As soon as I finished and started the Hummer, Tech came over the screen. "The boss wants you at room ten-twenty-eight of the Ozone. Says your friend's all tied up and ready for his warning. Knock five times."
As we drove to the Ozone, I steeled my resolve. I'd trusted Johnny and he'd screwed me over. He deserved what was coming. Hell, he was lucky my old man was giving him another chance.
"All tied up, huh?" Bones chuckled. "Can't wait to see what that means."
I wasn't so sure I wanted to know, beings that Father could have a pretty twisted sense of humor.
When we reached the casino, we handed the Hummer over to a valet and headed in. Taking the elevator to room ten-twenty-eight, Bones gripped the gun under his coat while I knocked. The door swung open and Bones stepped in front of me.
"Room service," he said, drawing his gun as he entered.
Rustling noises came from the hotel room. I kept the door propped open with a foot, and my hand on the gun inside my jacket pocket, watching the hallway.
"Bring your ass in here, Angel. You gotta see this," Bones said, laughing.
A brunette wearing a slutty maid's costume and holding a feather duster welcomed me. Chewing on her bottom lip, she gave me a sultry smile and pointed to the bed where Johnny lie naked and tied--spread eagle--with fuzzy red ropes to the posts of a queen bed.
"He's been a very naughty boy," she said.
Johnny looked from the maid to Bones, to me, his eyes widening and his mouth hanging open.
I thanked the maid for her help as I stepped past her and glared down at him.
He closed his mouth.
"My pleasure." The maid plucked a business card from between her breasts and handed it to me. "The name's Candice. If there's anything else I can do to help out the family, don't you hesitate to call me, sugar."
The color drained from Johnny's face. "You set me up."
Candace glanced over her shoulder at him and laughed. "Honey, you really thought I was doing this for you? Sorry, butyoucannot affordme." She grabbed a trench coat from the coffee table and slid it on over her costume, stepped into a pair of pumps, and headed out the door, swinging her hips as she went.
Dreading the task ahead of me, I used a device finder to scan the room. A small camera was hidden in the smoke detector above the bed, aimed at the scene. Recognizing the design as one of my own, I left it where it was so my old man could keep an eye on me. If he wanted a show, I'd damn well give him one.
I picked up a discarded blanket from the floor and threw it over Johnny's nakedness, then I dragged a chair over and sat, facing the putz.
"Angel, I can explain," Johnny started.
I stared at him and shook my head. It was far too late for explanations.
"I'm working on a plan. I'll get the money. I promise."
"I warned you not to screw with my family."
Sweat beaded on Johnny's forehead. "They said it was a sure thing. An opportunity to double the money and prove I can be an earner. It was gonna get my foot in the door."
"A sure thing, huh?" I asked.
"Yes. I swear to you. I wouldn't have done it otherwise."
"You shouldn't have done it at all. That wasn't your goddamn money to gamble with."
Bones stepped closer to the bed. He rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck, loosening up. Johnny looked from me to Bones, and his eyes widened. He tried to scoot up, but his bonds held tight.
"I-I-I'm gonna make this shit right. N-n-no need to do anything crazy. You know I'll get the money. Y-y-you know I'm good for it," he stammered.
I shook my head, frowning at the dumb bastard. "If only it were that simple."
"W-w-we go back a long time, me and you, Angel. I-I-I'll fix this."
