Daring Hearts: Fearless Fourteen Boxed Set

by Box Set

  “She might. Use your persuasive skills on her to make sure she does what you need her to. Don’t take anything she does at face value. Look for the why. We are practicing in the very club you’re going to be in tomorrow night.”

  His words had been anything but comforting or encouraging, and she was wound up when she entered the bar. He sat at a table in the back to watch.

  Veronica sat at the bar. When she turned to greet Kate, Kate couldn’t help but be shocked at her appearance. She was your classic preppy, cute girl. She looked seventeen or maybe eighteen. While she wore makeup, it was spare. Her clothes gave a nod to private school with a plaid, short skirt and a crisp, white button-up shirt that was open to show cleavage. She smiled and Kate fell under her cute girl spell. “Hey,” she said in a silky, fun voice. “I’m Veronica.” If Kate hadn’t known better, she would have thought she had fallen into a 1980’s teen movie and had just met the high school’s most popular girl.

  She took Kate’s hand and squeezed it much like Candy had taught her to yesterday. She didn’t let go after the three seconds Kate thought was a bit too long. She looked hard at Kate until Kate wanted nothing more than to look away. After ten seconds she let go and said, “Did that feel natural to you?”

  “No.” Kate wanted to laugh at how absurd it had been.

  “Tell me what about it wasn’t natural.”

  “You held on too long and kept eye contact too long.” Kate hadn’t needed the lesson yesterday to teach her that.

  “I thought the same thing.” Somehow she smirked with her eyes, her mouth still in a beautiful smile.

  “What?” She had thrown her off. This girl freaked her out.

  “You held on too long and kept eye contact too long. It was like meeting a curious monkey or something.” There was a slight twitch in her left eye. Her lessons would not be fun like with Candy.

  Lesson learned. Know your prey.

  “Let’s try it again.” This time she did smirk.

  By two o’clock when workers started showing up, Kate felt like she’d been run over by a steamroller. This girl was unapologetic about what she did and downright nasty, but not overtly. Kate could see why she was so good at what she did. But Kate didn’t believe she had to be so awful in order to be effective. She did have to admit that she learned a ton. What to look for, where to stand, how to find the right guy, tricks about getting them to talk. Veronica had been effective in her teaching, but she’d made an enemy in the process.

  “That was great, Veronica,” Vinny said. “I appreciate that. I think Kate has learned a ton.” He looked at Kate and she said, “Yes. I did. Thank you.”

  She raised her eyebrows and smirked. “I don’t know, Vinny. I think she needs a couple more weeks. When does she hit the floor?”

  Kate wanted to smack her for that comment.

  “Tonight, actually.”

  “Seriously? The boss said tonight was super important, and that he needed me to be in top form. I can’t be looking after a newbie tonight.”

  “No need. She’ll be fine,” Vinny said. Kate wanted to give him the biggest hug ever. “She’ll stay out of your way and you stay out of hers. The boss is coming tonight.” The threat was explicit. “Between the two of you, he expects all the poachers and newbies to be brought in.”

  “Well, I’m not going to let him down.” Veronica eyed me.

  Vinny nodded. “You never do. Like I said, you were great today. Thank you.” He turned to Kate. “Let’s go.” He started out.

  Veronica hiss-whispered to Kate, “Stay out of my way tonight. I get first pick.”

  “Whatever,” Kate said in her normal voice.

  Vinny turned again. “You coming?”

  Kate wasted no time in following him this time.

  Once in the car, she told Vinny about it.

  “Did you convince her you needed first pick since you’re new at this?”

  She stammered. “I-I-I-”

  Then Vinny started laughing. “She’s scary, right?”

  “You got that right.” But, he’d been correct with his comment. She should have tried to persuade Veronica. A terrible cold shifted through her. What if Salvatorio was setting her up to fail tonight? If she was in competition with Veronica, Veronica would be named the winner, hands-down. For the first time since hearing about this challenge, Kate felt completely unprepared and unable to accomplish it.

