CHAPTER 16
After Loretta fell asleep, the knot of guilt in Jordan’s gut gradually grew bigger and tighter. He shouldn’t have taken her to bed. Not when he had to leave.
They’d made love, but they’d both been speaking different languages – she’d been showing her hand, he’d been saying goodbye. And god, how it was going to hurt to go. If she’d been a different kind of woman, he would have asked her to come with him.
If she’d been a different kind of woman they wouldn’t have been in this situation in the first place.
He picked his clothes up off the floor and crept downstairs to get dressed. Time to go. He’d never been much for goodbyes. Leaving a note crossed his mind, but what would he write?
One thing was for sure – he needed a drink. He could manage a final visit to The Ark. Showing up there might actually work in his favour. Making himself visible would go some way to reassuring Ursino he wasn’t about to skip town.
He grabbed his bag. The weight of it reminded him of the gun inside. He should have stashed it already. Thinking about Loretta was fogging his brain. He couldn’t afford to get sloppy like that. For a moment or two, he considered taking it out and denying Ursino the satisfaction of making him beg for death. Not in Loretta’s house of course – he’d go somewhere else for that.
Slinging the bag onto his shoulder, he walked out of the front door. That sort of shit was for cowards. As long as he was alive there was still hope. He’d go and get wasted, crawl home and sleep it off. Then tomorrow he’d sling his bag across his chest and disappear. He just hoped he’d be able to think of a place Ursino’s tentacles couldn’t reach.
***
Whatever hour of the day or night you got there, The Ark would open its doors to you. As long as you knew the right people. It wasn’t a dive in the conventional sense of the word – the decor wasn’t too old, the lighting wasn’t too low and it wasn’t even in a rough part of town – but no one ever wandered in there by accident. If you drank in The Ark you were at least on the fringes of the Ursino web.
Jordan turned up a little after midnight, exchanged nods with the men on the door and walked straight in. It didn’t look like there were any booths free. He went to the bar and ordered a double whiskey. The barman looked familiar. They’d shared a few conversations when he’d come in to watch the football in the past.
“Been busy in here tonight?”
He wiped down the bar and threw the cloth on the side. “Busy enough. Don’t think I’ve seen you in here this late before.”
He sighed and took another drink. “I’m not having the best day.”
“I think I heard something about that.” He left it there, like the professional he was.
Jordan knocked back the whiskey, grimaced and ordered another.
“You look like something else is bothering you.” He got himself a lemonade.
“One guess.”
He laughed. “That sounds like a woman.”
“You got it.” Another gulp of whiskey loosened his tongue even though he knew he shouldn’t let it. “You know about the big poker game tomorrow?”
He nodded.
“Well she thinks she can win big.”
“And you don’t agree?”
“Not a chance.” He took a slug. “But of course she won’t listen.”
“So why don’t you play? Show her how it’s done.”
“Just one problem with that – I wouldn’t win either.” He was a passable player, but nowhere good enough to make money at it. Cards weren’t his thing.
But stealing... Now that was something he was born to do.
He got up from his seat. Why hadn’t he thought of that before? “Thank you. You’ve given me the perfect idea.”
The barman raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but you’re welcome.”
He rushed out of the bar. His brain was buzzing. Not much came close to the feeling you got when you were hatching a damn good plan. He decided to walk home. It would give him time to let the major pieces fall into place.
***
Loretta hadn’t been too surprised to wake up in an empty bed. They may have made love like she’d never experienced, but they hadn’t actually come to an agreement about anything.
It didn’t matter now. Once she won a load of cash at the poker game his life would stop being on the line and they’d have time to work out where they stood.
She was halfway through a breakfast of porridge and toast when her phone rang. “Jordan.” At least he’d bothered to call. It had crossed her mind he might have left town already.
“Loretta, hey. Look, I’m sorry I ran out on you last night. I needed time to think.”
“It’s okay. Before you say anything, I’m still playing poker tonight.”
“I want you to.”
She took the phone away from her ear for a moment and looked at it. “You want me to?”
“Yeah. Play tonight. If you win, then great. If you don’t, I’ve got a plan B.”
Excitement quivered in her chest. “What?”
“You don’t need to know.”
She was about to push him for a straight answer when she realised she didn’t really care. He was happy for her to try to save him. And he was still around. “Last night...”
“I know. You don’t have to say anything.”
“Have I gone mad?” It certainly felt like it. She was taking a big risk, walking into god-knew-what for a man she’d only met a few days ago. And she was absolutely powerless to stop herself.
“If you have, then I must have too.”
She pictured him on his phone, the dark waves of his hair all mussed from being in bed, the neck of his t-shirt just low enough to show the sculpted lines of his chest, a cheeky smile on his face. God, she had it bad. And he was telling her that he did too. “When will I see you again?”
“After the game, okay?”
“Okay.” If she was given the choice, he’d be in her bed right now, doing all sorts of things she’d only ever dreamed about. “I’ll see you later.”
“I’d better go, there’s someone at the door.”
