by J. E. Taylor
He chuckled. Steve had some real balls, and a definite survival instinct, but he wondered if his girlfriend hadn’t called, would he have had to put a bullet in the stubborn jackass’s brain?
He didn’t know and that irked him. His judge of character was always spot on, but with Steve Winchester his inner messenger seemed to have his wires crossed. Steve became more complex and less predictable with each layer he peeled back.
In the past, with his CW FOG recruits, the minute he revealed his true business plan, the greedy bid for takeover began. He could read it in their faces, see it in their eyes, and even though they swore their allegiance, kissing his ass more and more with each passing day, they planned his demise.
Not one of them ever argued with him in the face of a loaded gun or put an ultimatum on the table. Not one of them would have the balls to answer his cell phone in the middle of a showdown and sound as if it was just a normal day at the office.
The ones who didn’t kiss his ass, groveled and begged and pissed their pants and they were the ones that ultimately ended up mugged in Central Park or at the bottom of the Hudson. But, in all his years doing this, he never once had someone outright ask what’s in it for him.
The spark in Steve’s eyes worried him at first, but then when the wheels had stopped turning, the request that followed surprised him. A reasonable request considering all the kid had done with his money laundering schemes. A shell game, yeah, he was right, but it was a shell game that he did very effectively.
Despite the kid’s sincerity, Charlie wondered if the lure of money would taint him in some way and eat away his reluctant loyalty. When Steve said he didn’t want a cut, another enigmatic first, Charlie believed him. His eyes, even though they held a dark fury itching to let loose, also held the honest truth.
Charlie recognized what a rare quality that was in his business and hoped like hell Steve would show at the office in the morning. Otherwise, they’d meet again and this time, Steve wouldn’t make it home to his pretty girlfriend.
Chapter 14
Steve sat in his office, staring at the computer, not seeing anything. He was tired. Sleep eluded him and he poured over all that happened during the day and evening. Jennifer’s pregnancy wore on him during the night, along with his current career choice.
He raised his eyes, meeting Charlie’s blatant stare. “How long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough. You look like hell,” Charlie observed.
“I feel about the same.” He rubbed his eyes.
“Manny informed me you made him and actually introduced yourself. That’s pretty ballsy.”
Steve uttered a laugh. “Putting a tail on me is pretty ballsy.”
Charlie stepped inside the office and closed the door. “I’m glad you came in today. I wasn’t sure you would and frankly, I wasn’t thrilled about knocking you off.”
“Well, that makes two of us.” He glowered.
Charlie took a seat across from Steve and pulled a check out of his pocket, placing it on the desk and sitting back in the chair.
“What’s that?” He nodded toward the paper.
“That should cover your school debts.”
Picking up the check, he studied it. It was made out for $73,642.78. The exact amount of his made-up college loans. He looked over the edge of the paper at Charlie and nodded, slipping it into the top drawer of his desk. “You didn’t have to pull that shit on me, Charlie.”
“It wasn’t personal. I’m in a business where trusting the wrong person can be disastrous. Look at it from my point of view.”
Steve sighed and nodded. “Yeah, well, it still sucked and Jennifer was pissed.”
“Flying ceramics?”
He laughed despite himself. “No, no flying ceramics.”
Charlie stood to leave.
“Have you ever had a mole in the organization?”
“No, not one that lasted anyway.”
Steve gave a slight nod and looked at his computer screen. He brought his gaze back to Charlie. “Think there might be one here now?” he asked, creasing his eyebrows.
“One never knows.” Charlie looked out the window facing the office staff. “But moles have a way of screwing up. That’s when we catch them.” He smiled over his shoulder.
“What should I be looking for?”
Charlie considered the question and turned toward Steve. “People who ask too many or too few questions.” He nodded toward Steve. “You didn’t ask enough questions, that’s why I thought you were one.”
“Ah. I’ll remember to be a nosy SOB in the future.”
Charlie burst out laughing and reached for the door.
“By the way, I found out why my girlfriend’s been a little more psycho lately.” He waited until Charlie turned back to face him. “She’s pregnant.”
He chuckled. “Your week just gets better and better, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah, well…”
“What are you going to do?”
“I haven’t thought that far ahead,” he answered. “I’ll probably marry her. I don’t want my kid to grow up without both of us around.” He raised his gaze to Charlie. “I’ve been there. It sucks.”
“You lost your parents?”
He tilted his head and narrowed his eyes. “Like you didn’t already know that.”
Charlie tried to suppress a grin and couldn’t. He shrugged. “I know you were orphaned in high school, but I don’t know the particulars.”
Leaning back in the chair, he studied Charlie, his hands pressed in a steeple, index fingers tapping together.
“I make sure I know as much about my employees as possible.”
He kept silent, still thrumming his fingers. “I’m not sure I like that,” he finally admitted. “I’m not sure I like any of this.”
“Tough shit. How’d your parents die?”
Steve pressed his lips together letting silence filter between them again before he spoke. “My dad died of cancer when I was ten. My mother was a nurse at the local hospital and was coming home from a double shift when she fell asleep at the wheel.” He looked at his hands now gripping the soft leather arms of his chair. “It was tough, but I got through it.” He swiveled toward the computer.
