“You ain’t gonna believe what happened.”
“So try me.”
“Weiss and Moran took a shot at Capone and Torrio last night.”
“You don’t say. Bugsy Moran and Hymie Weiss. The tops of the North going after the tops of the South? Well, don’t that beat all? So did they get either of them?”
“No. But they shot up their car but good. Torrio’s driver is dead.”
“Maybe it’s time to quit laying low, huh, Kevin? We’ll let them take out each other and we’ll just keep upping our business over here on the West.”
“That’s just what I was thinking, boss.”
“Are the others coming or what?”
“They know we have a meeting this afternoon. I imagine they might be late with this storm.”
“They’d better know how to drive in it. Unlike the rest of the sissies out there.”
Kevin laughed as he poured a cup of coffee.
“You want some, boss?”
“I’m good.”
He opened his flask and liberally added to his coffee.
“We need to celebrate,” Helen said.
“I am.” Kevin toasted her with his coffee cup.
“No.” Helen laughed. “I mean a real celebration. Let’s have Joe open up the Beaver early today.”
“Sounds good to me.”
The rest of her lieutenants showed up and Helen shared the good news with them.
“Each of you need to take on more business,” she said. “I want a new business paying protection from each of you by next month. And, Louis, I want you to look into more booze coming in from Canada. Marty, I want specs for a new speakeasy by the middle of next month. I want to be ready to take advantage of the war between the North and the South. I guarantee they’ll forget about us for a while.”
“Now on to the important business.” Kevin stood. “The boss says we’re partying today. Let’s all head to the Beaver.”
“Did you call Joe?” Helen asked.
“I did. He should be ready by now.”
“Bring some of the other guys, too,” Helen said. “Let’s make this a real shindig.”
The men dispersed with much merriment. Helen herself felt more at ease than she had in months.
“I’m glad we’re taking on more business,” Kevin said when they were alone again. “I think the guys were getting restless.”
“Who wasn’t? But we had to cool our heels. Now we can get back to business and let Weiss and Capone take each other out. They’ll be too busy to give us a second thought. Mark my words.”
Helen rode with Kevin to the Golden Beaver.
“I’m pretty happy about getting a new juice joint going,” Kevin said.
“You’ve got something against the Beaver?”
“Not a thing. But it will be fun to have another place to hang out.”
“That it will. It’ll mean a lot of work to get it up and running, you know.”
“Sure. Where are you thinking of opening it?”
“We’ll see what Marty comes up with. I’ve thought about this for a while. I have a few ideas, but I want to see what he says.”
They parked blocks from the speakeasy and hurried through the snowstorm to the alley and inside the bar. Several of the guys were already there, drinking and laughing and enjoying their impromptu day off.
Helen bought a round and settled into her seat at the back where she could watch the comings and goings. She was antsy, even though she was happy. She told herself she’d have a few drinks then take the edge off with a girl upstairs. It had been a while since she’d partaken.
The afternoon turned to evening and Helen was excusing herself to go upstairs when the door burst open and in walked Franco Moretti with Maria on his arm and three goons in tow.
Kevin was up in a shot and stood with his hand on his gun. Moretti cut through the crowd and approached Helen, who was determined to be unflappable.
“Franco, welcome to the Golden Beaver. Can I buy you a drink?”
“Get me a Scotch and a red wine for her,” Moretti said to one of his henchmen. He turned back to Helen. “No, thank you.”
“To what do we owe this pleasure?” Helen spoke to Franco, but never took her eyes off Maria, who looked decidedly uncomfortable.
Moretti pulled two chairs over and waited until Maria sat and then sat next to Helen. He waited until their drinks arrived to speak.
“I suppose you heard about what happened,” he said as his gaze focused on the crowd around them.
“Yeah, terribly scary. Lucky Big Al wasn’t hit.”
“I’m here to make sure you know what a foolish thing that was.”
“I heard Hymie and Bugs were behind that. Surely you didn’t think it was us.”
“Says you. If we find out it was you, you’re in for it.”
“We had nothing to do with that and you know it,” Helen said. “If you’re here to mix things up, then just leave now. We aren’t looking for trouble tonight.”
“Looks like everybody from your gang is here. Seems to me like maybe you’re celebrating something.”
“We had nothing to do with that hit. And if we did, why would we celebrate? No one got taken out.”
“Still, don’t get any ideas.”
“What? You think I’ll put a hit on Al and Johnny? You think I’ve got a death wish?”
“Good. Remember that.”
Helen was pissed at Franco and needed to work off some steam. The sight of Maria in a black Georgette dress did little to ease her pressure. She finally stood and offered her hand to Maria.
“Come on. Let’s dance.” She glanced at Moretti. “Is that okay with you?”
“Like I care.”
“I don’t feel like dancing.” Maria looked away from Helen, who was confused by her apparent disdain.
“What’s up, doll?”
“Nothing. I just don’t want to dance right now.”
“Come on. You know you’re bored sitting there. Let’s cut a rug.”
“She said she don’t want to,” Moretti said.
