s possible,” Terry said, turning to check the blind spot as we exited the highway, “but we won’t know ‘til we try. Let’s talk to Amun and Michael, just the two of them. I think we can at least trust them.”

  That was the first time I’d heard him use the word trust when he spoke about vampires or werewolves. “I guess.” I didn’t know what to expect. But it’s all we could do if we wanted to gain their help. “So are we stopping to talk with Amun?”

  “I don’t see why not?” Terry said.

  “We’ve got a week to put this together. And, since we don’t have any more information about my father’s situation I suggest we put all our efforts into preparing for the upcoming meeting.” I was a bit startled by her suggestion. I don’t think I could place someone else’s problems in front of my own when I had a loved one at risk. “And you,” she said turning around to face me in the back seat, “You should spend as much time with Seth as you can. I hate to put pressure on you but you need to learn as much as you can as fast as you can.”

  “I know.”

  “Do you?” I was a bit taken back, she was hardly ever so forceful. “You are the one that Amun wants in his service. Terry and I are just…” she paused to search for the right word. “We are just little bonuses for taking you on. He needs you for your power.” She turned to face forward again. “And so do I.” she added quietly. I don’t think that she wanted me to hear it. So I didn’t say anything about her comment. I just placed my hand on her shoulder, trying to offer some bit of comfort. She turned her head and kissed my hand. A silent thank you. As my hand started to slip back off her shoulder she took my hand in hers and held it there. It wasn’t the most comfortable position, leaning so far forward but she wanted my touch so I’d stay there. I’d forego comfort for her.

  We soon arrived in the city. We parked the car close to Johnny’s shop since that would be the last place we’d be visiting. We spent the afternoon in shops and coffeehouses just walking the streets. Doing absolutely nothing, which was just what we’d planned to do. Just before nightfall we started to walk towards Amun’s. It had been a good day, a relaxing day that we all needed.

  Johnny was sitting on the curb smoking as we approached. He saw us coming and waved. And just as was expected of him he rose to his feet. “Hello, Miss Piper, Mr. Goodspeed, Vincent.” The three of us must have looked shocked at him using my first name. “We were not expecting you tonight. Is everything alright?”

  “Yeah, everything is fine.” I said pulling out a smoke of my own. “We were just in the city and wanted to run an idea past Amun.”

  “He asked not to be disturbed for awhile. If you’d like you are more than welcome to wait.” My imagination ran wild with what he may be busy with, and none of them I wanted to think about.

  I looked to the others before making a call. No objections shown from either of them. “Yeah we can wait.” I took a drag from my cigarette. “Actually, do you know if we’d be able to speak with Michael sometime soon?”

  “I don’t see it being a problem. I could make a call if you’d like.”

  “That would be wonderful. Thank you.” I surprised even myself with my civil mouth.

  “I’ll be right back.”

  Before he tossed his cigarette on the ground I told him to finish it before he ran off. I didn’t want a nearly full cancer stick to go to waste. “We’re not in a rush. It can wait a few moments.” Johnny was a good guy, sometimes, too good. He was always ready to do what was asked of him no matter the cost to himself. I hoped that he grew out of that. I couldn’t imagine living in such a world and never becoming more than the low guy on the totem pole. As soon as that cigarette was done he dashed inside.

  “Helpful, isn’t he?” Terry said.

  “Leave him be, he’s just trying to be nice.” The two of them really did bicker like siblings. I tried to keep my damn mouth shut when they got like that. I knew I could get myself into some deep shit all on my own. So, when those two were on the attack I was smart enough not to open myself up to them.

  “Thank you, Mr. Goodspeed. I do try to be helpful.” Johnny said coming back outside. The look on Terry’s face was a bit baffled. “We have very good hearing.” Offering an explanation. He’ll be here soon.”

  “He didn’t have to rush over here.” I said.

  “He said it wasn’t a problem.”

  Johnny pulled out another smoke while we waited for either Michael or Amun to speak with. In those moments Johnny lightened up. “If you don’t mind me asking, why do you need to see both of them, Amun and Michael?” He asked, seeming not so timid. Both Terry and Carmen looked at me, wondering if we should tell hi
m. If we were trusting Amun then I didn’t see why Johnny shouldn’t be included. I didn’t distrust Johnny. “Did you hear about the attempt on my head?”

  “Only tidbits. I did hear you and Amun tore them up something fierce.” His eyes lit up at the thought of a good fight.

  “Yeah, you could say that.” We did kick some ass. “Well, what it boils down to is this; I’ve got a meeting with the person that put the price on me. He, or she, or they, do not know the meeting is with me. I staged myself as another hit man to get the meeting. I’d like some help, and we figured Amun and Michael might just like the chance.”

  “I can’t speak for them but I don’t see why it would be a problem. So you’re just looking for some back up?”

  “That and ideas,” I answered him. As I was lighting another cigarette Michael approached us. He let me know he was coming, though I think he could have easily hidden his presence. I figured he didn’t want to startle us. We were after all armed with silver, just as deadly to shape shifters as to vampires. “Hello, Michael,” I said turning around to shake his hand. He was in his human form. Dressed like any businessman on his way home from work. And though the sun was low in the sky, already hidden by buildings of the city, he was still wearing a pair of darkly tinted sunglasses. He was hiding his eyes. I’d love to see the reaction they get from a normal human that didn’t know what he was.

  “Miss Piper, Mr. Goodspeed, Mr. Black. How are you all?” he asked shaking our hands in turn.

  “Well enough,” I said.

  Terry offered nothing but a nod of his head. “How have you been Michael?”

  “Well, thank you. And Jonathan, I forget myself, how are you.” Johnny bowed in response. He was so polite and well mannered. Both of them were. To be honest it was a little annoying. “But I was not asked here for my company. Jonathan said you needed to speak with me. Though those were the only details he had for me.”

  “Yes, we do need to speak with you. But you did not need to rush over here on our account.”

  He grinned and removed his glasses. “It was not a problem, Mr. Black.”

  “Please call me Vincent.”

  “As you wish.”