Rough Diamond (A Mafia Romance)

by Knight, Leslie

  He’d meet Dimitri and hear him out, he owed him that at least for old time’s sake. If the Bratva were going to be operating in the area then maybe it was time to move on. He’d been burned once and he wasn’t going to get involved in any of that shit again. He’d listen to what he had to say and then politely tell him to fuck off. There was no way he was getting dragged back into that mess.

  - 3 -

  Chloe

  Chloe liked McBride’s as much as she liked going anywhere in Ithaca. It had that relaxed welcoming vibe of all the best Irish bars. There was a big beer garden with a stage where they always had live music playing at the weekends and the place had a nice rustic feel. The outside space was all rough-hewn wooden seats and tables and they had loads of candles rather than electric lights.

  It attracted some of the college crowd but it was more popular with the locals and had a more laid back atmosphere to some of the posher, more preppy places. It suited Chloe just fine.

  They’d had a couple of vodkas back at her apartment in Norwood before Abbie drove them into town. Chloe didn’t like it when Abbie drank before getting behind the wheel but was willing to let her get away with two drinks. Any more than that and she would have insisted on them sharing a cab.

  She hated to think they might be breaking the law or doing something dangerous. They’d get a cab at the end of the night to take them home and Abbie would come back the next day to pick up the car.

  The place was already quite full when they got there and the band was well into their set. A proper old-school band she’d seen before who covered everything from Springsteen to The White Stripes. The place was rocking and it was a little overwhelming at first despite the glow she felt from the vodka.

  Abbie didn’t allow her time to think though and quickly pulled her over to the corner of the bar and ordered them drinks. Afterwards they found a good spot where they could see the stage and observe the crowd as well.

  She spotted them soon afterwards. Maybe it was the fact that they were such an odd little grouping, two guys in shiny, expensive looking suits and the third in a scruffy pair of jeans and a tight white T-shirt. They were talking so intensely and totally at odds with the relaxed mood of the place. They also seemed to be switching between English and some other guttural, highly expressive language. It sounded eastern European.

  Despite how they were dressed the two suits were deferring to Hot T-shirt Guy. They wanted something from him. He was tall and lean with the dark tanned skin of someone who spent all his time working outdoors. His broad shoulders rolled and rippled under his shirt and he looked to be made more from tanned hardwood than mere skin and bone. He was probably the healthiest looking guy Chloe had ever seen.

  Abbie had followed Chloe’s gaze and then murmured in her ear. “A fine specimen of the manly species there Chloe-bee.”

  “Yeah, but look at them, don’t they look weird together? I wonder what’s going on. Looks like some negotiation or something, like no fun at all.”

  It seemed to be building to the point of full blown argument but Chloe didn’t get to see what happened next. Abbie was tugging at her sleeve and introducing her to somebody. She was eager to keep observing Hottie Hardwood but was being introduced to Harold and Wayne instead. She didn’t quite catch it but Abbie seemed to know them from one of her film projects.

  She was so bad at small talk she never knew what to say and she found herself resorting to monosyllable responses while desperately wracking her brains for an intelligent question to ask or something funny to say.

  Luckily, Abbie had launched into one of her stories and saved her from feeling awkward. She didn’t know how Abbie did it, she could tell a story about going to Walmart to buy potato chips and still somehow make it funny and dramatic.

  She was telling some anecdote about someone the two guys knew, something about the editing on a short film, but Chloe was finding it hard to follow. The music was so loud and she was distracted by Hottie Hardwood standing a few short feet away. He seemed to be totally zoned out with a little knotted frown creased between his dark sexy eyebrows.

  His two friends were talking with each other a couple of feet away and whatever tension had been there seemed resolved, apart from that little frown. She couldn’t help but stare, she often zoned out herself and she was curious to see how long he’d stay departed from the world. She held her breath.

  She had somehow tuned out Abbie’s story and found herself taking an involuntary step away from them. She was a bit apart from them now, just like Hottie Hardwood was from his little group.