“Bye.” She put the phone down and spooned porridge into her mouth. Her appetite had deserted her, but if things went as planned, she’d be needing all the energy she could get.
CHAPTER 17
“Okay, I’m coming, I’m coming.” Whoever was at the door didn’t seem to understand the concept of patience. They kept on hammering even as he called out to them. He picked up his gun, then thought better of it and put it under a sofa cushion.
Foolishly, he opened the door without looking through the peephole and Gina bowled into his apartment. “What the fuck happened yesterday?”
“Hello Gina.” Not today. He couldn’t handle her today.
“What did you do? Bill’s in custody.”
And she had the nerve to come over shouting the odds? “I’m sorry you had to sleep in an empty bed last night.” He saw her hand coming towards his face. He didn’t bother trying to stop it. Part of him felt like he deserved the slap. It landed with a bracing sting. “Feel better now?”
She sat down on the sofa. She looked different. Then he realised what it was – she wasn’t wearing any make-up. “Jesus, you really care about him, don’t you?”
She watched him with red-rimmed eyes. “Not everyone’s as heartless as you.”
Shit. He’d never asked her where she thought things were going between them – he’d always just assumed she didn’t want more than a fling. And now she was getting serious with Bill. He hadn’t imagined it would hurt.
But that was nothing compared with how she must be feeling.
He looked away, not knowing what to say next. When he looked back, she was holding his own gun on him.
“You knocked him out and left him there. Did you call the police too?”
“Gina, no. You know how it is between me and him. Especially after you two—”
“Like you care what
I do. All you care about is your own skin. Did you call the cops?” She held the gun in both hands, but her arms were shaking with the weight. He took a step towards her and she lifted it higher, pointing the barrel right at his face. “Stay where you are.”
He had no idea if she’d ever shot anyone before. Not that it really made any difference. It wouldn’t be any consolation to be her first kill. “Gina, listen to me. Bill was going to double-cross all of us.”
“Nice try. He loves me.”
Unlike you. Those were the words that she didn’t say but that rang out loud and clear. This wasn’t as much about what had happened to Bill as it was about the way he’d rejected her.
“He’d never do anything against Daddy. You, on the other hand...” Her jaw tightened in anger. It was shocking to see just how much she hated him now.
“I’m sorry, Gina. But I didn’t call the cops. We took down half a wall to get in there. Anyone who heard us could have called the authorities.”
Her aim dropped and he took a step forward, holding up his hands to show her he wasn’t going to try anything. He heard the bang before he felt the thump in his thigh. The next thing he knew, he was on the floor trying not to scream from the pain. Turns out the stories he’d heard about getting shot weren’t exaggerations – it hurt like a bastard.
“Oh my god.” Gina dropped the gun and ran outside.
“Gina!” She could have at least called for help first. He lay there and let the agony take over for a while. Please don’t let me black out.
How the hell was he going to put plan B into motion now?
CHAPTER 18
What on earth was the dress code for an illegal high-roller poker game? Loretta had no idea. She thought about phoning Jordan to ask his advice, but she still couldn’t quite believe he was going along with it. Better to leave him alone than risk him changing his mind.
For that reason, she spent most of Sunday flicking through her wardrobe wondering if jeans would be too casual or if a trouser suit would be too much. She was too nervous to start trying things on. Knowing her luck, she’d find the perfect outfit and then the stress would make her throw up on it.
A dress seemed the safest bet. Something not too showy. There were a fair few knee-length ones in the closet. She pulled out a burgundy number with a neckline just below the collarbone. Feminine without being vampy.
With that decided, she played a few practice hands online. She knew she was good – better than she’d let Jordan know – but it didn’t pay to get over-confident. Games on the computer were completely different to games round a table, but a few wins settled her down.
Knowing Jordan had an ace up his sleeve was a big help too. She would have gone ahead anyway, but she felt safer having him as back up.
The night began at ten, so she pulled out of her drive at just after eight thirty. Ursino had briefed her about where she was going, but the word ‘mansion’ didn’t quite capture the enormous pile she drove up to. Architecture wasn’t something she knew much about, but the white building was of a size that demanded you started talking about wings and hiring staff to manage the other staff.
There was some serious money in the air. And she was going to do her best to get hold of a chunk of it.
She parked up out front in a clear open spot. It was never a bad idea to be cautious. There was a handful of people heading up the steps to the door. Apparently arriving on time wasn’t cool – only four other cars were sitting outside.
Loretta followed the others into the house. The entrance hall was dominated by a chandelier hanging low from the ceiling. The wood panels, the stairs, the floor – everything was polished to within an inch of its life. If the lighting hadn’t been so muted, they would have all been blinded.
A silver-haired gent in a sharp black suit was taking coats, but she’d left hers in the car. After the expected pleasantries, he patted the men down. The women were turned over to a hostess in a neat black cocktail dress for the same treatment. This was a world away from her university poker nights.
The early arrivers were directed through to a room filled with dark coffee tables and wing-backed chairs.
