Boss Girl: A gripping crime thriller of danger, determination and one unstoppable woman

by Emma Tallon

  ‘I can’t stop thinking about it. Even with these new security cameras Freddie had put in and the new safety door. I mean, Christ, it has steel bolts now – a battering ram wouldn’t move that thing! But I still can’t shake the feeling. And Fraser hasn’t found anything. Whoever it was, they wiped their prints. There’s nothing to find. But anyway’ – she smiled – ‘there’s no point dwelling on it in the daytime too. It already steals my sleep.’

  ‘What are you going to do? Maybe you should talk to someone. Like, you know, professional,’ Tanya suggested.

  ‘And say what?’ Anna laughed. ‘My boyfriend is one of the biggest gangsters in London who would happily kill whoever broke into our home, except he can’t find them and despite the fact I have this fierce warrior in the house and plenty of firepower, I just keep having bad dreams?’

  ‘Fair point,’ Tanya conceded.

  ‘I don’t know,’ Anna said. ‘I might broach the subject of moving and starting over somewhere fresh. Though I don’t know how Freddie will feel about that.’

  Carl came back with a tall pink sparkling drink and placed it in front of her.

  ‘I call it the candy cane,’ he said. Carl loved mixing up new cocktails, so their menu was forever changing.

  Tanya took a sip and grinned, her eyes sparkling. ‘Now that’s what I call a drink,’ she enthused. ‘Can I chase it with a tequila? One for Anna too.’

  ‘Hold your horses,’ Anna protested, ‘I have to go out later. I have dinner plans.’

  ‘Oh, come on, one won’t hurt. I need to take the edge off,’ Tanya pleaded.

  ‘Surely a bunch of comedians hasn’t rattled you that much?’ Anna replied. She nodded to Carl that she would accept the shot.

  ‘No, not them. I’m a bit worried about Tom, to be honest,’ Tanya said, her easy smile dropping. She ran her red manicured nails through her thick hair and pursed her lips. ‘And I could bloody murder your Freddie an’ all. No wonder the bugger’s been keeping out of my way for the last few days.’

  ‘Freddie? What’s happened?’ Anna frowned.

  Tanya sighed. Initially, she had decided not to moan about it to Anna. It wouldn’t help. But the feeling of worry hadn’t passed and had only deepened when Tom had quietly told her about the contracts.

  ‘We all know who Freddie is and we all love him for or despite it. But he offered Tom a job. And Tom took it.’

  ‘Oh. I see.’ Anna did see. They both drank from their glasses for a moment.

  ‘Tom ain’t from all this, ya’ know?’ Tanya looked at Anna. ‘He might be rough around the edges, but he’s a straight shooter. Or at least he has been, until now. It’s worrying me whether he can survive in this world. Or, if he can, how it’s going to change him and us,’ Tanya admitted.

  ‘Hmm. The way Freddie told it, it was Tom who asked him for a job,’ Anna said.

  ‘That’s strange,’ Tanya replied, frowning. ‘Tom definitely said it was Freddie who brought it up. Said he was looking for this new build site.’ Tanya bit her lip, looking confused.

  Anna was quick to settle the conversation. ‘Oh, I must have heard wrong then. Or got the wrong end of the stick – don’t worry about it.’ She hadn’t heard wrong at all; Freddie had repeated the conversation back to her practically word for word, but the last thing she wanted to do was cause an argument between Tanya and Tom.

  ‘Oh, OK, good.’ Tanya laughed and leaned forward on the bar, signalling for Carl to top up her tequila.

  Anna sat back and placed her arm across the back of Tanya’s chair, in a subconsciously protective gesture. Her expression was sombre. She didn’t know why Tom had needed to lie to Tanya about it.

  ‘I just hope it is only the foreman job and not an in to the real business. I like Tom how he is. I don’t want to lose him to all that,’ Tanya said.

  ‘I’m sure it is,’ Anna replied. She knew Freddie wasn’t keen on bringing Tom into the fold on that side, so hopefully nothing more should come of it and Tanya could keep her white knight.

  ‘Well, it had better be,’ Tanya sniffed, ‘or I’ll have his balls for earrings.’

  Anna raised her eyebrows with an amused smile.

