Hugo had delivered my new car the day before, a gorgeous Mercedes Benz C63 AMG two door coupe. I hadn’t heard from him since and wasn’t sure when I would speak to him again. I needed to go black when I finally went undercover. There was only one person left that I needed to speak to before I got started on the most important actions that I would ever take in my life.
“Roberta, how are you?” Jenks said when he answered.
“I’m okay. How about you?”
“I’ve been worried about you,” he said before sighing. “Where are you? Sounds like the beach.”
“I’m on … an extended vacation.”
“But where?” he asked, sounding agitated.
“Out of the country,” I answered, purposefully vague.
“I don’t believe you.”
“Well it’s nice to know the trust between us hasn’t been broken.”
At this we both laughed humorlessly. “You know what I mean, Little Bird. After that last conversation we had, I wasn’t sure what you were planning. I just hope you’ve taken some time to really think about your next move.”
“I have. I am, I mean. I don’t know what my next move is.” It was kind of true.
“I’m so glad to hear that. No need for any rash decisions. You’ve got nothing but time on your side.”
“Yeah, you’re right. Revenge is best served cold.”
“That isn’t what I meant and you know it.”
“Relax, I was just joking.”
“I’m proud of you. It shows maturity … growth. Your dad would be proud, too.”
“Did you … Did you ever pick up his ashes?” I asked. I’d been ignoring that task and was relieved Jenks didn’t know I was around which meant it was no longer my responsibility.
“I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that.”
“Why? What happened?”
“There seems to be some kind of mix up. They can’t find them.”
“What?!” I asked, a little too loudly, prompting the seagulls around me to take flight.
“They, uh … They said they’ll turn up. Probably just misplaced or possibly given to the wrong family.”
“You’ve got to be shitting me, Jenks. How they hell does something like that happen? Promise me you’ll—”
“I’ll handle it, Berty.”
“Thanks. Will you …”
“Yes. I’ll bring him home with me when I get him back. I’ll always take care of—”
“I’ve got to go,” I said and hung up before he could say anything else.
A knot formed in my stomach as his words sank in. Not only had I lied to one of the only people in the world who cared about me, I had gone against the one thing I had promised him. Between the broken promises and my lost father, I no longer felt like lounging around all day as if I had nothing to do. The sooner I set things in motion, the sooner I could stop lying to everyone and maybe find a way to start a new life for myself somewhere far away from all that I’d ever known.
After I packed up all of my beach gear, I went home and took a shower. I decided to start my spying on Eddie tonight. He’d been pictured a lot at the largest casino here in Ft. Lauderdale, so I decided to start there. I picked out an inconspicuous outfit for the evening, saving my more daring purchases on the chance that I might need them later when I actually wanted to impress my target.
Once I was ready, I got into my brand new, shiny black coupe and headed to the casino. I left my new car with the valet and made my way through the crowds and onto the floor, hoping that he wasn’t there already. After a quick stroll around the floor, I hadn’t spotted him so I got a drink from the bar and found a slot machine that faced the main entrance. The cocktail waitress refilled my glass several times before I decided to give up for the night. I had been there for almost four hours with no luck. But of course, that is exactly when Eddie decided to show up … and he wasn’t alone. A girl resembling a Latina Barbie had draped herself over him, daring anyone to try to come between them. Oh boy, I thought. This was going to be a major problem for me. His handlers, Willy and Gus, flanked him on each side, making him truly untouchable. I wasn’t too worried about getting past them. I would flirt my way in if necessary. I had never done much of it myself before, but enough cleavage and a flirtatious laugh wasn’t hard to pull off when necessary. I sat back down and waited for them to find a place to settle.
