“Don’t be silly.” I snapped at her with a rough tone. “We didn’t even know each other a few days ago.”
“Love is strange, isn’t it, Vincent?” Mr. King shook his head. “The heart is mysterious.”
“Let them both go.” I turned back to the older man.
“No, that deal is no longer on the table.” He shook his head back and forth.
I had one chance. I had to take it. Everything that mattered to me was in the room and the only thing standing between us was one old man from a forgotten time.
I spent my youth hearing stories about the Mob. I heard about how heroic they were, how much money they made, and how much they were feared. Floyd and I used to dream of one day following that path, living outside the law while we made more money than we knew what to do with. I had seen the reality of the world they created—all the lost souls that dreamed of that kind of life.
The fear was fading and there was nothing heroic about Mr. King. I tried to show him respect. I tried to do the right thing, even when the wrong thing got me in the position I was in. I would have laid down my life for Peoria to live, but I wasn’t going to make the choice he put in front of me. I wasn’t going to die with Fiona on my conscience and send Peoria home regretting the moment she met me. I moved quickly—quicker than I had ever moved in my life. I spun towards Mr. King and with a snap of my arm, I had my forearm pressed to his esophagus. I lifted him off the ground immediately, letting him dangle in my arms.
“Let her go!” I looked directly at Gill. “If you don’t, I’ll snap this old man’s neck.”
“Fuck him!” Mr. King’s ragged voice was forced out over the grip I had on his throat. “Kill her and then kill him!”
“Mr. King...” Gill’s eyes got wide.
“Do it!” Mr. King snapped and I jerked his body from left to right to silence him.
“Gill, you can do the right thing here.” I looked towards the men at the bar. “Don’t even think about drawing those guns. Gill, release Peoria and hand her your gun.”
“I can’t.” Gill shook his head back and forth, jamming the gun into Peoria’s ribs. “Fuck you, Vincent. I’ll kill her, I swear I will.”
“No you won’t.” I kept my voice steady. Mr. King tried to speak, but I jerked him in my arms again and kept his air restricted. “There’s what? Three of you here?”
“Yeah...” Gill narrowed his eyes at me.
“I’ll kill at least two of you before you can take me down.” I started shifting towards the men at the bar. I snapped my arm tighter around Mr. King’s neck and motioned to one of the men. “Give me your gun.”
“Don’t do it!” Gill’s voice echoed through the room.
“If you give me your gun, you will not be the one I kill.” I looked at the two of them.
“Fuck this, I got a family.” The one closest to me pulled out his gun and handed it to me.
“Your family will die for that betrayal!” Mr. King choked out his words, but I was already pulling him away as I pointed the gun at Gill.
“Shut up, old man.” I tightened my grip on his neck to the point I thought I was going to kill him if I held him in the vice-like grip much longer. “Now I’m going to make sure that you’re one of the ones that dies, Gill. I’m going to kill your boss, you, and the guy over there.” I motioned to the man who had not given up his gun.
“Fine, then you can do it after she dies.” Gill cocked the hammer on his gun and the look in his eyes suggested he was serious.
“Shoot him, Vincent. I trust you.” Peoria’s eyes locked on mine.
I’d never been the best shot. Marksmanship was not my forte. I aimed the gun at Vincent and felt fear swirl through my veins as I pulled the trigger. Peoria had put all of her faith in me and I only had one chance. I aimed for Gill’s head, but the bullet caught him in the shoulder. The man at the bar went for his weapon and I quickly turned it to him, letting another bullet fly towards him. It missed him completely and he drew, but I turned Mr. King towards him.
Peoria ducked down, grabbed Gill’s gun, and took a step back with it aimed at him. Her hands were trembling and I didn’t want her to actually have to use it, but we had an advantage. The man at the bar hesitated when he realized he was going to have to risk shooting his boss to hit me. I leveled my gun at him again and he started lowering the gun towards the floor. I looked over at Peoria and then to Gill, who was on the ground holding his shoulder.
