Danni hesitated as the other two exited the luxury vehicle. Pie tossed them both a look over his shoulder, he and Ginger seeming to have a conversation only they were privy to. He tossed Danni one last look, then hurried up the front steps and into the home. When he was out of sight, Ginger seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, everything about her stance relaxing.
“Sorry about that,” Ginger said, her voice a loud whisper. “He can be a bit overbearing sometimes.”
“Does he ever talk?” Danni asked as she smoothed the sides of her dress with her palms.
Ginger shrugged. “Trust me. The less he says, the better.”
Danni took a deep breath. “This is Pius’s home?” she queried.
Ginger tossed her a look. “Pius? No, their grandfather owns this place. He’s throwing Pie this birthday celebration.”
Danni nodded. “It’s very nice.”
“Yeah,” Ginger said, her tone dismissive. She gestured for Danni to follow as she took the short flight of steps up to the front door and then entered the home.
There was a sizable crowd gathered inside, and the mood was cheerful. Laughter vibrated off the pale gray walls, and there didn’t seem to be anything unsavory about what was going on. It was a birthday party with balloons, a banner, an oversize cake and a variety of food and drink. Alexander Balducci was front and center, a heavy arm wrapped around his grandson’s shoulders. It was the first time Danni had ever seen the young man smile, picture-perfect teeth in his usual scowling face. Pie actually looked happy and not nearly as ominous.
Ginger was saying something, but Danni hadn’t been paying any attention, too focused on taking in her surroundings. The young woman called her name again.
“I’m sorry. What did you say?”
There was an air of attitude in Ginger’s tone. “I said, let me introduce you and please do not say anything stupid!”
“For real, Ginny? I wasn’t raised by animals.”
Ginger laughed. “I didn’t say you were. It’s just that the Balducci family can be very...well...particular.” She shrugged her shoulders. “You’ll see,” she said.
Alexander Balducci locked his gaze on her as they crossed the room to where he stood. He was a big bear of a man, tall and wide with a tight beer gut beneath an expensive wool suit. He looked as if he spent considerable time tanning, his complexion a strange shade of orange-brown. His eyes were a bright blue, crystal pools of water that felt like they could easily swallow you whole. He was nicely polished and carried himself with an air of authority that could be intimidating.
Ginger pulled a bright smile across her face as she extended a manicured hand in greeting. “Hello, Mr. B. How are you, sir?”
“I’m very well, thank you. So glad that you could join us, Miss Taylor.” His eyes swept past her to Danni. “And who do we have here?”
“This is Danni...Danielle. Danielle, this is Mr. Balducci.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Danielle.”
“Thank you, sir. Please, call me Danni.”
“Danielle is more appropriate,” he said matter-of-factly. “Do you have a surname, Danielle?”
“It’s Porter. Danielle Porter,” she said, claiming her mother’s maiden name.
“Your reputation precedes you, Ms. Porter. I’ve heard wonderful things about you from my grandson. It seems Pius is quite fond of you.”
Pie grunted, his eyes skating skyward. He suddenly walked off, disappearing from the room.
His reaction was unexpected and confusing. Danni forced her own smile, trying not to let her face show any emotion. “Thank you. You have a beautiful home, sir.”
“Well, consider my home, your home, Ms. Porter. You are always welcome.”
“Thank you, sir. That’s very nice of you.”
He winked at her. “I hope you enjoy yourself this evening.”
Danni had questions, but she knew better than to ask. Instead, she nodded, thanked the man and took a step back out of his space.
“You two head downstairs with the other young people,” Balducci said, the suggestion clearly an order. “Danielle, I’m sure we’ll see each other again soon.” He turned to shake hands with another guest, and the two women knew they’d been dismissed.
“Come on,” Ginger said, grabbing her hand and pulling her along. “Let’s go have some fun!”
Chapter 7
The basement of the Balducci home had been transformed into a 1970s disco party. Strobe lights, mirrored disco balls, a DJ with a turntable and the multicolored tiled floor made the space look like it had come out of a retro photo of Studio 54. One side of the room had been set up with tables and board games, and there were a few younger kids playing Twister on the floor. Pie sat on the sofa in front of the television set, playing Pac-Man on an old Atari gaming system.
About thirty teens were dancing to a playlist that included Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough,” Wild Cherry’s “Play That Funky Music” and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The music was loud, the bass throbbing and the laughter abundant. Almost instantly, Ginger left her standing alone, moving into the center of the mix as she tossed her hands above her head and gyrated to the music.
Danni stood watching for a moment before she moved to the bar where the food and beverages were located. A hired server dished her up a plate of chips and a hot dog and bun and handed her a chilled bottle of generic cola.
“Thank you,” she said as she moved to sit on the sofa beside Pie.
She sat quietly and watched, nibbling on the chips and gulping the soda. The dance crowd was lost in the music, and it didn’t appear that anyone was paying any attention to her or him. Pie pretended to ignore her, continuing to play, but when he cut an eye in her direction, she saw that as an opportunity.
