Dirty Money

by Ashley Bartlett

“What’s wrong with you?” She cocked her hip to the side and watched me go.

  “Nothing. I’m sorry I intruded.”

  With that, I ran for the door.

  Chapter Eleven

  “What?” I should have turned my phone off. I shouldn’t have answered the damn thing.

  “You made quite an impression tonight.” Vito’s simulation of laughter came through the line. The wall of noise behind me made it hard to hear, but I got that much at least.

  “Neat.” Really, couldn’t have been more excited about that.

  “You’ve got a meeting tomorrow.”

  “Don’t care.”

  “Alex wants you.”

  “Don’t know who that is.” I moved to the far end of the patio. It didn’t help with the noise.

  “Your new boss.” Did he ever ask or did he always just give orders?

  “Well, I don’t want a new boss.”

  “Nine a.m., sunshine.” Then he rattled off an address. I didn’t write it down.

  “I’m hanging up now.” And then I did.

  I went back inside the bar, and this time I turned off the cell phone.

  “Scotch.” I had to yell and reach over three people to get my drink, but I got it. Then I retreated to a dim corner and observed the revelry. I’d hoped surrounding myself with my own people would make me feel whole again. It didn’t.

  These women were me. Or at least what I once was. They flirted with each other and smiled and said things with their eyes no one else could understand. It was a language I didn’t speak anymore. The syllables, the way they wrapped their lips and tongues and teeth around them, sounded foreign.

  It hurt to watch and know that they would accept me if I wanted to come back. It hurt to know that I couldn’t. Wouldn’t. Because I had chosen to live in Vito’s domain of violence. That was a sin that could not be forgiven. Even if they forgave me, I couldn’t forgive myself.

  The twins were my only chance. An escape from my isolation. And one look into eyes like a bruise, and I’d forgotten. Reese was my life. And I’d given her up with a glance at a sexy, violent girl. I’d always been a sucker for that type.

  So then what was I? Certainly not one of these women.

  It was time to leave. I pushed away from the wall, but when I stepped into the light, my heart shuddered to a stop. What the fuck was she doing here?

  Slowly, I backed into my corner again, but it was too late.

  “Cooper.” She was still wearing her party dress, the one that clung to her curves and fell away covering just enough skin for propriety’s sake. I knew what it felt like against my fingertips, warm from her skin, smooth like that voice.

  “What do you want?”

  “You.”

  “Is this some terrible novel?” My attempt at anger was taken for levity.

  “Vito told me you were here.”

  “And how the fuck would he know that?”

  She smiled. My clit twitched again. It made me truly loathe myself.

  “We weren’t properly introduced. I’m Alexis DiGiovanni.” She held out a hand. So this was my new boss.

  “Why did you come here?” I didn’t take her hand.

  “I wasn’t at my best when you saw me before. I thought we could start over.” Alexis smiled.

  I thought about that. “No, I think you were at your best. It was a beautiful beginning.” Serious. She made violence sexy. “Which is why I am going to leave now.” I stepped around her. “Please don’t follow me.”

  Alexis stopped me with a hand on my arm. Her pale skin caught in the light.

  “Why don’t you like me?”

  “You make me feel things I would rather not feel.” Truth was a sudden revelation. I decided to go with it.

  “No.” She shook her head slowly as if to emphasize her disagreement. “I remind you of my darling cousin Reese.”

  It felt like she’d shot me. Burning pain started in my heart and radiated out, curling around my legs, down my arms, to my suddenly tingling fingertips. Dry air scorched my lungs, clawing and scraping through my chest. Fuck that. I already had one bullet wound that hadn’t finished healing. I managed to suck in one breath, regain a semblance of composure.

  No wonder she seemed so familiar.

  “Then you understand why I’m going to go.” I picked her hand off my arm and let it drop. This time she didn’t stop me.

  *

  At exactly eight the next morning there was a knock on my door. I knew who it was. He’d probably been calling me, but my phone was still off. I don’t know why I decided to open the door for him.

