Captivated by Shy Angel

by Claire Angel

  “That was nothing. I want you to remember that feeling. The next time is going to be 10 times greater. I can tell from the look in your eyes this is something you want to be a part of. I promise to burn the sheets with our twisting bodies.” I gave him a kiss and forged my tongue into his mouth with fiery determination.

  He returned the embrace and ran his hand down to the small of my back. I was grinding against his depleted state with my panty clad mound. I felt this resurgence in his libido.

  “I think that I can find something. I hate to ruin things by talking about business. You need to get me the number of the port and the time when the shipment is set to come in. We can celebrate after the dust settles.” I still tasted him on my lips and it was becoming a guilty aphrodisiac for all of my senses.

  Chapter 3

  Megan

  Frankie was pacing back and forth when I came in with aspirations of pumping him for information. I had to be subtle and not come off too strong. I wore my most enticing outfit with leather being a prominent theme. I had just returned from collecting on a debt for him.

  “I hope he didn’t give you any trouble. Sampson and Andy told me that you handled yourself professionally when you collected on the debt. Things are going to be changing around here. I want you front and center. My plan is to surround myself with only those who have proven themselves beyond a shadow of a doubt.” I took my responsibility seriously and never dipped into the cold hard cash finding its way into my hand.

  “I do like the idea of climbing the ladder of success. I can take more responsibility off of your hands. Give me a chance and I will more than live up to your high expectations.” I was buzzing with electricity and giving Nathan oral gratification was turning me into a wanton whore.

  “I will take it under consideration.” He put his black combat boots up on the desk littered with paperwork. There was always a method to his madness.

  “My future is not written in stone. I would respectfully request you take me underneath your wing. I know you think I’m too young, but I’m not. I just turned 25 and I’m ready to be set loose on the world. Take me with you and let me learn at the feet of the master.” I was appealing to his very high opinion of himself. I knew how to stroke his male ego like he was the strings of a Stradivarius Violin.

  “I like your go-getter attitude. A lot of others could take a page from your book. I’m taking a big risk bringing you in. Some claim I have blinders on when it comes to you. I’ve seen nothing to indicate my trust isn’t warranted.” I waited with bated breath and I was using our friendship in a way to make me sick to my stomach.

  “You made me whole and I will always be grateful. This is about business. We both know personal issues don’t belong. I’m trying to take the next step. I’ve seen how others have treated your business like their own personal bankroll. I’ve never taken a dime that I didn’t earn.” I could tell that he was debating and I had to tread carefully.

  I had a chance to lose myself in Nathan’s arms and to feel the pile drive of his hips pounding me relentlessly into the mattress for the first time. It was definitely on my mind.

  Frankie’s office had no windows. The door leading back out into the club was the only way in and out. Some suspected he had a secret doorway, but I had seen nothing of the sort.

  The smell of his cigar permeated the air still lit in the glass ashtray on his desk. It would’ve been very easy to set things ablaze claiming it was an accident to cash in on the insurance money.

  “I’ve never asked you to do anything I wasn’t willing to do myself. I started in this business in exactly the same way by somebody giving me a chance to prove myself. I don’t normally get my hands dirty and I have dedicated my time to making money. There are others like Jerome who takes on that role with distinction.” This wasn’t the first time I had heard him reminisce about his climb to fame and fortune.

  “I feel privileged that you saw something in me. I was a rudderless ship moving from one con to another. I stole from the rich and the pompous. I still do to feel the rush and to see the look of perplexed anxiety on their faces. It’s fun to take the money out of their hands, not including the many jewels I have brought you to fence.” I had gotten my percentage and had a small place to call my own.

  “You deserve everything and I want to make sure you have a place at the table. There is a bit of business to make your transition easier. Jerome found out from his sources on the street that a certain cop has become a thorn in my side. You have come here with initiative and I can respect that. Nobody gets a seat at the table without doing something for it.” I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. The name of the officer didn’t come as any big surprise.

  Nathan Banner was becoming more than my handler. I enjoyed our time together. It didn’t matter if we were talking about business or seeing if we could drink each other under the table. I made the arrangements for each meeting. I took the precaution of changing routes and locations never meeting in one place two times.

  “What exactly do you want me to do?” I already knew the answer, but it didn’t become real until he said the words.

  “I don’t think it’s necessary for me to paint you a picture. It’s a dirty job and somebody has to do it. I will understand if this is too much to ask. Jerome has already expressed an interest in making this problem go away. I have never needed the details.” He wanted me to kill Nathan and I was positive he was going to need proof that the deed was done.

  I didn’t want Nathan to be subjected to Jerome. It was better to accept the assignment. Jerome was efficient and could kill with impunity. He had no limitations and went beyond the call of duty to get the job done.

  “I’ve never done anything like this, but I suppose it’s time to put on my big girl pants. Does it matter how it gets done? I have a few ways, but I would like to know if you want to make this personal.” It was the hazard of the business and one I had been sheltered from.

