Vendetta

by Autumn Karr

  “I know who she is. That's enough for me.”

  “Does she know about any of this, Devon?” Hayley asks after a beat.

  “No.”

  “I thought so.” Hayley sighs dramatically and stands up, straightening imaginary wrinkles from her shirt. She fishes out the keys to Leighton's room and throws them on the sofa next to me. “I'm not coming back tomorrow.”

  I want to argue, but that would be unfair as well. She spent close to a week with the girl. I don't know why I didn't expect they'd at least form some sort of friendship.

  “Just for a week or two,” she assures me, and I relax, thankful she's not abandoning me after all. “I need to distance myself. I know what must be done,” she finishes, determination lacing her voice.

  She walks to the door and stands there for a second, contemplating something. “She's been asking about you,” she says, and exits the library, closing the door behind her.

  “Fuck,” I mutter as I get up and start pacing the room. Of course she's been asking about me because why the hell would she miss an opportunity to play with my head? At least when she wasn't here I could avoid her, and focus on things that were important. But knowing that she's just three flights of stairs above me makes it impossible for me to think straight.

  I should kill her now. I stop dead in my tracks, seriously considering it. I can't let her live anyway, so what's the point of all this torture? A hollow laugh rips out of my throat, because I know I won't do it until I absolutely have to. So I'll continue to fucking torture myself.

  My eyes land on the keys, and I make a snap decision. I grab them and stride with purpose out of the library. I consider stopping at the guest room to get my gun, just in case I decide I should do it, but dismiss that idea after only a few seconds. I climb up to the third floor and unlock her door.

  She's asleep on the bed, the sheets twisted around her legs. And she's only wearing her underwear. Of course.

  I look at her, and really take in her every curve, her smooth skin, her parted lips. My fingers itch to run through her hair, and I clench my fists. Asleep like this, she almost looks innocent. Almost.

  I watch her sleeping, allowing myself another moment of weakness. At least this time she's not awake to witness it. I match my breathing to hers, following the rise and fall of her breasts, calming myself down. I walk over to my chair and sit down.

  And wait.

  five

  LEIGHTON

  A ray of sunshine streams into my eyes, causing me to flip over onto my stomach. I grunt with the effort, before stretching my arms over my head, moaning softly.

  Another day of doing nothing. Great.

  Some people might enjoy having nothing to do all day, but not me. I’d rather be useful than laze around doing nothing productive. I’m one of those people who is usually never home because I’m always out doing something.

  I push up onto my knees and then turn my head, squealing in surprise when I see Devon sitting in a chair across from my bed, eyes trained on me. I pull the sheet up, being caught off guard, suddenly feeling vulnerable in my panties and cami.

  “'Bout time you woke up,” he says, his lips pursing.

  “How long have you been sitting there?” I ask him. He shrugs. “It’s a little creepy.”

  “You snore,” he says, an amused grin tracing his lips.

  “I do not,” I say adamantly. I so don’t.

  “Yeah you do, like an old man,” he says, imitating a sound similar to what I imagine a cat sounds like when it’s being strangled.

  “What do you want, Devon?” I demand through narrowed eyes. I regret my question instantly, because his playful demeanor slips, his expression losing any warmth it possessed.

  “I wanted to talk, thought you deserved to know what’s going to happen to you,” he says in a controlled voice.

  “Please, enlighten me.” I try for strong, unwavering, but my voice falters.

  “Now I don't know if I want to tell you,” he says, suddenly staring out the window.

  “What? So, you've come here to what exactly? To play with my head? 'Cause you can cut the crap. Either say it or don't. Your mind games don't work on me,” I lie, narrowing my eyes. He turns his head to me in a swift movement, a muscle ticking in his jaw.

  “You’re lucky to be alive, princess. If it wasn’t for me you'd already be dead,” he says, his eyes searching my face.

  “What do you want? A thank you for bringing me here, keeping me locked up? At least George would have gotten it over with already.” I tie up my hair in a messy ponytail. He watches my every movement intently. His eyes linger on the sheet around me for just a second too long.

