by Piper Page
“I think he’s amazing,” I yelled and then shot a smile up to him. He lifted his glass to me. “He’s perfect.”
Sunny tilted her head back and laughed. “Perfectly insane. I don’t know how he can torture those poor souls like he does.”
I shrugged. “He’s good at his job.”
10
Jake
She was amazing. I couldn’t keep my eyes off her body as she moved on the dance floor with Sunny. Her choice of dress was mouth watering. It pleased me that she had listened to what I wanted from her. I could stare at her all night; unfortunately, work needed to be done and I would have to step away from her once more. This annoyed me, and I would take that out on the delivery that was waiting.
I watched a moment longer as the two women who had become the only two women, besides my mother, to get close to the Von Larsen brothers, whisper to one another, laughing and talking about us, no doubt, as women did when they get on with one another. I could only hope that the champagne had not loosened Sunny’s tongue too much. Maybe I could ask Cole to do a check with her, and explain that Alyson wasn’t privy to our full lifestyle. Of course, if either one of them drank any more, they probably wouldn’t remember too much anyway.
Cole cleared his throat. “Angelo just got the call, Tommy is back. I think you better sit down and look at these first before you go.”
My mood turned serious and my natural defensive instincts kicked into high gear. Aly would stay with Sunny and Cole, and then Angelo would take her back to the hotel to wait for me. The New York New York was a short walking distance, and if I were going to stay, I would have liked to walk back with her under all the bright lights, but in her present condition, I was not going to take the chance of her walking out on the streets by herself. I signaled to Angelo before sitting down to review Cole’s phone. “I want you to take Alyson back to the hotel after I leave. Walk her to her room and make sure she is safe inside, and then wait outside her door until I get there.”
“Yes, sir.” Angelo returned to his position near the dance floor, keeping an eye out for the girls while Cole and I worked.
Cole’s eyes were blazing by the time I settled down next to him. “What the fuck. How did this happen?” He handed me the phone and I scrolled through several pictures.
As each one passed by, my rage grew tenfold. Through a sequence of pictures on the screen, I was given the full event that had taken place with our missing advantage player. The first was him being dragged, obviously unconscious, by the arms, with a bag over his head to a waiting car. The second was him stuffed in the trunk. A third showed him on his knees near a body of water, the next a bullet in his head, and finally, his body being thrown into the water. I scoffed.
No creativity.
“Can you verify it’s Droppa’s men?” asked Cole.
“No need to verify. Tommy recognized the car, ran the numbers. It’s Droppa.”
“Goddamn piece of shit.” Cole slammed his fist on the table and an empty champagne bottle toppled over. “Go get what you can. I want Donovan Droppa to know without a doubt that we are not going to accept this. I want him to know we control Houston.” His eyes bored into mine. Cole didn’t need to say any of this. I knew what had to be done. This was my job and I did it well.
“Make sure Aly goes with Angelo. Oh, and make sure Sunny isn’t spilling her guts.”
Cole frowned and looked at the dance floor, watching his fiancé laugh and wobble, dancing with Alyson. “Is she safe, Jake? We can’t deal with any more leaks.”
I gave his words a fleeting moment of consideration. “She’s a grad student, no worries.”
Cole was satisfied, as much as Cole could be satisfied. I made my way down to the dance floor and worked my way up behind her, grabbing her swiveling hips and grinding into the back of her as she danced. “I have to leave, “I whispered through her hair, inhaling the sweet perfumed scent. I could feel the surging aggression in my veins. “Go back to the hotel with Angelo and I will be there soon.”
She turned in my arms and gave me a full on pout. “Why?”
“It’s work, Aly. Just do what I’m telling you to do, please.” Her body felt amazing in my hands.
Be a good girl and I will fuck you so good later.
Humans were predictable, drunk women especially. I knew she was about to argue with me. I covered her lips with my mouth and yanked her body hard into mine, kissing her with force and greed. “Just do it.”
