“Please, I don’t know where the rest of your stuff is. I got the necklace from a guy I met.” I looked across the table and tugged on the rope that bound my wrists.
“I need more than that. I need a name.” He tilted his head and there was a knock at the door. “Come in.”
The other man who confronted us on the street poked his head in the door. “The other girl gave us the name. We’re checking it out now. Let’s go.”
“I guess I don’t have to hurt you after all.” The man smiled. “Lucky you.”
Fiona knew enough to tell them who gave me the necklace, but she didn’t know enough to send them to his door. I was thankful I hadn’t shared many details with her, although I was furious at Vincent for putting me in the position to begin with. It was clear that he stole it from someone who wanted it back, and it wasn’t just something simple like shoplifting—if what the man had said was true, he robbed a jewelry store.
I thought back to what Vincent had said to me about his luck turning around and not having to steal luggage again. It had to be true. He robbed the jewelry store and had apparently ticked off some really dangerous people. As angry as I was with him, I was more concerned about my safety—and Fiona’s safety. I couldn’t blame her for telling them who gave me the necklace. I would have probably done the same if she had suddenly started sleeping with a random criminal that landed us in the same predicament.
I just hope they don’t kill him—or us.
Chapter 14: Vincent
“G o back to your boss—tell him I’m looking for him.” I drove my fist into the face of the two-bit thug I had against the wall. “My name is Vincent Crane and he can find me at Dixon’s Bar.”
It was the fourth of Lawson King’s known associates I had put my fist through. The easiest way to get his attention was to tell people I was looking for him. I was fairly certain he was looking for me too, because I didn’t expect Peoria to hide the fact I gave her the necklace. I just hoped they hadn’t hurt her before she told them—and I hoped they didn’t kill her after she did. I watched as the man ran down the alleyway and then climbed back into my truck. The only thing I could do was wait for the hell that was coming my way. The jewelry was still locked up where we left it, but I had the ring and tennis bracelet in my pocket to prove I was the one who robbed the store. I lit a cigarette and headed to Dixon’s Bar. I didn’t manage to take more than a few sips from my beer when the door opened and a man with jet black hair stepped into the bar. He wasn’t a regular and his suit suggested he was definitely a long way from home.
“Vincent Crane.” He looked around the bar.
“That’s me.” I slid off the stool and walked over to him. “But you’re not the man I’m looking for—I want to talk to Lawson King.”
“You don’t get to talk to Lawson King, you get to talk to me. My name is Gill, and that is the last name you’re going to hear.” He smiled, but it was an emotionless stare. “Now, if you would be so kind as to give me back what you stole from Mr. King, I’ll take you out to the desert so you can dig your own grave. I’m sure you understand.”
“I want the girls you took. The minute I know they’re safe, I’ll give you your jewelry and you can do what you want with me.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “It isn’t up for negotiation.”
“I figured you would probably say something like that.” He sighed and shook his head. “That’s why we didn’t kill them.”
“They had nothing to do with this. It was all me. I stole from you.” I tapped my chest several times and then tossed the two pieces of jewelry on the table. “That should be proof enough.”
“You had help. The people at the jewelry store said there were two of you.” He reached down and picked up the ring and tennis bracelet.
“That was just a low-life thug I paid to carry a gun for me. I’m the one who was behind it. He’s halfway to Mexico by now—he got wind of who owned the store before I did.” I exhaled sharply and shook my head. “I didn’t know the store was owned by your boss when I hit it. I just thought it was an easy way to make some money.”
“I see. You’ve got two hours.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a card. “Bring everything to that address.”
“That isn’t good enough.” I shook my head back and forth. “I want Lawson King’s word—it actually means something to him. I don’t know you.”
“Lift your arms.” He motioned towards me.
“What?” I raised my eyebrows.
“Mr. King is in the car outside—he can’t wait to meet you.” Gill motioned to me again. “But I’m going to check you for weapons first.”
I lifted my arms and Gill started checking me from head to toe. He seemed content when he noticed I wasn’t armed. He motioned for me to follow him and I obliged. I didn’t bother bringing a gun. There was one in my truck, but if it came to a shootout, I wasn’t going to be able to win. It certainly wouldn’t do anything to keep Peoria safe. I noticed the bartender looking at me with a concerned look, but I waved him off. The rest of the patrons that were at the bar that early didn’t seem to pay us any attention. I walked outside and Gill opened the back door of a black sedan. I took a deep breath and slid inside of it, finding an older man with gray hair sitting in the front seat. He didn’t look back at me, but I knew it was Lawson King. I had seen his picture on television enough to recognize him, even if all I could see was the side of his face and his hair.
“Mr. King.” I nodded to him, showing him respect even though I didn’t think very highly of him or what he did.
“Vincent Crane.” A sigh echoed from his lips. “It is unusual for the people I’m hunting to come looking for me.”
“I fucked up, Mr. King. I understand the consequences, I just want your word that the girls will go free. You can do whatever you want with me after you have your jewelry back and they are safe.” I leaned against the seat and felt my jaw clenching involuntarily.