“They have some rope around here somewhere. They used it to tie me up last night.” Peoria walked over and picked up the gun from the second guy who had relinquished it.
“Where’s the rope?” I shook my gun at the two at the bar.
“In his office.” One of them motioned with his head.
“Get the rope and then we’ll get Fiona.” I turned to Peoria and motioned towards the office.
Peoria returned with an assortment of rope and cloth. We tied all of them up, one by one, until they were secured. Mr. King was gasping for air when I released my grip on his throat, but I quelled any sort of remorse I felt for the older man. He had tried to end our lives and his words were too dangerous. Gill was bleeding, but his wound wasn’t bad. Peoria certainly wasn’t gentle with the rope she used to secure him. Once they were all tied up, I placed a call to Detective Rogers and told him where we were. We found Fiona in the back room and after a brief embrace with her best friend, Peoria came back over and hugged me. I escorted the two women back to the front of the club and waited for the police to arrive. When they showed up with their guns drawn, we put ours on the ground and let them come in to make the arrests. Detective Rogers was the last to enter and he looked at me with disbelief.
“You did all of this yourself?” He blinked at me and looked at the four men being hauled to their feet.
“I had a little help.” I wrapped my arm around Peoria’s shoulder.
“Are you two willing to testify that these guys held you against your will?” He put his hands on his hips and looked at Peoria and Fiona.
“I will.” Fiona nodded quickly.
“Does it mean we get to stay in Vegas longer?” Peoria looked at Detective Rogers and then back at me.
“If you want. We just need you here for the trial.” Detective Rogers shrugged. “We should get you to the station so we can get your statement—your parents are here as well. I know they’re anxious to see you.”
“You won’t be staying in Las Vegas.” Fiona shook her head back and forth. “They’re going to lock you in a cage and never let you out of their sight again.”
“Probably.” Peoria sighed.
“There’s one more piece of business, Detective Rogers. Can I talk with you over here?” I motioned for him to walk away from the group.
As happy as I was that we had made it out of the ordeal alive, I wasn’t free of guilt. I was part of the reason everything happened to begin with. Peoria and Fiona were put in danger because of my actions and it was time for me to face the consequences of my actions. Lawson King was a dangerous man and although he didn’t have the same presence the Mob once had in Las Vegas, the three guys he had in the club barely represented the extent of his empire. We could sugar coat it all we wanted, but none of us were actually safe. I couldn’t tell Peoria not to testify, but she was risking a lot to do it.
I laid everything out for Detective Rogers. I told him about the robbery, why we did it, and the fact that Floyd ran away with the jewelry. Floyd had betrayed me and I no longer had any loyalty to the man I once considered my best friend. Detective Rogers listened to everything I said, made a few notes in his pad, and then left me there to go outside. I knew he would be coming back with handcuffs, so I walked back over to get one last hug from Peoria. He walked back in and I held my hands out in front of me.
“Put your hands down.” He scoffed and shook his head.
“I figured that would make it easier to slap the cuffs on me.” I let my hands fall to my side.
“What?” Peoria pulled away from
my embrace. “You’re a hero!”
“I wish that was the case, but we both know you wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for me.” I shook my head and sighed. “I confessed to everything.”
“No!” Peoria’s face turned to a look of absolute horror.
“Come on.” Even Fiona’s face reflected a shocked look. “He saved us, you can’t arrest him.”
“Well, that is a conundrum, I’m afraid.” Detective Rogers smiled. “The District Attorney doesn’t have any record of a jewelry store robbery. I guess Lawson King forgot to report it...”
“So he’s free?” Peoria grinned from ear to ear.
“I have nothing to hold him on.” Detective Rogers looked to Peoria and then back to me. “You’re free to go.”
