Barber Shop Ink - Book 3: Riverworth

by Penny Blush

  “Get back to work you stupid fucks. I need to get home to Wendy, at least she appreciates my dick,” Bob replied, and they all cracked up getting back to work.

  Chapter 9 Hedge

  I remained in place watching the men work, noting where every camera and every explosive device that I could see was. I would have to access the basement at another time to make sure I found all the explosives inside the room.

  As the men worked, I thought back to that time when Morningstar used Bob’s first wife for information. At first, I didn’t recognise him but as he spoke about his first wife cheating on him it all came back to me. I knew precisely who he was talking about. Trust me, Stacey didn’t need a lot of convincing to come over to the dark side and divulge what she knew.

  Bob worked for a mid-level heavy working under Gianni Marino. The guy was overstepping and acting above his pay grade, Georgiou asked me to investigate it as a favour. He didn’t believe Gianni was being one hundred percent truthful when he said he was handling it.

  Morningstar accidentally-on-purpose bumped into Stacey in a bar around to the corner of her flat, one night. The ‘chance encounter’ happened close to closing time and after Stacey had spent a few hours with her girlfriends drinking.

  “Oh, my goodness,” Stacey said shocked and embarrassed as I stood in front of her with sticky green cocktail running off my thin and now see-through white tee. “It’s all my fault.”

  “No, it’s fine,” I replied laughing holding my tee from my body. “I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

  “Oh, I am so, so sorry. Shit I think it will stain,” she said looking at me apologetically. As she grabbed a handful of napkins off the bar mopping at my cleavage.

  “Don’t worry I’ll just go to the bathroom and wash it off.” I assured her pulling the sticky material from my skin. Showing off more cleavage and a little of my lace bra.

  I trailed my fingers down the valley of my cleavage, scooping some of the icy cocktail from my bra that slipped into the cup making my nipple hard. As I licked the sweet green melon flavoured ice from my finger I stepped closer to Stacey, putting her at eye level with my chest.

  “I’m sure if I rinse it off and hold it under the hand dryer it will be fine,” I reassured her.

  “No, no, no you can't just rinse it in the pub sink it will ruin the fabric. Let me take you home and get you out of that shirt.” Stacey’s voice had gone all breathy. She looked up from my boobs a blush rising in her cheeks. “Umm, I mean, my flat is just around the corner you can come over and I can clean you,” she said her blush deepening. “I mean you can get cleaned up.”

  “Are you sure?” I asked dropping my voice making it husky. I moved a little closer bringing Stacey’s eye-line level with my ice hardened nipples. “I wouldn’t want to ruin your evening. I would hate to impose.”

  “No please let me do this for you. Please.”

  I let Stacey take me home to her flat. She had given me a racerback tank to wear while she hand-washed my designer tee and lace La Perla bra. Stacey was a petite little thing, so the pale-yellow tank concealed nothing and exposed everything.

  While my clothing was drying in front of the heater, Stacey poured some wine, and we settled on the couch to chat.

  After a bottle and a half of wine some flirtatious touches. The removal of several clothing items, Stacey was more than willing to give up any, and all information on what she knew about Bob’s boss.

  Stacey was very helpful with providing much-needed insights that would allow me to do my work and I provided her with much needed sexual liberation. It was evident Bob had no skills in the bedroom or not the right equipment. We spent a few weeks together before I told Stacey that I was leaving town for work. I think she realised that we were not a long-term thing but it was what she needed to see that what she had with Bob was not enough. Stacey divorced Bob and enjoyed a variety of partners male and female before settling down and remarrying with three kids.

  Sorry Bob, but most women need a little more than lukewarm foreplay and lacklustre sex.

  As for his brother. He was just another male who didn’t like being told what to do by a woman and who didn’t know when to keep his mouth shut. Running his mouth about Gianni’s business in a pub one Saturday afternoon had sealed his fate and Morningstar was given a death order.