“You’re really good at that, Pie,” she said, tilting her head toward the monitor.
He shot her another look but didn’t bother to respond.
Danni continued. “Your grandfather is pretty cool and I really like your brother. He’s been really nice to me.”
Pie grunted and shifted his body ever so slightly.
She took a breath, reaching to drop her glass onto the coffee table. “Ginger’s been really good to me, too. And I know she works for you. I was wondering...”
Pie stood up abruptly. He glared, clearly not happy. He threw his game controller down to the sofa. “Why are you bothering me?” he said with a scowl, his fists clenched tightly at his sides.
Danni bristled. She stood slowly and took a step back. “Sorry, I was just trying to make conversation.”
He suddenly bellowed, his deep baritone silencing everyone in the room. “Get out of my space,” he snapped sharply. “If I want you in my space I will call for you!”
“I really am sorry. I didn’t mean to...”
“Danni!” Ginger was moving swiftly in their direction, coming to stand between them. It was as if the alarm on her radar had gone off. “Sorry, Pie,” she said. Something like fear pained her expression.
He raised his hand, his index finger wagging as if it were unhinged in front of her face. “Check her!” he snapped.
“I will, Pie. It won’t happen again,” Ginger said, her soft tone consoling. She drew her hand over his chest, tapping him lightly. “Play your game. We won’t bother you anymore,” she said. “I promise! Don’t be mad, Pie.”
There was an awkward moment as he continued to glare in Danni’s direction, and then just like that he sat back down, resuming his game play.
Danni felt herself exhale a sigh of relief. Ginger snatched her arm and pulled her to the other side of the room.
“What do you think you were doing?”
“I wasn’t doing anything. I just wanted to...”
“You don’t talk to him unless he wants to speak to you. And you definitely don’t ask h
im questions about his family or his business.”
“I was just trying to be friendly.”
“Pie doesn’t need you to be his friend. Stay out of his way.”
“Sorry,” Danni said, her eyes wafting back toward the man for just a brief moment.
Ginger took her own deep breath. “Come on,” she said, “let’s dance. I’ll introduce you to a few people. I brought you so you could have some fun. Don’t pay Pie any attention.”
“Are these people your friends?”
“Something like that.”
“Do some of them work for Pius, too?”
Ginger laughed. “We all work for Pius.”
* * *
The party was still going strong when Danni called herself an Uber and climbed the stairs back to the home’s main floor. As she moved through the hallway past the living room, she caught the eye of Grandpa Alexander the patriarch standing in conversation with two suited men. It was a brief second before she realized they were the same suited men who were always following on Pie’s heels. He gestured for her attention, stopping her in her tracks before she could reach the front door.
“Ms. Porter, a moment, please.”
Danni smiled, pausing as he moved to where she stood. The two men swept past them, headed for the back stairwell and the room downstairs. She followed them briefly with her eyes before turning her attention to Mr. Balducci. “Yes, sir?”
“I hear there was a slight misunderstanding between you and my grandson?”
“I apologize, sir. Apparently I said something to upset him.”
The old man smiled. “Pie can be a little temperamental. I’m sure he didn’t mean anything by it.”
Danni smiled. “I’m sure he didn’t,” she echoed.
“Were you leaving us? The party sounds like it’s still going strong downstairs.”
“I promised my cousin that I wouldn’t stay out too late. She’ll be looking for me.”
The old man nodded. “I can have my driver take you home. I know you drove over with my grandson and Ms. Taylor.”
“Thank you, sir, but that’s not necessary. My cousin gave me money for an Uber and I’ve already called them.” She stole a quick glance to her smartphone. “It says they’ll be pulling up in three minutes.”
“Technology is quite the thing, isn’t it?” he mused.
She nodded. “Yes, sir.”
The front door of his home suddenly opened and Carlo stepped through the entrance. His arrival took her by surprise. She felt a grin pull across her face, her eyes widening with an air of excitement to see a friendly face. She waved her hand, trying to contain her energy.
“Danni, hi!” he exclaimed. “I didn’t expect you to still be here,” he said as he moved to her side. He leaned to press a quick kiss to her check, the gesture unexpected. Her breath caught deep in her chest as he shifted his attention, extending his hand to shake the older man’s.
“Let’s talk in my office when you’re done here, son,” Alexander said. “I hope you’ll visit with us again, Danielle.”
“Thank you again for welcoming me into your home, sir,” she responded.
Danni’s phone suddenly vibrated. “That would be my ride,” she said, feeling nervous. She had hoped to slip out unnoticed but now the attention from both men had her slightly on edge.
Carlo looked confused. “Your ride?”
“My Uber. It’s out front.”
He nodded. “Did you have fun?”
She shrugged. “It was okay.”
He chuckled. “Not what you expected, was it?”
She shook her head. “Not really.”
“But you looked cute. That’s all that’s important,” he said teasingly.
Danni laughed. “I need to be going. It was good to see you again,” she said.