“My parents died when I was eleven.”
Steve shot his gaze at Charlie, mustering up the right amount of surprise.
Holy fucking shit, the dude’s opening up to me.
Why?
“And my little brother died about ten years ago. He was only sixteen. He’d be about your age now if he’d lived. So I understand where you’re coming from.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Why are you telling me this?”
Charlie looked out the window. “Because we seem to have a great deal in common.” He returned his gaze to Steve. “Which was another reason I thought you might be a plant in my organization.”
He stared at Charlie and allowed a visible shiver. “That’s just too fucking creepy.”
Chapter 15
Jennifer’s nerves were a jumbled mess and she took a deep breath, trying to keep her stomach in check as the pancake make-up spread like butter across her cheek. The funky play-dough scent made her gag and she pulled the sponge away from her skin. Closing her eyes, she willed the sour taste in the back of her throat to disappear. Her system obliged, settling down enough for her to finish applying the stark stage make-up.
“Hey, Jenny, is this your guy?”
She turned. “Yep, he’s mine.” Smiling, she went back to finishing her make-up. The tantalizing smell of Chinese food drifted up from the bag he set on the corner of the vanity.
“How you feeling?” Steve leaned over and kissed the top of her head.
“Eh,” she said, touching up the bright blush on her cheeks. “How about you?” She glanced in his direction.
He shrugged. “I’m not the one who’s pregnant.”
His slow smile sent shivers up her spine. She returned his smile and shot a glance at the mirror to make s
ure the thick make-up didn’t crack under the curve of her lips. She touched up a few spots and folded up her compact, focusing on the bag of food sitting on the corner of her make-up dresser.
“White rice with beef and broccoli,” Steve said before she could ask what he had gotten her. “I figured spicy was not the way to go tonight.”
“Thanks, spicy would have been a disaster.” She pulled out the box of rice and chopsticks and took a few bites. “Aren’t you eating?”
He shook his head. “I already ate.” He leaned back in the chair. “You’ve got enough make-up on to compete with the streetwalkers.”
A few pieces of rice flew out of her mouth along with a belt of laughter. She glanced at him and wiped her lips. “It has to be thick in order to see it on stage.”
“Ah.” He glanced around.
“You’ve never been backstage before,” Jennifer said as Steve’s attention bounced between her and the controlled chaos surrounding them. Make-up artists and costume designers flitted from actor to actor, making sure all was in place. The stage manager barked orders to the gaffers, making sure the stage was set properly for the opening scene and the backdrops were in the proper order along with the stage props.
“No. It’s a little chaotic.”
“This is calm. You should see it in a half hour, right before the curtain opens.”
Steve swung his gaze back at Jennifer. “You’re kidding.”
“Nope.” She plucked a piece of beef from the cardboard container and put it in her mouth. “Thank you.” She pointed to the take out he had brought.
“Anytime.” He stood. “I’ll see you after the play.” He kissed her lips, careful not to smudge her make-up. “Break a leg, babe.”
Jennifer smiled and nodded, focusing again on wolfing her food down before the make-up artist interrupted with finishing touches.
With both Steve and her food gone, Jennifer took a deep breath, studying her reflection and getting into the frame of mind to play Kathy, the captain of the cheerleading squad and a control freak throughout the stages of her life until she learns to let go. She allowed a brief smile at her reflection, mulling over the similarities to her own life. When the bell rang, calling the cast to the stage, she was ready.
Chapter 16
A line had already formed at the entrance to the theater and Steve took the next spot, shifting from foot to foot and blowing air in his fists to keep warm. A hand grabbed his shoulder, startling him, and he spun in the direction of the owner, exhaling. “Don’t do that!” He turned away from Jerry, scanning the growing crowd. “Charlie’s scheduled to be here tonight too.”
“You’re kidding me?”
“Nope,” Steve said over his shoulder. “So you don’t know me.” He caught Jerry’s gaze before moving his on to the crowd behind them. Charlie wasn’t there yet and he turned forward again.
“What happened?”
Steve glanced over his shoulder again, meeting Jerry’s quizzical gaze. “Too much to discuss here.” He scanned the crowd. “Showtime,” he mumbled, catching Charlie stepping into line. He made eye contact and sent a nod in Charlie’s direction just as the doors opened.
He took the aisle seat in the third row center, letting Jerry and his wife slide into the row next to him. Steve offered an awkward smile and glanced around as the crowd filtered in. Finally, he caught sight of Charlie in the balcony behind him and turned, focusing on the stage. “Upper back balcony,” he said without turning his head. He opened the program and flipped through the pages, stopping on Jennifer’s picture. “She’s pregnant.” He glanced sideways at Jerry.
Jerry’s eyebrows went up. He flipped open the program.
Steve pointed at the page, turning toward Jerry. “That’s her,” he said for the sake of the audience above watching him like a hawk. “And Charlie knows,” he added.
“Shit,” Jerry said, leaning toward his wife and pointing toward the picture and then Steve. “Why is he here?”
