by Nico Rosso
“Can you track us to the next stop?” Arash stretched his arms to the ceiling. “Time to refuel.”
She swiped over her phone and located an exit. “Six miles up. Need anything from the mart?”
“Cookies.” His face remained stoic.
She understood the armor he wore. “I’m into that.” What if she reached over to him, took his hand or rested her palm on his thigh? The contact would contrast too hard against the real, jagged threat around them.
They arrived at the gas station in silence. Arash started fueling the car and she stretched her legs on the way into the convenience store. It was a larger one, part of a roadside oasis, filled with tourist trinkets and an expanded food section. A dozen or so travelers came and went, some looking dazed from too long on the highway.
She followed a couple women, one white and one black, into the restroom, keeping an eye on their purses. The white woman was careless and left hers unzipped, phone still awake and protruding next to her wallet. Stephanie glided past her, watching her mark and the other woman in the mirrors. Neither saw Stephanie pluck the phone from the purse and take it into the nearest stall. Closed inside, Stephanie quickly opened the phone’s text app and punched in Javier’s number. She messaged: Stolen phone. Hitting Vegas from Reno today. Gray minivan w/Arash. The women in the bathroom exited their stalls and went to the sink, chatting about the annoying lack of planning from their husbands. Stephanie was running out of time and typed: Olesk in blue Subaru. Two white cargo vans, custom Chevy Chevelle.
The women left the bathroom and a new wave entered. Stephanie saw that the message was sent, deleted it from the phone’s log and hurried out of the stall. She caught up to the women just as the white one was checking through her purse, brow furrowed, musing, “I must’ve left it in the car.”
“Excuse me.” Stephanie approached her with the phone extended. “I think you left this on the bathroom counter.”
“Oh, my God, I have to get off the road.” The woman stared surprised at the phone, then gazed warmly at Stephanie. “Thank you so much.” She took the offered phone and replaced it in her purse.
“You’re welcome. We all do it.” She smiled at the women. “Safe travels to you.”
“Same to you.” The white woman gave her forearm a squeeze and the black woman beamed before the two wandered off to the front door, chatting with more energy.
Stephanie shifted to the high shelves of the food mart. She had a bag of trail mix and a box of cookies in her hands when a figure stepped into the far end of the aisle. Her shoulders flashed with a dangerous chill. David approached, a smirk on his face.
He stopped and hooked his thumbs in his pockets. “Stephanie Shun.” Fired like a bullet.
But she stood facing him and didn’t bleed with fear. “So you have eyes.”
“I’ve got more than that.” He swaggered a little closer. If she had to, she could drop the food and pull her pistol, but that would put an end to her entire operation. “I’ve got knowledge that Olesk doesn’t. That’s a rare commodity.”
“Are you smart enough to know what to do with it?” She really wanted to slap the smug smile from his face, but she knew he was venomous and couldn’t get that close until she knew his game.
“I guess you’ve never heard of David Huang, because if you had, you’d know I’m smart enough to drive for Olesk, earn the trust of the Seventh, and—” he licked his lips “—I want a piece of Eddie Shun’s pie.”
That was his angle, and she was his leverage. “The last person who tried to make a play for my family’s territory was poured into a building foundation. In 1919.” Not a proud moment, but she had to fight David with force.
He shrugged. “Times have changed. And Eddie Shun’s daughter is driving for the STR, even though Olesk doesn’t know who she really is.” His smile faded. “And if you want to keep it that way, you’re going to give me the routes and runners for your father’s insurance business.”
What David and her father referred to as insurance was just old-fashioned extortion. One of the uglier sides of her father’s business, but he hadn’t needed to resort to intimidation for years and sometimes found a way to put the money back into the neighborhoods. In the hands of David, though, she was sure it would be a reign of terror.
She tried to plan a pivot out of his trap but couldn’t create a move that wouldn’t throw her completely off balance. “I’ll have to think about your generous offer.”
