Saving Sky

by Natasha L. Black

“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing,” he hissed in my ear. “Your little boyfriend won’t be coming in here anymore. I made sure of that. I told you what would happen if I found out you were fucking him.”

  “What are you talking about?” I asked, trying to keep my voice even though my heart was hammering in my chest. How could he know?

  “Don’t play stupid with me, bitch,” he snapped. His mouth was right against my ear, the room too dark for anyone to read his lips. He then laughed and stood tall, putting his arm around me as though we were friends. I wanted to walk out the door right then, but I didn’t dare.

  There were several other men there – men I knew were associates of his And I knew what that meant. They were dangerous men with no moral compass. “Come with me, babe. We’re going to see some friends of mine. They all want a lap dance tonight. You’re going to earn your money tonight sweetheart.”

  I cringed. I didn’t want to touch any of them, but Rocco was punishing me. He didn’t care how much he humiliated me, that was for sure. He would happily do it again and again until he broke my spirit. And he nearly had. I was fighting so hard to keep it together and get the hell out of there, but he was going to make it nearly impossible.

  Hearing that he had Jack banned made me sick. He had to know something was going on. I didn’t know how it was possible, or how much he knew, but he had to at least be suspicious. Jack wasn’t my boyfriend, but Rocco didn’t want me having anything to do with the guy. Rocco knew Jack was a cop, and that was enough to keep him spooked. I thought back to his threat to kill both Jack and me and I nearly shuddered. But I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of letting him know he scared me.

  Because once he knew I was scared for my life and for Jack’s, Rocco would hold all the power. And there was no way in hell I was going to let that happen.

  I walked up the steps to my apartment complex. I had been careful on the way home. With Rocco’s associates in town, something had to be happening, and I was scared it had to do with Jack.

  Clearly, Rocco didn’t like him, and he felt the two of us were getting too close. He must have someone following me. If I was going to keep seeing Jack, even just to help him take Rocco down, I was going to have to be more careful.

  I checked my phone but didn’t have any messages from him, and that worried me, too. Maybe he really did regret what had happened between us the night before. Or maybe he thought I had put Rocco up to banning him from the club. I tried to keep my mind from going to the darkest places, but it was hard.

  Until I rounded the corner to my door and I stopped dead in my tracks.

  There, right outside my door, was a large vase of flowers. I didn’t have to even look to know who it was from. With a racing heart, I hurried over and scooped it up in my arms, fondling the flowers as I did. There was a small note in the center, addressed to me.

  Susie,

  I’m sorry I missed you today. I just wanted you to know that I’ve been thinking about you. Last night was amazing and I hope to see you again very soon.

  Jack

  I grinned bigger than I had in a long time. The man knew how to make a woman feel good, and he chose me to be the apple of his eye. I didn’t know what I’d done to deserve such a thing, but I was happy.

  Burying my nose in the bouquet, I fished my key out of my pocket with my other hand and put it in the lock. These were going to liven up my apartment more than any cat ever could.

  I didn’t know what we were doing, or what it really meant, but I knew that Jack made me feel on top of the world, and I wanted to do the same for him. Someday, some way, I would pay him back for all of it. I would get through this and be free of Rocco’s reign of terror.

  As I locked the door behind me, an idea suddenly came to my mind. I knew how I could repay Jack and hopefully break free of Rocco in the process.

  It was a risk, but with the way things were escalating at the club, it was a risk worth taking.

  15

  Jack

  The flowers are beautiful, and they made my day. Thank you

  It was a simple text, but since it came from Sky, it made me feel incredible. She wasn’t the first girl I’d sent flowers to in my life, but she was the only one who made me feel that good by telling me she liked them. I was glad it made her day better.

  She deserved to come home to something nice after having to put up with grabby assholes all night at work. I set my phone down, thinking. I wanted to see her, but I didn’t want to go over to her place again. Considering what happened at the club that afternoon, I had a feeling she was being watched.

  As though she could read my thoughts, her name popped up as my phone buzzed once more.

  It was a rough day at work, and I think there are a couple things we need to talk about. I don’t think it’s safe for you to come here, but can I come to you?

  It was exactly what I wanted to hear. If she could get out of her apartment and make it to my place without being in danger, I would love to see her. But, I still worried. I texted her back immediately.

  Is there a way you can get out of your place without being noticed? I think you might be being watched

  I didn’t even have time to set my phone down before she sent a reply.

  That’s part of what I wanted to talk to you about. I can get there if you send me the address. Don’t worry. I was once a master at sneaking out without being caught.

  She sent me a winking emoji and I laughed out loud. The more I knew of her, the more I liked her. I couldn’t get enough of her, and I could only imagine a younger version of herself getting out of the house and getting into some trouble when she was a teenager.

  I sent her my address and immediately headed to the bathroom. I made sure I was presentable, then I cleaned up the apartment as quickly as I could. I lived a bachelor’s life, and my apartment reflected that. I shoved the clothes I had in the closet and straightened up a few things before grabbing a bottle of wine and pouring two glasses. I hesitated just a moment, trying to settle my thoughts.