  I waited until the men had packed up and left before climbing down from my hiding spot on the overhang. Making sure I was out of sight of the cameras. I decided I would leave everything in place for now until I could think through a plan. I didn’t want to tip them off that someone knew what they were up to. I took the serial number of the camera furthest from the door that didn’t have a line of sight that intersected with another camera.

  I could use that camera to hack the feed and the other camera’s that would be synced to it. Vex isn't that bright. If he was, he would have thought it was a good idea to have each camera on a different feed. That way if one was hacked their entire system wouldn’t be compromised.

  If I was lucky and Vex was stupid – which every indication led this to be true – I could use the cameras to back trace the feed gaining access to his systems. Giving me the upper hand.

  Get ready Vex, Morningstar is coming for you.

  Chapter 10 Hedge

  After another change of clothes resulting in another donation to a homeless person, I made my way home. I put left-overs on to reheat while I had a quick shower. Kelly and Sam would be out for the evening at a show that a friend was performing in. With the after-party and the after-after-party they wouldn’t be home for hours, if at all and I would have the place to myself.

  Sitting on my bed with my reheated food I fired up my laptop, downloaded the photos from my camera and phone and set to work. preparing not just for Nicholas Vex but for Gianni and Georgiou. This was not like a mediation session with conflicting employees in an ordinary business. This had the real potential to end in bloodshed and death.

  I reviewed the floor plan of the pub, I knew it by heart, but I went over it all again just in case anything had changed since I had left. It hadn’t. I studied the surrounding streets until I could recite every intersection, every stop sign, every turn. I did not want any surprises or any mistakes, not when lives, especially my life were at stake.

  By the time my bleary eyes could no longer focus on the screen, I memorised train routes, bus timetables, street maps and building layouts. I planned on doing a couple more days of recon including hacking Vex’ systems before attending the meeting at midday on the following Wednesday. But for today I was done. I packed everything away and video called Memphis from the encrypted phone. It rang a few times before answering, but it was not Memphis who was smiling back at me.

  “Ummm, hey Jax. What are you doing with Memphis’s phone?” I asked and then sat bolt upright as a sickening thought struck. “Jaxon where is Memphis? Did something happen? Is he okay? Where is he? Talk to me Jax!”

  “Calm ya tits Cuz, he’s fine he’s just indisposed. You look good, tired, but good.”

  “Thanks, Jax. What do you mean he’s indisposed?” I asked settling against the pillows.

  “Hang on one second and I’ll show you,” Jax said switching the camera on the phone from selfie to the outward facing camera. “Check it out.”

  “Ummm, Baby, what ya doing?” I asked.

  Memphis was head down tattooing a very shapely female thigh. I tried very hard not to let my jealousy spike. I had seen Memphis tattooing women of varying shapes and sizes in varying stages of undress and while it bothered me I’ve never been the jealous type.

  Maybe it’s because I’m tired or maybe because I’m a million miles away from him or because the woman’s legs were amazing. Jaxson must have heard the thinly veiled jealousy because the camera panned up revealing that the woman was Cassidy.

  “Hey Hedge or should I say Jupiter,” Cassidy said raising an eyebrow at me.

  “Hey, Cass, what you got going on there?” I asked.

&nb
sp; “Memphis is just putting the finishing touches on my Sailor Girl, Jax show her. Isn’t she pretty?”

  Jax panned down just as Memphis looked up, smirking and winked at me.

  Holy exploding-ovaries-Batman!

  All that man had to do was wink at me, and I went from zero to horny in two point five seconds.

  “So pretty Cass, she’s gorgeous. Exceptional work Baby,” I replied admiring the stunning art work that Memphis was applying to Cassidy’s skin.

  “Thank you, Sweetness,” he winked again. “Okay Cass, you’re all done,” Memphis said cleaning off the finished tattoo.

  “Memphis it’s incredible, thank you so much,” She said leaning forward to hug him.

  “Any time Kid and you’re very welcome,” Memphis said peeling off his black gloves.

  “Here Memph, take the phone and talk to your girl we’ll clean up here,” Jaxson said.

  “Thanks, Jax,” Memphis said taking the phone. “Hey there Baby Girl.”