  I let it drop, liking the power I know I’m gaining.

  “You think that’s going to work?” he asks in an even tone.

  I shrug. “I don't know what you're talking about.”

  “You’re a piece of work, you know that? A little girl who thinks everything,” he says through clenched teeth, waving his hands around the room, “is a game.”

  “Is my family safe?” I ask him, moving to the end of the bed. I ignore his little girl jab. He’s only two years older than me. And I know it’s not a game. At this point, I’ve given up on my theory that they want something in return for me. I’m pretty sure this goes way beyond extortion or blackmail.

  “For now,” he confirms my suspicions, avoiding my gaze.

  I get off the bed and walk over to him, adding more sway to my hips. His gaze locks onto them, and he swallows hard. “Don’t hurt them, Devon,” I say softly, hoping it will work. I don’t know what I would do if anything happened to my family. There's nothing I wouldn’t do to protect them.

  Devon narrows his eyes at me. “You aren’t in a position to ask for anything, Leighton. And if you think that—” he points his finger to my hips, “—will get you anywhere, you're even worse than I thought.”

  I flinch, as if slapped. “Fuck you.”

  “Well, you'd like that, wouldn’t you?” he snaps, standing up and twining his fingers behind his head. He pulls on his hair in frustration.

  “You’re not going to get away with this,” I say, the vehemence in my voice surprising even me. “My dad—”

  His head snaps in my direction. “Your dad, what? Where is he, Leighton? You've been here for a week, and I haven't heard a word about anyone looking for you. I could just kill you, and no one would ever know what happened to you,” he says, sounding smug.

  “If you’re going to kill me then just do it. Stop with all the fucking games!” I yell.

  Devon punches the wall and I wince. That must have hurt. The enormity of the situation hits me, and I can’t help the sob that escapes my throat. Devon spins, taking in the look on my face. He squeezes his eyes shut, and exhales heavily.

  “Don’t fucking cry, Leighton,” he says, trying to sound gentler, but I still hear the anger beneath it.

  “I’m not,” I whisper, as the first tear drops down my cheek. Embarrassed at my show of weakness, I hide my face in my hands, my body shaking with silent sobs. When a hand rubs my back soothingly, I lean toward it, welcoming the comfort. I put my face into his chest and fist his shirt, sobbing loudly. Why is he comforting me? This whole thing is so messed up.

  We are so messed up.

  “This is so fucked up,” he mutters under his breath. I raise my head and our eyes connect, his gaze softening. I feel like it’s the first time he really looked at me since I’ve been here.

  “Is your hand okay?” I ask, rubbing my thumb over his now red knuckles.

  “I’m fine,” he says, obviously not wanting me to fuss over him.

  “What the hell do you think you’re doing, Devon?” I whisper. He lifts my chin up with his finger, and I search his face for a clue to my fate.

  “I don’t know, Leighton. I don’t fucking know anymore,” he says, leaning down and placing a soft kiss on my forehead.

  His lips burn my skin.

  “You’re going to have to stay
here,” he says, his eyebrows furrowing.

  “I know. I know you won’t hurt me,” I tell him, letting my eyes show him that I truly believe that. He instantly freezes, stiffening, and taking a step back.

  “How do you know that? Why the fuck would you think you know what I would or wouldn't do?” he snaps, running his hand through his hair.

  “Devon, I . . .”

  “You don't know me,” he spits.

  The realization hits me so suddenly I want to throw up. He's right. I know nothing about him.

  “I’m not a good man, Leighton,” he continues, his voice pure acid. “I’m not a hero. I brought you here. Me.” He points an accusing finger to his chest. “You shouldn’t forget that,” he finishes in a harsh tone, walking to the door. He slams and locks it behind him.

  I sit back down on the bed and stare at the spot on the wall he punched.