  “I’m not working for her.”

  “May I come in?” The way Vito asked made it a reprimand.

  I held the door wide for him. “I’m still not working for her.”

  “Yes, you are. Esau won’t need you full-time. Alex will keep you busy. It’s a good arrangement.” Vito leaned against the wall of my hotel room. The bed was unmade, the dresser and floor littered with clothing. His distaste was apparent.

  “Find someone else.”

  “Why?”

  “You know why.”

  “Explain it to me.”

  “I don’t like her.” There was no way he was getting a complete breakdown of the reason. She reminded me of Reese. It was that simple. And he knew it.

  “Fine.” He smiled without it reaching his eyes. “If you want to stay, it will be with Alex. Do you want to find out where the twins are?”

  The oxygen in the room suddenly evaporated then returned, making me gasp and choke. My side ached under my bandages. My fingertips began to tingle again. These people were ruthless. I was well and truly fucked. If I wanted to find Reese, I would have to work with the woman who made me forget her. Not much of a choice.

  “Where am I meeting her?” I’d resisted women before. I could do it again.

  “Good kid.” He repeated last night’s address. I wrote it down.

  *

  The address was a big ass office building. All corporate and glass and metal. So not my style. Alexis had the billionth floor or something. Dutifully, I waited until a receptionist who was half my size and looked like she could kill me with a glance waved me into the office.

  “Couldn’t resist my charms?” Alexis smiled like she was witty. She wasn’t.

  “I’m into pain.”

  “That’s for after hours, honey.” Another smile. Was this supposed to be flirting?

  “Let’s be clear. I want to find the twins. To find the twins, I have to work for you. That’s the only reason I’m here.”

  “Nothing to do with me?” She played hurt. She wasn’t.

  “I’m already dead, sweetheart. You’re just making it hell.” That’s when I decided to smile. I was going for a no hard feelings, I just hate you sort of feel.

  “The door’s right there.” She pointed angrily. “Feel free.”

  “No, thank you.”

  “Then shut the fuck up and play nice.” The sudden obscenity was creepy and uncalled for. She smiled somewhere between Reese and Vito. This was going to be worse than I thought.

  I retorted with a very petulant smile sitting down quietly.

  “Good boy.” She pressed a button on the phone on her desk. “Send him in when he gets here.”

  “Yes, Ms. DiGiovanni,” the scary receptionist chick responded.

  “I’m surprised you don’t want to work for me.” The nice, smiling, super hot chick was back. “After working with Esau, this should be a walk in the park.”

  Esau might have been insane and he was definitely homicidal, but at least I always knew what he was going to do. Kill someone. This chick I wasn’t so sure about. Something about her said volatile. Unpredictable. Dangerous.

  “I don’t know what you want me to do yet.” The tone made it sound flippant. It wasn’t.

  “Sal will show you.”

  I was going to ask who Sal was, but the door opened and a completely hairless dude walked in.

  “Alex.” H
e nodded at her before turning to me. “Salvatore Mancini. You Cooper?” He offered a hand. I shook it.

  “You’ll need to walk Cooper through her responsibilities.”

  “Yeah. Happy to.” He smiled just a little too smoothly.

  I couldn’t think of a response that would sound remotely interested or pleasant so I said nothing.

  “Cooper.” Alexis purred my name in way that made my pulse jump. I turned back to her. “When Sal is done monopolizing you, I’d love to take you to dinner.” She dragged half her bottom lip into her mouth. White teeth glinted for a moment before the lip was back out and pouting. It was predatory. It was vulnerable. It was sexy. “Tonight?” It wasn’t a fuckin’ question.

  “I’ll see you then.”

  “Good. Now run off and play.” Alexis flicked her wrist in the general direction of the door. The move was pure Reese.

  At that, Sal turned to the door. I followed him even though I didn’t want to. What the hell. Anything was better than the pale version of Reese.

