Episode 1: Dirty Money Dirty Deeds, #1

by Nico Jackson

  She started the car and went to the valet station. She got her ticket and went inside.

  The smell hit Kendra as soon as she opened the door. She had only been to a strip club once in her life. It smelled the same. Cheap beer and cigar smoke.

  A man staggered over to her. His green outfit was at least ten years out of fashion. He reeked of cheap cologne and cognac.

  “Hey, pretty lady.”

  “Hi.”

  “Come sit with me. I can buy you a drink.” He stuck his chest out. “A lady like you, I’ll buy whatever you want. Cognac? Champagne? Name it, I’ll make sure you get it.”

  “I can buy my own drinks, thanks.”

  “You

  “I’m meeting my man here.”

  He grinned. “I can wait with you.”

  She moved closer to the door so she could catch fresh air when it opened. “You should go. He’s jealous.”

  “I’m not scared.”

  Jay came through the door.

  Kendra kissed him, then whispered in his ear. “Play along.”

  "Have you been waiting long, baby?"

  "No," she said. "I got here a few minutes ago."

  Jay looked the man up and down. “Can I help you?”

  “No,” the man said as he stumbled away.

  Jay smiled. “New boyfriend?”

  “He’s not my type.”

  He put his hand on her shoulder. “What’s your type?”

  “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

  “I would, seeing as how I’m suddenly your man.”

  “I needed him to go away.”

  “You’re not the kind of woman who needs rescuing.”

  “I learned a long time ago the only sure way to get rid of unwanted attention is to get another man involved. It was just easier.”

  “I’m happy to help. Why are we here? You got some kind of freak thing I don't know about?”

  "We're here to buy the place."

  He raised an eyebrow. "I’ve made offers. Good offers. Ralph says he doesn't want to sell."

  "I can change his mind.”

  Jay put his hand on her shoulder. "You sound awful sure of yourself."

  "It's not cocky if you can do it."

  “I trust you, but this guy’s a hardass.”

  “Everyone has a price, and everyone has a weakness,” she said. “I’ve done my homework. I need you to trust me. Follow my lead, okay?”

  "Whatever you say."

  The bouncer approached them. "Ralph can see you now. Please follow me."

  They followed him to the back of the club. Kendra tried to ignore the women dancing on stage, but couldn't tear her eyes away.

  Jay leaned over and whispered in her ear. "See something you like?"

  She swatted his shoulder. "I got questions. We can talk later."

  The bouncer rapped on the door three times. Then he opened it and motioned for them to go inside.

  Ralph was sitting behind the desk. He stood when they came in. He was short and skinny. His blond hair was slicked back "So you're the lady that had to see me. Jay, I didn't know she was with you."

  She held out her hand. "I'm Kendra Mason. I'm Jay's attorney." He held her hand a little too long.

  Jay looked at their hands, then at Ralph. Ralph looked at Jay and dropped Kendra's hand.

  Kendra wiped her hand on her skirt. "We're here to make you an offer for the club."

  Ralph threw his head back and laughed. Then he fell into his chair and laughed some more. "That's a good one. How many times do I have to tell you, Jay, that I'm not interested in selling? I don't care who you bring with you. I don't care who your lawyer is. The club's not for sale."

  Kendra pulled out a folder and slid it across the desk. She opened it and pointed at a number. "This is what we're willing to give you." Ralph looked at the number and shook his head. He started to laugh again. "Now I know you're crazy.” He looked around the room. “Where's the camera? Are we on tv?"

  Kendra leaned over and put her hands on the desk. "This isn't a joke," she said quietly. "You'll take this offer because you don't have any other choice."

  Ralph laughed again. "You must be crazy. You're a looker, though. You'd probably clear a grand a night on the pole." He leaned back so far that she thought his chair might tilt over. He smirked. "This is the lowest number you've ever offered. If I didn't take the others, what makes you think I'll take it this time? And who do you think you're threatening?"

