“My organization doesn’t like double-crossers,” Ramos said, his face chiseled in stone. “So I’m here to make sure nothing goes wrong this time.”
Before the kid could say a word, the back door opened, and Vinny stepped inside. He nodded at everyone, relieved that Nolan had actually shown up. “Good. Everyone’s here. Let’s get started.”
With Aaron and Ramos flanking Nolan, and Vinny in front of the door, he was boxed in, and his nervous tension ratcheted even higher. He thought of grabbing his switchblade, but knew his odds of surviving were pretty slim if he decided to use it. His only option now was to make the deal and get out of there. He swore that, next time, Xavier would just have to get the roids himself.
I picked up that Vinny had worked hard to set this up. He’d promised Nolan that he’d get his drugs, regardless of who he’d been buying from before, and he’d done his best to make sure the kid would show up.
Nolan nervously licked his lips before speaking. “You got the gym candy?”
“Yes I do.” Vinny opened his backpack and pulled out a bag full of pills. Seeing it, Nolan sagged with relief and pulled out a wad of bills.
“It’s all there.” Nolan held out the money, but Vinny didn’t move.
“I need something from you first.” Vinny held the pills just out of reach. “Slasher was dealing behind my back, and now he’s dead. I want to know who killed him.”
Nolan hesitated, debating what to say. He’d been sent by Xavier to scope out the new dealer. Giving up Xavier was not an option, especially right now when he was so desperate. With a hard stare of insolence, Nolan spoke. “I don’t know, man. It had nothing to do with me.”
Vinny shook his head. “You’ll have to do better than that if you want to leave in one piece. Try again.”
Nolan swallowed. “I swear I don’t know anything. All I know is that after Slasher got popped, our supply chain bit the dust. What do you care anyway? As long as you get your money, and we get the roids, everyone’s happy.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.” Ramos stepped closer, looming over Nolan. Vinny wasn’t going to get it out of the kid, so he took over. “We know you’re buying steroids for your teammates, Nolan. I can make life hard for you, and your whole team, if you don’t help me out. If the coach were to find out what you’re doing, how long would it take before you got kicked off the team? Or even worse, suspended from school? While you think about that, I’m going to ask one more time. Who killed Slasher?”
Nolan pursed his lips, thinking this was Xavier’s fault. He never should have agreed to help him.
Deciding he needed a little nudge, I spoke. “What does Xavier have to do with it? Did he put you up to this?”
Nolan’s mouth dropped open, so I continued. “He did, huh? That’s interesting. Why do you think he did that?” Nolan was thinking that Xavier had lost his supplier when Slasher died, so he’d asked Nolan to find another dealer.
“Were Xavier and Slasher partners or something?” I asked.
Nolan wondered how I knew all of this. How did I know about Xavier anyway? He’d never mentioned Xavier’s name to anyone outside the team, so how did I know? He glanced at Vinny, and then Ramos, knowing he was in a tight spot.
“You might as well tell us,” I said, hoping to encourage him. “No one’s coming to your rescue, and there’s nowhere to go.”
He sent me a glare. “Xavier got the drugs from Slasher, that’s all I know.”
“Does Xavier drive a gray BMW?”
Nolan’s eyes widened. How did I know that? Was I a freakin’ cop? “Look, are you selling me the drugs or not?” Nervous, he tensed his muscles, ready to shove Vinny out of the way and run like hell.
I held my hands out, palms up. “Give us Xavier’s full name and where he lives. You can buy the drugs, and we’ll let you go.”
Nolan licked his lips. Could it be that easy? Would we keep our end of the bargain? He didn’t trust anyone, but now he had no choice. “Fine. His name’s Xavier Bronson. I don’t know his address, but he lives in the cove, and he goes to Skyline High School. Can I go now?”
Before I could answer, Ramos stepped in close and grabbed his shirt with his fist. “If you want to live, I’d suggest you keep this conversation to yourself. Your friend, Xavier, doesn’t need to know you gave him up. But please be sure to tell him you got the drugs from Vinny, and he’s a good supplier. Think you can do that?”