Chapter 17: Peoria
I spent hours at the police station. There was a happy reunion with my parents, a lot of scolding when they found out I had gotten involved with a man like Vincent, and then even more hugs once they said their piece. When the reunion was over, I was taken to a room so I could give my statement. The instant we were done, Fiona’s parents whisked her away without another word to anyone. I signed a lot of paperwork agreeing to testify against Lawson King and then I was congratulated by several officers who related tales of people who weren’t so lucky when they tangled with the last Mob boss in Las Vegas. As much as my parents wanted to give me the same treatment Fiona got, I stood up to them for the first time in my life and told them I wasn’t leaving until I got to say goodbye to Vincent. We eventually compromised and agreed to leave on the first flight out of Las Vegas the next day. As much as it would hurt to leave Vincent behind, I wasn’t going anywhere until we had some time alone.
“This is so fancy.” Vincent walked around the hotel room and peeked into the mini-bar.
“Take whatever you want. My parents owe you a drink anyway, and this room is on their credit card.” I sat down on the bed and smiled.
“I’m surprised they even agreed to let you have your own room.” Vincent walked over and sat down next to me.
“Maybe they’re finally starting to realize I’m not a little girl anymore.” I put my hands on Vincent’s shoulders and crawled behind him, pressing my thumbs into his knotted muscles.
“That’s one thing you’re definitely not.” He let out a sigh as my fingers started to release some of the tension. “That feels really good.”
“Did you ever think you would be the hero of Las Vegas—the man that put away the last Mob boss?” I pressed harder, moving my thumbs in a circle as I massaged his shoulders.
“I’m not a hero—you’re the hero.” He chuckled. “I should be in prison beside him.”
“You’re not going anywhere.” I slid my hands down his chest and pressed my lips to his neck. “I’m not done with you yet.”
Vincent quickly turned around to face me when he felt my lips on his neck. He put a knee on the bed and wrapped his arms around me, crushing my lips beneath his. I didn’t expect my parents to understand how I fell for a man like him so quickly, but when I felt the fire of his passion and his tongue swirling with mine, I knew without a doubt that I was right where I wanted to be. We kissed as he started to pull my shirt over my head, and I was enraptured by the feeling of his hands on my body. He was the only man for me, the only one who had ever been able to bring those kinds of feelings to the surface. He removed my bra and squeezed my breasts in his hands. My nipples immediately started to get hard and I pulled on his t-shirt until his abdomen was exposed. I slid my hands underneath it and ran my fingers across his muscles was he moved his hands down to my waist and started unbuttoning my jeans.
How am I ever going to live without this?
I didn’t want to return to Georgia, but I knew I didn’t have a choice. I might have fantasized about being forced to remain in Las Vegas for the trial, but after the reunion with my parents, it was clear they weren’t going to ever agree to let me stay longer than the one night I had negotiated for. Vincent’s tongue continued to swirl against mine, broken only for a moment so his shirt could be removed. He pushed my jeans down and I lifted up so they could be pushed past my hips. I pushed my feet against the bed until my shoes were off and he was forced to break the seal our lips had formed in order to pull my jeans off completely. I moved my hands to his waist, eager to have him undressed as well. He assisted until they were past his hips and his cock was exposed. I started to stroke it while he shifted them down to his ankles and kicked them off. Our skin pressed together and it was a fire being ignited. His cock swelled in my hand and I could feel my pussy getting wet with desire as I pulled him towards it.
“Shit...” He stopped and sighed heavily.
“What’s wrong?” I could feel the concern creep across my face.
“I don’t have a condom.” He pulled away from me.
“I don’t care.” I reached out and pulled him closer.