  ‘Oh, don’t worry,’ Tanya said with a twinkle in her eye, ‘I’ll let you borrow them.’

  The girls doubled over as their peals of laughter rang throughout the club.

  7

  Freddie paced slowly up and down the pavement outside the building, lost in thought. He didn’t see Anna approach until she was almost right in front of him.

  ‘Ah, there you are. You look amazing.’ Holding her hand, he stepped away to appraise her fully. She really did look incredible. She always did, but tonight she looked particularly special in a black figure-hugging, knee-length dress that hung just off the shoulder. Perfectly flawless make-up and simple, well cut diamonds at her throat finished the look off perfectly. She was elegant and classy at the same time as being the sexiest women he had ever laid eyes on. She floored him, every time.

  Anna smiled warmly and wrapped her arms around his neck, before kissing him softly on the lips.

  ‘Sorry I’m late – Tanya needed a drink and a chat. She’s very upset with you, by the way.’ Anna’s tone was matter-of-fact, rather than accusatory.

  Freddie grimaced. ‘I thought she might be. But it really is a good opportunity for him. And he’s a big boy – he makes his own decisions. It’s not like it’s me chasing him into things.’

  Anna kept her counsel and didn’t mention Tom’s version of it all to Freddie. She tucked her arm into his.

  ‘You look good too, by the way.’ She glanced sideways at him. Her compliment hit its mark and Freddie held his head a little higher.

  As they walked up the steps to the elegantly carved double doors, Anna sensed another body fall into step next to her. She turned with a smile.

  ‘It’s been too long, Sammy.’

  ‘Indeed it has. Good to see you, Anna,’ Sammy replied.

  In the end, Sammy had sent the dinner invitation to Frank Gambino at Freddie’s request and it had been accepted. Frank had, however, insisted that he be the one to host them, in one of his elite casinos in Mayfair. In no position to refuse, they had agreed and had arrived at the specified time and place. The invite had been extended to partners, but as Sammy was still a terminal bachelor, this only included Anna.

  They were greeted by a hostess who led them through to the main bar and left them waiting with a glass of champagne each. Freddie took note of his surroundings. The bar was tastefully decorated, with dim lighting and soft music. The colours were subtle and the walls were mirrored from waist height upward. He wondered if any of the mirrors were two-way, to allow for security to see into the room unobtrusively. There did not appear to be any CCTV cameras sticking out, as one would usually expect to see.

  After a short wait, two men wearing black suits and wired earpieces entered the room and made a beeline over to them. The taller one smiled tightly in greeting.

  ‘Mr Tyler, Mr Barker – Mr Gambino will greet you in one of our private rooms. Miss Davis.’ He turned to Anna and handed her a silver-coloured satin bag that was pulled tight at the neck. ‘Mr Gambino asks you to accept this gift from him to use at any of our tables here this evening, as an apology for stealing your companions away from you for a time before you all dine together later.’

  Anna took the bag and opened it up. There was a small fortune in gambling chips inside. She raised her eyebrows and smiled, amused. Clearly she was expected to stay out of the way whilst the men talked business. She wondered why she had been invited at all. She mentally shrugged. It didn’t matter. What mattered was that she was here to support Freddie. She smiled back at the man and answered pleasantly.

  ‘Please tell Mr Gambino that I accept with gratitude and look forward to meeting him later.’ Nodding at Freddie to indicate all was well, she took her leave and wandered into the connecting room. Out of the corner of her eye she watched Freddie hesitate, then follow the two men o
ut of the room, along with Sammy.

  For a few minutes, Anna strolled through the small maze of connecting rooms. It was a beautiful building, with high ceilings and ornate plasterwork. Dark red walls were filled with classic oil paintings and mirrors, whilst the chandeliers and finishing touches had been added with a modern twist, giving the whole place an air of sophistication. Anna admired the delicate balance of old and new that they had accomplished. So many places tried and missed the mark entirely.

  Finding an almost empty blackjack table, she took a seat. Crossing her legs, she gave a passing waiter her drink order and began to place her bets. After the first round, Anna was the only player, the others having left to try their luck at another table. She was down so far, but it didn’t bother her. Aside from the fact it wasn’t her money she was gambling with, she knew the score. The house always wins. That was why opening a casino would be so lucrative for Freddie and Sammy.

