by Lori King
Crap. Her head hurt.
Either way, her sister was at risk. Hell, Night and Day was at risk.
When she zoned back in, the conversation had moved on to the training that Rhonda and Nicole were doing at Club Hades. They’d had their first two training sessions and were swooning over their training Doms, brothers who both shared a love of kink.
“They are both tall, dark, and handsome, and they are firefighters. That’s why they weren’t at the restaurant yesterday. They were both on shift.”
“Seriously, Rhonda, firefighters? Do they have a calendar?” she teased.
“Steve is Mr. January and Eric is Mr. March in the upcoming calendar. I’ll send you a copy for Christmas!”
“I can’t wait. And I’m so happy for your guys. But tell me this… they work together, train submissives together… do they do anything else together? Hmm?”
Everyone laughed.
“Not everything. No ménage. They’ve made it clear they aren’t into that, thank goodness. I love you like a sister, Rhonda, but I have no desire for me and Steve to join you and Ron in group sex.”
“Right back at you, Nicole!”
Cat shook her head and laughed. “If it makes you happy, but no one’s ever beating my ass!”
“Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it, Cat. Even if you aren’t into serious kink like we are, a good spanking can be quite the turn-on.”
“I’ll take your word for it, Lexi. Now, who’s having dessert?”
* * *
Forty-five minutes later, and with a super-sized giant sundae with hot fudge, caramel, and bits of brownie split among the four of them, they were sitting back in their seats, groaning.
“I can’t believe we finished all of that!” Cat declared. “I’m going to have to walk home to start working it off.”
The others looked at their watches and hurried off to their own appointments. Cat started toward her condo, then impulsively changed directions. She wanted to swing by Night and Day and take a look at the books, and maybe just look around the office in general. The place was open for breakfast and lunch on Mondays, but closed at two since there was no dinner service. She’d have it all to herself.
Like she had on Friday, and at almost the same time, Cat approached from the alley. The restaurant was closed and she didn’t want to go in through the front, in case people assumed that she was opening up. She nodded to a few people, but moved quickly so no one could stop her to chat.
She saw Mr. Augustino behind his shop having his usual afternoon smoke right on schedule. She waved but kept walking, pretending not to notice as he gestured at her.
Augustino? She hoped that he wasn’t connected to the mobster that Lexi had talked about. He did have a huge extended family. If it was a relative, she hoped it was a distant one. He was a nice man, and she’d hate to see him hurt.
* * *
Half an hour later, she was in the restaurant office, computer on and files open in front of her. She had no idea what she was hoping to find. She flipped through the last few months’ financials, but everything looked normal. No large unexplained payments. Monthly income steady. Expenses steady. Hell, would she even know what to look for?
She looked around the office and noticed the file cabinet with the personnel files. She pulled out their last few hires. From what Lexi had said, sometimes the mobsters got jobs in legitimate companies to get their feet in the door, and then took over.
They didn’t have a lot of turnover. In the last six months, there had only been five hires, and four were university students who waited tables. The fifth was Tomas Onyschuk. She opened his file. He had worked as a chef for six different establishments in the last three years. Why on earth had Rick hired him? Had it been a pity hire? He’d joined just before they lost their head chef. He’d hired on as sous chef, a step down from what he had been doing before.
She read his file again. Something about it just didn’t seem right. She opened the top drawer of the desk and pulled out a thick folder. Then she walked into the back room where the staff had their lockers. She consulted the folder. Tomas had been assigned, number six. She checked the number of the combination lock and moments later, had the lock off and the door open. She could only stare at the pile of money sitting on the bottom shelf.
“I wish you hadn’t done that.”
“Tomas. What are you doing here?” She tried to sound calm, but her heart was trying to beat out of her chest. He had a gun. A gun! And it was pointed right at her.
“I could ask you the same thing.”
“I own this restaurant, and you are fired.”
He laughed. “You’ve got balls, I’ll give you that. You know, you should have let Uncle Frank set us up.”
Cat tried not to gag at the thought.
“Never going to happen. You’re not my type.”
“And Rick’s new buddy is? He’s dirty up to his eyeballs. Who do you think has been helping me set up my network?”
“Rick isn’t involved?”
“Rick’s a dupe. He’s a sucker. He took pity on my hard luck story combined with his fondness for my uncle. And now he’s brought Rick into his accounting firm. It’s all coming together. Even my uncle will have to admit that I know what I am doing.”
“You’re an idiot, Tomas. What have you done? Nothing. You can’t even manage a decent risotto. If we hadn’t lost two chefs so close together, you’d still be chopping veggies while the real chefs did their things.”
Tomas raised his arm to strike her. Cat moved backward but the desk blocked her way. She closed her eyes and braced for impact but it didn’t come. Instead, she heard a strangled gasp from Tomas as Rick had him in a choke hold.
“Call 911, Cat. Tell them it’s about Operation Risotto.”
“Risotto?” She chuckled. “Like the rice dish?” She reached for the phone.
“Put the phone down, Cat, or I’ll have to hurt your brother-in-law.”
