The Tanner Series - Books 1-11: Tanner - The hit man with a heart

by Remington Kane

  Tanner did know what was good for him, and it was the 108 pounds of primo blonde tail who was seated in front of him and making his cock twitch.

  Tanner finally acknowledged the man with a glance, told him to fuck off, and that’s when the man swung the beer mug at his head.

  As beer mug’s four friends charged at him from their table, Tanner stepped atop a chair, leapt toward them, and landed in their midst. While doing so, he smashed two of them against the side of the head with his elbows. The twin blows buckled the men’s knees while stunning them and cut their numbers in half.

  The bigger of the two remaining men swung a punch at Tanner that he managed to duck just barely, to then rise and jab his rigid fingers into the man’s throat. A second later, the remaining man struck him in the left side, making him wince from the pain. The blow had also knocked the wind out of him.

  As Tanner tried to regain his breath, the man swung again and gave him a solid blow above the right eye. Tanner let out a loud moan, dropped to one knee, and pretended to appear dazed by the blow.

  The man grinned down at him, cocked his right fist way back behind his shoulder, and prepared to finish Tanner off with one mighty blow. This left the man’s midsection exposed. Tanner rose in a flash and buried a knee into it. When the man doubled over, Tanner straightened him up with a forearm beneath the chin and the man fell to the floor of the bar, where he lay flat on his back.

  However, the man’s friends were all recovering their wits and would be looking to start the battle again within seconds.

  When the hand touched his shoulder, Tanner nearly reacted with violence, but the delicate nature of the fingers upon him spoke of their owner before he turned and confirmed it with his eyes.

  It was the blonde with the long hair, and when he turned to face her, she placed a caressing hand on his cheek and smiled.

  “Let’s get out of here.”

  Tanner nodded, then the other woman joined them as they reached the door.

  They were driving away in Tanner’s pickup truck when the five guys came stumbling out of the bar shouting curses.

  The blonde touched the bruise forming above Tanner’s eye. “Does that hurt?”

  “Not when you touch it.”

  “I’m Brittany, she’s Amber, and what’s your name?”

  “Call me Romeo.”

  “Romeo? I like the sound of that. Take the next exit and turn right, our apartment is a few blocks down that street.”

  “You two live together?”

  Amber reached across Brittany and rubbed Tanner’s chest.

  “We do everything together.”

  Tanner smiled. He had hoped to leave the bar with a woman and wound up with two, so much the better.

  “Romeo?” Brittany said.

  “Yeah?”

  “That was a hell of a fight. Are you a boxer?”

  “No and I didn’t start the fight.”

  “You just finish them, hmm?”

  “Yeah, you might say that endings are my business.”

  “No talking about work,” Amber said. “Tonight we party.”

  “Fine by me,” Tanner said.

  He left the young ladies’ apartment the following day fully sated and with a request to return soon, but his mind had already begun to make plans about the best way to move forward.

  It was time to get back to work.

  107

  Vice Versa

  The Cabaret Strip Club in New York City was playing host to the heroes of the hour, as Merle and Earl Carter were finally being rewarded for their perceived killing of Tanner.

  The club had been shut down for a week, as the FBI investigated the murders of Lars Gruber and Tanner, which they believed took place in the alleyway behind the club.

  Gruber was indeed murdered, and by Tanner, while the other body carted off that night belonged to a mobster by the name of Jackie Verona, who Gruber himself had killed just hours before his death.

  The conclusion the FBI came up with was that murders took place, but that they had no way of proving so, despite there being a photograph that showed the bodies. Still, the photo couldn’t be positively linked to the location of the club, so the investigation was stalled, and the strip club reopened.

  The Carter brothers had already been given the hundred grand in cash they had won as a reward for their presumed killing of Tanner, and on this night they were being led by hand back to the VIP rooms, each in the company of a young woman who would see to their pleasure.

  They were not alone, as their generous host, Johnny Rossetti, had also decided to reward the men who had guarded the front doors, along with the other men who had guarded the alley. They were all present, except for Romeo, who had yet to return the calls made to his phone.

  From where he was standing at the bar, Johnny Rossetti watched Merle and Earl as they entered their VIP rooms on the arms of hookers, then he turned to look at Carl the bartender.

  “Hey, weren’t you working the alley last week?”

  “Yeah, but I don’t need any reward, living through it was reward enough.”

  Johnny grinned. “I still can’t believe you fainted, but fair’s fair and I’ll hook you up.”

  One of the dancers was on break inside a roped-off section at the side of the bar and was wearing a white silk robe. She was a woman named Skye, who had large natural breasts and long dark hair. Johnny pointed at her as he talked to one of the barmaids.

  “Go tell Skye I want to see her.”

  “Skye?” Carl said.

  “You like her, right? I see you two talking all the time.”

  “Yeah, she’s nice.”

  “You’re gonna find out just how nice when she gives you a lap dance, but don’t expect anything more from her, she’s not a hooker. I only got pros for the Carter brothers. They deserve it for killing Tanner.”

  Skye appeared with a questioning look in her green eyes. “You wanted to see me, Johnny?”