  *

  Alexis was already waiting when I walked into the restaurant. When I sat down already glaring, she frowned briefly.

  “Stop pouting. No one is forcing you to be here.” She was only half right. “You may as well enjoy yourself.”

  “I find very little reason to enjoy myself.”

  “Are you really that self-absorbed?”

  Her question sounded so much like Reese it made me pause. Again. Why did they have to be so similar? It wasn’t just the looks. Both were gorgeous. The long, dark hair, the same high cheekbones, but that wasn’t it. Alexis had that same detached, entitled demeanor that somehow translated to body language. Her chin was always just slightly tilted up like Fitzgerald’s Jordan Baker, as though inexplicably balancing some object on it. This allowed her to look down upon everyone, even those taller than her. Her eyes seemed to always stare at nothing because, clearly, nothing was important or exciting enough to hold her interest. Not even me. I would have found her accusation of self-absorption hilarious if not for how disturbing it was. So like Reese. Self involved to the point of accusing others of her own issues.

  “I’m not self-absorbed.” My denial was quiet. It came out nearly a whisper. I didn’t have the strength to defend myself. Not to this woman.

  “You’re in a beautiful restaurant that is impossible to get reservations at, with a beautiful woman whose company is equally difficult to procure, and you’re sulking. Sounds rather self-absorbed to me.”

  “This from the woman who just called herself beautiful and unattainable.”

  She waved a hand dismissively. Was that genetic?

  The sommelier chose that moment to deliver a bottle. Alexis must have ordered it. The pair of them made quite a production of opening and tasting and pouring. It was supposed to be impressive. I was unmoved.

  “Can we just call a truce?” she asked once he left.

  “A truce?”

  “You don’t like me, though I’m not sure what I’ve done to incur your wrath, and I’m not sure I should like you. Let’s just call it even.”

  I considered her words. She was right. I was mad at myself for being attracted to her. It wasn’t her fault she possessed every trait that attracted me to her cousin.

  “You’re right. I’m sorry for my behavior.”

  She smiled with actual warmth. “Thank you.”

  “I’ve got to ask though.” Alexis glanced up from what must have been very engaging wine considering how she was gazing into it. “Why shouldn’t you like me?”

  The smile grew. “You’re here, apparently, to help bring Reese back into the fold.” Theoretically. “With her gone, I will likely inherit the family business. If she returns…” Alexis gave a very sexy shrug.

  I considered letting her know her inheritance was safe. Reese wasn’t coming back. Not for me. Not for anyone. Instead I just nodded and agreed. “Truce, then.”

  “I get to ask you a question now.”

  “’Kay.”

  “What’s your full name?”

  “Huh?”

  “Vito wouldn’t tell me. He just said you were Cooper and left it at that.” Interesting. “So is Cooper your first name or last?”

  I didn’t know how to respond. “Both.”

  “Your name is Cooper Cooper?”

  “No, just Cooper.”

  “You’re really not going to tell me your whole name?” Alexis found this funny.

  “Nope.”

  “Why not?”

  “For the same reason all of the guys call you Alex instead of Alexis.”

  “And why is that?” She wanted to know.

  “An androgynous name makes you more palatable as a boss to your thugs. The implied masculinity of the name undermines the femininity which they would otherwise disrespect.”

  Alexis stared open-mouthed at me.

  “It’s true,” I insisted. “You like to maintain that femininity. It’s why you introduced yourself to me as Alexis, not Alex.” More speechless staring. “What? Say something.”

  “I’m sorry,” she stuttered. “Most of my thugs, as you called them, are…” She paused to consider. “Honestly, they aren’t very smart. I was expecting you to be more like them.”

  For the first time, I smiled at her. Dangerous territory.

  *

  “So what are they negotiating?” I asked even though I didn’t expect an answer. “Or am I not supposed to ask that?”

  “No, you’re not.” The corner of Sal’s mouth tilted up. He didn’t even take his eyes off the road.

  “So we just stand there and watch?”

