by Mary Abshire
“What about the other two establishments he owns?” she asked.
“The statements show some cash going to them, but nothing like the flow going to the club,” Troy said.
Emily drew her brows together as she thought about the information. People had laundered money for years. Michael had a law degree. If anyone could make dirty laundry appear legal without getting caught, he would be the best person to ask. But why would he be paying such large sums to his club?
“When did he become part owner of Electric City?” she asked.
“About three years ago. He invested in the pizzeria seven years ago and the spa five years ago,” Troy answered. “Like I said, everything looks clean on paper.”
The deepness of his tone during the last part led her to believe Troy thought Mr. Lazzari wasn’t the Boy Scout he appeared to be. Her perceptions matched his. Mr. Lazzari had to have done something horrible for heaven to list him as a demon on Andrew’s arm.
“Well, we know his clients are the shady kind with money to spend,” she said. “I think the saying guilty by association is fitting here.”
“I would presume so,” Troy said.
“I appreciate you checking into his records for me,” she said.
“I wish I had more for you,” he said.
“It’s fine. It’s not like you can make anything up that would help us,” she said.
“Oh, I could make some shit up that could fuck up his happy life. A few criminal charges would do the trick, but I doubt that would help your cause.” Troy’s ability to hack into databases made him a valuable asset when she needed information she couldn’t acquire from the World Wide Web. But it also made him more dangerous.
“No, it wouldn’t, but thanks for the offer,” she said.
“Have you got any plans for this guy?” Troy asked. “And I don’t mean your angel.”
“Not yet. We’re still observing,” she said.
“I know a lawyer in the city that I can reach out to if you need any help,” Troy said.
She looked at Andrew and he shook his head. “That’s okay. I don’t think we want to involve anyone in this,” she said.
“How is the angel? Is he treating you well? I assume he is since you are still with him.”
Her gaze shot to Andrew. She hadn’t shared with Troy the deal she’d made with her new friend. “He’s been keeping his hands to himself, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Good. I’d hate to have to fly out there to kick his angel ass. Although it might be worth my while to pay a visit to see it,” Troy said.
“Are you saying I have a nice ass?” Andrew asked.
“I’m saying you have a body to die for. I can see why my girlfriend hasn’t left you yet,” Troy said and Emily chuckled.
“Thanks, Troy.” Andrew beamed.
“Take care of her or I will hunt you down,” Troy added.
“You have my word,” Andrew said.
“Thanks for the info,” Emily said.
“There’s one more thing,” Troy said softly. “I had to visit that hellhole downtown. You know, the one I hate?”
Emily knew he was referring to the police station. He’d been in the interrogating rooms plenty of times over the years. They never had any evidence, but the cops loved to question him.
“I know which one,” she said.
“They were asking about you. Do not come back here,” he said, the last bit in a firm tone.
She didn’t need to inquire what questions were asked or what he’d told them. His loyalty for her was steadfast. He’d never fink on her.
“I won’t. Thank you, Troy,” she said in a soft voice.
“Anytime.” He ended the call.
Emily leaned back in the chair and set the phone face down on her thigh.
Andrew’s brows knitted together. “What was that last part about?”
“The police questioned him about me. Of course, he would never share anything to them about my whereabouts or what I’d done.”
“Oh, I see.” The tension in his face lessened.
She took a deep breath and pushed aside her past. “This Michael Lazzari fellow is going to be difficult.”
“His record means nothing to me. He’s a demon. I saw his black aura. If the powers that be in heaven think he should be destroyed, then I have to do it.”
Emily didn’t believe for a second their target was a saint. He was the worst kind of criminal because he knew the law. He knew how to avoid getting caught. He’d either done something horrific or he was helping those who did the dirty work. Either way, none of it mattered in the grand scheme of things. He was a demon. Someone in heaven had inscribed his name on Andrew’s arm, so Andrew had to kill him the human body to destroy demon. And she’d agreed to help Andrew in exchange for his assistance in getting into the palace in the sky one day.
“Right now, we don’t have any good way to get to him,” she said. “He’s somewhat a public figure. You can’t walk up to him and shoot him. And it would be impossible to lure him somewhere for you to kill him. This guy is smart. Any scheme we come up with will have to be solid or we risk going to jail.”
“Then we spend more time watching him. Let’s check out his establishments and see if we pick up on anything. Just because we haven’t seen him go to spa or pizza place doesn’t mean they’re not important. And tonight, we can try to catch him at the club. There has to be a way we can get to him.”
His confidence gave her hope. Maybe if they moved their surveillance efforts closer, they could find a way to get the demon. Everyone had vulnerabilities. The trick would be to find Michael’s without any exposure and before she had to hand over more funds for the dump they were staying in.
She rose from her chair with the cell in hand. “I’ll send Troy a text to get the names and address for spa and pizza shop. We can go by one later this afternoon.”
“I vote for the pizza place.”
Of course he would. The man loved to eat food.
“I don’t care which one we go to. As for tonight, I need to find an outfit to wear.”
He stretched his arms above and behind his head. “Let me know if you need help going through your clothes. I promise not to look too much at your underwear.”