  I was a cop who was trying to take down a powerful mob figure and Sky was my key to doing that. But I was also trying my damndest to get her out of her situation. I was falling for the woman. It was such a conflict of interests. I cringed. Never before had I dabbled in such a grey area in my career.

  Work was usually work and life was usually life. But right then, work and life were intersecting in a way that made me both nervous and excited. What if my feelings for Sky clouded my judgement and I screwed up the investigation? Someone could end up getting hurt and Rocco could get off scot-free once again.

  And what about Sky herself? What if she was attracted to me because I was playing the hero? What if when the dust settled and she was free of Rocco, she decided she didn’t need me anymore? Where would that leave me?

  I tried to shake the thoughts from my brain. I just needed to concentrate on the moment and keep a clear head. I took a deep breath and told myself to chill the fuck out. There was a knock at the door, and I glanced in the mirror, smoothing my hair before I headed over and opened it.

  “Hey,” she said. “I don’t think anyone followed me.”

  I glanced out in the hall. “Good. But I want you to be extra vigilant. I’m pretty sure you’re under surveillance.”

  “What happened today?” she asked me as she followed me into the apartment. “Rocco said during my shift he had you thrown out and you weren’t going to be allowed back, but he didn’t say what happened.”

  “I stopped in to check on you, but the bouncer stopped me at the door and told me I wasn’t allowed in. When I asked him why, he said boss’ orders.”

  She shook her head. “It just doesn’t make any sense why he’d do that.”

  “That’s why I think we’ve been followed. Clearly, someone is watching either you personally, or staking out your place. If they saw me come over the other day, then Rocco probably knows that you are involved with me, at least to some extent,” I told her.

&
nbsp; She looked uncomfortable as she sat in the chair, so I continued. “Men like Rocco are all about power and control. When he feels like something is his, he’ll do whatever he has to keep it under his thumb. Unfortunately, right now, that appears to be you.”

  Sky nodded, but there were tears in her eyes. I handed her a glass of wine. “What’s wrong?”

  “It’s just that, I’m sorry,” she said. She broke down in tears right there in the chair, and I knelt down and took her into my arms gently.

  “What are you sorry for? It’s my job to protect anyone who needs it, and quite honestly, even if it wasn’t, I’d do what I could for you,” I said in a comforting tone.

  “You wouldn’t be anywhere near this mess if it wasn’t for me. I don’t know what he’s going to do,” she sobbed. “There were other men at the club tonight, and I’m afraid of what they are going to do. I know they are bad men, some probably even worse that Rocco.”

  “Really?” I asked excitedly. “That’s nothing to be upset about, Sky. That means he’s getting nervous, and we’re getting close to being able to nail him.”

  “But,” she sobbed, hardly able to get the words off her lips. “What if they are here to do something to you? Rocco threatened to kill you if he found out we were involved.”

  “Don’t worry, I’ve got this under control,” I assured her. “I’m not scared of Rocco or his thug friends. But I am worried about you. Why don’t you come stay here with me for a while? I don’t like the idea of you going home to an empty apartment at night.”

  She looked at me in surprise, and I was quick to clarify my meaning. “You would be welcome to the guest room if you felt more comfortable.”

  Sky shook her head. She looked back at her hands and sighed. “I don’t think he’s fixing to have me killed. Not yet anyway. I’m sure he’s playing some game of his own. I mean, if he’s having me followed and he threw you out of the club, then there’s got to be something in the works.”

  “I agree,” I nodded. “But we’ve got to catch him at something illegal. I can’t arrest him because he told me I can’t come back to the club. As the owner, that’s well within his right.”

  I had spent many nights removing people from restaurants and bars they felt they were entitled to be in when the owner wanted them gone. I knew how the law worked. At the same time, I couldn’t agree with her more. Rocco was definitely up to something.

  “Listen, I think you should get out of there. I can talk to my captain and we can get you set up in one of our safe houses until this is all over,” I told her.

  She smiled at me but shook her head. “No, I don’t want to run and hide. I’m sick of letting him run my life. Besides I think if I disappear, he’ll figure out something’s up and will tighten up the reigns. He’ll be less likely to make a mistake and get caught.”

  I nodded. She was right. “Okay, if you’re sure. I just really want you to be careful Susie. I don’t like his possessiveness of you. I’m afraid he’s going to hurt you, or worse, if he doesn’t get his way.” “I think as long as I keep showing up to work, he’s not going to do anything,” she said. “The reason he’s been so pissed off at me is because I want to quit. If I stick around, he’ll back off and I can even help with your investigation.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked.

  “I was thinking about what you said that day in the coffee shop. About wearing the microphone. I didn’t want to do it before, but I’m ready now. I want this to be over. If you help me put it on where he can’t see it, I’ll do it,” she said. She still looked nervous, but I couldn’t hide the smile on my face.

  “If you’re sure?” I prompted.

  “I’m sure,” she said, with a bit more confidence this time.

  “Then let’s get this son of a bitch.”

  16

  Sky

  “Thank you for helping me,” I said at the door. I had called for a cab that was now waiting outside, and it was time for me to go but I didn’t want to leave. I wanted to stay with Jack the whole night. There was a part of me that was tempted to ask if I could.

