“Does Bobby know you‘re here?”
“How the fuck would I know? I can‘t read minds.”
Alice gazed at the bedraggled heap of a brother stood in her office and sighed.
“Listen bro‘. I‘ve got things covered. Nothing personal but we don‘t need your... talents... here. Stick around for sure but keep clear of the cops. And that‘s real important in the casino: any issues and we lose this license to print money. Do not fuck this up. We can give you some chips if you want to chance your luck - only we get them back out of your winnings. If you have any.”
“Don‘t mind if I do. Can you comp me a suite too?”
“A room, not a suite. They‘re for the high rollers. Not lifelong losers.”
A smile crept across Alice‘s face as she enjoyed the moment. Frank appeared untouched by her putdown.
WHEN FRANK AND Alice weren‘t competing, the twins got on fine. With party season in full swing, she introduced her brother to the few friends she‘d made since hitting town and Frank returned the compliment by getting them invites to the coolest gatherings in the city.
Their first joint attendance was in a penthouse owned by a dude Frank met the night before in a champagne bar. When the twins arrived, Alice surveyed the scene in the living room and didn‘t want Frank to leave her hip. So many people and such a buzz. It was overwhelming, but not for Frank who thrived in this atmosphere. Almost before she‘d exhaled, he blazed a trail straight to the makeshift bar on the far end of the room and had introduced himself to what he hoped would be his first liaison.
By contrast, Alice stood transfixed, trying to decide where to go. While Frank‘s degree was a miracle, Alice earned hers by studying every night when she wasn‘t working to pay her way. Mama had helped, for sure, but she didn‘t believe her college place was a right just because she wanted it. This meant she spent scant time at frat houses or sorority parties with commensurate fewer social skills than her younger brother.
“Overwhelming. Isn‘t it?”
Alice‘s head nodded in agreement before she had a chance to see who she was talking to. Tall, dark hair and cute lips. The guy‘s body was well-toned beneath his blue designer suit and Alice smiled at him.
“Shall we get a drink? I‘m Tom.”
Without another word, he held her by the hand and they zigzagged over to the bar where he ordered a martini for himself.
“Cosmo, please.”
She reckoned he was only ten years her senior and conversation flowed into the night with a healthy mix of dancing and smooching to while away a few hours. Before long, they were leaving the apartment block.
“Fancy a nightcap?”
ALICE AWOKE WONDERING what she was doing beneath silk sheets. Then she recalled the two hours between leaving the party and falling asleep. Tom had been much the same as the other men she‘d slept with. She didn‘t hold it against him as she hadn‘t experienced an orgasm with them either. Alice was thinking sex was overrated for women, despite what the glossy magazines said.
The guy was still asleep, out for the count. Something about the feel of the sheets on her skin made Alice stop for a second and enjoy the sensation over every part of her body the silk touched. Her stomach, breasts, a knee and crotch. She turned to look at Tom again to make sure he was definitely sleeping.
She moved her hand down between her thighs and did to herself what he failed to deliver. Then she scooted out of bed, grabbed her clothes and went home to shower and change for work.
THE NEXT EVENING, Alice and Frank entered a different apartment but she couldn‘t say if she was staring at the same people. Plucking up more confidence than the night before, she wended her way round the chatting drinkers hoping to make eye contact with someone long enough to start a conversation. She also was on the lookout in case Tom was here.
A red dress caught her attention which was attached to a smile.
“Just got here?”
“Uh-huh. I‘m Alice.”
“Samantha, although everyone calls me Sam. I don‘t know why I introduce myself as Samantha because I prefer Sam too.”
The entire sentence came out in one nervous breath and ended in an embarrassed giggle.
“What does a girl have to do to get a drink at this party?”
Sam took Alice to the bar and they both ordered cosmos. She enjoyed watching the woman sashay her way over to a space near the balcony. They peered outside, but it was too cold for anyone to want to stand out there. The red plunge dress swooped down at the front and almost was open to Sam‘s navel, so Alice thought. Her eyes lingered on the sight longer than politeness allowed.
Conversation and cosmos flowed through the evening and Alice couldn‘t help feel jealous every time Sam received attention from the many male suitors. Even Frank flitted by at one point. As guests left, Alice touched Sam on the arm and suggested: “Fancy a glass of wine back at mine?”
“I thought you‘d never ask.”
SAM‘S RED DRESS lay underneath her panties on the floor of Alice‘s bedroom. When the older twin woke up, she realized what she‘d known for many years, but had refused to acknowledge: dicks didn‘t do it for her. She rolled over to face Sam and stroked her stomach just enough to rouse her from her slumber. A sleepy smile in response and Alice leaned in to kiss her newfound lover.
They met up every night for the next week but Alice ensured she kept her word to Frank and they both accompanied him to the slew of parties he‘d gained invites to. Alice understood her brother believed his chances with women improved if they saw him entering the party with girls who were obviously friends. Softened his image and made him a safer prospect.
The bubble burst on Alice's Saturday night when the phone rang two minutes after Sam went down on her. Three in the morning, according to her watch.
“Yes?”
“Hi. I need your help.”
“You sure pick the worst of times, don‘t you?”