  Pushing forward another handful of chips, she laid her next bet and smiled politely as another man joined the table next to her. She waited patiently as the dealer dealt him in. The cards were played and she won, the payout replenishing her dwindling pile.

  ‘Nice hand,’ the player next to her said.

  ‘Luck of the draw,’ Anna replied.

  ‘Ah, you’re one of those,’ he said knowingly.

  ‘What do you mean?’ Anna asked, with a polite laugh.

  ‘One of those people who believe all gambling is down to luck.’

  ‘Well, isn’t it?’ Anna asked, turning to face him. ‘I mean, at the end of the day, it’s a pack of cards that are shuffled into a random order. There are only so many chances you have of winning. Unless of course the casino is corrupt and the cards are placed in specific order in favour of the house.’ She shrugged. ‘Who knows?’

  The man nodded slowly with an amused smile.

  ‘So, you think we’re being set up then? Do you think it’s all just a big fix?’ He grinned, showing even white teeth. His eyes twinkled as he leaned in conspiratorially. ‘We could be being taken for all we’re worth here.’

  Anna laughed. ‘No, I don’t think that. But I do believe it’s all down to luck. That’s what gambling is all about, after all. The anticipation of whether or not your luck will come in.’

  The man nodded slowly again and they played another hand in silence. Anna looked at the large clock in the corner. Freddie and Sammy had been gone for about fifteen minutes.

  ‘I don’t buy it.’

  ‘Sorry?’ Anna asked, with a frown.

  ‘Your story. You say this is about luck, but of all the games in a casino blackjack is one of the most strategic. It takes a certain element of skill and thought, both of which you’ve displayed in your last three hands,’ the man answered. They continued playing as he spoke. ‘Considering you walked past all the actual tables of luck like roulette and headed straight here, that tells me that blackjack is your usual game. You gravitate towards it because you’re a strategic thinker and like to believe you have some control. But you don’t want to say that to me, a stranger, because that would draw me into a much deeper conversation, and considering you prefer to keep yourself to yourself, that wouldn’t suit you very well, would it?’ The man paused and Anna kept her eyes trained on the table, very alert to the subtle shift in the conversation. ‘You’re not the usual extrovert who favours blackjack, yet not exactly an introvert either. You are quite an interesting person, Miss Davis.’

  ‘You seem awfully concerned with my personality type,’ Anna replied coldly, ‘and I don’t recall giving you my name. Should I be concerned at your level of attention, Mr…?’ She turned and raised an icy eyebrow at him.

  He held his hands up and smiled in apology. ‘I’m sorry; I haven’t introduced myself. That was rude of me.’ He held his hand out to shake hers. ‘I’m Frank Gambino. And you’re Anna Davis.’

  Anna shook his hand and hid her surprise. He was supposed to be meeting with Freddie and Sammy. Frank turned back to the table to play the next hand. Anna followed suit, still unsure why he was here playing cards with her instead of being in the meeting.

  ‘Well, it’s nice to meet you, Mr Gambino, though if it’s Freddie you’re looking for—’

  ‘Actually it’s not,’ he cut her off. ‘I know what it is that Mr Tyler and Mr Barker want. If anything, I’m surprised they haven’t come to me sooner.’ The New York twang was clear in his tone and Anna kicked herself for not picking up on it sooner. ‘I’m happy to come to some sort of arrangement with them, but there are certain things that I want in return and one of those things happens to be under your control, Miss Davis.’

  The dealer dealt another hand and Anna tried to focus on the cards, her head whirling. What could he possibly want from her? She pushed her long hair back behind her ear and snuck a proper glance at him. He was looking at his cards. Tanned with deep-set dark eyes and perfectly slicked-back dark hair, he looked every inch the Italian-American she now knew him to be. He wore a blue suit and heavy aftershave and Anna gauged him to be nearing forty. His eyes flicked over and met hers and Anna quickly turned back to the table.

  ‘I don’t know what you could possibly want from me that Freddie can’t give you,’ she replied bluntly. She didn’t like how this conversation was going.