  She hardly slept, tossing and turning all afternoon. She thought about the escape ideas that she come up with the first few days she’d been there. She now knew how futile they all had been. Her chances of escape were even smaller now that she wasn’t working day shift. Veronica taunted her in her dreams, and she woke more than once thick with sweat. She’d thought about pushing the yellow button, but she had no idea who would show up and even if Vinny showed up, she wouldn’t be able to tell him her fears or get his opinion about any of the escape ideas she’d come up with.

  Monday, was her last day to escape, at least with the Lamberts. Their flight left early in the morning. Was it six or seven? She couldn’t remember. She thought about the club and the chances of escape from there. She thought it might be possible depending on where the boss and his cronies were sitting. She’d have to be quick and exit with a patron somehow. The circumstances would have to be perfect. She thought of all the coincidences that had occurred since her arrival in Jersey and decided she wouldn’t give up on them. If she had been able to find Duran, she would also be able to find a way out of that club.

  When she woke, she noticed a book on her table that hadn’t been there earlier. She snatched it up. It was some romance novel and she was about to flick it back to the table, disgusted, when she noticed a yellow piece of paper sticking out of it.

  Her hands trembled as she read the note.

  Roses are red. Violets are blue. They come in the night. Only for you.

  She dropped the note. It fluttered to the cement ground. The threat was clear. Someone was coming for her tonight She read the note again and again. She lay back, her head hitting her soft pillow. Her mind filled with fearful thoughts. Who was coming for her? It couldn’t be the Bellinis. Veronica? Had the Marconis discovered who she was? Had Andre and Lenora talked and made the connection? It was a possibility. If any Marconi had laid their eyes on her and described her to Lenora Marconi, the priest at the church, or even Andre, they could have made the connection somehow.

  She bolted up and picked up the note, scrutinizing it. Who had written it? No clues presented themselves. Her birth mom popped into her head unbidden. If her birth mom was alive and if she worked for the FBI, it could have come from her. She imagined they had to be cryptic in case someone found the note before Kate did. If that was the truth about the note. She couldn’t be sure. Everyone seemed to think her mother was dead. The idea faded the more she considered it.

  She hoped she would see Duran again before the club. She wanted to trust him and have him help her escape. He could come with her.

  Duran brought dinner. Kate fell immediately into his arms.

  “Oh, Duran. I’m so scared. I can’t do this. You have to help me escape or something.”

  He stroked her hair and chuckled a little. He obviously didn’t understand how extremely upset she was. “I’m serious.”

  “You’re nervous. Don’t think about your fears, okay? Think about the possibilities. It will be over before you know it. You can do this. I believe in you.” He was annoyingly calm. Irritation flooded her. Even Duran was no help.

  Kate sniffed, fighting tears.

  “I wish I could stay, especially when you feel scared, but I can’t. I have to work in five minutes, which means I have to leave now, and I won’t see you again before you leave.”

  Kate grabbed him into a tight hug. “Don’t go.”

  He pulled back and kissed her hard on the lips. “I have to. You’ll see, tonight will open all kinds of doors for you. I’ll miss you. I can’t tell you how much I adore you.”

  He stood,
kissed her again and left. She could have sworn he had tears in his eyes.

  He was as worried as she was. This was not good.

  Not long after that, Vinny took her to shower and get ready. The water was warm, hot even, as she showered, but she had to work to control her trembling. Using positive self-talk, she was able to shower and do her hair and makeup. She worked hard to continue to hide the small traces of bruises on her face. She reached for the clothes she’d brought in, but couldn’t find them. On a hook on the door leading to the hall hung a black clothes bag and some two-inch heels on the floor.

  She put the clothes on and they weren’t half bad. The mini skirt was long enough that she could still get something from the floor if she bent her knees and that she could sit crossing her legs without it shimmying up to her waist. The blousy, navy blue shirt looked a lot like a peasant shirt. She kept her hair down and straight. She slipped into the comfortable heels and felt a surge of relief that they fit. If she had to wear them all night or even run in them, she’d be able.