“You’re not old enough to remember Las Vegas the way it was in my day.” His voice was ragged and somber. “Honor used to mean a lot—a man’s word used to mean everything. It still does to me—I like that you recognize that. You have my word that if I get everything back, the girls will not be harmed.”
“Thank you, Mr. King.” I nodded and let out a slight sigh of relief. “I’m sorry about your jewelry store. I would have never done that if I knew you owned the place.”
“Maybe I’ll put that on your tombstone, Mr. Crane. I trust that Gill gave you the address.” He continued to stare straight ahead.
“Yes sir.” I nodded.
“I’ll see you soon, Mr. Crane.” He motioned with his hand and the back door opened.
I had hope as I climbed back in my truck and cranked it up. I lit a cigarette and started driving towards the bus station where we stashed one of our bags. Mr. Lawson might have been a gangster who did horrible things, but he was a man of his word. If he promised that Peoria would be okay, then I just had to trust that and make things right. I was going to be walking into my own funeral, but if meant Peoria could go back home to Georgia, then I was willing to let it be my final act. I regretted the situation, but I didn’t regret one minute that I spent with her. Getting her out of the mess she was in because of me was the only thing that truly mattered.
I parked outside the bus station and walked inside with the key in my hand. As I approached the locker, I realized something was wrong. My head started spinning and I started sprinting towards it. The edge of the door had been forced open and there was nothing inside of it. I put my hands on my head and took a step back.
Fuck! Fuck you, Floyd! You fucking bastard!
Floyd was the only one who could have taken the jewelry from the bus station. It wasn’t the largest part of the stash, but I didn’t think Mr. King would appreciate not getting every bit of his stolen merchandise back. I walked towards my truck with haste in my step, unsure where to go from there. I leaned back against the seat and cursed Floyd’s name with every single despicable word
I could think of. I trusted him when he said he wouldn’t take the jewelry—it was clear that his word didn’t mean shit.
I turned on the truck and drove to the bank. At least I could get that and try to negotiate with Mr. King. Bringing him some of his jewelry was better than nothing at all. I walked into the bank and stepped up to the teller who greeted me with a smile. I pushed my fake identification across the counter and waited for her to return with the key to my safety deposit box. She disappeared into the back for a few minutes and when she returned, she had a man following her.
“Mr. Grant?” The man held up my fake identification and used the name that was on it.
“Yes sir.” I nodded.
“Do you have your key to the safety deposit box?” He put my identification card on the counter.
“Yeah.” I nodded and reached into my pocket. “Right here.”
“Oh dear...” His face went white.
“What the fuck does that mean?” I felt my stomach churning.
“Sir, I think we’re going to need to call the police. A man came in here earlier and requested your safety deposit box. He had a key—he had an identification card with your name on it.” The man’s forehead started to sweat.
“Sir, this is Mr. Grant.” The teller motioned to me. “I helped him set up the safety deposit box.”
“Oh dear.” The man reached into his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief as he repeated the same phrase. He wiped it across the sweat beads on his forehead.
“Fuck!” I slammed my hand on the counter and turned towards the door.
“Mr. Grant, do you want me to call the police?” The teller asked as I started to walk away.
“No!” I practically yelled it across the bank.
I had no idea what I was going to do. I couldn’t let Peoria die because of my own stupidity. I picked up my phone and dialed Floyd’s number several times, immediately redialing it when I didn’t get a response. It was clear he had skipped town with all the jewelry and fed me a bag of garbage in the process. I made one more trip to his apartment and when I didn’t get a response, I kicked it open and stared at a mostly empty apartment. Nothing large was taken, but he was definitely gone. I stormed back to my apartment and took a drink of whiskey before returning to my truck.
I had to save Peoria.
I was going to have to do the one thing I never thought I would do and that was betray Floyd. He had already taken the first steps in that betrayal, but I didn’t have a choice. The only thing that could possibly save Peoria was telling Mr. King who had his jewelry and hoped he let me live long enough to see Peoria walk out alive. I continued cursing Floyd’s name as I approached the address I got from Gill, which appeared to be a club.
Chapter 15: Peoria
T hey left me tied up in the room for several hours, but then someone I didn’t recognize from before entered the room and removed the rope on my hands. I hoped I was being set free, but instead I was taken to a small room with a cot and a locked door. They brought me food a couple of times, which told me that it was likely breakfast and lunchtime. I didn’t see Fiona, but I hoped she was at least having it as good as I was—even if my conditions sucked.
I was worried about what was going on outside of the room. I was angry at Vincent, but I didn’t want him to be killed. I was also sure that someone had seen us being taken, found my purse, and reported it to the cops. That meant my parents knew I was missing. Their worst fears about my Vegas vacation were going to come true. There was no chance of me getting out of the house or their sight again until I was in my fifties if I did make it home to Georgia. As I sat in the room consumed by my thoughts, the door opened and a man walked in with gray hair. He sat down on the edge of the bed and looked over at me.
“Are you enjoying your stay?” His voice was ragged and sounded older than he appeared to be.
“Who are you?” I pulled my knees up to my chest and swallowed a lump in my throat.