A snicker escaped her. “Yeah, like I believe that, angel.”
Andrew had been sent from heaven, but he was as horny as any normal twenty-six-year-old man. Still, she had to give him credit. He avoided getting too close to her and touching her. In fact, he’d been keeping his hands to himself so much so he’d been taking twice as many showers. It didn’t take a genius to figure out why he needed to clean up so much. Bottom line, he was a good guy with a fun-loving heart. She liked him. Okay, maybe more than liked him. So dancing with him at a club was likely to be pure entertainment.
Chapter Two
Sweat dripped down the sides of Andrew’s face as he jogged along the sidewalk. Shades covered his eyes from the bright sun while the upper half of his body absorbed the rays. He clutched his t-shirt in one hand. He’d taken it off after the first mile he’d run. Since he kept his arms close and was on the move, he doubted anyone would be able to read the writing on his forearm.
The crosswalk signal started flashing as he approached. Andrew increased his speed. He ran across the street as the light changed.
Back on the concrete, he dropped to a steady pace. He passed more shops and eateries, none of which seemed too busy. Although the temperature was perfect for browsing, not many people were enjoying the weather. Maybe they would later.
He neared an area with several racks of clothes outside. He slowed as he approached. Pausing in the middle of the articles hanging, he scanned over them while he kept his legs moving. The prices were cheap. He quickly surveyed the inside from the glass window. The shop contained a variety of men and women’s items at low prices. He’d have to tell Emily about the place. Shorts would be better to run in than the jeans he was wearing. Maybe she could buy him a cheap pair. He tur
ned and resumed his normal jogging pace.
Several blocks past the shop, Andrew spotted a church on the other side of the street. A smile breached his face. Although the kingdom above was a better place than Earth, he couldn’t deny he was glad to be alive again. Life wasn’t perfect, but at least he had a smart and wonderful woman to work with. Emily had her troubles, but underneath her rough and tough persona thrived a lively young woman who could do just about anything. Even without superpowers, she was better than Wonder Woman. Emily had cunning, wits, strength, and a body he could devour if he could. And he’d often thought about it. Maybe she did have some sexual superpower after all.
The last week had been relaxing. He’d enjoyed working with Emily while they’d sat in the car for hours watching and waiting for the demon. He loved talking to her and learning about her. She had a soft voice that soothed his ears and a set of dreamy blue eyes he could get lost gazing into. He longed to touch her, to feel her flesh under his fingertips. He yearned to kiss her and do so much more. With a deep breath, he shook the lusty thoughts from his mind before his cock stiffened too much.
He circled around the block and decided to head back. He was two miles from the apartment by his estimate, which would give him four in total by the time he returned. Maybe in a few days he’d aim to go farther. He had to stay in tip-top shape for Emily and himself.
A wider grin slid across his face. He’d noticed her appraising his body many times. She seemed to enjoy looking at his bare chest, especially when his jeans were unzipped and hanging a bit low. Prior to his death, he’d been athletic and a frequent gym attendee. On Earth and in heaven, ladies had loved to get their hands and mouths on his solid muscles, including the one in his pants. Judging from the way Emily had gazed at him, she didn’t seem different. Her happiness inspired his. He wanted to capture her attention, steal her breath, and arouse her wildest fantasies. She certainly did that and more for him.
He slowed as he approached a crosswalk. A woman in a blue dress with a black jacket and tall boots waited for the light to turn. She had long dark hair that reminded him of Emily, except Emily’s had blue streaks. Breathing hard and dripping with perspiration, he came to a halt a few feet behind the woman.
She glanced over her shoulder once and then a second time. “Well, aren’t you a hot thing?” She gave him a crooked smile while she raked her gaze along his wet torso.
“It’s a bit warm,” he said, grinning. He made sure to keep his tattooed arm close to his side so she couldn’t see the writing.
“Honey, I can show you warm.” She took hold her dress and lifted it slowly up her thigh.
Cars came to a halt at the stoplight seconds before the sign to cross illuminated.
“Thanks, but my girlfriend keeps me warm,” he said and then jogged across the street.
The woman had a nice body, but he lacked interest in her. For a change, his heart and mind were committed to one special lady. Emily. During his first life and his twenty-seven years in heaven, he’d had many lovers. He’d enjoyed the variety of women. But everything had changed after he’d met Emily. While he couldn’t indulge his desires with her, at least he could fantasize and get close to her.
He passed an elementary school with children playing outside. Their voices carried as he crossed the next street. The next building resembled an apartment building with plenty of windows and three entrances. New York City reminded him of his home in Chicago. The two cities had tall buildings everywhere. Cars drove fast and filled the streets during all hours of the day and night. There was plenty to do and see. He’d never made it to New York when he’d been alive the first time. He’d always wanted to walk in Central Park, go to Coney Island, and see a Broadway show. He still did, but he didn’t have the means to do so. He hated having to rely on Emily for clothes, food, and pretty much everything. She never complained, but it still bothered him that she had to use her funds. New York costs were ridiculous, but then the last time he had to pay for anything was in 1989. Prices had changed considerably, and if they had to spend more than a week longer, he might consider getting a job at one of the local cafés. Any income would help her out.