  “Dad,” Kate whispered in the car as they drove.

  “Why are you whispering?”

  “I guess since we’re out of my room. I have a question. A quick one and I want you to answer it.”

  He nodded once.

  “My mom was a nark, I get that. But, she wasn’t a prostitute or anything, right?” His hands gripped the steering wheel hard. He didn’t glance at Kate at all.

  “She wasn’t what I told you she was that night in the car. I wanted to scare you away. I didn’t want you to be a part of this madness. I loved your mother, and I loved you. I didn’t want to lose you, and I really don’t want to lose you again.” He didn’t say any more and Kate didn’t feel like she could push. Little by little she’d find out about her birth mom.

  27

  Kate had to let her eyes and ears adjust to the club. Loud music pounded on her eardrums, and the dim lighting had her squinting. Smoke swirled about and liquor flowed freely. Raucous laughter could be heard over some sections of the music. A few girls danced around large men, who simply smiled, enjoying the attention. The men didn’t even bother to move with the music. Vinny took her to the back of the establishment, motioning to the barkeep to join them as they passed.

  “This is my niece, Kate. She’s going to be working with Veronica tonight.”

  The barkeep looked her up and down and then said, “Serious?”

  Vinny gave him look that could kill. “Watch out for her. She’s new at this stuff.”

  “The boss doesn’t want me to interfere tonight.”

  Vinny flared his nose and huffed. “I said watch out for her, not interfere with her.”

  “Look, Vinny, I gotta follow orders just like you do.” The big man put his hands in the air and shook them. Vinny had clout, and this man would usually listen to him, but not tonight. That was for sure. Vinny excused the barkeep, who gladly went out to the front.

  “Look,” he rubbed his hand over his chin. “I’m not allowed to be here tonight. I told you you’d be alone, but I thought I’d at least have Carlo to back you up if needed. Looks like that’s not going to happen. Keep that little purse on you at all times. There’s some pepper spray in there if you find you need it, but don’t use it unless you really have to. I’m pretty sure using it will prove you don’t have the skill of persuasion. And put this on.” It was a star brooch. “Duran sent it. Hopefully it will give you luck.” The diamonds glittered and sparkled in the light. She pinned it on her blouse, a warm feeling filling her chest. “That looks great. Why do I feel like I’m sending my baby off to college?”

  “I don’t know, seriously, this is nothing like school.” She wanted to tell him about the note, but his earlier words about not wanting to lose her stopped her. She didn’t want him to worry more than he had to. Instead, she patted the cute little brooch. He was worried about her, but he believed in her.

  “You got this.” His tone was serious. “Good luck. I love you.” He disappeared before she had a chance to say anything back. Could she have returned the same words? The words felt so final, so odd for tonight. She guessed it was nerves making everyone crazy. Duran had been the same way.

  She took in a deep breath. One step at a time. She could do this. She’d get to the far end of the bar and order ginger ale or sparkling water. Both could be confused for alcoholic beverages at first glance. She’d get control of her nerves and get to work.

  Not long after Carlo filled her glass, Veronica walked in. All eyes fell on her, including Kate’s. She was disgusted, but at the same time impressed. Veronica walked the walk for sure.

  There was a steady stream of large guards taking various women and men to a back room. The guards knocked each time, and someone inside opened the door. The guard then returned to the front of the club, but the escorted person disappeared behind the door. Is that were Salvatorio and the other Bellinis were?

  Kate took a drink of her ginger ale and looked around for her first target when she noticed something unusual. A guy with short cropped blond hair tapped the right corner of the back of the chair next to him four times. She looked about, but couldn’t find a bookie of any kind, but she did notice Veronica giving Carlo a longing look. The man’s movements were so practiced, and yet so insistent, she knew it wasn’t incidental contact. He had bet four hundred big ones on whatever the bookie was offering. Now all she had to do was find the bookie. She thought he had to have paper and pen. But then again, he could use a cell or something similar to record the bets.