  DEVON

  The cigar and weed smoke in the room only worsen my pounding headache. The annoying repetitive music doesn’t help, either. Or maybe I’m just irritable. I didn’t sleep a minute last night, and the day seems to just drag on and on.

  I sat in that chair for five hours, just watching Leighton sleep. Every now and then she would let out a moan, and I don't even want to admit what that did to me. I smile, remembering what a restless sleeper she was, constantly tossing and turning. An image of her top riding up, showing off her flat stomach, flashes in my mind. I kill the useless smile.

  I didn't tell her what I’m going to do. Not because I've changed my mind, but because I didn't think I could control myself if she tried to change my mind. She doesn't know better, and denial is a powerful thing, but I just can’t hear that from her.

  I'm at Baroque, a private gentlemen's club my family owns in East Boston. It's really just a nice word for whorehouse. There are half-naked women everywhere, serving men. There’s also an hourly strip show, and private lap dances. You can even spend some alone time with one of the girls.

  I'm here with my friends, though I call them business associates. I don't keep friends—it gives people all the more chance for betrayal. It's business because these are the people I work with.

  Danny, the person who calls me his best friend, and also happens to be a drug dealer, dragged me out because apparently I need to loosen up a little. Ever since I broke up with Hayley I haven't really shown any interest in women.

  I don’t want to admit it but I'd rather have stayed in, close to Leighton. I would have, but I didn't want to raise any suspicion.

  Danny takes a drag from his blunt, and then passes it to the girl sitting on his lap, his left hand exploring under her skirt. Her hand clutches to his wide forearm, and she’s trying not to be loud, but it’s really obvious what they’re doing. It's disgusting, but nothing I haven't seen before. I’m just waiting for them to take this business elsewhere so I can be on my way home. My uncle's home.

  I didn't exactly meet Danny. We were just sort of thrown together, practically since birth, with him being Stevie's nephew and all. He even looks like Stevie, with short brown hair and brown eyes, his head barely reaching up to my shoulder.

  Did I think of him as a friend once upon a time? I did, when I was younger. Danny never had to prove himself, Stevie just accepted him the way he was. His parents are both alive and well, although he never paid much attention to them. Of course we were friends. Hell, at one time, I even wanted to be him.

  Now? Not so much. It's nothing in particular; we're just past that stage when you're friends because you're forced together. In my eyes, we're just business acquaintances. I make sure the goods are delivered; he's just one of many that distribute them for me.

  My family dabbles in everything these days. Prostitution? Check. Extortion and racketeering? Check. Drug dealing—that’s my area—check. It’s easier this way, because we’re still in the business, but keeping a low profile. My uncle ceased all the money laundering operations when he became the boss. It attracted too much attention from the feds.

  A sexy brunette with heavily made-up eyes walks up to me, smiling like she just won the jackpot. I don't recognize her but she probably knows who I am. Everyone does.

  Danny gives me a lazy grin, nodding his head toward her. I ignore her, busying myself with pouring another finger of whiskey, but she doesn't take the hint. She waits until I set my glass down after taking a big gulp of throat-burning liquid, and then plops herself on the arm of the leather chair I'm sitting in. Her hand somehow lands at the back of my neck where she plays with my hair, looking at me expectantly.

  I smile, but that's all I give her.

  “Devon, you could use some fun,” Danny tells me, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. It's like he doesn't even know me.

  “Yeah, Devon. I'm Soraya,” the girl tells me. She leans over, her hot breath fanning my ear, and says, “It's really Amber. I'm not supposed to say.”

  “You must be new.”

  She nods, her chocolate locks jumping up and down with the movement. Her boobs, practically in my face, jump up and down, too, but I keep my eyes trained on her face. “Yup,” she says. “First day.”

  “I'm sorry, Soraya,” I say, letting her know her real name is safe with me. “Not interested. Pass it on.” I look around to find at least four other women watching me, sending suggestive glances my way.

  I'm used to this attention. It's not even about my looks, it's just the simple fact that I'm an Andre, and they all think I'm a catch. It used to drive Hayley crazy for the short time we were together, like she didn't know it was like that before.

