Layers Peeled

by Lacey Silks

  We strolled to the corner where the redhead – I thought I remembered Mercedes was her name – protected her territorial spot. Tonight she wore a pair of leopard tights and a matching top. At least she wasn’t in a mini that nearly exposed her bare bottom, like the last time I’d seen her. The moment she saw me, she flew at me with her arms wide open. “Katie, you’re back!”

  I didn’t miss the chuckle Laura tried to hide.

  “You’re not working here, are you?” Her frown pretty much summed up just how welcome we really were. “Did you ever find that guy in the Bentley? I haven’t seen him drive by for weeks.”

  “Yeah, I found him.”

  Laura coughed into her hand.

  “You know, you can’t really stay here, dressed like that.” She pointed at us with her finger.

  “We’re not working tonight.”

  “Why not?”

  “Carl says we can have a day off,” Laura said in an accent I hadn’t heard before: a cross between the Jersey Shore cast and her Slavic roots.

  I prodded her ribcage when Mercedes looked away for a moment, and then continued. “But Carl’s interested in this girl.” I pulled out Marissa’s photo from my wallet.

  “Is that your sister?”

  “No.” I shook my head and popped a strip of strawberry gum into my mouth. “But Carl would like us working together, posing as sisters, if you know what I mean.”

  “Katie, in my life I’d seen it all, and I’m thankful no aliens land on Earth because for some of these fuckers, the kinkier the better. Where would I find work? It’s not like I can grow tentacles overnight.”

  Overnight? That was the problem?

  Laura just stared at the redhead, obviously as stunned as I was. Mercedes leaned in closer and lowered her voice. “You know, Area 51 is actually a breeding compound between humans and aliens.” Her eyes nearly doubled in size. So did mine and Laura’s, although for a different reason. Who in their right mind came up with this stuff?

  “Wow, thanks for sharing. I’ll make sure to avoid it. So, have you seen this girl?” I asked again.

  She took the photo from my hands and strolled closer to the light pole for better view. We followed her, swaying our asses the same way she had. The redhead examined the photo for longer than I’d thought she would, taking in the girl’s features. “She’s a popular one, isn’t she? A guy’s been asking about someone fitting her description. Like a month ago, maybe longer. But no, I haven’t seen her. You’re not cops, are you?”

  Much worse, I thought.

  Laura laughed. I couldn’t hear a falter of nerves in her voice. She was a pro at this.

  “Are you?” I asked her.

  Electricity buzzed through the lamp above us as she examined us and we her.

  Then we all laughed. As bitchy as Mercedes had been the last time I saw her, she had grown on me since then. I wondered what her life would be like if someone had steered her on a different path.

  “Listen, if you ever want a career change, come to this address and ask for Allie.” I reached into my bustier, scribbled my cell number on the back, and handed her a card. It was a reckless thing to do out here, where anyone could come up to us with a gun and find out exactly who we were, but if I didn’t do anything and just left her... no, that was wrong. And I couldn’t straight out ask her to come to rehab or the shelter for women. Prostitution for the veterans here was like a drug—even worse because they volunteered their bodies knowingly. Seeing no other choice in their life and no way out, many girls feared their pimps’ punishment—or worse.

  Aware of a group of working ladies nearby, Laura tactfully handed her a crisp hundred. “For your trouble and discretion.”

  We turned around and headed east to where we’d parked the car.

  “Hey,” Mercedes called after us waving the card, “I’ll call you if I see her.”

  “Thanks!” I waved back.

  Once out of earshot Laura strained to keep a straight face as she asked, “So this is where you picked up the daddy?”

  I should have seen that one coming. “It’s a long story, but yeah. This is the place Kendra was taken from when she was dealing. Tristan drove by every night until we got her.”

  “A dedicated fella’, isn’t he? You’re not afraid he still has something going for her?”

  “No. He’s been pretty clear about how he feels.”