  “Hi, Baby.”

  We made small talk as Memphis made his way back up to the apartment, settling himself on our bed.

  “Sweetness don’t think I didn’t hear the twinge of jealousy in your voice before,” he said smirking at me again.

  “Baby, you know what you do to me when you look at me like that,” I giggled knowing the effect that had on him. “As much as I would love to play with you right now I am so tired, besides its three o’clock in the morning.”

  “Hedge my love you should be asleep,” he said with concern in his voice. “You have a very important job to do, and you need to be well rested to do it.”

  “I know,” I said yawning. “Ending this war peacefully without anyone getting hurt.”

  “No not that, well not just that,” he said running his finger over the screen like he was touching my face. “Your important job is to come back to me Mrs Jupiter Blue. I need to hold you in my arms, I need to feel you even if it’s just holding you while you sleep. I miss you.”

  “Memphis, the meeting is next week. As soon as it’s all over and everyone’s safe, I am on the next available flight home to you, I promise.”

  “It’s going to be the longest four days - well five because of the time difference - of my fucking life. Baby Girl if you’re not back in my arms by then I am coming for you.”

  “God, I love you Memphis,” I said yawning again.

  “Not as much as I love you,” Memphis replied. “Everything is ready for our wedding when you get back.”

  “I can’t wait to marry you Memphis and start the rest of our lives together,” I mumbled sleepily.

  “You need to go to sleep, I’ll be here waiting. You just have to come home.”

  “Baby, will you stay on the line with me until I fall asleep?”

  “Absolutely Sweetness,” Memphis said settling himself against the pillows. “Sleep sweetly, Baby Girl I love you.”

  Chapter 11 Charlie

  She’s here. She’s home and I hate it.

  I hate, that I hate it.

  Don’t get me wrong I love my niece Jupiter.

  Jupiter a sweet, caring, smart, wide-eyed girl who just wants to see the good in people. Who, even after everything she had been through still just wants to bring joy and happiness into the world. Jupiter who told me she would never step foot back in the UK while I was still breathing, is back in London.

  She wouldn’t speak with me though. Not here, not as Jupiter. I received a text, and that was all.

  I’m here

  Contact me with the details of the meeting

  That text was not from Jupiter that text was from Morningstar.

  Morningstar my greatest weapon. My biggest regret.

  A dark heartless woman who just wanted to know who she needed to hurt or kill. Get in, get the job done, and get out.

  If Jupiter was light, Morningstar was darkness.

  When I contacted Jupiter all those years ago and offered to have her come stay with me. I would never in a million years have thought things would have ended the way they did.

  When Jupiter and Jaxon met up with me in Japan, she was shy and closed off. A lost kid who just wanted to connect with her father’s family and travel the world before deciding what to do with the rest of her life. She was trying to find her purpose.

  Jaxon kept telling me her shyness was nothing to worry about that she was bright and bubbly and loud but became shy around new people. He reassured me she would come around, she just needed time. He was right.

  Jupiter was the daughter I never had. I would never disrespect my cousin by thinking I would replace him as her father, but I loved her as my own. I was so very proud of her. Everything she did, she conducted herself with dignity and honour. A true reflection of the grace and valour of her parents.

  My businesses had never run as smoothly as it did when she was doing the books. Everything was so true and correct that no government agency would even look twice. With Jupiter looking after my legal business finances, my illegal ones were free to flourish.

  I thought she would be safe with me. That she would be safe in my business, with any of my people. How wrong I was.

  When I walked into my club ‘Scarlet’ all those years ago and found her covered in blood clinging to Travis’s lifeless body with two dead men at her feet my heart broke. She was so still, I thought she was dead.

  “Jupiter, Jupiter Honey are you alright,” I called out rushing to her side.

  She didn’t move she didn’t even blink. The slight movement of her throat as she swallowed was the only outward sign to let me know at least she was still alive. She flinched when I touched her arm wrapped around Travis.