  “He has been sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong. I will need photographic evidence when you have completed the task. I will gladly take you on a ride to the top. This is your chance to mold yourself into a woman who demands respect. No longer will you be sitting on the sidelines. I can see the ambition in your eyes.” I had a decision to make with the one he was suggesting marking my soul with regret.

  “You didn’t answer my question.” I had to know how far he was willing to go to get results.

  “It’s personal when he takes the food out of the mouth of my family. It’s personal when he steps on my toes. I lose money the longer he remains breathing. I would never condone violence, but sometimes it’s necessary to send a statement.” He wasn’t telling me how he wanted me to go about it, but he was alluding to the fact he wanted it to be messy.

  I took out my switchblade and made the blade appear out of seemingly nowhere. I moved it back and forth from one hand to the other. I ran the tip of my tongue down the length of the shiny surface. He watched mesmerized by my display of psychotic behavior.

  “I understand.” I looked at him and let him know I was in.

  He put both hands on my shoulder and stood almost a foot taller with his intimidating stare of approval.

  “I knew you would. It does my heart proud to know you are willing to make a true contribution. I will tell you the first time will stick with you. You’ll never forget that one face. I tell you this to give you one more chance to stay in the shadows.” I had to make them believe my heart was in it to avoid Jerome being sent in my place.

  The jacket he was wearing was a tan trench coat and mysteriously absent was his pearl-handled weapon. I had no doubt it was in the politician’s possession. I knew his name and found out during my due diligence. It wasn’t hard to peruse the weekly periodicals and scan the Internet until his face came up.

  Benton Owens was gaining traction in the vote for senator.

  Frankie had lost the length of his hair for something more conventional. His new company in construction was going to bec
ome a growing concern with contracts in the city. He would cut corners and pay off government officials to make the most out of the opportunity.

  “I have to say you are looking pretty damn sharp these days. I miss the leather jacket, but whoever did your hair did you justice. It looks like you are ready for your close up.” He smiled and turned me in the direction of the door with a light kick to my backside to get me moving.

  “I appreciate the compliment. I don’t like sending you out into the cold alone. Jerome will accompany you. Call it a professional courtesy. I hope you have what it takes. He has graciously offered his services to teach you a few defensive moves. This either means you are all in or… well… I don’t think you really want to know the alternative.” It was either me or Nathan and I had proven I knew what it took to survive.

  Jerome came in and took me aside into a room dedicated to training those men in hand to hand combat.

  “I want to see what you can do with that knife.” I knew there was no way I was going to beat him in a fair fight.

  “I know you’re going to hurt me, but try not to leave any permanent marks above my neck. I depend on this face to make the money to put a roof over my head.” We circled each other and he took a slice out of my shirt getting first blood.

  “I do like the taste of fear.” Jerome smiled sadistically.

  I had learned to handle a blade practically out of diapers. He was quick, but he was arrogant. That was going to be his downfall. I needed to give him the chance to prove his dominance before catching him off guard.

  “I’m not going to give you the satisfaction of crying out in pain.” He sliced me again and was laughing at my expense.

  “I don’t think you’re ready to take the next step. You don’t have the kind of conviction to see it through. This takes a strong and calculating mind like a steel trap. A woman can’t separate their emotions like men can.” He sliced my arm and made me grimace slightly from the pain radiating in the pleasure centers of my brain.

  Pain and pleasure went hand in hand. I pretended to cower and take a step back in fear. He pursued with a dogged determination. He thrust forward and I turned slightly with my blade finding itself embedded in his shoulder.

  He looked down astonished at my audacity and felt compelled to reassert his manhood. He opened himself up by exposing his flank. I spun around him like a choreographed dance until I had the blade up against his throat. He dropped the knife in his hand when he felt the nick of the steel cutting him.

  “I know how to play to my strengths. Try to keep up. A man will always think a woman is incapable of beating them. Take this lesson to heart. Never take for granted you have the upper hand regardless of your enemy’s gender.” A medical professional was on hand to attend to his wounds.

  “Megan, I’m surprised but pleasantly so.” We were soon medically cleared and were leaving with Nathan having no idea of the Damocles sword hanging over his head.

  Chapter 4

  Megan

  I had to find a way to warn Nathan, but Jerome wasn’t about to let me out of his sight. I think in some small way he believed I was susceptible to doing the right thing. I didn’t want to satisfy my inner demons by getting my hands covered in blood.

  “I’ve done the legwork for you. Detective Banner is a creature of habit. Every Friday night he goes to this bar looking to score. He has a type similar to you. You can use that against him. I’ve watched him for the past couple of weeks and he always orders the same thing. You can decide when you want to put the final nail in his coffin.” There was a heavy mist covering the windshield of the black sedan.

  Nathan stood in the doorway of the bar across the street. Frankie wanted it to be messy to make sure the message was received by the boys in blue. Nathan was a tank with the engine of a Ferrari under the hood.

  “I don’t want to make this a public spectacle. It would be better for us to wait until he is alone. There is less chance of collateral damage that way.” I was thinking about mirrors on the ceiling and champagne on ice.