He laughed. “You have until Vegas.” Turning on his heels, he glided out of the aisle and out of the market.
A handful of hours. Handing David the names of her father’s runners and their routes would definitely lead to bloodshed in San Francisco. But what would happen if David told Olesk who she really was? Disaster. Even if she managed to battle her way away from Olesk and the STR, it would mean that all the work she’d done to take down the Seventh Syndicate and their human trafficking would be for nothing. She knew the big operation was close and had to be there.
In the middle of this web was Arash. Her heart ached knowing that he thought he’d heard all her secrets. He trusted her, and she was about to prove that he shouldn’t. The only strategy out of the traps David had just set would lose her Arash forever.
Chapter Eighteen
People came to Vegas for the party, the gambling, the spectacle and the opportunity to pretend there were no consequences, but all Arash could see was the traffic. They’d hit town near sundown and abandoned the speed and freedom of the highway. Cars crawled all around them, wandering, cruising, not knowing where they were going. Rideshares and taxis prowled for gaps between cars and darted into them for any advantage.
Tightening Arash further was the stormy silence that had taken Stephanie since they’d stopped for gas. They were still trapped in the minivan, leaving no opportunity for open discussion. He’d motioned his concern for her and she’d gestured as if everything was fine. She’d even written another note on her phone, telling him not to worry, she was sorting strategies.
But it had seemed worse than that. And he had a feeling it had something to do with David, who he’d spotted on the highway a few minutes after leaving the gas station. What the hell was the deal? David could be an ex. Or he might know about Frontier Justice. The man was playing it so cool and confident, it was obviously the long game.
Arash tore himself up inside with the questions as they inched toward the hotel Olesk had texted Stephanie shortly after they’d arrived in the city. She swiveled her head around, keeping an eye on all the cars around them. At one point she tapped his shoulder and indicated something behind them. The two cargo vans were a couple hundred yards behind.
He nodded to her. “What do you say we get a fancy dinner?” Thousands of dollars of cash hung heavy in his jacket and backpack.
“Shower first.” But she didn’t sound too enthusiastic.
“These nice hotels have spas, right?” He’d walked through them but never stayed. “I’m gonna get myself buried in hot stones.” A possible preview of a shallow desert grave, if everything went to hell the way it felt like it was.
“I could see you in a seaweed wrap.” Her smile was too brief.
“How about mud wrestling? That’s a thing, right?” He was trying too hard and it tightened cold coils around his heart.
“Mud bath,” she explained with a small smirk. It was all they could manage and fell back into silence. They finally reached the hotel and Arash took them into the self park. The minivan sighed relief when it was turned off and ticked as it cooled. Arash was already cold. Desert winter stole any moisture from his body. He clenched a fist to convince himself he still had the strength to fight. They collected their bags and locked the car up. It looked as ordinary as everything else around it.
Arash, though, felt like everyone would be able to see the dark tension radiating out of him. He and Stephanie were halfway to the elevato
rs when Stephanie broke the silence. “I’m going to tell you something before the others find out, and you have to know that this—”
“How’s the soccer mom?” Olesk approached from another aisle of the parking lot, Ellie at his side. Neither had their bags, so they must’ve reached town a little while ago.
Arash clamped down on his worry about what Stephanie was about to tell him. She transitioned amazingly to a neutral face and answered, “She’s a killer in disguise.”
It was so damn close to the truth. Neither Arash nor Stephanie were what Olesk believed. Arash wanted to draw his knife and end it all right here in the parking lot, just so he could learn what Stephanie’s next secret was.
Olesk laughed. “I like that. She’s going to kick ass in LA.”
Arash coiled tighter. It wasn’t going to end in Vegas. He unclenched his jaw to ask, “We going to have time for dinner?”
“We’re overnighting.” Olesk slid his glance to Ellie.
“I already made reservations.” She grinned back.