“My name is Lawson King—I wouldn’t expect you to know who I am, but you were wearing my necklace when my men picked you up.” He smiled and shook his head. “I just needed to lay eyes on the woman Mr. Vincent Crane is willing to die for.”
“D—die?” I felt my heart beating hard in my chest.
“He’s offered to give me everything he stole in exchange for letting you and your friend go.” The older man nodded. “I thought it was important for you to know that. The only reason you’re going to walk out of here is because of him—if he holds up his end of the deal.”
“Why are you telling me this?” I felt my heart racing even faster as I stared at him and contemplated his words.
“Any man that would give up his life for someone should be remembered for his sacrifice—call me old-fashioned, I guess.” He stood and looked back to me. “I respect him for that, even if I have to kill him.”
“Wait...” I slid down the cot and grabbed Mr. King’s arm. “You don’t have to kill him. Just let us go. I promise we’ll leave. You’ll never see Vincent again. I’ll make sure he leaves Las Vegas for good.”
“I want you to have this.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out the necklace Vincent gave me. “This is all you’ll have to remember him by, I’m afraid.”
He dropped the necklace on the bed and walked out of my room without saying another word. I picked up the necklace and clutched it in my hand. The clasp was broken, but it was still beautiful. I was happy to have it back, even though Mr. King’s words haunted me. There was a chance it would be all I had to remember Vincent by once the ordeal was over—especially if what Mr. King said was right. I turned over in the bed and held the necklace tight against my chest, crying into my pillow as I thought about Vincent.
Despite all of his flaws, he was willing to die for my freedom. He could have easily ran with the jewelry and never looked back, but underneath all of the things he had done, he was a good man. I just wished I could hold him one more time.
Chapter 16: Vincent
T ime to gamble with Peoria’s life. I may hate Floyd, but I sure as fuck wish I had his poker face right now.
The club was dark, but there was nobody inside except for a few guys that stood near the bar with guns on their hips. A stage that ran through the middle of the room had a pole, but it wasn’t a strip club I knew, and I was pretty familiar with most of them. There was a bar that had a selection of liquor behind it, but none of the bottles had been opened. Everything in the room appeared to be brand new, so I assumed it was still a work in progress. I looked around the room for Mr. King or Gill, but I didn’t see any of them. A door opened at the back of the room and I saw Gill poke his head out. He looked at me with a smile, but then it turned to a look of disdain as he scanned me with his eyes.
“Ah, Vincent. You come to us empty handed? That isn’t the deal we made.” Gill walked out of the room and motioned for me to lift my arms.
“I don’t have a gun.” I lifted my arms without hesitation and let him search me.
“You also don’t have any jewelry, unless you stuffed it up your ass.” He took a step back and glared at me.
“I need to speak with Mr. King.” I let my arms fall to my side after Gill was done searching me.
“If Gill didn’t find anything during that search, your pockets appear to be quite light.” I heard Mr. King’s voice and turned to see him walking out of the same room Gill had exited from.
“I need to make a new deal with you.” I stared at him as he approached.
“A new deal? You haven’t even fulfilled the terms of the deal we made earlier today.” His ragged voice echoed through the room. “Have you reconsidered saving the lives of those poor girls you put in danger with your foolishness?”
“No, I still expect to get a bullet for what I did, but I didn’t tell you the truth earlier. I didn’t rob your jewelry store on my own and while I was making that deal with you, the man I thought was my best friend left town with all the jewelry.” A sigh escaped my lips.
“I see.”
Mr. King nodded. “Gill, go get the one girl—the one he gave the necklace to—Peoria.”
“Yes, sir!” Gill nodded and disappeared.
“If you’ll agree to let the girls go, Mr. King, I’ll tell you who has your jewelry. I know someone with your resources can track him down. You can kill me once she’s safe. I won’t fight you or even resist.” I held up my hands in an act of submission for the first time in my life.
“I wish it was that simple, Mr. Crane.” Mr. King let out a long exhale and shook his head. “I’m a man that believes in honoring deals. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I let people get away with breaking them. You can save one of the girls in exchange for the information you can offer about the person who has my jewelry. If you don’t choose Peoria, you’ll have to watch her die in front of you. If you choose Fiona, you’ll have to look into Peoria’s eyes when you sentence her best friend to death.”
“You’re going to kill me anyway! What is the point of that!?” My blood stared to boil. “They didn’t do anything to you!”
“Vincent!” I heard Peoria’s voice and turned to see Gill walk her into the main part of the club.
“Hi, Peoria.” I would have smiled if I possible, but with the decision Mr. King put on my shoulders, I couldn’t even muster one.
“What will it be, Vincent? Do you want to watch Peoria die or do you want me to kill her friend?” Mr. King turned towards me.
“What?” Peoria’s face turned from an expression of happiness to one of despair. “You said we could go free!”
“I don’t have the jewelry, Peoria.” I turned towards her and shook my head.
“Vincent...” Her eyes started to fill with tears. “Choose me. Let Fiona live her life, because honestly—if you’re going to die, then I’d rather die too.”
Vegas Virgin Page 9