Alice picked up the call only because it might have been the casino needing her urgent attention. A brother bleating was a different story altogether. She positioned herself with her back leaning against the head board and her legs apart, knees up. Sam took the hint and carried on where she left off.
“Huh?”
“What‘s the matter, little boy? It‘s the middle of the night and you‘ve woken me up.”
Sam giggled and reached up a hand to caress Alice‘s nipple.
“I wouldn‘t want you to panic or anything but I‘m in a lovely home with a revolver pointing at my head. Turns out the woman I met at the party earlier has a husband.”
“And he‘s the one with the gun?”
“Yep. He‘s a reasonable guy. If we wire him compensation, he won‘t shoot me in the balls.”
As soon as Alice talked about firearms, Sam stopped and scurried to the bathroom. Some family conversations best stayed private. Alice watched her leave the room with lust and disappointment that their fun was over.
“Answer me straight, okay?”
“Yep.”
“Do you believe him?”
“Yes.”
“Any other option for you to get out alive?”
“No.”
“How much?”
Alice heard a muffled voice in the background name a six-figure sum.
“Tell him I‘ll wire it over as soon as the banks open.”
“But it‘s Saturday, sis‘.”
She grinned at the fact that the time with Sam had made her forget the day of the week. And at the fear in Frank‘s tone.
“Don‘t think you can charm your way with the couple until Monday morning?”
“No.”
The husband‘s voice got louder.
“Only joking. I‘ll send Naldo over with the money. He‘ll be with you in less than an hour. The man will resolve the issue. He always does.“
“Thanks. Is this guy reliable?”
“He will follow my instructions to the letter.”
An audible sigh and Frank‘s relief w
as palpable.
“We can talk about how you got yourself in this situation in the office, young man. Swing by - sober - in the afternoon.”
“Sure thing. And thanks again.”
One phone call to Frescetti and he agreed to take care of everything. Alice lay there and grabbed a pillow to inhale Sam‘s scent. Her fragrance filled Alice with butterflies.
“Come out, come out, wherever you are!”
The bathroom door opened a crack to reveal a hand and half a head.
“Is it safe?”
“Always is, my darling.”
“I don‘t like guns. They scare me.”
She pouted and leaned back on the en-suite door to close it. Alice beckoned her over with a first finger and Sam lay on top of her, between her legs. They hugged for five, maybe ten, minutes until the tension left Sam‘s body. Then Alice giggled, placed both hands on the top of Sam‘s head and pushed down until her tongue resumed its earlier work.
8
NEW YEAR‘S DAY approached and Frank still hadn‘t left. Alice didn‘t mind as much as she thought she would, but on one of Bobby‘s occasional trips to town, he could see she was happy. Hence more relaxed about her annoying baby brother.
“You met someone?”
“What makes you say that?”
“No reason. There‘s a glint in your eyes or am I mistaken?”
“Don‘t know what you mean.”
Alice pursed her lips and waited for a second to produce a dramatic pause. Bobby waited for the payoff.
“Sam.”
“And when will you take Sam home to meet your mother?”
“We met at a Christmas party, so it‘s way too soon for anything as serious as that. Too soon for you too - before you ask.”
“Shame. Anyone who can put a smile on your face is always worth meeting.”
“Leave things be for now.”
“Back to business then. We have been encountering resistance in LA and have traced the cause to a neighbor of yours.”
“How so?”
“The beneficial owners of the Ace of Spades are chiseling into our heroin trade. There have been skirmishes but nothing heavy yet. I‘m making you aware because these matters can blow up in your face mighty fast.”
“Are you concerned enough to want to stick around?”
“Concerned enough to fly over but you kids must stand on your own two feet. And you stopped clinging to your mom‘s apron strings years ago.”
“Seen Frank this trip?”
“Landed and came straight here. Besides it‘s before lunch so what‘re the chances of the boy being awake?”
Alice laughed and Bobby smiled. Now they worked together, he was far more open about his opinions about business or the family. Her memories growing up were of Bobby being the most taciturn human she‘d ever come across. Maybe he chose the time and place to mouth off. Pas devant les enfants.
Bobby stayed in Vegas long enough to share a cocktail with Frank but left before any heavy session could get going. This made Alice less secure as she felt as though Bobby rushed back to circle the wagons. She canceled leave for all security guards and put them on alert for any potential crisis.
Half an hour after Bobby departed she got Naldo to bring Frank up to her office before he was too wasted.
“Did he mention something to you?”
“Nah, chewed the fat then hopped back to Palm Springs.”
“There could be problems about to hit us. Until it‘s over, stay in the casino. Get the concierge to order in what you want, but don‘t leave the building.”
Frank sat straight in the chair. A serious expression ripped across his face in a way Alice had never seen before.
“How bad?”
“Not sure but important enough for Bobby to take a day trip. There‘s shit going down at home too so we need to be careful.”
“You might not believe me but I want to help. Tell me what and I‘ll do it.”
“Forgive me, Frank if I don‘t jump up and down with glee. Your track record involves snorting and whoring. Neither of these qualities are in high demand right now.”
“Give me a chance. That‘s all I ask.”