Nolan struggled against Ramos’s grasp. “Yeah, whatever, man. Let me go.” Ramos released him, and Nolan stepped back, his breathing harsh in the quiet office. He thought there had to be someone else who sold juice, because he wasn’t coming back here, no matter what Xavier wanted.
Seemingly unconcerned, Vinny handed him a piece of paper. “I’m not using this place anymore. It’s too visible. So next time you need to score, just text that number, and I’ll set something up with you.”
Nolan nodded, slipping the paper into his pocket. He handed Vinny the wad of cash for the packet of pills and took off so fast it was like he’d never been there.
Vinny scratched his head and glanced at me. “So who’s this Xavier person?”
“He killed Tommy… uh… Slasher. I don’t know why, but I’m pretty sure he did it.”
Aaron didn’t know what was going on, or how I knew that, but he was ready for this little scene to be over. “So… is that it?” He didn’t like the risk of dealing drugs in his store, especially since he wouldn’t get anything out of it.
“Yeah.” Ramos caught Aaron’s gaze with a hardened stare. “You’re done selling drugs here, but I’ll make sure Manetto knows that you helped us tonight. He might cut you a break. And if anyone else ever approaches you about the business again, you’ll be sure to let me know first. Got it?”
“Yes. Of course.”
“Good.” Ramos turned to Vinny. “It looks like this was all Slasher’s doing, but if it ever comes back to Manetto, you’re taking the fall.”
At his nod, Ramos continued. “And, in the future—if I hear any more about your drug business infringing on Manetto’s organization, there will be no second chances. I will hunt you down and end you, and you’ll never see it coming.”
Vinny’s olive skin turned pale, and he took a step back. He nodded and swallowed. “I get it. I’ll make sure it never happens again. You have my word.”
Vinny worried whether his word was enough, and he wanted to ask Ramos to give him a chance to explain, if something came up in the future, but he knew that wasn’t an option. He’d just have to make sure everyone in his organization knew he’d kill them if they ever tried anything like Tommy had.
That seemed like a good idea to me, and I nodded to show my support. He tried to send me a smile, but couldn’t quite make his face move.
Glancing between Vinny and Ramos, I spoke. “Well, if that’s all, I guess we can go now.”
That seemed to break the ice, and I stood to leave, surprised to find that I could move without too much discomfort, and my wrist was only a little sore. Vinny left without a backward glance. Ramos held the door open for me, and Aaron came out last to lock the door. Done with that, he sent us a wave and hurried away.
I followed Ramos to his bike, and he gave me his sexy grin. “We need to talk, but it’s not safe here.” He was thinking that the Tiki Tabu bar might be just the spot.
That sounded tempting, but it was already late, and I needed to get home so I could explain everything to Chris.
Noticing my hesitation, his brows drew together. “I need to know what these guys were thinking. We can take the bike.” I couldn’t hide the gleam in my eyes, and he capitalized on it. “Come on, I almost killed you tonight. Why not do something you’ll enjoy that isn’t dangerous?”
He had a point, but I didn’t want to seem too eager. “Well… I guess, when you put it that way, I might as well go.” I shrugged like it was no big deal, but the excitement of heading to the wrong side of town with a hot hitman that was totally off limits flooded me
with anticipation. I was going to hell for sure.
Ramos saw right through my nonchalance… thinking that, if I didn’t have any scruples, he could think of a much more private place he could take me…
“Uh. The bar’s perfect. And it’s been a while since I was there, and you know they gave me my very own pool stick… and I’ve only used it that one time… so yeah… we should totally go there.”
He loved how flustered he could make me, and a big grin broke out over his face. “Great. You can wear my helmet.” He handed it over, and I almost refused, thinking the wind blowing through my hair would feel amazing. But that also meant it would be a mess once we got to the bar, and I didn’t want to look bad.
After fastening the strap under my chin, I eagerly got on behind him. What was it about living a little dangerously that was so alluring? But… it was all part of the job, so no big deal, right?