  While I had suspicions there was more to their past, I didn’t quite know what to make of it just yet.

  We turned the corner where I’d conspicuously parked my white Bentley behind a garbage container. In this neighborhood, leaving a car like this one was like taunting a bear with honey, but we had to make sure we could get away quickly – just in case.

  “This belongs to you?” One of the hookers pointed to our car. She’d been eyeing us this evening and had followed us around the corner. And if she thought we didn’t know it, she was mistaken. But Laura and I didn’t need trouble on the first night Tristan agreed to let me go undercover, so we hoped she’d eventually ignore us. Even with the comfort of our backup nearby, the less attention we could draw, the better.

  “You better walk away,” Laura warned.

  “I asked you a question, bitch,” she barked back.

  “It’s none of your business, bitch.”

  I could see Laura’s patience was being tested. If it wasn’t for my pregnancy, she’d already be knocking the bimbo with a monstrous puff on her head onto the ground.

  Three more women joined in from behind her.

  “This is our street and we don’t like other whores stealing our clients.”

  I raised my hands up and spat my gum to the side. “Look, we’re not looking for trouble. We’ll be on our way and you can keep your clients for yourselves.”

  But the puff queen pressed her fist into her palm, saying, “It’s too late for that. We’ve already seen cars pass by us to get a look at you, and you need to be reminded not to ever come here again.”

  The other three mimicked her had motion, preparing to actually fight us in their fuck-me pumps. What was this, a high school bully team of sluts?

  “Listen, Snooki-wanna-be. Turn around and we’ll leave your fake teeth intact. In fact, we’ll leave everything that’s fake on your body alone. Well, I guess that would be all of you, then, wouldn’t it?”

  Yeah, Laura wasn’t letting it go at this point either. Her verbal tone was intended to fluster and anger the woman. And it did.

  She stuck out her red claws and lunged at Laura with a scream that could be heard for miles. I was sure slaughtered pigs made less noise. And as expected, Laura simply moved to the side and the whacko completely missed her, almost running into the garbage container. I couldn’t help but laugh. Even the crew that followed her had a good chuckle, which infuriated our attacker. If raging bulls with horns could reincarnate into humans, they would look exactly like this prostitute.

  As I was now the one closer to her, she rushed at me. I grasped her arm and flipped her. She flew up and over her own body, somersaulting in the air, and crashed to the concrete - onto her back. Her black wig resembling a mop lay in a small puddle at the side. Moaning in pain, she’d probably feel tonight’s brawl for a couple of days.

  I patted my belly saying to the baby, “That’s how you defend yourself. Keep calm and aware of your opponent.”

  “Anyone else?” Laura motioned them with her hands to come at her. But we could see from the shocked expressions on the others that they didn’t seem too keen to end up like their friend. “Or would you rather go out on the street and earn something tonight?”

  They all backed away and left.

  Laura kicked the hair toward its owner, who was curled up against the wall. “Some bitches are just not meant to be saved.”

  I unlocked the car door. The lights flashed in the alley and we both got in. I felt awful for these women, but Laura was right. Some of them were beyond even our help, and so I asked her, “Do you think James would know something a
bout Marissa? He was there that night at the auction.”

  “Maybe. He could still be at the office. Why didn’t I think to ask him before?”

  “Perhaps you’ve been too busy screwing him front, left, and center?”

  She stuck out her tongue at me. “He’s been coordinating the stings and rescues. His plate is pretty full.”

  “Let’s go to Manhattan, then.” I said wondering what the man who’s managed to go out with Laura more than once could know.

  I turned on the ignition. It had be a while before I got used to the quiet sound of nothing when the car started. In the beginning I’d had a difficult time believing the engine was actually working.

  Laura switched the radio station to oldies. Stevie Wonder sang “I just called.” Laura picked up on Stevie’s message and asked, “Are you in love?” The way she asked me the question sent chills up and down my arms. But in a good way, because someone else saying it made it that much more believable.

