Chapter Twenty-Three
Suds
Holy fuck. More than once, I’d imagined a beautiful woman sucking me off in a bus or even a plane. I feel so damn good, my face hurts and I try to hold back my grin.
Sam gently tucks my contented cock into my pants, zips me up, and attaches my top button. After wiping her face on my thighs, my Cheshire Cat pops up from under the sweatshirt. When her eyes meet mine, we don’t need words. What we did there was some beautiful love-making. It was dirty, it was sweet, and it was everything we needed to survive the next few days. Unfortunately, we’re not jumping into the sack again until whoever targeted her is behind bars or dead.
My chin on the top of her head, I tuck her close. Tired and sated, I allow myself the luxury of sleep. Who knows when I’ll get another chance?
Day two on the bus is nowhere near as fun as the first. Not only do we need to behave, but when New York draws closer, our problems loom bigger and badder than ever.
As our transport roars up Eight Avenue, the little troublemaker on my left sits on the edge of her seat, and snatches my hand. “Follow my lead. We’ll take the subway uptown and walk to Patten’s.”
She knows the city way better than me, so I don’t argue. However, I grit my teeth at the thought of us being out in the open.
Not much later, the bus stops and my wife flies down the stairs. A native New Yorker, my NASCAR babe zips in and out of the crowd.
She even runs the descending escalator. “Excuse me. Excuse me.”
“Sorry. On your left.” I follow in her wake and try not to knock anyone over on the way to the lowest level.
“Shit.” The train’s brakes hiss, she grabs my hand, and drags me through the closing doors.
Part in, part out, I hold them open until they let go. Then, the conductor yells through the intercom and I pull her in. Out of breath, her eyes bright, she laughs as she plops down in an empty seat. I grasp the closest overhead metal loop and study the subway cab’s interior. Once I’m certain the train holds no threats, I relax.
My partner, however, positively glows. She lives for this shit and I’m not sure if that’s good or bad.
Back above ground, we walk Fifth Avenue to the Patten Securities building, sign in, and take the elevator. Slate looks up from his desk when we enter and I sense someone close by. He closes the door and my hand goes for my gun but I let go when I recognize my father-in-law.
Embracing his daughter, tears run down his cheeks. “Sammy.”
I turn my head, watching the figures in the street, not wanting to embarrass him. Too late, I realize I shouldn’t’ve let down my guard.
A fist hits my chin. “You fucking sack of shit.”
“Daddy, no. It was all my idea.” She tugs on her dad’s arm, about to deliver another blow to my face.
“Sorry sir. I saw no other way to get her home.” His anger don’t surprise me none.
I rub my aching jaw. “Nice punch.”
“My wife is… has been. Dammit. We’ve been waiting for the autopsy so we can bury my baby. What the fuck is wrong with you two?” When he scrunches up the neck of my t-shirt, I shove on his chest, and Slate separates us. I could easily have defended myself but it wouldn’t do much for being invited back for Sunday dinner.
“Enough.” My boss glares at me and I return the look because he’s no innocent, either.
Sam and I were almost killed in Patten’s so-called safe house. We’re gonna have a come-to-Jesus meeting and shore up our protocols. From now on, we need to check for trackers.
Police Chief Russo fumes at his daughter. “I hope you’re happy.”
“No, Dad, I am not. But you need to know the whole story.” She turns her head toward Slate. “Did you show him my pictures?”
My boss points to a short round table surrounded by chairs and we sit. “No, I thought it best if he heard it from you two.”
He switches off the lights, closes the blinds, and lowers into a chair. Then, he opens a laptop in front of him and projects the photos Sam took the night this whole mess started. The first image is of District Attorney, Javier Gomez entering the building. The next shows him shaking hands with Tony Buonanno Junior in the lobby.
Sam’s father hisses. “Who else saw these?” He jumps up with his nose to the wall and his daughter joins him.
“I have no idea. I suppose anyone associated with the case.”