  “Like satellites in orbit, just barely clinging on,” she murmured silently to herself as she waited for him to return to earth. Then he was back, his head came up and he was present in the beer garden again, his deep brown gaze blew over her and a small smile twitched the corner of his mouth.

  Somehow Chloe had twisted her foot inwards, something she sometimes did unconsciously and was totally off balance as she tried to shift her weight. It caused her to stumble a little and she felt the heat rise to her cheeks. God, she was such a klutz!

  But he’d already turned back to his two suited friends and re-engaged in conversation. Whatever the problem had been earlier it seemed to have been worked out. The two suits were all smiles and were clapping him on the back.

  She moved back to Abbie and the two guys and tried to tune back in to the conversation but they’d gotten all technical and were talking camera shots and lighting. She kept one ear to the conversation and turned to check out the band.

  She always admired guys like that, weekend heroes still living the dream. The lead singer was probably a postman and the drummer an accountant or something but at the weekend they got to strut their stuff like demigods, even if it was on a rickety old stage in the beer garden at McBride’s.

  Her eyes flicked back to Hottie Hardwood and he was watching the band as well. He’d moved away from the suits again and was knocking back a beer, his broad shoulders swaying to the music. He was closer than before and she realized she’d taken another step away from Abbie.

  It was a weird feeling and she wanted to get closer, even if they never spoke. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, invisible strands seemed to draw them nearer to one another and she felt her heart rate increase.

  “You like the music?” He asked the question simply and it was easy to reply.

  “I do, and I like that they enjoy it so much as well. You can tell, don’t you think?”

  “Yeah, you’re right, it makes a difference too. It must be a great feeling to be able to entertain people like that.”

  “What do you do?” Chloe asked, and couldn’t believe she’d been able to do it so naturally and not feel flustered or awkward.

  He looked at her with a little bit of surprise but his face was relaxed and open. “I work with my hands, you know, putting things together mostly. I do some building work, renovations, mess about with my car. I’m Vladek by the way.”

  He held out his hand and gave hers a short, tight squeeze. It was oddly formal in a way which he seemed to realize and when he laughed Chloe did as well. “I’m Chloe, and now we’re introduced I guess.”

  “Yeah, I guess we are, that was different anyway. Is that your friend there, are you with those two guys?” Again, he’d asked it plainly and in total confidence as if he was just naturally curious. It was so refreshing, like there was no agenda or anything else going on and it made Chloe feel totally at ease and able to say anything she wanted.

  “Do you always ask questions like that? She’s my friend, yeah but I don’t know the guys really, just met them. What about your two, are they your management team or something? Or is it just laundry day?”

  He grinned at her and displayed a perfect set of brilliant white teeth. “Ah shit, sorry I didn’t meant it to come out like that. Sometimes I got no filter between my brain and mouth. Those two are old friends, acquaintances really, they’re passing through on business and now they’re tapping me up for a favor.”
>
  He’d grimaced slightly at the word favor and Chloe decided it was time to do a bit of plain speaking of her own. She was suddenly very curious and couldn’t help but ask.

  “Not the kind of favor you wanna do then?” She watched his reaction intently and was surprised at his sudden discomfort. He’d been so open and confident and hadn’t seemed the type to be bothered by any question. Now it was different.

  “You’re perceptive Chloe, I like that. Yeah, not the kind of favor I wanna be doing but it looks like I will anyway. Let’s hope I don’t regret it.”

  “Let’s hope you won’t, when do you think you’ll know the answer to that? I’d be curious to know how it works out for you.” Chloe couldn’t really believe how she was speaking, how confident she was. Was it because of the way he’d started the conversation or was it the alcohol, or was it just because of him and how he made her feel. It was exhilarating, like she imagined how surfing a wave must feel like and she was desperate to maintain her balance and composure.