I’d never ridden behind Ramos so late at night before. But, since it was summer, the cooler air was the perfect temperature, and I enjoyed every minute of it.
The outside of the Tiki Tabu bar was just as I’d remembered it. The neon lights on the sign blinked on and off with that familiar buzzing sound, and all the spots on the street were taken. Ramos pulled around to the parking lot in the back, and we got off. He secured the helmet to the bike, and we walked around to the front doors.
Suddenly nervous, I turned his way. “Do you think they’ll be happy to see me? I mean… it’s been a few months.”
He shook his head. “Of course.” He was thinking that I was one of those unforgettable people, and he looked forward to the reception Big Kahuna was sure to give me… although I might not like it.
“Huh?”
Ramos pulled the door open and ushered me inside without answering, thinking I’d find out soon enough. Inside, it was dark and noisy, just like I remembered. As we walked further in, people began to notice us, and the talking slowed and nearly stopped altogether.
They stared at me with my blond hair and thought that I was in the wrong place. A “haole” like me wasn’t welcome in this Pacific Islander establishment. As their attention shifted to Ramos, a few sensed his underlying danger, and they immediately stiffened, ready to defend their territory.
“Shelby? Is that you?”
I glanced toward the back, where the pool tables were located, and spotted Big Kahuna straightening from a pool table, and holding his cue stick.
“Hey.” I gave him a big smile and a little wave.
He dropped his stick on the table and came toward me with his arms outstretched. Before I knew what was happening, he threw his arms around me and picked me up like a rag doll. He squeezed the breath right out of me and, for a few seconds, I couldn’t breathe.
Luckily, he set me down before I blacked out and turned his attention to Ramos. They did some kind of complicated handshake, and Big Kahuna invited us to sit down in an empty booth near the back. I slipped in on one side, and Ramos slid in close beside me, with Big Kahuna taking the other side. With his big size, he needed the space, and I couldn’t complain about sitting so close to Ramos… ever… like… in a million years.
“It’s so good to see you,” Big Kahuna said. “Everything okay?” He was a little worried that Manetto might have a problem with him. He’d stuck to their agreement… for the most part, but someone could have messed up. If Ramos was here, he might have a problem.
“Oh… no.” I rushed to reassure him. “Everything’s fine. We just needed a place to talk and thought we’d come here.”
“Ah… good choice.” He motioned to the bartender. “Bring Shelby a Diet Coke with a… lime.” He caught my gaze, and I nodded.
“You remembered. Thanks.”
He glanced at Ramos. “And what can I get you, my friend?”
“I’ll take the same.”
Big Kahuna yelled at the bartender to bring another one, then turned his attention to us. “Well… I should return to my game. If you need anything else, let me know. Come on over if you want to play a round when you get done. Your stick is waiting.”
He made it sound like I had a choice, but I knew he’d be offended if I didn’t play at least one game of pool with him. “Sure. I’d like that.”
His pleased grin sent a little shiver of worry through me. He was someone I’d never want to have as an enemy. He somehow managed to squeeze out of the booth and lumbered back to the pool table.
“He likes you.” Ramos caught my gaze and smiled. He enjoyed sitting so close to me, especially when our thighs touched. He knew I liked it too, but he didn’t want me to get the wrong idea and get carried away or anything.
“Ha-ha.”
With a grin, he slipped from the seat and moved to the other side, thinking that he liked this view too. I felt the heat rise in my cheeks, but it fled as his gaze turned to the entrance, and his face grew cold. “Don’t turn around.”
“Why? Who is it?”
“Looks like an undercover cop. I think we may have been followed.” His gaze flicked to mine. “Don’t panic. The gang can smell a cop a mile away. We can sneak out the back before he gets close to our table.”
“Has he spotted us?”
“I’m not sure… but… yeah, he just zeroed in on your blond hair.”