  Veronica was up working the room, and Carlo’s eyes rarely left her. After two more ginger ales, Kate realized she needed to pretend to drink instead of actually drink. Her bladder was painfully full. She got up and went to the bathroom. Before she was done, she heard a voice coming from the stall next to hear. The voice was a whisper, and Kate almost stopped listening to flush, thinking something she didn’t want to hear was about to happen in that stall, but then she thought she heard numbers. “And 400 from AXL.” The toilet flushed and Kate peeked out one of the cracks in the stall door to see who it was.

  The woman was tall and wore a bright yellow dress. Kate wouldn’t be able to miss that. She flushed the toilet and came out. The lady was gone. Kate had found her first poacher. She went to the counter and ordered a sparkling water. She reached in her little purse and pulled out a small pen and wrote: Lady in yellow is poacher. At least two gamblers. Have one. Kate tapped the counter five times in a row, alerting Carlo that she had information. Before he could get the napkin, the lady in yellow was being led by a bulky man into a back room. Kate narrowed her eyes, Carlo touched her hand as he took the napkin. He said, “Veronica already took care of it.” Kate scanned the crowds. The guy who’d been gambling was also gone.

  A new spirit of competition grew in her. She would not let Veronica get the next one. That’s when she realized what she was being tested on, her persuasion skills. Finding the gamblers and poachers had nothing to do with that. How hard would it be to convince a gambler to gamble in a better place? Not so hard. But this barkeep, he’d been told not to interfere with her tonight. What better way to showcase her persuasion skills than by convincing the barkeep to help her?

  She ordered another drink and wrote a note on it. Meet me in back. Something interesting. When he took it, she winked at him and strutted to the back. To her surprise, he came. That hadn’t been hard. The hard part was yet to come.

  The din of the music lessened when the door closed behind her. When Carlo got there, she said, “Look. I’m behind in every way possible. This competition isn’t fair, and I know everything is stacked against me, but if you helped me a little, I could do something for you.”

  He smirked at her. “There’s nothing you have I want.” He started to walk away from her.

  “I could get you a date with Veronica.”

  Carlo stopped in his tracks. “Impossible.” But he turned toward her. Dishes in the kitchen clanked in the background.

  “I’ll
even get her to ask you out.”

  He narrowed his eyes, obviously thinking. “Sure. I got nothing to lose. But no one can know.”

  “Are you kidding? If anyone found out I’d cheated, you think they’d let me win?”

  “You’re on. Get her to ask me out, and I’ll guarantee a win for you tonight.” A server passed them with some food on a tray.

  She held out her hand and he shook it. “Deal.”

  She went straight out to the table Veronica was perched on. “You like it here, don’t you?”

  “Piss off. I told you not to get in my way tonight.” She didn’t even look at Kate.

  “I just wanted some advice, and then I’ll move on.” Every table in the place was occupied and the dance floor rocked with dancers.

  “Forget it. I gave you all the help I was going to yesterday.” She sneered at Kate, but only for a quick second. Her charming smile quickly replaced it.

  “No, it has nothing to do with our little competition. It has to do with Carlo.”

  “Carlo?” Her head whipped to him. He was wiping up the bar in the far corner. “He asked me out, but I wasn’t sure what to say.”

  A little twitch formed in Veronica’s right eyebrow.

  “I mean, he seems nice and all, but I wasn’t sure about dating a bartender, ya know? I mean you’ve been out with him right?”

  “Uh, yeah. Right. When did he want to go out with you?”

  “Next Tuesday. He wants to go to the Amity concert.” Kate grinned.

  Veronica’s face went a light shade of red.

  “He’s hot, there’s no doubt, but should I?”

  “You should do what you want.” Veronica scowled. “Who cares?”

  “Okay, I will. Hey, is there somewhere to go for some fresh air around here that isn’t out front?”

  Veronica’s eyes flicked to Carlo. She indicated a door past the bathrooms. Kate walked that way, hoping her words had had the desired effect. When she peered around the corner, Veronica was flirting with Carlo. Kate forced herself not to laugh.