  “Jupiter, Honey, I need you to let go of Travis. Let us take care of him. Then we can get you out of here and cleaned up okay,” I whispered not wanting to scare her.

  “Boys if you would,” I said to Alex and Malcolm.

  Alex and Malcolm, my most trusted men, cautiously approached Jupiter to take Travis’s body.

  “Do not touch him,” she growled, her arms tightening around his lifeless body.

  “Jupiter, please let us take Travis,” I soothed. “He’s gone Honey. It’s okay you can let go.”

  It took several more attempts and a good hour before I finally got her to let go of Travis. As soon as she let go of the body, I scooped her up into my arms.

  “Deal with this I’ll call you later,” I said to my men as I headed for the backdoor and my waiting car.

  I held her tight as my driver headed out of the city to my estate. I had my house keeper tend to Jupiter making sure she bathed, and any wounds treated. Her blood-soaked clothing destroyed removing all traces of the horrible events that had taken place.

  I stormed into my office, snatching up the phone placing a call. I knew exactly who was responsible. A Yanky prick by the name of Darren Vex. A small-time thug attached to the Marino family. He thought he would try his luck in the UK. He was under some misguided notion that as he was American, the English would bow down to him.

  What Mr Vex needed to learn was this is my town, my country, but most of all he just messed with my family.

  “Talk to me,” Darren answered in his obnoxious accent. I always thought he emphasised his accent to make him stand out. Like the way he said talk made it come out as ‘torque’.

  “I just want you to know you brought this on yourself.” I hung up on Darren and dialled again.

  “Yes Boss,” Alex answered.

  “Darren Vex. I want him gone, I don’t care what you have to do to make it happen. His men touched my niece.”

  “We’re on it.”

  “Alex he’s attached to the Marino’s somehow. I don’t know how or how deeply. I don’t want to start a war. Georgiou will understand why it had to be done. Just him unless Georgiou’s men get involved.”

  “Say no more Boss, we’ll take care of it.”

  They did, in less than twenty-four hours Darren and any of his American associates in the UK were eliminated.
I contacted Georgiou to let him know what had been going on. We had a mutually beneficial working relationship and had been friends for years. I owed him a phone call at least.

  Turns out that Darren was loosely connected to Gianni through his American associates. As I predicted Georgiou understood, he had met Jupiter once when he had stopped by my friend Brian’s pub for a meeting.

  “Any man who would put their hands or condone others putting their hands on a sweet child like your Jupiter doesn’t deserve the luxury of oxygen. I am sorry that this happened to you and your niece Charles. My only regret is that you did not contact me before dealing with Mr Vex. I would have liked the opportunity to teach him some manners.”

  I felt a little lighter after talking with Georgiou. At least the threat of war had been alleviated.

  It took me three more days before Jupiter would even acknowledge my presence let alone make eye contact.

  When she came out of her comatose state, she was skittish and wouldn’t leave the house. I’d find her sitting in the closet curled in a ball with her hands over her ears, crying and rocking.

  I tried everything I could to get her to talk but she wouldn’t, at least not to me. I was getting to the point where I would have to contact Jaxon and tell him what happened. I figured that maybe he could get through to her.

  I watched her move around the house and the way she interacted with my staff. She was fine with the females, she would nod or speak to them in low mumbling whispers. But, she would practically run from the room as if the devil himself was on her tail if she was alone with one of my men. All except Malcolm. If Malcolm was in the room, she seemed to be okay but if he left, I would find her in the closet. I asked Malcolm to try to talk to her, to get her to open up and unburden her heart.

  “Malcolm what the bloody hell are you doing? I asked you to see if you could get her to talk,” I yelled walking into the basement.

  I found Jupiter in sweats with boxing gloves strapped to her hands, throwing punches at a combat mannequin. Screaming.

  “I did, Boss and she did. She talked. Once Jupiter started talking she just kept getting more and more angry, so I brought her down here, so she could work that anger out.” We watched Jupiter throw punch after punch and kick after kick without tiring. “She’s been like this for almost an hour and her intensity hasn’t wavered Sir.”