  I wanted the first time with him to be an expression of our feelings. We could check out anytime we liked, but I had a feeling the do not disturb sign on the door was going to be used a lot.

  “You can’t expect me to sit here when my blood sugar is low. I’m going across the street to get some takeout. You can share what I bring back, but I’m not taking orders.” The door was open and he mysteriously vanished into the ether.

  Nathan was drinking alone at a booth by the window. I thought about our many discussions over the course of 10-years. He was a little grizzled with a veteran status in the department. He was a third-generation officer fulfilling his obligation to protect and serve.

  He looked like he had aged many years from our first meeting. His drinking was in excess and I couldn’t pry the bottle out of his hands most nights. We didn’t spend every waking hour in each other’s company, but I did find myself stopping by for no good reason.

  I thought about the things he had taught me and what kind of useless information he had imparted. Jerome was inside with his back toward me. I had a way, but it was only going to work if Nathan recognized what I was trying to accomplish. I wasn’t even sure how it was going to be translated. I text messaged a code he would hopefully understand.

  The message had to be quick and to the point. I kept repeating the same three words until he blinked. The squint of his eyes made me understand he was concentrating. I saw him writing the letters on a napkin. I stopped when I saw Jerome carrying this brown paper bag underneath his arm across the street.

  He used one hand to open up the door and then slid back into the passenger side with the aroma of Chinese hitting me like a ton of bricks. The sense memory of being covered in the same food soured my appetite.

  “I don’t know why, but I have this craving for Chinese. Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night with your stomach rumbling for something particular?” I wasn’t even looking at him and found my eyes drawn to how Nathan was settling up his bill with the bartender.

  “I don’t really think this is the time to talk about food. Officer Banner is leaving. It appears to be slim pickings for any available piece of ass.” Jerome was using chopsticks and slurping back Chinese noodles like it was his last meal.

  The one thing about him that had always been hard to understand was how he didn’t gain any weight. The man was wiry and could move like a gazelle across the African plains.

  “I see one fresh face and he didn’t even try to pick her up. It could be he has been bitten by the love bug. Let’s follow him and see if we can’t kill two birds with one bullet.” The sanctity of life meant nothing to him.

  “I didn’t sign up to kill him and his lover.” Nathan was getting into his Mustang and I had to believe he was waiting to spring his own trap.

  I couldn’t be entirely sure he had gotten the message. The tension in the air was thick enough to cloud my sound judgment. I was debating on doing something drastic, but Jerome had this sixth sense to know when something was amiss.

  “Drive before you lose him. He could be on his way over to see her to profess his love. We can have this done and be home in less than an hour. No fuss…no muss.” Jerome was always looking for shortcuts.

  Nathan pulled into the nearest gas station and we parked on the other side of the road.

  He filled the tank, topping up his muscle car and then went inside to pay. It wasn’t long before I saw the back door open and I realized what his plan was. I had to keep Jerome from seeing him make his approach. He was going to flank us from behind.

  I took a carton of beef teriyaki and sneezed spilling the contents in his lap. It was still hot and Jerome jumped out of his skin.

  “You’re going to pay for the dry cleaning bill. I don’t know why Frankie is depending on you to kill him.” Nathan was in my rearview mirror and he was in a crouching position getting closer to the vehicle. “It would’ve been clean to shoot him when he came out of the bar. In your case, you
could have come out of the alley and slit his throat to give him a Colombian necktie.” He was still trying to wipe up the mess with his razor-honed senses no longer on high alert.

  “If you don’t like how I’m handling things then maybe you should go home. We both know when Frankie screams you jump.” I was keeping his attention on me by pushing his buttons.

  “I am nobody’s lap dog. I take exception to what you just said. You can’t really believe the tripe that is coming out of your mouth. I don’t have a leash or a collar around my neck. I don’t come when he whistles. If truth be told, I would rather end his miserable existence and take over. Tell him any of this and I will deny it.” His back stiffened and his hand lingered on the bulge underneath his sports coat.

  “I don’t know how you can say that with a straight face. You are the muscle. There’s nothing wrong with that. We all play different parts. Everybody thinks they have the power. Power is something you hold in the palm of your hands. Benton knows that better than anyone.” In my attempt to keep him busy, I had a slip of the tongue.

  “The only way you could possibly know that is if you were spying on us during the meeting.” Everything was happening in slow motion like in the movies.

  Jerome reached in for the handle of his revolver. I had a feeling one of those bullets had my name on it. I was frozen in time and space. I couldn’t move. I was learning a valuable lesson about the flight or fight instincts.

  There was no reason to defend myself. I tried to come up with a plausible excuse, but nothing was going to satiate him.

  His finger was on the trigger and I wondered if I would hear the bullet. I was mere seconds from being snuffed out of existence. I had hitched my wagon to Nathan. It was going to cost me the ultimate price.

  I saw a flash in my peripheral vision and the gun in front of me went off with a deafening roar echoing in my ears. His aim was off. The bullet meant for me went into the ceiling blowing out the bulb in the overhead light.