She looked up to see Tomas holding the gun to Rick’s head.
“Don’t hurt him!”
“Or what?”
“Or you’ll never get out of here. Look, Tomas, just go. Take off. We’ll give you a head start. You’ll be gone before the cops arrive.”
“I’m not going anywhere. You, Cat. Pick up the phone again and call my Uncle Frank.”
“Uncle Frank?”
“You know, the tailor. Always trying to fix you up with his nephew?”
“Mr. Augustino is your uncle?”
“Don’t sound so disbelieving. I’m his sister’s son. In his day, he was the Don of Chicago, but he went straight and I’ve had to work my ass off in menial jobs all my life. But I’m going to show him, show them all, that I’m just as smart as he and my cousins are. Call him! Call my uncle now.”
* * *
Cat looked at Rick. Tomas had used his belt to restrain him in the chair, and had Cat sit on his lap as they waited for Mr. Augustino to arrive. But Tomas was taking no chances, and had a gun on them.
It wasn’t long before she heard the back door open, followed by a knock on the office door.
“Hey, Tomas, what’s up?”
“Weston, what are you doing here?”
Scott looked confused. “You told me to come at three. It’s three. I thought we were going to work on the books.”
“Not three, four, you idiot. But it is just as well you are here. Plans have changed. I’m going to shoot them both and then burn the place down. We’ll find another restaurant to use.”
“Don’t shoot them. Forensics.”
“What do you suggest?”
“Well…” Things moved fast as Scott pulled some kind of crazy martial arts move and before she could figure out what he did, he had Tomas on the ground and in handcuffs. Then the room was filled with cops who led Tomas away, screaming for his uncle and his lawyer. When they walked out of the office to take a seat at the bar, she saw Mr. Augustino hovering worriedly in the background. He nervously approached.
“Are you okay, Miss Catherine?”
“I’m fine, Mr. Augustino. I’m sorry about your nephew.”
“That boy was never right. I got your call; I knew something was wrong and called Scott.” He shook his head. “I had hoped that the boy was settling down, but he always wanted the quick buck. And he wanted the respect he thought being a mob boss would give him. I tried to tell him that is wasn’t what it was cracked up to be. I did my time and started over at fifty years old. Best thing I ever did. I love my new life, and I never had to worry that another tailor will try to have me whacked. Although, I am sometimes tempted to take out the occasional unruly customer.”
“Like Mr. Carlucci?”
They both chuckled, and the old man hugged her.
“Wait, why did you call Scott and not the cops, if you thought there was something wrong?”
Mr. Augustino blushed. “You’re the one who called in the feds?”
“I couldn’t let him do what he was planning, especially not to a friend of mine. When I found out he was targeting Night and Day, and even had designs on Rick’s CPA practice, I couldn’t keep quiet, even if he was my sister’s boy.”
“You saved us both, Mr. Augustino. I will never forget that.”
9
Scott watched as she hugged the old man before the feds took him aside for questioning. It was hours before they were able to leave. He escorted her over to the office and convinced the crime scene unit to hand over her purse after a quick inspection.
“Rick, there’s something I need back, that is, if you and Maggie are done with them.”
The other man blushed and shot a look over at Cat before pulling the small metal object from his pants pocket. Scott took it and shoved it in his own pocket while Cat looked on with interest.
“Thanks, Scott. We both owe you.”
“Any time.”
Then he led Cat to the street where there caught a cab back to her condo. He was sweet and kind and ran a bath for her. While she was soaking, she could hear the sound of pots and pans clanking in the kitchen, followed by the most delicious smell.
When Cat finished her bath, bundled in a fluffy robe, her hair wrapped in a towel, her stomach was rumbling. She’d had an enormous lunch, but there was something about having your life threatened that made a woman hungry.
Scott smiled at the sight of her and gave her a big hug before leading her over to the kitchen table, where he’d set two place settings. She sipped the red wine he poured as he served her a big helping of risotto.
It was good, damned good. She frowned.
“This is Maggie’s recipe.”
“Yup.”
“How did you get it? She won’t even give me the recipe.”
“Blackmail.”
“Excuse me?”
Scott smiled and she felt like there were butterflies fluttering in her stomach. He reached into his jeans pocket and pulled out a small metal object, which he placed on the table. It was a key. A key? Her eyes widened.
“Handcuff keys?”
“Yup, Rick and Maggie were messing around with real handcuffs and lost the key. I lent them mine in exchange for the recipe. Luckily, all handcuff keys are interchangeable.”
“Lucky, that.”
They ate in silence for a few minutes.
“When the cops came rushing in, you didn’t seem surprised that I wasn’t arrested as being part of the plot, which, I’m also wondering how you knew about.”
“I knew you were a fed. And I figured out Tomas was one of the bad guys when he pulled out that gun.”
“Yes, that was certainly a strong clue. But last night you were still convinced I was a criminal. How did you…?”