“But first...” Olesk paused as they reached the elevators. “We’re meeting up in our suite, 1265.” Arash felt the slightest shimmer of tension from Stephanie at his side. The others didn’t react and couldn’t have detected it. Olesk continued, “Arash, go check in. It’s under my name, with your first name. We’ll meet you up there.”
“And my room?” Stephanie kept a casual posture, hand on the strap of her bag, but Arash knew it was a lie.
Ellie smiled slyly. “For the sake of economy, we put you two in the same room. Hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.” Stephanie turned to Arash and he saw the storm continuing behind her eyes. “You?”
“I know how to pinch a penny.” Nothing was real anymore. Everything he saw or heard was hiding another layer of doom.
Olesk chuckled and swung the side of his fist into Arash’s shoulder. It took all of Arash’s composure not to twist Olesk’s arm up with his and yank his shoulder out of its socket. Ellie punched the elevator button and Olesk said to Arash, “We’ll see you up there.” His look shifted to a walkway opening nearby, with a sign pointing to the lobby above it.
Arash locked his gaze onto Stephanie’s. “I’ll be there.” She nodded back in what looked like an attempt to reassure him. He knew she had her pistol. And skills beyond that. But maybe she wasn’t the one who would be in danger up in that suite. He could be the one in the crosshairs.
The elevator dinged and opened for Olesk, Ellie and Stephanie. Arash held on to Stephanie’s look as long as he could, until the doors closed. After a steadying breath, he hefted his bag higher on his shoulder and headed into the casino.
Lurid video screens flashed and a thousand bands played a thousand songs from the speakers, all cheerful and lively. More lies. He knew that it was all created to draw blood.
Most of the people in the casino were focused on the games, drifting in awe of their surroundings or working. One figure lurked at the periphery of Arash’s vision. He knew it was David. As he passed an interior elevator bank next to a busy bar, his suspicion was confirmed. David flashed his room key card to a security guard and glanced quickly back at Arash before disappearing among the people at the elevators. The arrogant smile on David’s face meant all kinds of trouble, and Arash seemed to be the last person to know what was about to come crashing down.
He stood impatiently in line at the front desk. Every delay ahead of him shaved his patience to a sharper edge. By the time he got to the black man at the computer he thought he’d just bark out his needs. Arash, though, managed to be civil and the desk agent was efficient and quick with the transaction.
Arash thanked him, stuffed the keys in his pocket and hurried toward the elevators. Of course some drunk jerk thought it was the perfect time to cut him off and angle the two of them into a set of unused slot machines. Arash warned, “Careful, man,” and put his hand on the shorter Latino man’s shoulder, feeling nothing but solid muscle.
The man with slick hair and tattoos on his hands peered into Arash’s face and didn’t look drunk at all. “You’re a good guy?”
“No.” From the scars on his knuckles and the bump on the bridge of his nose, Arash knew this man was a fighter, but he would take him on if he was going to stand between him and the elevator to Stephanie.
“Me, neither.” The man grinned crooked. “But I’m not a bad guy either, Arash.” Hearing his name coming from a stranger set off all kinds of alarms. Arash took a step back, scanned the area for anyone else coming and balanced for combat. The man put his palms out as a peace offering. “Friend of Stephanie’s.” But which of her identities? Arash kept his guard up. The man edged closer and lowered his voice. “Frontier Justice.”
Arash shifted his perspective on the man and lowered his defenses. A little. “How’d you find us?”
“She messaged me the cars you all were driving and I put the word out to my Teamster and cabbie friends.” The man’s awareness kept scanning the people around them. Arash did the same, but didn’t recognize any of Olesk’s people. “We’ve got cops and Feds on our side. They found your picture.” He extended a thick hand. “I’m Javier.”
“Glad to meet you.” For once, Arash was telling the truth. He shook his hand. “Who the hell is David?”
Javier shrugged. “No idea. You tell me.”
“Part of Olesk’s gang. Asian American guy. He showed up yesterday and got Stephanie super nervous.”
“I’ll let the others know.” Javier pulled out his phone. “What else you got?”