  “And do you always ask questions like that Chloe?” He was suddenly paying much closer attention to her and she could feel all her usual awkwardness rapidly returning.

  “Honestly, no I don’t, I’m surprising myself here actually. Maybe it’s because you started it, I don’t know.” She was actually starting to feel herself panic and it was awful but Vladek just continued to watch her warmly and that helped her keep a grip.

  Just at that moment some drunk went bulling past. She must have been doing that thing with her foot again because as he barged past her shoulder she lost her balance way too easily and stumbled forwards. Vlad caught her shoulders in his large warm hands and she saw a fierce look descend on his face as he turned to call out the drunk.

  “Hey dick-breath, watch where the fuck you’re goin!”

  The drunk guy turned and it looked like he was about to start something but once he got a good look at Vlad’s imposing frame and caught the look in his eye he thought better of it.

  “Shit, sorry ‘bout that, no harm meant” he slurred out before stumbling away.

  Vladek set Chloe right on her feet again. “People are such assholes, you ok?”

  “Yeah I’m fine, really, it’s nothing, I’m always losing my balance like that.” Her heart rate was flying again after what just happened and when she tried to meet his eyes she couldn’t stop herself blushing and dropping her gaze.

  It was just around then that one of the suits called over to Vladek and suddenly the tension was back in his face. “Hey Vlad, come on, we better get going if we’re gonna get all that stuff organized for tomorrow, yeah?”

  “Listen Chloe, I gotta go, but it was nice with you, talking to you. Maybe we’ll see each other around sometime?”

  “I do a few hours at Bunk’s if you’re ever there.”

  “Yeah I know it. Well, I gotta be going.”

  “You gotta tell me how it all goes remember, whether you regret it, whatever it is.”

  He stopped and smiled and gave her one more moment. The weird confidence she’d had with him earlier was back again and her best natural smile bloomed in response to his.

  “I will Chloe,” he said. “I’ll definitely drop by and let you know, you can count on it.”

  They touched hands briefly and then he was striding away. One of the suits threw a quizzical look in her direction as they walked off. She exhaled a big breath and then turned to look at Abbie who gave her a hopeful questioning look.

  She didn’t know how long she’d talked to him. It seemed like ages but was probably only minutes. As she sidled back over to Abbie she had a beautiful feeling of triumph. That was just how it was supposed to go with someone you liked, apart from a little excitement she’d been able to just act naturally. She made a mental note to ask for more hours at the diner the next day, she didn’t want to risk him coming by and not being there.

  Abbie’s two friends seemed to realize they’d suddenly been relegated on the list of importance as Abbie wanted to hear all about it from Chloe. They shuffled their feet and started talking about football while Abbie drew Chloe to the side.

  “Well, are you gonna tell me what that was all about or are you just gonna stand there with a stupid smile on your face?”

  Chloe looked at her dear friend, her frizzy red hair and wide green eyes, eager to hear all about her encounter. She saw how curious she was to know and how much she wanted the best for her and she couldn’t help but laugh.

  “Oh Abbie, you’re such a good friend. What can I tell you, ok, so his name is Vladek apparently and he likes to work with his hands.”

  “I bet he does, and did he ask for your number?”

  “No, but he did ask where he’d see me, like, where he could find me. I liked that, it’s kinda sexy, isn’t it, that he’ll come looking for me.”

  Abbie was looking a little doubtful at this but didn’t want to ruin her friend’s mood. She didn’t say anything but Chloe could read her face like a book.

  “Look, I know what you’re thinking, but it was good, I dunno, just natural like. And that’s so unusual, for me anyway. So even if nothing happens, it’s kinda like a victory. I was relaxed, you know, like actually speaking and flirting like a normal person. I think we had something.”

  “Well then that’s awesome Chloe and I’m sure he’ll drop by looking for you. I think that calls for another drink. Honestly though, I really don’t know what we’re gonna do with Harold and Wayne here. Why don’t we just bury our heads together for a while and they might get the message. So, come on, tell me some more about that fine specimen you were talking with.”