“Fine. Fine.” Helen sat down, a bundle of nerves. She wanted Franco and Maria and their thugs out of there so she could go upstairs and relieve some tension. She wasn’t happy when Franco sent a goon back to the bar for refills.
“Baby, I’m bored,” Maria finally whined to Franco.
“So dance with Helen.”
“I don’t want to.”
“Then shut your trap.”
Maria looked over at Helen. “You still offering to dance with me?”
“Any time, doll.”
“Fine. Let’s dance.” She sounded resigned, rather than excited, which confused Helen even more. They’d had some good times together. What was her problem?
They found a spot on the dance floor and began to move with the rhythm.
“What’s eating you, doll?” Helen said in her ear.
“I said I wanted to dance, not talk.”
“I don’t get it. We’ve had some laughs. Now you’re not speaking to me? What gives?”
Maria stormed off the dance floor and sat next to Franco, turning away from Helen. Helen was tired of Maria’s attitude, so quickly grabbed another gal to dance with. When she finally got back to the table, Franco was finishing his second drink.
“I think our work here is done,” he said.
“Come back any time.” Helen’s voice dripped sarcasm.
Franco shot her a look as he stood. “You just mind yourself. Remember that.”
“You got it.”
Franco crooked his arm and Maria slipped her hand in his elbow. They left with their henchmen following.
Helen quickly made her way upstairs. She knocked on the door of Katherine, one of her usuals. The door was opened by a curvy brunette in a red camisole.
“Hey, you,” she purred. “Come on in.”
Helen slipped the Do Not Disturb sign on the doorknob and walked over to the bed. As she sat down, Katherine handed her a bou
rbon and water.
“Thanks, doll.”
Katherine sat next to her, rubbing her full breasts against Helen.
“It’s been too long, baby.”
“Yeah, it has.”
Katherine turned Helen so she could massage her shoulders.
“You’re tense, baby. Everything okay?”
“Sure. You know. Business as usual.”
She continued kneading her shoulders and back until Helen put her drink down and shifted to face Katherine. She ran her hands over her soft shoulders and arms, bringing them to rest on her breasts. She ran her thumbs over the hard nipples poking at her.
“You sure know how to make a dame feel good,” Katherine moaned.
“Yeah? That’s good to hear,” she said. “You been busy tonight?”
“You’re my first.”
“That’s even better to hear.”
She stood and loosened her tie, then unbuttoned her shirt.
“Here, let me help you,” Katherine said.
She untucked Helen’s shirt and eased it back over her shoulders. She lifted her undershirt over her head and bent to kiss the small breasts laid bare for her. Helen stood stoic as she felt Katherine’s hands deftly unbutton her slacks, then lower her zipper. She stepped out of her trousers and boxers and lay on the bed.
“Come over here, doll.”
Katherine straddled Helen and rubbed her wetness along her belly.
“Mm, you feel good,” Helen murmured.
Katherine took a nipple in her mouth and played her tongue over it before moving to the other and doing the same thing. Helen felt her clit swell as Katherine’s tongue worked its magic. Her breath caught as Katherine released her nipple and kissed down her belly. When she was between her legs, Helen spread them wide and closed her eyes, lost in the feelings Katherine was creating.
Katherine licked around her opening before sucking her swollen lips. Helen arched her back, craving more of what Katherine offered. Katherine moved her tongue to Helen’s clit and circled it several times before taking it in her mouth. Helen gasped at the sensation, her head reeling with need.
Helen pressed Katherine into her and moved against her talented mouth. Katherine reached a hand up and pinched Helen’s nipple. That was all it took. Helen cried out as the orgasms cascaded over her, each one stronger than the other until they finally stopped.
“You did good, doll,” Helen said when Katherine was lying next to her. She ran her hand under Katherine’s camisole and fondled a large breast. “I like what you offer.”
“It’s all yours, baby.”
Helen pushed the straps off Katherine’s shoulders, exposing the breasts to her. She took one in her mouth, while she rolled the other between her finger and thumb. She moved her hand lower and found Katherine wet and ready for her. She quickly buried three fingers inside her and began to move them in and out. Faster and faster she plunged, with Katherine bucking against her, meeting each thrust.
Helen ran her thumb along Katherine’s clit, and Katherine screamed her name as she rode the orgasm to its finish.
“Thanks for that, boss lady.”
“My pleasure.” Helen downed the rest of her drink and got dressed.
“Don’t stay away so long next time,” Katherine said.
“I won’t.” Helen threw some bills on the nightstand and strolled back downstairs to the party.
Chapter Six
The middle of February arrived, and Helen sat with her lieutenants to discuss the building of the new speakeasy. The tensions were still high between the Northsiders and the Outfit in the South, with another blatant attempt on Johnny Torrio’s life. Helen knew it was the right time to start moving ahead.
“What have you found out, Marty?”
“We found a great location up north a ways. Just off Twenty-Second Street. It’s a prime spot. I’ve got a crew ready to get started as soon as you say go.”
“Twenty-second? That sounds like a good area,” Kevin said.
“Let’s go take a look,” Helen said.