  ‘Then let me explain. A few years ago we helped out a man who ran a bar. In exchange for our help, he was supposed to do a job for us. We got some people off his back and settled some of his debts – and how did he repay us? Well, he didn’t. And no one gets away with accepting help from my family and then not paying their dues. So, I made sure his business received no more custom. I liked the building and the location, and realised it would be perfect for a little venture I had in mind. Once he was bankrupt and no longer in a position to keep the bar open, I planned to swoop in and take the premises for a nice low price. It was to be a smaller, exclusive casino. High-rolling members only.’ Frank picked up a chip and twisted it through his fingers, back and forth. ‘The realtor he worked with was prepped and ready to bring it to me when he eventually came in. Only something went wrong. They had a new guy, some kid fresh out of college. It was his first week and he was eager to get a deal signed. He took the details when the call came in and without telling anyone he took two young ladies to see it later that day, even though it wasn’t yet officially on the books.’

  ‘Robert…’ Anna breathed, realisation hitting her. She remembered how desperate the young agent had been for them to see the property, having rejected the first two he’d shown them.

  ‘Those two ladies made arrangements there and then, and the contract was finalised before my guy even knew that the call had come in. Legally there was nothing I could do. It had been done.’

  ‘And illegally?’ Anna asked.

  ‘Well, I could have forced my hand, but I respect the rules here the same way I expect them to be respected in New York. I knew it was Vince’s ground and that you would be under their protection. I had no interest in starting a war over a stupid mistake. So, I decided to wait until a more delicate opportunity came along. And here we are.’ He spread his arms out.

  ‘You want my club,’ Anna said flatly. Her heart turned to ice and hit the bottom of her stomach with a thud. Frank Gambino, one of the heads of the Mafia, wanted her club. She felt sick. This was why she had been invited. This was why she had been separated from Freddie. Frank would have known that Freddie wouldn’t accept this.

  ‘You’re a clever girl, Anna,’ Frank said. ‘You’ve made a huge success of that club and I admire you for that. You’ve even moved on to a comedy club now too – that must be great fun.’ Frank’s tone was friendly, as if they were old pals catching up. Anna felt the bile rising in her throat, but she kept her expression neutral. ‘I would be happy to pay you over the odds for Club Anya. I’m sure you can convince your business partner to sell her half of the club along with yours. After all, she wouldn’t want to risk an unknown entity buying your half and becoming her new partner. I
know that isn’t what you had planned, but it would leave you very comfortable financially and free up your time to concentrate on your other venture. And if we can come to this agreement swiftly and quietly’ – he lingered and stared at her – ‘then I will grant your boyfriend the permission to open his casino and I will be generous in lowering the percentage I take. With what he’s set to make from there, you wouldn’t have to work anymore. That would be nice, wouldn’t it? I’m sure after a long day in a man’s world, every woman is secretly dreaming of the day she no longer has to fight her way through it.’

  Anna stood up abruptly and straightened her dress. Picking up the satin bag full of chips, she placed it down in front of Frank and stared back at him coldly.

  ‘Not this woman, Frank. You see, I don’t believe that this is a man’s world anymore. It’s certainly not here in London, anyway. The only thing I dream of is making my empire bigger. Thank you for your offer, but the answer is no.’

  Anna turned to leave.

  Frank clicked his fingers and two men behind her blocked her way, giving her no choice but to stay and listen.

  She turned back to face Frank in frustration. ‘Ask your men to move themselves out of my way,’ she demanded.

  ‘I’m going to give you some time to think about it.’ Frank’s tone lost its charm. ‘If you decline my offer, I will make sure Mr Tyler and Mr Barker have no place on the casino scene at all. I suggest that you keep our conversation to yourself, until such time as you have made a sensible decision.’ Frank motioned for his men to move. ‘It was lovely to meet you, Miss Davis. I hope you will still join us for dinner.’

  Seething with rage at the corner Frank had her trapped in, Anna turned and walked through to the bar without another word. Taking a deep breath, she just about managed to stop herself from leaving. Freddie was expecting her to be here when he got out of the meeting and she didn’t want to have to tell him about this yet. Not until she had worked out how to deal with it. She would put on her poker face and get through this evening. But after that, she had to figure out how she was going to take on the Mafia and still come out the other side breathing.