“I’ve got to hurry and meet everyone in Olesk’s suite, 1265.” Any unusual delays would definitely be noted by Olesk. “Stephanie and I are in 810.”
“Same room?” Javier cocked his head.
“You her mother?” Arash wasn’t in the mood to explain everything to this guy he just met.
Javier swelled slightly, something that would intimidate most people. “I’m her friend.”
“Then trust her to make her own decisions.” Arash was running out of time and shifted gears. “We’re going from here to LA. Cargo vans are kitted to fit about sixteen people each. Olesk rolls with a 9mm, don’t know if the others are armed.”
“Good stuff, man.” Javier stepped out of the way, clearing the path to the elevators. “Stay safe. Tell Stephanie I said the same to her. Or don’t, depending on who’s listening.”
“You know it.” Arash nodded him a salute. “Thanks.”
“Thank me with beers and a brawl sometime.”
“Count on it.” Arash stepped away from Javier and into the flow of people in the casino. He didn’t bother looking back. Javier would be gone by then, but watching. Arash had expected the vigilante group to be filled with starched, serious types, not a regular guy like Javier. Stephanie wasn’t straitlaced herself, though. If he really did know her. Arash just hoped that her group was up to taking on Olesk and the Seventh.
The elevator ride up was filled with a giddy tourist family speaking what he thought was Hindi. A little boy kept staring at Arash. The smile Arash returned sent the boy behind his mother’s leg for safety. Smart kid.
Arash got out on the twelfth floor, found Olesk’s suite and knocked. A second later, Ellie answered and welcomed him in. All of the STR hung out on the dark chairs and couches of the wide living area. It was a shame the curtains were drawn, Arash knew the tall windows would’ve given an incredible view. Stephanie sat by herself on one side of the room. Her face was neutral, but her darkness still shimmered. David was the only one who seemed upbeat. Hector and Thom slouched, tired in their seats, nursing sweating bottles of beer. The same kind that Ellie drank as she perched on the edge of the couch where David was.
Olesk offered Arash a bottle from a twelve pack in a cardboard box, but he waved it off. “Maybe after a shower.”
“I won’t keep you guys long.” Olesk stepped to a
low coffee table in the middle of the living area and set the bottle down near one corner. “This is the pickup. 8:00 a.m., so if you hit the road after 3:45 a.m., you’re already late.” Everyone leaned forward in their chairs and Arash stepped closer. “Cargo vans get filled with cargo.” Arash’s stomach roiled with acid. Cargo was a terrible way of describing a person. “Me and David are rolling close supervision. Soccer mom one level farther out keeping watch.” Arash glanced to Stephanie and she nodded. Olesk retrieved another bottle of beer and placed it on the corner diagonal from the first. “This is the drop-off. Airfield. 11:00 a.m. wheels up, no waiting. Once the cargo is off-loaded, we scatter.”
But no addresses, so if he or Stephanie could contact Javier again, there were scant details to deliver.
Olesk picked up the first beer and twisted off the cap. “I’ve been monitoring all channels, and I haven’t found a whisper of resistance, so the biggest thing we need to worry about is accidental contact. Be smooth. All good?”
Hector put his fist out for Thom and the other man bumped it before Hector answered, “Sounds like a plan.”
“Got it.” Arash amped up, edgy. The whole STR team would be at the pickup point. That was his chance to pick them apart. “Dinner?” He delivered it only to Stephanie. If he could get her alone, then she could tell him what the hell was going on.
Stephanie stood, but instead of stepping to Arash, she turned toward David. “First, David has something he wants to tell you all.”
David rose to his feet, schooling his surprise to a smug turndown of his mouth. “Are you sure?”
Stephanie dripped disdain for David as she shifted her attention away from him and to Olesk and the others. Adrenaline pumped hard up Arash’s legs and down his arms as he prepared to fight his way out of the room.
Stephanie said calmly, “Since David doesn’t have the guts to tell you, I’ll come out and admit that I’m Eddie Shun’s daughter.”