The last thing on my mind was protection after the things we had been through. His cock pressed to my pussy and his lips returned to their spot on mine. I was so wet that he easily pushed into me and started to quickly thrust his dick deep inside my pussy. He leaned back once the thrusts started to get faster and held my hips as the lust in his eyes got more intense. I shifted my hips, feeling the pressure inside of me getting stronger with every thrust. He was my first, and I wasn’t sure anyone would ever compare to what I felt with him—I didn’t want them to ever have the chance. Vincent was the only man for me and although I had no idea how we would ever make it work, I was determined to find a way. My head fell back against the bed as he continued to drive his cock inside me. The feeling of pleasure was getting more intense with every hammering thrust, to the point that my whole body was shaking. His breaths got even faster and although his heart was separated from mine as he mounted me, I felt like they were eternally connected with every thump in my chest. The orgasm built even faster, almost to the point of no return when I felt his cock throbbing inside me.
“I’m gonna cum.” His breathing got even heavier.
“I’m so close!” I put my hands on his hips and felt a moan rolling out of my throat.
He drove his cock into my g-spot every time he went deep inside me and there was no way that I could hold back. My body was flooded lust lust, desire, and emotions that made my head spin. His dick throbbed even harder and I felt it begin to pulsate. His thrusts changed from a steady rhythm to an erratic pounding that got even more pleasurable. My mouth opened and a squeal rose up in my throat as he started to keep his cock buried as he made quick thrusts deep in my pussy. The orgasm began to course through my veins. My pussy spasmed and I felt the the motions causing his cock to quiver. The cum surged through his shaft, and then I felt the first explosion. It was different from the condom, and feeling him erupt inside of me caused another orgasm to start immediately. I rolled forward on the bed, holding him deep inside me as he unloaded his seed and my pussy spasmed even harder. His muscles finally started to relax and the tension faded away once he was spent. He pulled his cock to the entrance of my pussy and then slowly withdrew the last few inches before dropping down next to me on the bed.
“Please tell me you aren’t going to leave this time.” I snuggled close to his chest. “I just want you to hold me for the entire night.”
“There is nothing in the world that could pry me away from you tonight.” He kissed the side of my head and wrapped his arms around me.
Epilogue: Peoria
I t wasn’t easy. The months I spent away from Vincent, even with the constant phone calls and text messages were torture. We returned to Las Vegas for the trial and I was the only one that went. Fiona’s parents proved to be more protective than mine and they flat out refused to let her put her life in jeopardy by testifying against a Mob boss. Vincent met us at the airport and my parents were still apprehensive, but they didn’t say anything. He was the one who put his arm around me when I walked out of the courtroom and once I finished telling my story for the jury, he took my hand w
hen I was seated next to him. I felt stronger than ever before once I was done. The jury didn’t take long to deliberate and when they returned, I knew Lawson King would never see the outside of a prison again as long as he lived. I wanted to celebrate the end of the turmoil and the drama. Vincent offered to take us all out for dinner and after a few glances of concern, my parents finally agreed to go.
“So, what have you been up to since we saw you last, Vincent?” My father sipped a beer and looked across the table at the man holding my hand.
“I told you what he’s doing—he’s working.” I narrowed my eyes at my father.
“It’s okay, Peoria.” Vincent squeezed my hand and looked across the table at my father. “I know you two probably don’t like me. I get that. Nobody expects their daughter to run away to Las Vegas and end up with a guy like me.”
“At least you’re honest.” My father sighed and looked at my mother.
“Stop it.” My mother nudged him with her elbow.
“I love your daughter.” Vincent’s words caught me off guard—he had never said he loved me, even when we talked on the phone.
“I know you do.” My father sighed and looked at my mother. “He has the same look in his eyes that I had when I realized you would be my wife.”
“Now that you mention it...” Vincent reached into his pocket and pulled out a velvet box. “I was going to ask your permission before I opened this box, but...”
“Yes!” I nodded quickly.
“You haven’t even seen the ring yet!” My mother tilted her head. “At least give him a little suspense.”
“Peoria...” Vincent stood up, walked around the table and slid down to one knee. “Will you help me become the man I want to be?”
“Give her your blessing, you old fool.” My mother nudged my father again.
“Fine.” He shook his head. “I know that look—you’d move heaven and earth.”
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