“I‘ll bear you in mind if the time comes. In the meantime, stay sober and make yourself useful helping Naldo and his crew. Follow his instructions to the letter then who knows what‘ll happen.”
THE ATTACK CAME the following day when an armored van left the Lady Fortune on time laden with used notes. Bad news was: it never reached the bank. The Lagottis had been robbed of a little over three million - or a week‘s take.
“Make enquiries. We need to know who did it, who is holding our money and where it is held. No actions, no reprisals against any suspects. We stay calm and serve our revenge like a fine white wine.”
“Smash the neck and gouge their faces out?”
“No, Frank. Cold. We serve it cold once we find out everyone involved along the trail. If we act too early then the other perpetrators will fly to the four corners of the country.”
Her brother nodded consent but Alice was not convinced. She gave Naldo a look as if to instruct him to keep special close to the boy.
“This doesn‘t mean we should appear to sit idly by. Can we please hire out-of-town experts to set a fire in the basement of the Ace of Spades? Nothing to destroy the building but enough to cause a modicum of chaos and a lot of inconvenience.”
Her other thought was that if the money was still inside, they‘d have to keep it safe and move it immediately. It‘s much easier to follow three million dollars in one vehicle than chase down batches of fifty thousand - or worse.
TWO DAYS LATER and Alice entered the auto shop to see Frank pounding a man‘s head to pulp with his fists. Blood splatter and teeth littered the floor. Naldo looked on but did nothing. Three others in his crew sat around sipping beer.
“Stop this frat meeting right now.”
Frank held his arm back but did not land another blow. Naldo passed him a towel and he tried to clean up the guy‘s face.
“I thought my instructions were clear. And I expected better of you.”
A dagger-eye glare at Naldo. Then Alice strode in to take her place next to Frank. She looked down at the man: hands and ankles bound with electrical cable. An oily rag stuffed into his mouth with tape stuck over it. His nose the only outlet for his noisy breathing. Despite the violence meted out, he was calm. Alice thought he‘d be hyperventilating, but no. Naldo had the measure of him. The punches were just to keep his mind occupied until she arrived and squatted down so her head was the same level as her captor.
“I want you to listen carefully when I say these things to you.”
The guy stared straight at her with hate burrowing into her skull. Then he blinked and the edge to his manner abated. He maintained eye contact and his breathing rate increased a touch.
“You are here because your father and the rest of your family stole from us. This is not acceptable. The good news is that we have recovered our money and each of the individuals involved in the theft have been liquidated.
“Before they died, each of them confessed to their part of the crime. You need not worry on that account because we all know you did not commit the robbery. And we will not torture you into confessing to something you did not commit. We‘re not the Feds, after all.”
They all laughed and Alice discerned the corners of his mouth turning upward too.
“That‘s the good news: the money is back where it belongs. You, my friend, are our reparations. You represent the compensation we are owed for the inconvenience and upset caused by your father - and his kith and kin. We mean you no ill will.”
Alice touched the guy‘s arm to show she understood his concerns and his breathing returned to its earlier pace. She stood up and walked over to Naldo who rummaged in his pockets and then resumed his original stance. She sauntered back and mopped the bloody forehead with Friscetti‘s handkerchief. Then she slid the material over his cheeks and soaked up the red s
till dripping off his chin.
A quick pull and she ripped away the tape over his mouth. The guy spat the rag out and took in mouthfuls of clean air. Alice dropped the reddened cloth onto the floor and clicked her fingers until someone passed her a beer. She let a few drops land on the guy‘s lips to moisten them and held the bottle so he could take two, no three, long glugs.
Alice took the beer away to give the son of the Huang family a chance to catch his breath. Then she switched the bottle for the revolver she‘d kept in her other hand, pushed it in his mouth and squeezed the trigger. His brains flew out the back of his skull and Frank jumped with a start.
She put another slug in his heart and fired a third shot into his groin. Alice flipped the safety on and placed the gun on top of the bloody handkerchief. Perhaps for the first time in his life, Naldo smiled. His student learned fast.
As she walked out, she turned her head in Frank‘s direction.
“That‘s revenge served cold.”
She strode back to her office and hopped into the shower - the facilities were extensive but not surprising as she worked and lived in a hotel. A call to Mama to let her know everything was under control, then home time.
Alice stayed in a suite on the twentieth floor so her commute was minimal. Sam cooked two bowls of stir-fried chicken with noodles. They sat on opposite sides of the dining room table, which felt like they were an ocean apart. She reached out to touch Sam‘s hand in between mouthfuls.
“What‘s wrong dear?”
“Nothing really. The food tastes great... I‘m not that hungry, is all.”
“Thanks but there‘s something up with you.”
“Work. It‘ll be fine. Right now I‘d like you to take me to bed and hold me.”
Hand in hand, they scurried into the bedroom and slipped under the sheets. Alice nestled in between Sam‘s breasts and tried to exorcise the image of her first kill out of her head. The softness of Sam’s skin gave little comfort that evening but Alice inhaled her fragrance and the demons floated away by the time they were both asleep in each other‘s warm embrace.
The Lagotti Family Series Page 69