  - 4 -

  Vladek & Chloe

  They’d been up late working through the details. Vladek didn’t want to be involved, not at all, but Dimitri had always been persuasive and the chance to earn ten thousand dollars for twenty minutes work made him willing to listen.

  Their driver, Blaze, had been picked up in Pulaski on possession but they had strict orders to go ahead with the heist. Their boss, Alexei the psychopathic albino, was insistent, and God help them if they didn’t carry out his orders.

  Vladek knew of Alexei by reputation and it made him sympathetic to Dimitri’s plea for help. Alexei’s capacity for petulant cruelty was well known and not following orders was likely to result in extreme violence. That was why his old friend from St. John’s was so desperate for him to get involved. They couldn’t do the job with two men, they needed a driver.

  He was still reluctant but had to admit they had a good plan, they seemed to have thought of everything; a twenty minute drive north once the job was done before transferring to a boat and crossing to the other side of lake Cayuga where another clean getaway car was waiting. They could drop Vlad to his own boat he kept moored on that side of the lake or even drop him off back in town. By that stage the cops would be looking in a completely different direction.

  The reconnaissance they’d carried out on the Jewelers was thorough and convincing and Vladek was impressed by their preparations. The plan was about as fool-proof and organized as possible. They’d even fitted a compartment with caltrops to the back of the getaway car that could be opened by a switch up front to release dozens of metal spikes to disable the tires of any pursuing cops.

  After they’d laid it all out to him they’d gone to McBride’s. Dimitri wouldn’t let it lie and kept at him until he relented. He knew Dimitri would face dire consequences if he couldn’t complete the job and the ties of the past were still strong. In the end he agreed to get involved, twenty minutes work, what could go wrong?

  The cash would be useful as well. He wanted to open his own garage and maybe buy some land. He had big dreams and ten thousand would go a long way to help him kick start his plans.

  They picked him up early on Saturday morning and he thoroughly inspected the car. They’d chosen well and he couldn’t help but be impressed with the anti-pursuit caltrops they’d engineered at the back.

  “Whose idea was this? It’s like so
mething you see in the movies or something.”

  “That’s Alexei,” replied Dimitri. “That white haired freak scares the shit out of me but I gotta admit he’s smart. Fyodor lets him plan more and more operations and puts up with his excesses because he gets results.”

  “Why the heist though, it doesn’t seem in Alexei’s league, why’s he getting involved?” There was something sketchy about the whole plan to Vladek, usually the bosses weren’t involved in any local jobs like a jewelry store heist. They saw it more as a training exercise for junior members and let them sort out the details themselves. He suspected there was something bigger at play and that made him nervous despite the planning that had gone into the raid.

  Once he was happy with the car they drove to the first staging post. The store opened at ten on a Saturday and they’d hit it just a few moments later. They had ten minutes before it was time to act.

  Dimitri sat up front and Nick in the back, they wore identical black clothes and had their gear between their feet. The atmosphere was tense and Vladek pulled down his soft black baseball cap low over his face and put on his shades. He couldn’t drive with a ski-mask but was still almost completely disguised.

  “Ok,” said Dimitri. “It’s ten now, let’s go. Once you’ve dropped us go once around the block, just like we discussed. Just once around the block, that’s all the time we need.”

  “Yeah, I got it. Let’s do this.”

  *****

  Chloe was glad she’d brought her sunglasses. It was a crisp and clear April morning and the low glaring sun seemed to cut into her foggy brain like a surgeon’s knife. She had to be up early to do promotion work in town and was still feeling the effects of the night before. Her eyes felt scratchy and her bones ached.

  Sharing those few moments with Vladek was about the most exciting thing that had happened and after he’d left she’d spent the rest of the night just talking with Abbie. They’d had a few more drinks and danced a bit but hadn’t talked to any more guys.