“Because I turned down an invite to his house, and I had to give an excuse. So here we are.” He leaned back in the chair, staring at the closed curtain.
Jerry glanced at Steve and then down at the picture in his hand. “Jack’s going to have your head.” He closed the program.
“I’m aware of that,” he said. “I’ll be right back.” Steve stood and headed into the lobby to hit the bathroom before the show began. As he headed back, Charlie intercepted him.
“How’s your girlfriend?”
“Unusually calm. Go figure.” The lights in the lobby dimmed and brightened signaling the show was about to begin. “I should get in there, if the curtain rises and she doesn’t see me, who knows what she’ll throw at me next.”
Charlie laughed and Steve walked away.
He slid into his chair and the curtains opened. The lights rose and Jennifer’s voice filled the auditorium, making him forgot about his job, his partner, and everything around him. Awed, he watched her perform the part flawlessly. All those nights of reading lines with her paid off in spades.
* * * *
Charlie returned to his seat. He looked down at Jennifer’s picture in his own program. Damn, she was beautiful. The seeds of envy blossomed.
“Hot number,” the man sitting next to him said.
Charlie glanced at his companion. “She’s my lawyer’s girlfriend, so don’t even think about messing with her.”
Kyle Winslow raised his eyebrows. “Moi?”
Charlie nodded. “Yeah, you.”
The auditorium went black.
“Damn,” both Charlie and Kyle whispered in unison as the lights came up and Jennifer stood, turning toward the crowd. They exchanged a look and returned their focus to the fox on stage.
Charlie couldn’t remember being so captivated by anyone or anything and the knowledge that she carried Steve’s child didn’t matter. He wanted her, wanted to own that voice, that body, that face.
Kyle leaned over. “You sure you don’t want me to take out the lawyer?”
Charlie tilted his head, studying Jennifer, measuring her worth against Steve’s and he sighed. “Yeah, I’m sure,” he answered after the opening song finished. “His skills are a little more valuable than hers.” He traded a glance with Kyle. “But not by much.”
Kyle smiled and nodded.
They watched the rest of the play in silence.
Chapter 17
The curtains opened to a standing ovation and Jennifer took a bow. The applause tingled all over and she scanned the crowd, quickly finding Steve. Their eyes locked and his smile, his smile was as intoxicating as the applause.
The curtain closed and the cast stood waiting for the second curtain call, the applause rocking the house enough to make the wooden stage vibrate. When the curtains opened again, the theater disappeared.
He was on her in an instant, his free hand wrapped around her neck, slamming her into the wall and burying the knife in her abdomen.
She gasped for air, stunned by the pain in her side. He lifted her off her feet, throwing her toward the bed where she landed face down on the cotton bedspread with her legs sprawled wide. She clamored to her hands and knees, trying to scramble away, but he was faster, grabbing her by the hair.
Gagging and crying, she scratched his arm, trying to loosen his grip.
Frustration filled him. This one was all fight and that just wasn’t satisfying. He buried the knife in her belly again. “Shut the fuck up!”
Her cries got weaker with each slice until she could no longer fight against him, going slack under his grasp.
He brought the knife to her throat and sliced the tender flesh clear through to the spine. The blood didn’t plume like usual, it just oozed and he dropped her dead body on the bed. Fury filled him and he slammed the knife into the small of her back. “Bitch!”
Jennifer blinked and was back on stage, the applause continuing, shocking her. Holy Shit, holy shit, holy shit. The thought repeated over and over until she saw Steve. He was no longer smiling
, but staring at her. He knew she just saw another murder. She looked away and put on a smile for the crowd, bowing as the curtain closed again.
Her heart thundered in her chest and she made her way backstage with the rest of the cast. She barely made it to the bathroom in time for her dinner to rocket out of her stomach into the toilet. She sat back on her heels and wiped her mouth with toilet paper, still trembling, the vision replaying behind her closed eyelids.
* * * *
Steve was in motion before the crowd had time to disband. He grabbed the bouquet of roses at his feet and slipped through the side door leading backstage, immediately stopped by a large guard.
“Sir, the exit is that way.” The guard pointed over Steve’s shoulder.
“Jennifer Curtis is my girlfriend,” he said and tried to navigate around the man but couldn’t.
“Wrong,” the guard said.
Steve stopped and looked into the eyes of the guard. “Get out of my way.”
The guard shook his head. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to leave.” He went to grab Steve’s arm.
Steve parried and twisted the guard’s wrist sweeping his feet out from under him in a perfect sante tachi waza without crushing a single rose. He stepped over the stunned guard and into the chaos backstage.
“Jenny?” he called, his eyes darting around until they landed on her leaving the bathroom. Her face still pale under the layers of make-up and she curved her lips in a poor semblance of a smile until she saw Gus getting up off the floor behind Steve.
“What did you do?” Jennifer approached her husband.
“Do you know this guy?” Gus asked from behind Steve.
“Yes. He’s my husband.”
Steve turned toward Gus. “We’re not married yet.” He looked back at Jennifer tilting his head. “You told everyone we’re married?”