They chose a table in the corner that allowed a vantage point to all entrances and exits. Smart, I thought, even though this was too public a place for anything big to go down. I waited a few minutes before leaving the slot machine I had been losing at all night and made my way to the bar to refill my empty glass. From my seat, I could see directly across the room to where Eddie and his crew lounged. I studied Eddie’s face as best I could from this distance. The table around him was joking and animated as he sat solemnly. He disengaged from the girl on his arm and got up from the table. Willy and Gus made to go after him, but it looked as if he had ordered them to stay and they were obviously not too happy about it. I got up from my seat and followed him as he made his way into the restrooms. My bladder was fit to burst, so it worked out for me as well.
I rushed through my business and tried to catch him on the way out. Eddie had already finished and was standing at the end of the corridor on his cell. I walked closer to where he stood and started to search my purse for nothing. I wanted to hear what he was saying, or who he was talking to. He listened intently, but only gave one word replies, which gained me no information.
I decided to return to my place at the bar, hoping my seat was still open. Eddie turned to face me as I walked past. I could feel the weight of his stare on me, but I kept my focus forward to avoid eye contact. I didn’t want him to think I’d noticed him. As he began to speak to whoever was on the phone, he turned his back on me and I kept walking forward.
When I reached the bar I ordered another drink and waited for him to return to his seat, following him out of the corner of my eye. I couldn’t take the chance of the group noticing the way I was watching them. Although, I’m sure it happened frequently. Eddie was gorgeous. His tall, athletic build combined with his soft caramel eyes, long lashes and full lips would have anyone staring. He eventually returned to his seat and I continued my watch. The woman draped herself around Eddie again, but he didn’t look interested. She whispered something in his ear and laughed, but he didn’t seem amused by it at all. I wasn’t sure who I felt worse for, the girl who didn’t get that Eddie wasn’t into her or Eddie for having to deal with someone who he obviously didn’t want to be around. But what did I know about relationships? Absolutely nothing.
I ordered one more drink from the bartender. When I turned my gaze back to their table, Eddie was staring at me. Oh fuck. I’d been caught, but I couldn’t turn away, needing to see what he would do. As he’d done once before, Eddie lifted his hand in a small wave. I turned away then, leaving the bartender confused as I got up from my seat and headed for the door.
I berated myself on the ride home from the casino. I’d been stupid, too conspicuous. Now that Eddie had seen me, I’d have to stay away long enough to keep him from becoming suspicious. I didn’t want to, though. I needed to get closer. I was tired of waiting. When I got home, I changed into my pajamas and climbed into bed. Picking my book up from the nightstand, I forced myself to read so I wouldn’t obsess over the night’s events. Eventually I threw my book across the room and groaned in frustration. I wasn’t sure how to turn my actions tonight into something I could use to my advantage. I switched off my light, gave my pillow a few punches and rolled over, wondering to myself if Eddie was still that same sad boy that waved at a strange girl in a tree all those years ago.
The next day was spent at the beach again, to keep up my coloring, and then I went to a salon for a much needed cut and color. If I was going to steal Eddie away from that princesa, I was going to need all the help I could get. During my day of beauty, I debated the pros and cons of the events the night
before. As much as I wanted to wait it out and let things cool off, I’d convinced myself that it was better to strike while the iron was hot. I was going back to the casino sooner than I’d planned. Hell, I was going tonight.
I took a taxi this time, not wanting anyone to notice my car, so it would make me less easy to track. The place was just as crowded and this time I was ready for Eddie and his crew to arrive. He was alone tonight. Well, without a woman on his arm. I wondered where the girl from the night before was this evening. Either way, it was better for me that she was not in attendance. If I was going in, I needed to eliminate the competition and quickly.
I followed him with my eyes as he found his way to the same seat as before. I still was not sure how I was going to get his attention again. I hoped he would recognize me from the night before. I sat there for over an hour and nothing happened, except me drinking a little more than I should have. Eddie, Willy and Gus were deep in discussion, and not paying attention to anything going on around them. Abruptly, Eddie got up and left the table. I was about to follow him when I was approached by a drunken frat boy.
“Hey, beautiful, want to get out of here?” he asked.