She stood there, dizzy on the dance floor, speechless. I took a step backward and left her. She’d be all right, maybe pissed for about five minutes, or until Sunny put another drink in her hand.
I promise I’ll make it up to you.
Making my way down to the belly of the hotel, beneath the club, below the lobby, past the storage rooms, beyond the boilers and subbasement, I walked the distance of a narrow, dark, and dank hallway. I doubted even those with maximum security clearance ever made it this deep into the establishment. Most did not even know these spaces existed. People were oblivious by nature and most preferred to stay that way, but when you were in the business of drugs, money laundering, and murder in Vegas, you knew.
I met Tommy outside the door. “Are we all set?”
“Yes, Jake.”
“You have the burner phone?”
He showed me the freshly purchased cell phone.
“Good, send them as you take them and then throw the phone into the incinerator before you leave. You got it?”
“Crystal clear.”
I was beginning to like Tommy, even if he had eye fucked Alyson earlier. I wasn’t so hard that I couldn’t understand another man’s attraction to a gorgeous woman. As long as he respected that she was with me, we were cool. “You ready for this?”
I watched his Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed.
I lifted my eyebrows, questioning him.
“Yeah, no problem. I got this.” If he really did, then Tommy would move up the ranks tonight.
I opened the door and walked into the empty room. In the middle of the cement floor, over a metal floor drain cover, sat a man tied to a wooden chair. He had a cloth bag over his head and over the fabric, a gag was shoved into his mouth. I signaled to Tommy to take a picture as I yanked the gag and the sack off his head in one forceful, merciless swipe, taking a clump of hair with it.
“Send it,” I hissed, watching the man’s eyes try to adjust to the room’s lighting and what was happening. I waited, pacing back and forth in front of him.
Say something, I fucking dare you.
I looked at Tommy, crossing my hands behind my back. “How important is this fuck to Droppa?”
“I ain’t shit to Droppa, man, you got nothing,” snapped the man.
My body spun fast and the back of my hand connected with his face and dislocated one of his bottom teeth. “Bullshit, but thanks for verifying you do work for him.”
“Fuck you, Von Larsen.”
I laughed. “The fact that you know who I am tells me a lot.” I slammed my knee into his groin, as my fingers clenched around his collar and lifted his body upward. I relished in the loss of his breath and the tears that welled in his eyes as his face turned red from the pain. “We can do this real easy. You can tell us what you know and go home to Donovan with all your working body parts, or I can break all your fingers and toes right now until you talk. It’s your choice, but don’t take too long. I got somewhere to be.” I signaled for Tommy to take another picture. “Send it.” I let go of him and put my foot back to the floor.
I watched him gasp and drool, coughing. “Fuck you. Donovan is going to kill all your men and then he’s going to kill your weak ass baby brother, that dick of an older brother, and leave you for last.”
My fist shot out and broke his nose. He wailed in pain. Tommy took a picture. I watched as the blood poured out over his lip and soaked his shirt. “Donovan Droppa is a weak fuck who hires weaker fucks to do his dirty work. He couldn’t touch me or my brothers if we fucking
gift wrapped our dicks and laid under his fucking Christmas tree on Christmas morning.”
“He shot your guy and dumped his body in the Buffalo Bayou.” Blood splattered on the floor at my feet as he talked.
“Yeah, a newbie that had minimal training. I doubt he got anything more than our plans to be in Vegas this weekend. But you, friend, you’re a close contact to Droppa; you’re not an innocent flower anymore. I’m sure Droppa has broken you in for a few years now.” I watched the bone in his baby finger pop as I wrenched it backward toward the rope that bound his wrist to the arm of the chair.
The man screamed. Tommy retched and then gained his composure as I glared at him.
“Go to hell,” the man hissed through clenched teeth, his face twisted with pain.
My fist rained down on his head and face until they were covered in his blood, his nose was crooked, his left eye swollen to a narrow slit, and his skin beginning to discolor. “Picture.”