  "It isn't a threat," she said. "It's simple math." She held up a finger. "You're a gambler. Not a good one. You owe a lot of money. Six figures, in fact." She held up another finger. "You're behind on your payments. You didn’t make payroll."

  Ralph snorted. "You're just like those bitches out there. You think you're smarter than you are.”

  Jay clenched his fists.

  "I'm nobody's bitch," Kendra said. "You may talk to those girls out there like that, but you want to watch what you say to me. You haven't been paying your dancers what you owe them. It's not their fault you're a lousy gambler. I know you've been skimming to pay your debts. It's tax fraud, and you're not smart enough to cook the books to cover it. You've lost servers and bartenders, and you'll lose more before it's over. The dancers will walk. They can always go to another club. People don't like to work for free, even women you don't think much of."

  Ralph chewed the inside of his cheek. "What if I tell you 'no'?"

  Kendra held up a third finger. "I have a complaint prepared to go to the wage and hour bureau. You're stealing from your kitchen help and servers. They love cases like this. They hate titty bars and they'll shut it down quick. Then you can't pay your bookie. The mob won't like that. And you won't be around to tell anybody anything." She tapped the contract with her finger. "It's a fair offer. See the little yellow flags? That’s where you need to sign."

  He clenched his jaw. The smirk was gone.

  She leaned in so close she could smell his hair gel. "Do you need to borrow a pen?"

  He snatched a pen off his desk and signed the contracts.

  Now it was her turn to smirk. "You don't want to read it first?"

  "You got what you want. Get the hell out."

  She left a copy of the contract on his desk. "You'll need to be gone tomorrow. We'll have our new manager in place then." She put the contract in her bag. "Thanks for seeing us."

  Jay didn't say anything until they got outside. They gave the valet their tickets and waited for the cars. "That was impressive. How did you know?"

  "I have my ways."

  "No, Kendra. How did you know?"

  "Good strippers make a lot of money. The smart ones get help to invest it."

  He raised an eyebrow. "Some of your clients are on the pole?"

  "My client list is confidential."

  He laughed. "You are something else. Can I buy you dinner?"

  5

  Jaylen took her to one of the best steakhouses in town. He ordered a bottle of champagne.

  "We should celebrate," he said. "I owe you for closing the deal."

  "Do you think you can pay me off with food?"

  "I know better. You’ll have a bonus in your paycheck."

  The waiter brought the champagne, opened it and poured. “Are you ready to order, or shall I come back?”

  Jay nodded at Kendra. “Counselor?”

  “I’ll have the small filet, medium rare. Creamed spinach, and a baked potato.”

  “Would you like the potato loaded, ma’am?”

  She closed her menu. “Yes, please.”

  He took it from her. “Very good. And you, sir?”

  “I’ll have the same, but make it a rib eye instead of the filet.”

  He nodded and took Jay’s menu. “Very good. I’ll be back to see if you need anything else.”

  Jay lifted his glass to Kendra. "My kind of woman. Not one of those salad-eating chicks."

  She smiled. "I eat my share of salad. It's not just food, it's fuel."

  "You're
gonna use my own words on me?”

  “Never argue with a lawyer, Jay. It won’t end well for you.”

  He laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind. I saw the way you handled Ralph.”

  “I don’t like Ralph.”

  “You trying to tell me something?”

  “You wanted the deal. I’m a closer.”

  “I've been trying to do that deal for over a year, and you knew what to do to get it done.”

  "It's all about reading people. Everybody has a weakness. You only have to know where to push."

  "You sure you haven't done this before? You come off like a good girl, but you got a gangster heart."

  She looked at him and smiled. “Being a good girl is no fun.”

  “You trying to tell me something?’

  “I’m just making a statement of fact.”

  "I'm not so sure about that.”

  Jay took Kendra's hand as they waited for their cars. He kissed her.

  Kendra caught her breath and looked into his eyes.

  He stroked her cheek. "Come home with me."