I ignored the question and turned my back on the guy. Too bad he wasn’t going to give up that easy. His question distracted me and I lost sight of Eddie. Fuck. This asshole just ruined my entire night.
“Not interested,” I replied as I turned back around to face him.
“Come on, sexy. Let me buy you a drink,” he said as he stepped closer and attempted to put his hands on my hips.
“Back off, asshole.” I wasn’t playing anymore. If his hands came any closer I was going to teach him a lesson that he would never forget. The bastard must have been hard of hearing because he took another step forward with a stupid grin on his face. I took one more step back and hit a wall. I didn’t even turn around to apologize for my rudeness as I continued to lay into the incessant douchebag. “I said back the fuck off.”
“Or what?” he sarcastically replied.
“Hey, baby, is this guy bothering you?” someone asked from behind me. It was the wall of chest I had run into. His arms came over my shoulders and wrapped around my neck in a possessive manner as he leaned down and kissed me on the cheek. I strained to turn my head around to see who my next target of anger/savior was.
It. Was. Eddie.
“Sorry, bro. I didn’t realize she was here with someone,” the asshole in front of me replied. What was up with that? As if me telling him no wasn’t enough.
“Well now you know and I think you owe my lady an apology.”
Wait … whose lady? The night was quickly getting out of hand. My mind raced as I tried to figure out a way to pull myself out of the situation between the two testosterone fueled monkeys I was in the middle of. I realized I was standing there, mouth gaping, as the scene unfurled around me.
“I’m sorry,” the asswipe in front of me said. He didn’t even have the nerve to look me in the eyes as he said it. I had a feeling that Eddie was giving him the stink eye from over my shoulder. He backed away and turned as he made his way towards the exit. Once he was out of my sight, I slowly turned around in Eddie’s arms to get a look at him.
“Um, thanks, I guess. I could have handled that myself,” I said as I stepped back out of his hold. He dropped his arms, but continued to smile down at me.
“No problema, chica.” He took a step closer to make up for the distance I had tried to put between us.
“You can drop the act now. I doubt he will come back.”
If possible, his grin only got bigger. “My name is Eddie,” he said and extended his hand to me as if to shake mine. I didn’t respond to his gesture and he dropped his hand, but continued to smile. “I saw you here last night, but you left before I had a chance to make your acquaintance.”
“Yeah, whatever. Thanks for sharing.” I took another step back, turned on my heel and made my way through the growing crowds towards the exit. Shit! Shit! Shit! This was bad. Really bad. I wasn’t ready to infiltrate yet, I don’t know why I ever thought I was, but it looked like Eddie was more than ready. If I kept walking, I might not ever get a second chance like this. Eddie made the decision for me when he grabbed my arm from behind to stop my hasty retreat.
“Wait,” he said. “I didn’t get your name.”
“Cinderella,” I replied as I turned around to face him. Truth was, I had not thought this through. I hadn’t figured out who I was going to be when I was with Eddie. He caught me totally unprepared and I wasn’t sure what to tell him just yet.
“Well, I guess that makes me Prince Charming then,” Eddie said as he continued to smile as if he found my behavior amusing. I, on the other hand, was not laughing. He dropped his smile and lifted his hand to his heart. “You wound me. Doesn’t my act of chivalry deserve a just reward? I would ask fair lady for a chaste kiss, but I will accept a name.”
He cracked that breathtaking smile again. God he was beautiful to look at. I could see why the ladies were so taken with him. I doubt he heard the word “no” very often, if at all. I needed to use this chance encounter to my advantage. I could not waste an opportunity like this. It might not ever come again and this was just too easy, like shooting fish in a barrel. I turned my face away to hide the smile that was fighting my cheeks, trying to escape onto my lips. He sure was a charmer.
“Come on, chica, I’m not asking you to marry me. At least not yet.”
Seriously? Who says that? I was still fighting back that smile. When it finally registered who was flirting with me, my stomach twisted with disgust and I did not need to fight that smile anymore.