  “Yeah honey, Carl here is one of the heroes from last week. Take him back to VIP room six and show him a good time.”

  Skye smiled at Carl. “Follow me, sir.”

  Carl smiled back weakly and followed Skye toward the VIP rooms.

  Johnny headed for his office but stopped as he saw Al Trent enter.

  Trent was unshaven, and thick dark stubble covered his face, while his eyes looked red and swollen from lack of sleep. The jeans and green polo shirt he wore looked wrinkled.

  “This is the first time I’ve seen you without a suit on Trent. But don’t worry, I hear the state pen is giving away free suits. Nice orange jumpsuits.”

  Trent rushed toward Johnny and stuck a finger in his face.

  “You framed me, didn’t you?”

  Two of the club’s bouncers rushed over and Trent took a step backwards. One of the bouncers had a shaved head, while the other had a wide red scar on his left cheek, and both men were twice Trent’s size, dressed all in black, and armed.

  Johnny spoke to the man with the scar. “Pat him down, Bull.”

  The search took only a few seconds. When it was done, the man spoke to Johnny as he held up the contents of Trent’s pockets.

  “He’s clean, boss. No weapons, no bugs, but he does have a wallet, watch, and phone.”

  “Give them back to him when he leaves. Trent, follow me to my office.”

  Trent stared at his belongings for a moment, then he rushed to catch up to Johnny, who had already walked away.

  “Just tell me why you framed me, Rossetti.”

  Johnny reached his office and held the door open for him.

  “Get in here. I didn’t frame you, but I can guess who did.”

  Across the club in VIP room six, Carl swallowed hard as Skye removed the silk robe to reveal a red string bikini. When she began gyrating her hips to music, he spoke. “Don’t do that.”

  Skye cocked her head. “What?”

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  “Johnny wants you to have fun, and it’s
my job. Besides, it’s not like you haven’t seen me dance before.”

  “I know, Skye, but… that was different.”

  “How?”

  “That was for other guys, people off the street, and I thought we were friends, sort of.”

  “We are friends; I mean we talk all the time. You’ve even met my daughter.”

  “How is Ashley?”

  “She’s good. She started high school this year.”

  “Get out of here. The last time I ran into you two at the supermarket she was just a little thing.”

  “Yeah, but she’s grown like a weed the last few months.”

  “Really?”

  “Um-hmm.”

  “See what I mean? If you do this, rub against me and whatever else, that’s going to make things weird between us and we won’t be friends anymore.”

  Skye stared at him for long moments without saying anything, then she put her robe back on and cut off the music.

  “You really don’t want me to give you a lap dance?”

  “No.”

  “I could get one of the other girls if you’d like? I mean, I know I’m like the old lady here at thirty-two, and there’s that new girl, the small blonde. I hear she’s only nineteen.”

  “No, it’s not that, you’re not old. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

  “What?”

  Carl shrugged. “It’s true.”

  Skye sat down beside Carl and took his hand.

  “Didn’t you say earlier that you were off this Sunday?”

  “Yeah.”

  “So am I, and I want you to come to my apartment for dinner.”

  “What did you say?”

  “Dinner, and I’m a good cook too.”

  “You want me to come to your apartment?”

  “Yes, will you come?”

  “Sure.”

  Skye kissed Carl on the lips. “You’re a good man, Carl.”

  Carl blushed a bright red that made Skye laugh.

  “I think you would have fainted if I had danced for you.”

  Carl sighed. “It wouldn’t be the first time.”

  “Why would Frank Richards want to frame me for murder?”

  Johnny sent Trent a shrug, from where he sat on the sofa in his office.

  “Maybe it’s because you know too much.”

  Trent thought that over and realized it might be true. After all, he had gotten rid of Richards’ wife for him and there were many other secrets he knew, or suspected, such as the true reason behind the upcoming meeting of the Conglomerate’s elite, but that was something that even Richards wasn’t aware he knew.

  “Let’s say you’re right and it was Richards, why not just kill me instead?”

  “I don’t know, kid, and to tell you the truth, I really don’t care. As far as I’m concerned, it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.”

  “You really didn’t frame me?”

  “No, but whoever it was did a great job of it. Not only do the cops want you for killing that guy, Reese, but the papers say they also have you linked to a murder that took place in some box factory.”

  “I don’t know anything about either murder.”

  “Are you sure about that? Jackie Verona has gone missing and I seem to recall you telling me not to send him a warning.” Johnny stood and walked over to study Trent carefully. “Did you kill Verona, kid?”

  Trent turned and headed for the door. “I don’t know whose blood and brain tissue they found in that warehouse and I didn’t kill anybody.”

  Trent opened the door, but before he left, he gave Johnny a bit of news.

  “Richards got the board to agree to demote you. You’ll be summoned by him any day now.”

  “The son of a bitch wants to see me tomorrow, but he wouldn’t tell me who was taking over. Do you know?”

  “I don’t; I only know you’re out. That’s the one bright spot in my world right now.”

  Johnny waved a hand at Trent. “Go on, before I put you out of your misery.”

  “Somebody framed me, Rossetti, and when I find out who it was, I’ll be back at Mr. Richards side.”

  “Sure kid, keep telling yourself that.”