  * * *

  He slid his hand around her waist and ushered her in. She shivered at the sensation of his warm hand on her skin and the protective presence of his body pressed against her.

  "You look good, by the way." The low growl of his voice tickled her ear.

  Suddenly she felt warm fingers touch her skin. She shut her eyes as they traveled over her shoulder blades and brushed her hair to the side.

  "Can I be honest?"

  Kendra bit her lip as Jay leaned close and whispered in her ear. "We said we would never lie to each other, right?"

  He swallowed and gave her a slow burning once over. She was bigger than she had been in high school. She was still in great shape, but her body was fuller, curvier. The slender girl had turned into a woman he couldn’t get out of his mind. Her soft copper skin glowed. He traced the full curve of her lips with his finger. "I didn't invite you over with the purest intentions."

  "Jay... " Kendra leaned against the counter and gave him a dry look. "You think I didn't know that?”

  He responded with a soft chuckle and shrugged. He poured drinks. Scotch, no ice. Jay handed her a glass. "To us."

  "Us?"

  "I told you, I go after what I want. In case you haven't noticed, I want you.”

  “What if it’s not what I want?”

  “You know I’m not gonna force you into anything. We take it as fast or slow as you say. You want to leave, go now.”

  In that moment, Kendra made a quick decision that she hoped that she would not regret later. She took Jay's hand and pulled him after her into the living room. She kissed him and savored the firm press of his lips and the whisky she tasted there. He looked at her, surprised she had made the first move.

  Then it was as though he had been struck by lightning. His hands fastened around her waist and he pulled her body tightly against his. A soft moan escaped Kendra's lips as she was pressed against his hard body.

  Kendra slid her hand down his chest and lower until she squeezed firmly between his legs. He was rock hard already and she felt the heavy weight of his erection against her fingertips. She massaged him, looking him in the eye the whole time.

  Their breathing was heavy as they drank in each other's gaze. In one quick movement, Kendra pulled her dress over her head. Jay lowered his face to her breasts. He pushed her lace bra aside. He licked and sucked on her nipples. The feeling of his tongue and teeth sent a jolt through her entire body and she began to frantically pull his shirt and pants off.

  They slid to the floor, naked. Jay kissed every inch of her soft copper skin and moved lower. Kendra gasped when she felt his lips meet her dripping center. She could feel his tongue play with her. He slid a finger in and out of her. He pulled it out, massaged her bud with his thumb, and pushed two fingers inside.

  Kendra bucked against his touch. He pressed down on her with his body. She let herself moan louder and louder as the pressure built. He watched her with a steady intensity.

  "Jay!" She cried out as the orgasm washed over her.

  "You're so beautiful." He cradled her gently as she rode it out. As she lay panting under him, he slowly entered her. She moaned as she felt him fill her. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he began to move.

  His thrusts were slow and passionate, then wild and fast. He pumped harder and harder until she felt like she would melt from pleasure. She screamed as she came again. The intensity in his eyes as he made love to her was almost too much to bear.

  A fresh explosion washed over her again as Jay shut his eyes and shuddered against her. They fell back on the carpet, out of breath. It had been a long time since Kendra felt so warm and safe.

  "Damn, girl."

  She smiled. "I could say the same thing. I should go. I need to get some sleep.”

  He stood and pulled her to her feet. “Come on. My bed is a lot more comfortable.”

  “You want me to spend the night?”

  He kissed her. “What do you think?”

  “I don’t like to guess.”

  “No games. I like that about you.” He led her to his room and pulled back the comforter. “I usually sleep in the middle. You have a side you like?”

  “I usually sleep on the other side.”

  “Make yourself comfortable.”

  She got in and pulled the sheet to her shoulders.

  He got in and faced her. He traced her lips with his finger. “Can I get you anything?”

  “I’m good.”

  “Yeah, you are. Better than in my head.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  He chuckled. "I had a crush on you when we were in high school, and I was too scared to let you know. You were the star of a lot of my dreams.” He kissed her shoulder. "This isn't just a one-night thing. I want you to know it's more than that."