  I was sure he’d agree to the idea. He clearly had feelings of some sort for me.

  That was another thing I wanted to talk to him about, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. I wanted to tell him how much I cared about him, how I felt like I was falling in love, even. But I was afraid that maybe he was only with me out of a sense of obligation or of being protective. Maybe once I wasn’t a damsel in distress, he wouldn’t want me. The thought hurt, so I kept my mouth shut.

  “Be safe. And please let me know when you get home,” Jack said.

  “I’ll text you,” I assured him. Without a word, he leaned forward and kissed me on the forehead, causing me to blush a deep crimson. With a grin, he brushed my hair away with his hand. “Are you sure you don’t want to get out of town?”

  “I’m sure. I want to help put Rocco in prison for good,” I said. The cab honked his horn outside, so I headed out the door.

  “I’ll be in touch soon with a plan,” he called after me.

  I hurried down the stairs and outside, not wanting to keep the driver waiting any longer. He looked annoyed, and I apologized when I sat down. “It was a long goodbye, sorry.”

  He grumbled something and I gave him my address, then we set off. Staring down at my phone, I wasn’t paying much attention to what the driver was doing. He drove along quietly, and I adjusted myself in my seat. There was someone driving behind us and the headlights were glaring. They reflected in the sideview mirror right into my face. For some reason, the hair on the back of my neck stood on end.

  To my relief, we turned a corner. But then, the light was back. I glanced over my shoulder, but in the blinding headlights I couldn’t see the car. An uneasy feeling crept over me, and I tried to ignore it. But when the car turned another corner, then another, staying behind us, I started to worry.

  “Hey, could you pull over for a sec?” I asked.

  “Why?” the driver asked.

  “I think we might be being followed,” I said. If you could stop and let them get in front of us, that would be great. I’ll make it worth your while,” I assured him.

  He was still grumbling but he did as I asked. When the car behind us also pulled over across the street, I knew for sure we were being watched.

  “I think those people are following me,” I said again.

  “Coincidence, I’m sure,” the driver said. “Do you want to call the cops?”

  I shook my head. “Just take me home. I’ll be okay.”

  My heart raced. I wished I could get a view of what car they were driving. If I could, I’d be able to tell whether it was Rocco or someone else. For all I knew, he might have hired someone to follow me around. Did that mean they knew where Jack lived?

  I didn’t want to think about it.

  “Your decision,” the driver pulled back onto the road and continued driving, taking a few extra turns along the way. The car behind us was definitely following, with each new turn making my heart race that much more.

  “Hey, will you do me a favor?” I asked. I pulled out fifty dollars from my purse and set it on the center console.

  He looked down at the money, then he nodded.

  “I want you to go down this alley up here on the left and pause just long enough to let me jump out. Can you do that?” I asked desperately. I had intentionally moved out of the way of the back window so the men couldn’t see me.

  “Look lady, I’m not going to be bait for you. I don’t know who those people are, but I don’t want them tailing me all night.” he said.

  “I don’t need change for that money, and I can assure you, as soon as you get past my place they aren’t going to follow you for long. I’m just afraid they’re going to try to do something when I get out of the car before I can get into my building. Once I’m in there, I’ll be safe,” I told him.

  “Why don’t you just call the cops? If you’re being followed by someone and you’re a
fraid of what they might do to you, it sounds like a much better option than trying to run a few blocks in the dark and hope they don’t see you,” he said.

  “It’s complicated,” I replied. “Please, just do it. Here.”

  I set another fifty-dollar bill on his console, and he shook his head. “Geez lady, you’re either crazy, desperate, or rich.”

  “Maybe a bit of all three,” I said with a nervous laugh. “Will you help me?”

  “Alright, alright. But if you end up dead in the morning, don’t blame me,” he said.

  “No worries,” I replied dryly. He continued to drive up the block, then he made the sudden turn I’d asked him to make. He stopped the car only briefly, just enough time for me to leap out and dive behind one of the garbage cans next to the road. By the time the car that was following us turned the corner, he was already to the other end of the alley.

  The car sped by, clearly trying to catch up, but it gave me enough time to see who was behind the wheel.

  It wasn’t Rocco, but it definitely was one of the men who had been at the club earlier that evening. I needed to move quickly and get home before he figured out I wasn’t in the cab anymore and doubled back to look for me.

  I waited only for a moment, then I dove out from behind the garbage can and back onto the road. I didn’t hesitate, I just started running. I was a few blocks from my place, and that was a bit of a run, but I could do it. I refused to look around as I ran. I didn’t want to slow down for any reason, and I ignored the paranoia that was creeping up in the back of my mind.

  Maybe there was more than one of them? What if someone was waiting for me back at my place? Maybe I should’ve taken Jack up on his offer.

  With each step, I worried it was going to be my last. My purse was flapping behind me, and I hardly dared to breathe. Finally, my complex came into view, and I ran for it with all the energy I had left. The wine that I’d drank with Jack still buzzed in my bran, and I knew it was slowing me down some.