“I had lunch with my friend Lexi, the undercover reporter. She mentioned a gang operation the FBI was running and how she was hoping for an interview with the undercover agent when the case was over in a week to ten days. As soon as I heard that, I put two plus two together.”
“Are you mad I wouldn’t tell you the truth?”
“Yes.”
She watched his face fall.
“But I understand. You were undercover. I was someone you were using to get close to the bad guys. You couldn’t tell me the truth.”
“I was only using you at the beginning. I fell in love with you almost from the start, and my boss considered pulling me off the case. I didn’t know what to do, but when we got evidence that they had moved up to trafficking in minors for the sex trade, well, I couldn’t stop. I was the only man who’d been able to get inside. I had to see things through. I did go back to Seattle after it was over, but you’d already moved.”
“You could have found me. I know you have the connections.”
“I thought about it. I figured that after two years, you would have moved on. I didn’t want to cause turmoil for you, but I couldn’t stop thinking about you. When I heard that Maggie and Cat Conroy’s restaurant was being targeted by the mob, I couldn’t stay away. I knew that it would be risky when you saw me, but when I was offered the chance to get involved, I took it as a sign that we were meant to get back together.”
“Scott,”
“Yes, Cat.”
“Make love to me again.”
“I promise. And I promise never to leave you again. I’ve already handed in my resignation to the FBI. I’m afraid that you’re going to be having an unemployed CPA crashing at your place for a while.”
“As long as you promise to make me risotto once a week, I think we can work something out.”
Scott grinned. And then he jumped up and rushed to her side, dropping to his knees. “You’re too good for me, but I promise to try to show you every day just how much I love you. And I’ll make these four years up to you.”
“Not necessary. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have moved here, and my sister and I wouldn’t have our restaurant. Somethings things work out on their own timeline. We’re back together and I’m happy. Now hurry up and make love to me again.”
10
One week later at Club Hades
With trepidation, Cat hesitated in the doorway of Club Hades. It was only Scott’s hand on her lower back that kept her from turning tail and running.
“You can do this, Cat. Remember, you are doing it for your sister.”
“Yes, I know, but, oh, let’s just do this.”
Taking a deep breath, Cat stepped into the reception area. It was decorated with rich dark wood, but was not ostentatious. In the corner, a desk made of the same dark wood was staffed by a perky young woman wearing a corset that put her abundant breasts on display.
“Can I help you?”
Cat froze and was relieved when Scott answered the query.
“We’re here for the Curtis and Conroy collaring ceremony.”
“If you’ll sign in, I’ll have someone come and get you and show you the way. Normally you’d be expected to change, but I have notes here that say you aren’t in the lifestyle, so what you are wearing will be fine.”
* * *
Scott had to restrain a chuckle as he helped Cat move over to the seating area while they waited for their escort. They didn’t have long to wait until two familiar faces came through the door. Nicole and Rhonda. He felt Cat sag with relief and then stiffen again when she realized that they were wearing corsets and thongs and nothing else.
“Um, hi?”
“Hey, Cat. Don’t worry; the club’s normally closed on Mondays. There will be no scenes going on except the collaring, so you don’t need to worry about running into random couples having sex or running around the club naked.”
“Good, that’s good, Rhonda.”
“Lead the way, ladies, and quickly, before Cat hyperventilates.”
“Don’t worry. If she does, you can take her to the medical room. We’ve got lots of neat equipment.”
“You have a medical room? Do a lot of members get injured?”
Nicole giggled. “It’s not that kind of a medical room. It’s a private room for people who lik
e to play doctor.” Nicole turned to Scott. “That room you’ve reserved, Mr. Weston, is ready and waiting whenever you need it.”
Scott watched with amusement as Cat turned toward him, her expression outraged.
“I thought you weren’t a Dom?”
“I’m not. And before you ask, I’m not a sub or a switch either.”
“Then why did you book a room?”
“After so many years undercover, I am a fan of role play, and I have a feeling that I may have to lock up a desperado before the night is over. Maybe a little interrogation? I hear the jail room is very well stocked for dealing with the criminal element. And it also has a nice big bed.”
* * *
Cat’s cheeks turned red, and those damned butterflies that always seemed to show up when she was with Scott were back. Lock up? Interrogation? Bed?
“You know, that sounds like it might be fun. And since you seem to be so good at pretending to be one of the bad guys, I guess that means I get to be the cop.”
“We’ll see about that. But first, we have to be there for Maggie and Rick. Let’s get our seats. It looks like it might be starting soon.”
Cat looked around. He’d distracted her with talk of the jail room and used his advantage to maneuver her where he wanted her. Thank goodness, he had chosen chairs at the end of one side. If she couldn’t watch something, she could hide her eyes behind him but still be there for her sister.
She looked over at the stage and then back at Scott. He took her hand and raised it to his lips. “Don’t worry, it will be fine. We don’t have to stay for the whole thing. Once he’s offered her his collar and she accepts, they’ll be doing a scene involving a spanking bench, floggers, and sex. I spoke to Rick, and he said we could slip away right after he buckles the collar on her neck and she says the words that she accepts him as her Master.”