  Johnny walked out into the club with Trent and watched him leave, then saw Merle and Earl walking toward him with wide eyes and silly grins.

  They were dressed in new suits instead of their usual casual, and ratty, attire. The suits were a gift from Johnny, as were the women who had just pleasured them. Nothing was too good for the men who had killed Tanner.

  Johnny smiled at them. “I see the girls showed you boys a good time. They should have, they cost three bills each.”

  Merle and Earl nodded at Johnny, and when they looked at each other, they giggled.

  However, the biggest smile in the club belonged to Carl, who walked back to the bar with Skye on his arm. When they parted, Skye gave him a quick peck on the lips.

  Johnny pointed at him as he went back behind the bar.

  “Look at that grin; I guess Skye treated you right, hmm?”

  “Vice versa,” Skye said, and she sent Carl a wink as she returned to the stage.

  108

  Loose Ends

  The following morning, at the rear of the MegaZenith building in Manhattan, Johnny stepped out of his limo as his driver, Mario, held the door open for him.

  After taking a few steps toward the loading dock, Johnny stopped walking and placed a hand on Mario’s shoulder.

  “Get back in the limo; I’m going up alone.”

  Mario blinked in surprise, as his fat face scrunched up in concern. “Alone? But what if something happens?”

  “If they want to whack me, they’ll whack me, but there’s no sense in both of us getting hit. But don’t worry, I think this is the last place Richards would pick to kill me. Wait thirty minutes, and if you don’t hear from me, then get the hell out of here.”

  “I don’t like it,” Mario said.

  “Me either, buddy, but one way or another I’m no longer the Underboss of the Family after today.”

  “Shit, so who’s the new boss?”

  “That’s what I’m about to find out.”

  “You’re sure you don’t want me as backup, just in case?”

  Johnny sent him a wink. “Stay here and I’ll return with news in a few minutes.”

  Johnny walked up a set of concrete steps and disappeared into the shadows of the loading dock.

  Mario let out a sigh and went back to the limo, where he leaned against it and smoked a cigar, as he checked his phone for messages.

  When he saw that there was one from his daughter, he listened to it and felt distress as he heard her teary message.

  “Daddy, it’s Maria, please call me as soon as you can. I… I screwed up.”

  Mario phoned his daughter and heard the call being answered, but no one spoke.

  “Hello? Maria, it’s Daddy, baby, are you there?”

  A female voice answered, but it was not his daughter’s voice.

  “Mr. Petrocelli, this is Special Agent Michelle Geary of the FBI, are you alone?”

  “The FBI? What’s going on? Where’s my daughter?”

  “We need to talk. I’ll be at the Starbucks on East 57th Street at six o’clock. Refuse to meet with me and your daughter does time for dealing drugs.”

  “What? My girl’s no dealer, she’s a college kid.”

  “Apparently, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree, Mario. Selling drugs is how you got your start, isn’t it? We have her on video dealing drugs. If you don’t play ball, she’s going away for a long time.”

  “Let me speak to her.”

  “She’ll be with me tonight, and if you don’t join us by six, she’ll be in a cell by seven. Remember, East 57th. Goodbye, Mario.”

  The phone went dead and Mario let out a curse. After climbing back into the limo, he slumped in his seat, while wondering just how much the FBI had on his daughter and knowing that he would do anything they asked to
see her clear of trouble.

  Upstairs, on the sixtieth floor, Johnny was being greeted at the freight elevator by Richards’ new assistant, a man named Robert Vance.

  Vance was early thirties, tall, good-looking, and blond. His light-blue eyes scrutinized Johnny before he offered a hand in greeting.

  “Mr. Rossetti, I don’t know if you remember me, sir, but we met once while you were out in Las Vegas last year. My name is Robert Vance.”

  Johnny shook his hand. “I do remember you, and my late Uncle Al told me that you were the one who brokered peace between him and Richards.”

  “Yes, although by that time, Mr. Richards had already contracted with Tanner to have your uncle killed. Had I known that I wouldn’t have wasted my time making peace.”

  “Why not?”

  “A contract is a contract, and despite your loss, I believe that Tanner acted in good faith.”

  “Even after Richards told him to stand down?”

  “As I said, a contract is a contract, but please follow me to Mr. Richards’ office, he’s waiting for you.”

  “They frisked me downstairs. That’s the first time that’s happened.”

  “Just a precaution, and your weapon will be returned. Also, Mr. Richards will have a bodyguard present.”

  They walked together in silence. When they reached the office, Vance motioned for Johnny to enter alone.

  “You know, Al Trent used to sit in on meetings.”

  “Yes, sir and perhaps someday I’ll gain that level of trust as well, but for now, I’m off to run an errand.”

  Johnny stared at Vance for several seconds, then offered his hand. “Come by the Cabaret Strip Club sometime and we’ll talk.”

  “I might do that,” Vance said, as he ended the handshake and opened the door for Johnny to enter.

  Johnny walked in and took a seat in front of the desk. Standing by the window behind the desk was the promised bodyguard, a middle-aged man named Gary. Gary was large, but by no means huge, and his gray eyes kept a close watch on Johnny.