“Just one drink. Consider it a favor,” he said.
“I really shouldn’t,” I replied. This was a bad idea. I still had nothing planned.
“And why is that? I didn’t see you here with anyone else. Do you have a boyfriend?”
“No, it’s just—” I didn’t have the chance to finish my sentence. Eddie’s smile returned as he pulled me back towards the bar.
“Fine, then it’s settled,” he said as he dragged me along behind him.
My mind was working overtime. Even though I was far from prepared, I knew a golden opportunity when I saw one. If anything, Eddie’s sudden approach would work in my favor. By asserting himself into my life, there would be no need for suspicion later on. As we approached the bar, Eddie asked me what I would like to drink. I really wanted whiskey straight up, but with my target literally within reach, I needed to keep my wits about me. That smile of his was very distracting and he knew it, too.
“Vodka, soda, lime, please.”
He nodded his head in acknowledgement and turned to the bartender to place our order, never letting go of my hand. I turned away from the bar and began to scan the crowd out of habit. I soon regretted doing that.
Jenks was standing near the exit with a scowl on his face. If looks could kill, I would have died where I stood. No doubt, he was pissed. I just wasn’t sure why. Maybe it was because I was here and he believed me to be traveling the world looking for “myself.” That was a lame excuse and I didn’t believe for a minute that he fell for it. Maybe it was because I was standing hand in hand with Eddie. More than likely, it was a combination of the two. None of my plans were playing out how I imagined them. The night couldn’t have turned out anymore backwards.
Eddie squeezed my hand, letting me know my drink was ready. “Here you go, bonita. You okay? You see someone you know?”
“I’m fine. I’m just a little tired. Thank you for the drink,” I answered, ignoring his second question.
“De nada.”
I gave him a weak smile and turned back to the crowd, but Jenks was nowhere to be found.
“You sure you’re alright?” Eddie asked. “You don’t look so good.”
That got my attention. I turned back around so I could look right at him as I gave him my reply. “Thanks for the compliment, asshole.”
Eddie threw his head back and laughed,
which only pissed me off even more. How rude!
“I wasn’t trying to be funny,” I said dryly.
“I know,” he managed to say in between fits of laughter. “That’s what makes it even better. No one ever talks to me like that.”
“You don’t know me,” I told him, stating the obvious.
“I’d like to change that,” he replied, suddenly serious again. His eyes took on a predatory stare, as if he wanted to eat me alive. “Go out with me.”
I swallowed hard. “You’re crazy.”
“True, but that doesn’t change anything. Go out with me.”
“Uh …” I stalled, not knowing what to say. “Let me … think about it.”
“Here,” he said as he dug through his pockets before handing me a card that undoubtedly listed his contact information. I stuffed it into my clutch without looking at it.
“I really should be going,” I said, remembering all of a sudden that I was not prepared for what I’d come to do. What had I been thinking? I hadn’t been. Stupid, Berty. Stupid, stupid—
“Can I walk you out?” Eddie asked, interrupting my mental tirade.
“No. I’ll be fine. Have a good night,” I said as I set my empty highball on the bar and walked away.
“I hope you call. I’ll be waiting,” Eddie said from behind me.
I continued towards the exit, but lifted my hand and waved over my shoulder so he would know that I heard him. I was intentionally walking a fine line between playing hard to get and genuine interest and he knew it. Damn him.
As I made my way towards the exit, my eyes darted around the casino looking for Jenks. I knew the ambush was coming. I only hoped that he had calmed down enough to realize that this was not the time or place. Jenks was usually level headed, but the look in his eyes gave away his frustration with me and the situation. I promised him I would leave the Valdez family and my agenda behind me, at least for a little while, and I had obviously gone back on my word. For someone who claimed to know me better than anyone else, he sure did overlook my lie easily. Maybe it was wishful thinking on his part.
The Mermaid & The Crocodile (The Kill List Series Book One) Page 7