  “Yes, it’s gotten pretty serious. Laura, he bought us a house. Who buys a house?” I turned a corner onto a wider street.

  “A sexy hunk who cherishes the ground you walk on. Do I hear wedding bells in the near future? Should I start arranging your bachelorette party?”

  “Don’t get ahead of yourself. It doesn’t matter whether we get married, so long as we’re happy and together.”

  But something inside me stirred in argument. As forward-looking as Tristan was, he was also a very traditional man. Could he really settle for a family with me and Puss without a proper blessing?

  “Are you afraid to commit?” she asked.

  I went up a ramp on the freeway that would take us back to Manhattan. “To Tristan? No. It’s just difficult for me to picture a happy marriage. I mean, his parents have it, so obviously it’s possible. But...”

  She touched my shoulder. “Allie, why would you think it wouldn’t happen for you?”

  I could feel her burning gaze on the side of my face. I’d never had anyone I could talk to about this, not even Tristan. I’d always wanted to be strong for him, hoping I’d eventually figure out why I thought I didn’t deserve some peace in my life. Actually, I knew pretty well why not, it was just that I’d never voiced it before.

  “Bad things follow me in life. I’m not as strong as you may think. I’m a coward, Laura.”

  “You’re the biggest badass cop I’ve ever known. What are you talking about?” She reached forward and turned up the heat.

  “That’s only because I’m trying to make up for what I should have done thirteen years ago.”

  She took a pause, and I knew she was calculating my age in her head.

  “When you were a child? For goodness sake, Allie, whatever happened, you can’t put the blame on a child. Come on, you know firsthand how cruel this world can be for children.”

  She didn’t even know how close she was to the truth. Even if Wright was no longer in my life, somehow I was always looking over my shoulder, wondering if he was watching from somewhere in the distance. The feeling was always there. Caution and quick thinking had protected me and my mother for over a decade. But now I had Tristan. I knew he’d protect me too. But as many times as he’d convinced me the bastard was gone, hours later I’d be feeling wary all over again. It’d become a habit.

  “Don’t let it consume you or stop you from being happy and having a normal family with the man you love.”

  I took a deep breath in and shook my head on the exhale. “I don’t have much choice. My past has chased me all the way to the future.”

  “Does Tristan know?”

  “That I’m a coward?

  “No, about your past.”

  “He does. He sort of helped me resolve some issues already.”

  “And you’re not a coward, Allie. Can’t you see fate has stepped in to make it up to you in the form of a yummy man with top-menu muscles?”

  Yes, for Laura a lot of issues boiled down to sexy men and night-long quickies.

  But was it possible Laura was right? Could things actually turn around for me and Tristan and last longer than a few weeks or months? Could we be happy? I couldn’t think about it at the moment. The thought of Marissa out there all alone consumed me. Why did I feel this strange attachment to her?

  As we’d predicted, James was upstairs, working in his office. This guy put in even longer hours than Tristan did, but I also knew he wanted to impress his new boss. His tie was loosened around his neck. When he looked up and saw us, specifically Laura, his expression shifted to one I recognized on Tristan as well. James was ready to relax, and there was only one person who could help him do that. With just that one look I suddenly felt like a third wheel.

  “Tristan called.” His attention moved to me for the mere moment it needed to, but I could tell his gaze kept skidding to Laura and her fuck me now fishnet stockings, which were begging to be ripped off.

  “May I use your phone?” I asked.

  “Of course.”

  I’d left my phone in the car when we spoke to Mercedes, but I didn’t see any missed messages on my cell. I knew Tristan was trying to appear like he wasn’t worried and trusted me, but inside he was probably aching to keep his eye on me more than he admitted.

  I dialed home. Tristan picked up after the first ring.

  “Hi, baby.”

  “Hi, baby, yourself. I just wanted to check in and tell you we’re back at the office. I should be heading home in about half an hour.”