His words were barely audible the next time he spoke. “Go fuck yourself, you limp dick jack-off.” He spit out a mouthful of blood and continued. “You are no better than your cheatin’, poor, suck ass lawyer father.”
I heard Tommy gasp and jump back as I wrapped my hands around the cords of the man’s throat with warp speed. His mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water as he writhed and struggled for a fresh breath of air. His eyes bulged through his swollen facial features. My fingers tightened and I could feel the tender airway collapse beneath his skin in the strength of my uncontrolled grip. His face turned red, purple, and then blue before he went still and his muscles went limp. “Don’t ever talk about my father, you fuck.” I kicked his shin with enough force to hear the bone shatter. Of course he didn’t feel it, but I did. “Goddamn him. Fuck.” I swore and ran my hands through my hair. I didn’t want to do that. Killing him was not my plan. “Fuck.”
Tommy stood stock still, staring at the dead man.
“Take a picture and send it. Burn the phone and the body. Clean up the room.” I left him standing there and walked down the hallway. My cell phone dialed the number from my contacts. “Send someone to help Tommy,” I calmly instructed. I needed release.
The utility elevator took me up to Willie’s room, where I showered and pulled on a fresh shirt. It was tight on my arms and chest, but it would have to do. I rolled up my blood splattered shirt and headed back down the way I came. Tommy had two other men with him now, and I handed him my shirt.
“Burn this too.”
He took it in his hands without a word.
“You okay?” I laid my hand on his shoulder.
“Yeah.” He paused and looked down. “Yeah, I’m good.”
“Damn straight you are. Go see Cole tomorrow.” I knew Cole would set him up. Our boys were well taken care of. “You did good, Tom.”
Please be awake, Aly.
I took the shuttle from the Luxor to the Excalibur and crossed the bridge over the highway to the New York New York. I was walking at a steady pace, but my heart was racing for other reasons. I needed Alyson and knowing that she was waiting in my suite made me feel like an addict who knew his dealer was right around the corner and he had a pocket full of cash to spend.
The elevator doors glided open, and I saw Angelo standing outside at his post.
Good man.
“How long has she been back?” I shook his hand and pulled him away from the door.
“Just.” He gave me a concerned look.
“It’s done. We lost a good man, but Droppa has gotten the message. He can’t fuck with us and win.”
Angelo nodded and left for his own room. I opened the door and stepped inside, locking it behind me. Aly was at the bar, searching through the refrigerator. I walked up behind her and wrapped her in my arms. “What are you looking for?”
Her body tensed and then relaxed when she heard my voice. “Water.”
I grabbed a bottle from the door and opened it for her. “Come with me.”
Her tiny hand got lost in mine, and I led her to the balcony outside the bedroom. I held her and we stared at the lights of the surrounding city as the roller coaster below us circled the lower rooftop of the hotel and people screamed with pleasure at the thrill ride. I flicked a switch on the wall beside the sliding glass door. Soft lights and quiet jets turned on in the outside Jacuzzi.
“How was work? Did you get everything taken care?” she asked.
Permanently taken care of.
11
Alyson
The cool air of the refrigerator felt amazing on my exposed skin. I leaned into the lighted space of the appliance and let the coldness rush down the low cut bodice of my gown. Sunny was a maniac and kept me dancing for an hour after Jake left. I was angry that he was leaving me alone again. We had been in Vegas for over twelve hours now, and the amount of time we had spent together thus far amounted to “bupkis,” as my lieutenant would have said.
Oh God, work. No, fuck work.
I didn’t want to think about the job right now. I was not working now, no wire, no secretive operation, no reports. My head was swimming with champagne and an overwhelmed sense of enjoyment. Angelo even took note of my more relaxed demeanor as we chatted in the limo, driving the short distance from hotel to hotel.
“Is Jake going to be back at the hotel?” I complained.
“Soon, Ms. Gallagher.”
“He works a lot.”
“He enjoys his job.”
“What about you, Angelo, do you enjoy working with Jake?”