  “It makes things go smooth,” he said. I could already tell we were going to have so many meaningful conversations.

  “So what do we do when they’re done?”

  “Go home.”

  “You don’t talk much.”

  “You talk a lot.”

  “I’m overcompensating.”

  “We’re here,” he told me as we pulled into an underground parking garage.

  “What about security cameras?” I readjusted the Beretta strapped against my ribs. “Don’t places like this tend to have those?”

  “Not when you own it.”

  “Oh, right.”

  When we came to a stop, I got out and went around to the back door. After opening it, I held out a hand to help Alexis out of the limo. She smiled very briefly at me. A second car of her men was parked in front of us. The sound of car doors slamming echoed through the parking structure. Sal and I stood close on either side of Alexis, and two more men who each had a foot and about two hundred pounds on us, came up to shadow behind. We all wore nearly matching overcoats. Adorable. In front of us, just past the cloud of our frozen breath and Sal’s cigar smoke, a similar group of men waited to meet Alexis. She held out a hand to the one in front, the shine from her heavy pinkie ring was no match for the bling on his hand, but hers had a certain amount of delicacy and class, where his was just gaudy.

  I was curious what exactly was going on, what crime I’d be accomplice to this time. Sal had only told me basics―stand by Alex, square your shoulders, keep your coat open for easy gun access, be quiet. That was it. If I thought I was going to get more information, I was wrong. After a greeting in English, Alexis and the guy she was meeting broke into a rapid exchange in a language I didn’t recognize.

  From what I could tell, based on their tones alone, the meeting went well. At first. Halfway in, the dude Alexis was talking to became visibly agitated. His men started shuffling their feet and glancing nervously at each other. Next to me, Sal’s jaw tightened. Alexis, however, was unmoved.

  “I’m sorry, that’s the best I can offer.” Finally, something I could understand.

  He spat an answer back at her. One word. And I was guessing it wasn’t a nice one.

  Alexis shifted back into whatever language they were speaking, and I caught some more not so nice words, this time from her gorgeous mouth. He came back with a litany of s
ome sort. She slowly shook her head.

  One of the other guys put his hand into his coat. Sal and I copied the movement. My Beretta felt warm in my cold palm. Behind us, I heard our other two guys do the same. Very subtly, Sal took a step forward and guided Alexis a half step behind him. She placed a hand on his forearm to restrain him.

  “Come.” Alexis pointed to a spot a few yards from us. “Let’s make this a little more private.”

  The dude didn’t look happy at being told what to do, but with a glance between her men and his own, he nodded.

  After a few minutes of fast, quiet whispering, they finally shook hands, turned, and went back to their respective cars. Again, I held the door for Alexis, handed her in, then joined Sal up front.

  “See?” Sal spoke once we were back on the road. “You stand there, look scary, and that’s it. Now we go home.”

  “What language were they speaking?”

  “Russian.”

  “For real? Could you understand what they were saying?” Sacramento had a fairly high Russian population, but I’d never heard it spoken before.

  “Some of it. But I try not to listen,” he said.

  “If my job is to look menacing, maybe I should start working out.” I wasn’t serious.

  “It’s not about muscle. We have guns. Muscle is kinda pointless, you know?”

  “So what’s it about?”

  “Looking like you mean business.”

  Descriptive. Thanks for that great advice.

  We drove north in silence, presumably toward Alexis’s house. Not surprisingly, the place we stopped in front of was brick and all old money looking. The inside probably was designed to be modern and comfortable while maintaining the clear history of the house. I imagined one room would have a classic bar, small, but art deco, reminiscent of the late twenties. Alexis would sit in front of one of her many fireplaces with an old school cocktail from said bar, a sidecar, in a dressing gown, silk, to contemplate her day of felonies. Then, only then, would she light a slim cigar, Cuban, and think about tomorrow’s felonies.

  “Are you walking her to the door?” Sal broke in on my reverie. He looked at me all expectantly.