  For a second I think Soraya will press on, a thoughtful look on her face, but then she shrugs. Giving me a wink, she jumps off my chair and goes off to her next conquest. I relax, hoping no other girls will approach me.

  “You're no fun,” Danny says, shaking his head at me. I flip him off, because that's what friends do, except I really mean it, and he’s not really my friend.

  A hand lands on his shoulder, and he spins around fast, almost knocking the girl off his lap, but she wraps her arms around his neck for support. He recognizes Colin, another one of our friends, and then turns back to the girl, giving her another lazy grin. She wriggles in his lap, and he smiles even wider at her, then leans his head at the back of the chair while she dry humps him in front of us.

  Colin takes a seat in a chair next to mine. “Hey, man,” he says, taking my glass and finishing off my whiskey. I nod in response, not offended by his action. I wasn't going to drink it all anyway; the last thing I need is a buzz right now. He looks over my shoulder, searching the room. I notice his gaze lingering on Soraya, something flashing in his eyes before he masks it.

  I want to shake my head at him. He’s so predictable.

  Colin is a small-time loan shark, though he's always been too nice to actually collect. I met him two years ago when he started working for the Fermi family. After they realized he’s not cut out for it, having lost them more money than he made them, he got the kiss of death. Unfortunately, once you’re in, you’re in, and the only way out is in a coffin. I paid off his debt, but he’s still living on borrowed time.

  I know he won't last in this world. It’s just a matter of time until he turns up dead. The thought doesn’t even make me sad. It is what it is.

  “How's the old man?” he asks me, eyeing the couple making out in the chair across from him.

  “Not old,” I say. Frank is only thirty five.

  “Heard about the shipment.” Colin is also a gossip. If anything gets him killed, that will.

  “No big deal.” I shrug. One of our own, Digger, turned on us and tipped off the authorities about one of the containers. He admitted to working for Keith. I took care of it personally.

  Two bullets to the head, and a whole lot of bribery for the mess he made.

  “What happened?” Danny asks, detaching himself from the plaything in his lap for the moment. Colin starts to explain what he heard—most of it wrong, but the gist of it right. I tune them out whi
le they talk about how no one knows who ratted us out.

  My cleaner, Saul, took care of that.

  I scan the room to find Soraya already sitting in the lap of her next prey, an older man I vaguely recognize from this club. God, she can't be more than eighteen. Her eyes find mine, and she gives me another wink, and then turns back to the older guy, giggling like a schoolgirl. Playing the part, like everyone else.

  I want to feel sorry for her, but no one made her come here. Either way, she's better off here than on the streets. We don't take the girls’ money, we make enough on the booze and drugs, and the material we collect for blackmail with their help is more than enough. They’re well taken care of, and we hold them under a contract that’s beneficial for both parties, although a little more beneficial for us.

  “Heard about the Moore girl?” Colin’s words catch my attention, his voice squeaking a little with excitement because it’s juicy gossip. Anything about Leighton is. Sometimes it was impossible to avoid her, no matter how hard I tried, because she's always getting herself in some sort of trouble.

  I focus my attention on their conversation, but pretend not to listen.

  “Sweet, sweet Leighton,” Danny says, his voice suggestive, and I can barely restrain myself from punching his face in. “What about her?”

  “She ran off to Ireland after some old guy,” Colin says. “Again.”

  I can see why they would think that, although it wouldn’t be with an older guy. She's disappeared before, sometimes for months, only to come back home, and no one held it against her. I understood her in a way. Being her daddy's princess and the only daughter in the family, I’m sure it could get overbearing.

  I consider this new bit of information. If Keith is letting this rumor spread, it means he doesn't know where she is. This is good.

  “Oh, well.” Danny waves his hand, landing it with a smack on his playtoy’s ass. She giggles, and then grinds herself on his lap, throwing her head back with a moan. “Been there, done that.”

  No, he didn't. I may think the worst of Leighton, but she would never stoop so low.