“Drink, madam?” The waiter standing at her shoulder made her jump. She hadn’t heard him walk up to her.
“What is it?” Alcohol wouldn’t be a good idea.
“Champagne or orange juice.”
She took a glass of the latter. “Thank you.” Now what was she supposed to do until things got going? She couldn’t imagine what would pass for small-talk in this sort of company.
***
Jordan bit down on his bottom lip as the doctor examined his leg. Gina had seen fit to call him after she left. She’d even forwarded an apology.
“You were lucky. It’s gone straight through. I’ll give you a couple of stitches.”
Lucky wasn’t what he’d call it. “Have you got any painkillers?”
The doctor gave him a fatherly look. “Stick to what you’ve got in the bathroom cabinet. Apart from that, all you need is a few days’ rest.”
He shook his head. “I’ve got things to do. Tonight.”
“Whatever it is will have to wait. If you burst those stitches you’re going to be worse off than when you started.”
Jordan rolled his eyes. A tense silence descended, punctuated by the occasional sharp intake of breath as the man got to work.
“I know you guys think you know everything, but trust me on this. Go to bed. Watch TV. Stay off your leg.”
“Yes, Doctor.” But he wasn’t fooling anybody.
He left without handing out any pills. Jordan didn’t even get the chance to rifle through his bag when he wasn’t looking. Fortunately, he had other connections.
Ten minutes and a phone call later saw him holding a blister pack of the finest pain relief money could buy. He didn’t take any yet. He’d do as the doctor said for as long as possible, but when midnight rolled around he’d be knocking back pills and heading out the door. Loretta wasn’t going to be alone in that hornet’s nest. She was more important than a few burst stitches.
***
The mingling and drinking came to an end and it was time to sit down at the game tables in the adjoining room. It turned out mob associates chatted about the weather just like everyone else. Loretta carried her chips over to one of the less prestigious games and waited for the seats to fill up.
The first few hands were far from taxing. She made some small gains without drawing attention to herself. Enough to let her relax. The play was seductive. She listened to the banter, not getting involved herself. It was obvious who shared history from the way they pushed each other’s buttons. Her strategy was to be as inscrutable as possible and throw out the odd false tell to muddy the waters. It worked well enough to get her onto the next tier of tables.
She was building up a very nice collection of chips. It was too early to start thinking she was even halfway home, but the signs were encouraging. Her next few hands added to an already generous stack of winnings.
As the columns of chips grew in front of her, it got harder to stay detached. There was really a chance this might work. Jordan could be free to live an honest life.
They could be together. Properly.
If that was what he wanted.
She played on, taking smaller risks as her winnings piled up.
“Excuse me madam, would you come with me?”
She looked behind her at the tap on her shoulder. A very large man with a shaved head and one of those black suits that marked him out as part of the security team waited for her to leave the table. “Is there a problem?” She sounded a lot calmer than she felt. Jordan’s words rang in her ears. They’ll eat you alive. She’d been thinking of the other players, but it could equally apply to the people in charge.
“If you’ll come with me?”
Pushing her chair away from the table, she stood up and reached for her chips.
“You can leave those here.”
That was when she really
started to worry. She’d won a good five times what she’d come with and he was telling her to leave it all on the table? It didn’t bode well at all.
There was nothing she could do but follow him out of the room. Her mind ran at double speed. Had Jordan arrived yet? Was this part of his plan B?
They went back through to the entrance hall and out along a corridor on the opposite side. It was quieter in this part of the house. The peace did nothing to dispel her worry. “Have I done something wrong?”
“Through here, madam.” He opened a door and stood aside.
She looked at him, hoping for some indication of what was going on. He gave nothing away. She had no option but to step inside.
***
The most useful thing about shady outfits like the one running the poker game was the abundance of disgruntled employees. Jordan was a friendly guy with a lot of contacts in a lot of places. It wasn’t too hard for him to find an in at the poker mansion. There was no other way for him to make a discreet entrance. He definitely wasn’t in any state to go climbing through windows, even if he’d somehow managed to track down a gap in the security.
He was ushered in under cover of darkness and pulled on his trusty balaclava. Ever since that day in the bank, he hadn’t been able to put it on without thinking of his first kiss with Loretta. He hoped it would bring him luck.
Following the directions he’d been given, he limped down the corridor towards the game room as quickly as he could. Outside the door, he took a breath and blew it out. The hole in his leg was already catching fire again. After dry-swallowing a couple more pills, he opened the door a crack and waited for someone suitable to walk by. It wasn’t long before a woman with an elaborate hairdo and a very short skirt wandered past.
He threw open the door, grabbed her and dug his gun into her side. “Keep your mouth shut and you won’t get hurt.” She gasped, but stayed quiet.
The painkillers hadn’t kicked in yet and the throbbing from his leg was bringing up prickles of sweat under his mask. He focused on the gun in his hand and pretended there was nothing wrong. The armed robber couldn’t have a limp – it would be too easy for someone to put two and two together.
Black Girls and Bad Boys: Stealing Loretta Page 11