  Kendra scoffed. "I bet you say that all the girls."

  "I like grown ass women. I’m gonna build an empire. I need a queen by my side.”

  “We’ve been together once.”

  He kissed her. “No games, no lies. I let you get away from me once. Not gonna let that happen again.”

  “Have you forgotten I’m married?”

  He stroked her arm. “You trying to tell me something?”

  “It’s over. He just won’t sign the divorce papers.”

  “Maybe he needs some incentive.”

  “No,” Kendra replied. “Leave it alone.”

  “Look, I know you can take care of yourself. Handle your business, girl. I’m not going anywhere.”

  Kendra got home early the next morning. She unlocked the door, turned off the alarm system, and took her shoes off. She grabbed the coffee bean canister, measured some into the grinder, and turned it on. She set up the coffeemaker, then sat down to wait for it to brew. She was startled by banging at her back door.

  She looked out the window and saw her brother. She snatched the door open. "Are you crazy? What the hell is wrong with you?"

  “Where have you been?”

  “Out. Is something wrong?”

  “You’ve been out all night!”

  Kendra got a cup out of the cabinet and poured herself a cup of coffee. “Yup. Do you want coffee?”

  Bobby put his hands on his hips. “You’re not answering my question.”

  “You noticed.”

  “Were you with Jaylen?”

  “You can keep asking. Where I spend my nights, and who I’m with, is none of your business.”

  “You think you can handle the street, but you can’t. You stay away from him.”

  She leaned against the counter and sipped her coffee. “I don’t know where our father is, but I know you’re not him. I wouldn’t answer him, either. You are in my house, Bobby. You don’t get to question me.”

  “You need to leave him alone. You don’t know what you’re getting into.”

  “You’re repeating yourself. Get out.”

&nb
sp; 6

  Uriel Vasquez stood in front of the case board. He stared at it for a moment, located Jaylen, then added a picture of Kendra next to it. His partner, Richard Rogers came in and handed him a cup of coffee. The other cops called them "the Odd Couple". Uriel was tall, dark and good-looking. Rogers was short, blond, and built like a fireplug. His blond hair was rapidly thinning.

  Rogers pointed at the picture. "Who's that?"

  Vasquez took a sip of coffee and frowned. "New girlfriend. She's been spending a lot of time with Sinclair. I did some background on her. She's a lawyer."

  "A lawyer, huh? So he's upgraded from strippers?"

  "Never strippers. That's Big Sam. Sinclair always has professional women. Nurses. Teachers."

  "They never last long. Is this one serious?"

  Vasquez stroked his goatee. "This has to be the worst coffee I've ever tasted." He set the cup down. "Too soon to tell. Like you said, this guy goes through women. I think the last relationship was over in a month."

  Rogers frowned. "Have you been following him again? You know the captain said we're not authorized to do surveillance."

  "I wouldn't disobey a direct order. I just have a hunch about this one. Fun fact. She and Sinclair went to the same high school. They were classmates."

  "You could be barking up the wrong tree. She could just be an old friend. Our boy seems to have a way with the ladies. She could just be his latest conquest."

  Vasquez shook his head. "I've got that feeling in my gut. There's more to it. She needs to answer some questions. We got an address on her, right?"

  "Well, you're the expert. Do what you have to do."

  Rogers walked out of the room, leaving Vasquez to stare at the board. Vasquez stood there for a while, staring at Kendra's picture.

  He was going to take down Big Sam Bishop, no matter what it took. He put his finger on Sam's picture and drew a line to Jaylen, then to Kendra.

  Then he got his jacket and left the building.

  Kendra walked out of her office building and headed for her car. She stopped when she saw a man standing near it.

  He reached into his pocket, and came out with the badge."Kendra Mason? I'm Uriel Vasquez," he said. "I'd like to ask you a few questions."