  “So I assume everything went well?” he asked.

  I quickly told him the events of the evening adding, “We were never in any danger. I would have called for backup.”

  “I don’t doubt you, Allie. So, should I get the ice cream ready?” he teased.

  I lowered my voice into the receiver. “Why don’t you surprise me?” From the corner of my eye, I could tell Laura and James were engrossed in their own flirting. He tried to cover the view with his body as his hand slid up her thigh. Those two needed to be alone, and it had to be fast. Otherwise I’d start burning in their heated desire, and I really didn’t want that image imprinted on my brain. And for goodness sake, where was that funny feeling coming from in my tummy? Of course, any thought of sex drove me to think about Tristan.

  “As you wish.” I almost heard him grin over the phone. Then I walked further away from Laura and James.

  “I miss you.” I bit my lip.

  “I miss you, too. Can’t wait until you get home. It’s pretty lonely without you here.”

  “I won’t be long. I promise.”

  After he hung up, I stared across the Hudson River as if trying to locate our new home, wishing the distance between us wasn’t that large. Now I understood why Tristan had chosen to live in Manhattan. Would he now sell his apartment? Had he already? The night sky was clear and the city lights overpowered the stars shining from the top. There was something beautiful and peaceful about looking at all the buildings and houses, and knowing people were sound asleep or getting ready for bed. Yet there were those on the streets without homes, for whom peaceful dreams wouldn’t come until they died.

  The duo of lovebirds who claimed they weren’t serious were staring at each other like love-sick puppies. Thank goodness there was no bowl full of spaghetti between them, otherwise the Lady and the Tramp would slurp on the pasta string so they could smooch ‘accidentally.’ Although I must say, in her skimpy dress, Laura was the one who resembled the tramp tonight – and James fully appreciated it.

  “Argh.” I cleared my throat, and Laura jumped off his desk as if she’d been burned by fire.

  “James, that night at the auction, do you remember the girl standing next to me?” I showed him her mug shot.

  “Remember her? She’s the reason I was there. Where did you get that?” He took the photo from my hand, puzzled.

  “She’s in our files.”

  He opened his drawer and handed me one of his own folders. “Definitely not all of your files.”

  Ruffling th
rough his set of papers, the names that popped out looked familiar, and the little information we sought as to who could have had her was all there.

  “Why do we not have this in our office?” I felt my brows furrow.

  “Because the people who originally bought her worked along with Martinez. I don’t think Marissa’s file should even have been in your stack of cases. Tristan made it very clear you’re to stay away from cases involving anyone from Tiezzo’s group.”

  “Tiezzo’s?”

  Why did that name sound familiar?

  “Your instinct already knows who that is, Allie. Don’t get involved. He has too much power.”

  “Wasn’t there a foundation and a political group set up after him?”

  “Political groups, franchises, full communities, department stores, car dealerships—basically a lot of money washing. There’s no way anyone can combat the bastard over night. Everyone knows he’s dirty but no one can do anything about it. The FBI’s been trying to get this guy behind bars for almost two decades. Gabe’s first wife already died at their hands, although we can’t prove it. That’s why Tristan wants you to stay clear. There was a politician trying to change every aspect of law some years ago to put Tiezzo behind bars and disappeared.”

  Didn’t Tristan know that would only make me want to rescue Marissa that much more? I loved how much he wanted to protect me and gave me so much assurance all the time, but something drew me to this girl.

  Right now, I believed Fate had stepped in and slid that file on my desk on purpose. “It looks like I need to have a chat with Mr. Cross then.” My stomach bubbled in argument – or perhaps Puss was hungry.

  “You didn’t hear it from me.” James raised his arms.

  “Don’t worry. I won’t throw you under the bus.”

  “Allie, she’s the girl I was supposed to get that night and failed. The bastard who bought her did so ahead of time. I don’t know how he did it. He has connections I haven’t been able to pinpoint. She was sold before she even got there.”