He trailed a gentle finger across her cheek. “Be safe, Danni!”
Just before making her exit, Danni took one last glance over her shoulder. She watched as Carlo and Alexander walked side by side toward the opposite end of the home. After making her way to the Uber, she climbed into the back seat of the four-door vehicle. When the driver turned around to greet her, she felt the safest she’d felt since her evening had started, his familiar face a welcome sight.
* * *
Once they’d pulled out of the parking space and turned from the Balducci home, Armstrong grabbed the brim of his baseball cap and tossed the headpiece into the empty passenger seat. He drove the Toyota Avalon until he was certain no one was tailing them, and then they both relaxed, heaving a collective sigh.
“I could really use a drink,” Danni said as Armstrong steered the sedan. “That was truly painful!”
“You didn’t drink enough at your party?”
“Cola was the only beverage of choice. That party was very kid-friendly.”
Armstrong tossed her a glance in his rearview mirror. “I’m confused.”
“You’re confused! Not nearly as much as I am,” she countered as she took him step-by-step through her experience in the Balducci home. “It was very PG,” she concluded, “and there was absolutely nothing illicit going on. It was just a kid’s birthday party for a crime lord with anger management issues.”
“And you didn’t learn anything else about him or his business?”
“Talking to Pius was like talking to a toddler having a tantrum. The rest of the time he practically sucked his thumb and literally played games. It was crazy!”
The quiet in the car rose to a deafening level as they both reflected on the events. Danni sank back against the leather seats, closing her eyes and pulling her arms above her head. The vehicle hit a bump and then turned sharply.
“Sorry about that,” Armstrong said.
“No problem. Are we close to the hotel?”
He shook his head. “No. I figured I’d buy you that drink. It sounds like it’s well deserved.”
“I was really just kidding,” she said as she sat back up, pulling herself straight in her seat.
“I know,” he replied. “But it was a great idea. Besides, you’ve had my nerves frazzled for most of the night. I could use a drink myself.”
“Why were your nerves frazzled?”
“My partner was undercover. I was worried. As I should be.”
“I’m a big girl, Detective. I really wish you would trust that.”
“I do. It’s the villains I don’t trust.”
* * *
Any other time or place, or with any other man, Danni might have been concerned about where he was taking her. But there was something about Armstrong Black that had her comfort level at an all-time high. She followed behind him as he led her through the door of an old brick building on what appeared to be a deserted street. They headed down a flight of well-worn steps to a second door, this one painted a vibrant shade of glossy red. Armstrong lifted the heavy gold knocker and waited for someone on the other side to welcome them inside.
The doorman greeted Armstrong by name, the two men slapping palms and doing some strange thumb-twisting fist bump. The look he gave Danni was part curious and part salacious, his eyes narrowing as his tongue trailed across his lips. She felt herself take a step closer to her partner, her stance tensing just enough for him to notice.
“Why are you leering at the woman, Tank? Didn’t your mother raise you better?” Armstrong quipped.
The other man laughed. “Sorry about that. How are you tonight, beautiful?”
Armstrong’s jaw was tight as he gave the other man a look. “The lady has a name. But she’s Miss to you. Act like you’ve had some home-training, please.”
“No disrespect intended, my friend.”
“None taken,” Danni answered. The sweetest smile pulled at her lips.
He extended his arm in greeting. “Everyone here calls me Tank.”
> As she went to shake the man’s hand, she couldn’t miss that two of his fingers were missing.
Armstrong’s gaze shifted skyward. “Danni, this is retired detective Marshall Bryant. Tank, this is my new partner, Danni Winstead.”
“Nice to meet you, Tank.”
“They didn’t make partners like you when I was on the job!” the man teased.
Danni giggled.
“Is my table available?” Armstrong asked, interrupting their moment.
Tank laughed. “Isn’t it always?”
Armstrong grabbed her hand, entwining his fingers between hers as he pulled her along. The gesture was almost protective, and it made Danni toss one last glance over her shoulder. Tank grinned, gestured at her with his hand and winked an eye. She could feel him still staring until they disappeared behind another door at the end of a short corridor.
As the third door closed behind them, Danni felt as if she’d been transported to another time and place. The lighting was low and slightly seductive. The walls were oak-paneled, polished to a high shine and looking like an expensive old library. Round tables were neatly arranged around a dance floor and full bar. The room was close to capacity, an eclectic mix of middle-aged men and women, some senior citizens and a few youngsters. Armstrong was clearly well-known and much beloved by the crowd of regulars who greeted him warmly.
“What is this place?” Danni asked when they finally came to a corner table near the dance floor.
Armstrong pulled out a chair for her and then took his own seat.
“Welcome to Peace Row,” he answered. “It’s a membership-only establishment for law enforcement officers. It’s owned by a cop, specifically for cops.”
“Sweet!” Danni exclaimed as she took another look around. The ambience was grown and sexy, the music a far cry from the earlier disco playlist. It was comfortable and almost instantly relaxing.
Seduced by the Badge Page 8