“I am proud to work with all the Von Larsens.”
“They seem like a good bunch of boys. You drive them all, hmm.”
He smirked in the rearview mirror as we conversed through the rolled down divider window.
“Can I ask you a question, Ms. Gallagher?”
“Alyson.” I hated that he used my fake last name. I’d probably hate it if he used my real last name.
“Why did you agree to come with Jake to Vegas?”
I laid my cheek to my bare arm, the arm that I had rested on the edge of the divider window as I leaned forward and gave Angelo a dreamy look. “Because it’s romantic, don’t you think?” I traced the sewn in threads on the interior of the limo seat.
Angelo actually laughed. “You’ve had a lot to drink tonight. It relaxes you.”
I dropped my jaw, offended. “Do you think I’m an uptight person?”
“No Ms… Alyson, not at all. I think Jake makes you nervous.”
I opened my mouth to protest, and then snapped it shut with an audible noise that made Angelo giggle once again.
He does not make me nervous. He makes me wet.
Every fiber of my being stiffened and my hands balled up into fists, ready to strike, until I heard Jake’s voice behind me, bringing me back to reality with my torso still in the refrigerator. He took my hand and led me out onto the balcony into the night air. We were high up. I didn’t realize how high until I saw the full-sized rollercoaster zooming on its track below us. I stepped back from the railing, feeling dizzy.
“Are you all right?” asked Jake.
I sat down in a cushioned lounge chair by the Jacuzzi. “I guess heights and champagne are not a great combination. How was work?”
“Let me get you a drink.” Jake excused himself and left me sitting out on the balcony.
I needed to get out of this dress. The zipper slid down my side, through the sequined fabric, and fell to the surface of the balcony floor at my bare feet, my shoes lost somewhere between the limo and the hotel suite. The cool air felt wonderful on my body. Jake cleared his throat behind me. His eyes were locked on my frame, devouring my silhouette as he stood in the doorway, glass in hand.
“What?”
“You.”
I shook my head. “What about me?”
“You are so damned beautiful.”
I blushed and took the drink, letting the cold liquid quench my dry throat.
He scowled. “You don’t believe me? No o
ne ever called you beautiful?”
I stood there in my newly purchased lingerie, the Vegas lights reflecting off the windows and the water in the Jacuzzi.
Who turned on the bubbles?
I sat on the outside edge of the hot tub and swirled my finger through the heated water. “Ice queen, yes, beautiful not since I was,” I hesitated, “not by anyone that really meant it.”
Jake drew close to me and lifted my chin so I couldn’t look away. “I only say what I mean, Aly, and you are beautiful.”
“I’m a cold-hearted bitch, Jake. You just don’t know it yet.” I frowned and yanked my chin from his fingertips.
“Not from what I’ve seen.” I heard his fingers dip into my glass and extract an ice cube. Its icy surface burned across my lips. I could feel it leave a trail of cold moisture on my mouth. Jake followed its path with his tongue. “Nope,” he said.
I could sense the lines in my forehead crease as I scrutinized that singular word. “Nope? Nope what?”
“You do not have the lips of an ice queen. Yours are warm and sweet.”
The corners of my mouth turned upward. Jake took the ice cube and traced the line of my neck and across my collar bone. He kissed the wet trail, lapping up the melted water. “No frozen heart here either.”
I moaned and rolled my neck to the side. The shrinking cube rested in the concave where my collar bones met. Jake held my eyes with his and I felt the icy water drip down my cleavage. I shivered. His mouth followed the path and I closed my eyes, feeling his tongue on my flesh, its warmth filling my insides to a passionate temperature. His fingers took another cube from my glass. The first one fully vanished in his fingertips.
When he knelt on the floor and parted my thighs, I gulped back a whimper. The ice touched my inner thigh and my fingers gripped the edge of the Jacuzzi. I let my head fall backward, soaking in the feel of the cold, followed by his warm, wet mouth and the steam of the hot water rising up against my back.