They loaded into the Packard and drove through town until they reached the boarded up former shoe shop on Twenty-second. Helen got out and walked around back, pleased to see the alley would present a perfect entrance. She glanced around and didn’t see anything that belonged to either Capone or Weiss.
“Get busy renovating this place. I want it open soon. Then we’ll start offering protection to the nearby businesses. This could be a gold mine. Good job, Marty.”
Helen was happy as she and Kevin drove back to the barbershop. When they arrived, they found Saul, one of their younger members, looking distraught.
“What’s going on?” Helen asked.
“Someone beat up Manny and Tiger really bad.”
“Wait. What?”
“They were shaking down some people up Archer a ways. Some goons jumped them and beat them up pretty good.”
“Where are they?”
“They took them to the Chicago General.”
“Shit. Who did it?”
“I don’t know. I got there right after it happened.”
“Why weren’t you with them?” Helen demanded.
“I was working a couple blocks over.”
Helen nodded. That seemed plausible. At least he hadn’t been with them and run away. She was sick that some of the youngsters had been hurt.
“Let’s go, Kevin.”
They found Manny and Tiger at the hospital, swollen and stitched. Manny was asleep, but Tiger, a youngster Helen guessed to be about fourteen, was awake and able to talk somewhat through his split lips.
“Who did this?”
“Outfit.”
“You sure about that?” Kevin asked. “You’ve got to be positive.”
Tiger nodded. “I knew some of them from when I first got to town. They’re with Capone and Torrio now. I’m sure.”
“Shit!” Helen spat. “We’ll get to the bottom of this. But Kevin’s right. You’d better be damned certain.”
Tiger squeezed his eyes shut then, and Helen realized what an effort it was for him to talk.
“We’re going to square up your bills then get to the bottom of this. Take a few days, kiddo.”
Kevin stayed back as Helen paid the bill.
“What now, boss?” Kevin asked as them climbed back in the car.
“Gattino’s.”
“Someday Moretti might forget you guys used to work together on the street. He might get tired of you always hitting him up for information.”
“Too bad. I need to know what happened out there today. I owe it to those kids.”
They walked into Gattino’s and strode back to Moretti’s table.
“What happened today?” Helen asked.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Helen glanced over at Maria, who quickly looked away.
“Someone messed up a couple of my guys, and I want to know why.”
“Chicago’s a dangerous city,” Moretti said.
“Save it,” she said, but her feeling of unease about Maria was starting to eat at her more than her kids getting jumped. Something about that dame really got under her skin.
“Look, I don’t know everything that happens, you know? So maybe something went down that wasn’t my Outfit.”
“It was the Outfit all right.” Helen didn’t take her focus from Maria. “One of the guys recognized them.”
“It wasn’t my crew, though. Look, sometimes the boys get restless and like to take out aggressions. I can’t stop that. Boys will be boys.”
“Well, tell them to find someone else to jump next time. Or else.”
“Or else what?”
“Just or else.”
Helen pulled up a chair and sat next to Maria.
“What gives, doll? We’ve always had a good time, and now you act like you can’t stand the sight of me. What’s going on?”
“Why do you want to bother with me? Leave me be. Take care of your business and get
out of here.”
“Maybe I don’t want to. Maybe I want to talk to you.”
“I’ve got nothing to say to you.”
“I wish you’d tell me what’s eating you.”
“Nothing.”
“Maybe that’s the problem.” Helen stood and turned to Moretti. “Tell your goons to leave my guys alone. They weren’t in your area.”
“Says you. This whole town is our area. Don’t you forget that.”
Helen and Kevin drove to the Beaver to wind down.
“What’s with that Maria?” Kevin asked.
“You noticed it, too?”
“What I noticed was you can’t leave her alone. You’re really trying to piss Moretti off, aren’t you?”
“Have you looked at her? I mean, really looked at her? She’s gorgeous.”
“She’s Moretti’s. Capone’s right-hand man’s. You need to get her out of your head.”
“I suppose I should. Maybe I’ll go upstairs in a bit to get my mind off her.”
“That’s a good idea.”
They had a few drinks and relaxed. It was a couple of hours later when Kevin said, “Oh shit. This can’t be good.”
Helen followed his gaze and found Maria once again at their bar.
“Check the perimeter,” Helen said before walking up to the bar to see what was going on.
“Welcome back. To what do we owe this pleasure?”
“Can’t a girl get a drink?”
“Sure. Why here? Why now?”
“Maybe I thought I was rude to you. Maybe I wanted to come say hello,” Maria said.
“Her drinks are on me,” Helen told the bartender, then put her hand on Maria’s elbow and guided her to her table.
“I’m glad you’re here, Maria. You sure this isn’t a double-cross or anything?”
“It’s not. I just felt bad. Franco and me got in another fight, and I just wanted to see you.”
“Yeah?” Helen felt her heart flutter. Dare she dream she might have a chance with Maria yet? “Well, let’s dance and forget about life for a while.”
After a few songs, they sat back down.
“You really are swell to be around,” Maria said.
“I’m glad, because I really like you.”
“Franco says you’re trouble,” Maria said.
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