“Crap. I need to see who it is… I might know him.” Would Bates follow me? I didn’t think he’d do that, and I knew it wasn’t Dimples. So who? I listened to the thoughts of people around me, trying to pick up anything about me and my blond hair, but found nothing.
A wave of distrust rolled through the room, followed by hostility. It included just about every person in the crowd. Oops. That guy was in trouble.
Big Kahuna lumbered by. As he passed our table, he nodded to Ramos, silently telling him to take the back exit. A few others stood to join him, blocking the cop’s view of us, and Ramos mentally told me it was time to go.
As we ducked out of view and hurried toward the back, I glanced over my shoulder toward the bar. With a shake of his head, the man turned to talk to Big Kahuna.
I’d seen him before, but it was so brief that I couldn’t remember where. Then it hit me. He was the cop from the observation room, the one from the gang unit. But why was he following me? Worse, had he been at the store watching us? Did he know about the drug deal? If he did, I was in so much trouble.
CHAPTER 11
I followed Ramos through a doorway into a back office and storage room. We scurried into the storage room and opened another door that led to the back entrance. With the door closing behind us, we rushed toward the bike.
“Did you see who it was?” he asked me.
“Yes. I know him. He must have followed me to the store, and then here. We’ve got to get back to my car before he does.”
Ramos nodded, not even bothering to hand me the helmet, and we both jumped on the bike. We made it back to the store in no time, and I quickly unlocked my car.
“We need to talk somewhere safe,” Ramos said. “Head to Thrasher.”
I nodded, following him most of the way. The tension left me as we entered the parking garage. At this time of night, the place was mostly empty, and Ramos pulled into his usual spot by the elevators. I parked next to him, and he joined me, sliding into the front seat of my car.
“Okay. What’s going on?” he asked.
Where should I start? I explained the interview with the gang member and that the cop following us had been watching from the observation room the whole time. “I only caught a glimpse of him before I left, so I have no idea what he’s thinking, or why he’d follow me.”
“But you must have made an impression if you got the kid to tell them about the car. He must have thought you already knew about it, and that’s why he followed you.”
“So… does that mean he thinks I’m involved in the whole drug thing?”
“Why else would he follow you?” Ramos sighed. “Too bad he’s right.”
“This is terrible. What do we do now?”
“Do you think he’ll go to the detective you’re working with and tell him about this?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. Probably. We were in the store for a while. If he was watching, he may have seen all of us. Do you think he took pictures?”
“He could have, but it was too dark to get much of anything. And watching us doesn’t prove that anything happened in the store. It’s certainly not enough to arrest anyone.”
I sighed and laid my head back on the seat. “This sucks. What am I going to do?”
“What were you going to do anyway?” Ramos thought I must have had something planned to tell the police.
“Well, yeah… before the guy followed me, I thought I’d tell them that I had a premonition about the BMW, and that the kid driving it lives in a fancy house with rich parents. For the kid’s name, I could say that I keep seeing a big X, like X marks the spot, so it must have something to do with his name.
“I thought I could throw in the name of the high school, only change it up a bit so it’s not so obvious, like telling them it’s Sky something… like Skyline or Skyview. It’s vague, but close enough for them to fill in the blanks with the right information.”
His brows rose. “That might work. But what if they’re gunning for Manetto?”
“I don’t know how they could. Xavier killed Slasher, and it had nothing to do with Uncle Joey.”
Ramos nodded. “Yeah, but I doubt the kid will confess without a little coercion from the police. You know how cops are with kids, they could scare him into saying whatever they wanted, especially if they want Manetto.”
“Not these cops, especially if I’m there, which I’m planning to be. Once they bring him in, I can pick up what Xavier did with the gun, and maybe even why he killed Slasher. Plus, if we’re all out of options, I can always get the police to bring Nolan in. He knows that Xavier killed Slasher. In any case, I think Uncle Joey should be fine.”
“But Nolan knows about you. That wouldn’t work.”
Dying Wishes: A Paranormal Women's Fiction Novel (Shelby Nichols Adventure Book 14) Page 17