On the bright side, he’d already made his first kill and was on his way to destroying the second demon. This one would be more of a challenge since the demon had a public image. The information Troy had given them wouldn’t help him, but at least they now knew why the demon went to EC so often. Gut instinct led Andrew to believe the demon was funneling money to the club to pay for other things such as drugs or women. The demon had yet to leave the club alone, and the lady or ladies with him were never the same. If Andrew were to guess, the girls the demon had in his arms were prostitutes. And if their paychecks were from the club, then the records would look clean since the women would appear as employees. To everyone, the demon appeared as a good guy following the rules. To Andrew, the demon’s black aura revealed plenty.
The question of how to get to the demon continued to remain unanswered. Andrew hoped they could resolve it soon so they could move on to target number three.
Andrew’s heart held a steady rhythm with his feet. He panted, but controlled his breathing. The air felt good as it brushed across his heated skin. He felt alive and strong, exhilarated even. He couldn’t recall feeling such liveliness while he was in heaven. Over the last two weeks he’d noticed many differences from his time in the sky. He’d discovered his emotions were heightened. He’d felt intense anger toward the demon in Pittsburgh when he’d tried to rape Emily. The rage helped him kill the man. Then, Andrew had been consumed with compassion for Emily. His feelings for her still remained strong. In heaven, he’d cared for others, but not in the same deep, heartfelt way. It was as if his emotions had been weakened. Food and drinks tasted different too, much better in the realm of the living. He didn’t understand the science or reasons behind the variations, but they existed.
Sweat continued to roll down his head, neck, and chest. He wiped some moisture with the shirt in his hand, but he needed a good shower. He couldn’t wait to see the look on Emily’s face upon his return. Whenever he’d walked around shirtless, she’d stared at him as if he were a million times better to lick than any ice cream cone. He enjoyed the image of her dragging her tongue over his flesh. He could picture her moving lower to his groin. His cock twitched. He definitely needed another long shower to release some pressure before the night’s outing.
Excitement stirred within him as he thought about going to the club with Emily. Although they would watch for the demon, he hoped they would have fun dancing. For once he might be able to get his hands on her. Better yet, he might be able to get his body close to hers. They’d had a great time in Ohio when they’d gone to a bar, drank, and played ping pong and air hockey. They’d laughed, chatted, and enjoyed each other’s company. He hoped they would have just as an exciting evening at the club, if not better.
Andrew reached the door to the apartment building and swung it open. The hall reeked of urine and motivated him to hurry up the stairs. He reached the third floor with a solid thud from his feet. Lips together, he tried to calm his breathing as he strode to the end of the hall. He paused at the door and tapped the back of his knuckles on it.
Emily opened the door half way. She wore a black skirt that reached her knees. Her white top hung low and revealed her cleavage. She glided her gaze down his torso while she rolled her tongue over her lips. “Do I know you?”
Good thing his mouth was shut because he almost laughed. Did she really think she could beat him in the game of flirting? He stepped forward, unbuttoning his jeans. “I have something for you. It’s big and—”
“You win.” She thrust her palm up and backed away from the door. Her cheeks took on a soft pink color. “But for the record, you’re not playing fair.”
He stepped inside the apartment and shut the door behind him. “How am I not playing fair?”
She stopped near the far left window and sat on the ledge. “Because you’re shirtless an
d trying to strip in front of me.”
“I’m hot and sweaty from running. And you could have stripped. I wouldn’t have stopped you,” he said as he walked toward her.
She lifted her arm and pointed toward the bathroom. “Go take a shower.”
He laughed. “Oh come now, you’ve seen me walk around like this plenty of times.”
“If you don’t go, I will,” she said in a tone that signaled he was close to overstepping the boundaries.
He knew not to push her too far. Emily enjoyed playing flirtatious games, but when they bothered her, she let him know. Part of him feared what she might do if he came on too strong and didn’t stop. Would she throw him out, or would she ravage him? Would she let him have his with her? She was a mentally strong woman who seemed to like being in control of things, which led him to believe she might be equally dominating in the sack. His cock jerked at the thought.
“Fine, I’ll grab some clothes and get out of your way.” He removed his shades and then dropped them on his blue chair. On the way to the small closet, he tossed his soiled shirt in the corner with the other dirty clothes from the last two days.
He parted the bi-fold doors to the one and only closet. They shared the space, but Emily took up most of it with her clothes on hangers. Three of his long-sleeved shirts hung on the rack. The rest of his jeans and t-shirts he’d folded and placed on the shelf. He didn’t care if they wrinkled. His underwear, socks, and spare set of shoes were on the floor in his bag. He grabbed a pair of jeans before he squatted to retrieve boxers. He’d come back for a shirt later after he dried off. Clothes in hand, he headed for the bathroom.
Emily was still sitting on the ledge of the window. She held her phone in front of her and seemed to be engrossed with something on it.
“I’ll be in the shower for a bit,” he said, pausing near the open door.
“Before you go, what do you think of this outfit?” She stood and stretched her arms out. “Will it work for a club?”
