Ch 8

A month later….

A trail of smoke emanated from the end of my cig as I sat staring into crystal blue eyes. The other figure across from me was also staring at me, waiting. I had been in here for over ten minutes, not a word exchanged. The office I was in was large. Everything in this room was large, the bookcase, the desk, the chair and even the fucking plant in the corner. If you ask me, it looks like this guy is compensating for something. The office came with a magnificent view of the entire city. If I had wanted, I could have gotten an office with the exact view like him. It was offered but I declined.

"Can we please get on with this? I'm getting quite bored with the routine."

"Are you really? It hasn't even been twenty minutes! You're getting soft Artie. Must be old age…"

"Believe me, I'd 'love' nothing more than to just sit around and play the staring game but I've got more important things to do. So just tell me what you want."

"The day of the gala, someone tried to kill me." I pointed out.

"I'm well aware. My girlfriend sported a fashionable black eye with matching bruises to go with it."

"Good, now that you remember, why don't you tell me about it?" I asked, sitting back into the chair.

He laughed haughtily, the edge of his blue eyes crinkling. "You think it was me."

"I know it was you." I huffed out, planting out the cig on his desk. Blue eyes narrowed in on the action.

I read his body language like I was reading a book, waiting for his infamous tick to appear. The moment he lies, I'll know the truth.

Artie leaned back in his chair, a bored expression on his face. He quietly strummed his fingers against his desk in an agitated sort of way.

"We are both trained to pride ourselves in our work. That's how we were raised. Unlike you, I would never be as sloppy and leave a trail of evidence. If I wanted you dead you would be. No if's ands or buts."

I sighed heavily, disappointment seeping through me. He's telling the truth.

"Besides, what would I gain from your death? Killing you would get me nothing but pleasure. You can't spend pleasure on anything. I'm already going to inherit my father's empire. You are completely irrelevant to me." He added in with a smirk.

I let out a small chuckle. "If that were true then you have nothing to be worried about."

Artie rolled his eyes. "If you really are looking into who tried to kill you, well, you'd have a very long list now wouldn't you?"

"It was someone from the Gala." I nodded.

"Obviously." He threw out with a snort.

When it appeared like he was finally done with the conversation I slowly rose to my feet.

"You know your father sent me to ask about what happened on the docks."

Artie stood as well, running his hands along the front of his suit. "I've got everything under control. Your advice is not needed or required. I can take care of it."

A few weeks ago we got in a new and very expensive shipment from Mexico. It's the type of shipment that had Mr. Delfino putting all his man power into. Artie was put in charge of the whole project. From what I heard the night didn't end with cheers of victory but rather flames that stoked high into the night sky. Rumor has it that Robert Davenport was responsible for the attack, reclaiming vengeance for what Artie did to his brother. Another rumor is that a man clad in tights and a dark mask planted a bomb within the shipment, trying to destroy Mr. Delfino's access to the docks.

"I heard some of our goods were taken." I stated.

"Don't try to fuck me in a corner Quinn. You want something to fuck, buy another whore."

I ignored his "witty" remark and stared at him, blankly. "Well he sent me as backup."

Artie's face reddened like a tomato. His jaw tightened. His fists were pressed down against the desk as he leaned toward me. At first I thought he was going to try to throw the desk at me. But after a few seconds of his nostrils flaring in and out he dropped his shoulders a bit. He looked me in the eyes and quietly opened a drawer in his desk. He pulled out a yellow envelope and slid it across to me.

"We've been hit multiple times, including the port and the docks." Artie started off.

I opened up the envelope and found multiple pictures of what looked like a dark dressed man. He was wearing black from head to toe. My brows rose with interest.

"So the vigilante does exist." I whispered in disbelief. "I can't believe that rumor was true."

"This fucker is going to get what he deserves. I've already set up a trap for him on the next shipment." Artie nodded with a naughty smile.

"So what did the vigilante take?" I asked.

"Nothing that can't be bought again."

"How cute…." I commented, still staring at the pictures. "All he needs is a little cape."

"It's nothing I can't handle." Artie reiterated.

I smirked, throwing the pictures down onto the desk. "Well, it's pretty obvious that you can't handle this because if you had I wouldn't be here." I fired out like a shotgun.

Artie straightened up, his shoulders squaring. "This is MY project. My father gave me the docks, NOT you. I will handle this situation and I will take care of the vigilante."

I dug into my pocket and pulled out another cig, placing it in my mouth. "I'll be seeing you tomorrow night at the docs." I simply replied.

At that moment the door opened. An attractive brunette came in with a tight yellow dress and bright red lipstick. The woman strutted in, a clipboard attached to her like a second arm.

"Mr. Abrams, it's time for your meeting." The woman announced.

I glanced at Artie, clearly impressed. I watched as the two had a silent conversation, both looking at the clipboard. I raised a brow as my eyes traveled to her plump little ass. You could bounce a ping pong ball off of that dump truck.

They are fucking…. I can smell it.

"Right. Don't let the door kill you on the way out." Artie threw out as he and the girl made their way to the door.

I rolled my eyes and left the office. Once I was outside I lit up the cig and stood off towards the hood of my car. A moment later Artie and the woman popped out from the building, his arm was around her waist as they made their way to a car that was waiting by the curb. Artie looked over at me with a pleased look. A crooked smile took over my face as I threw him a wink.

I fucked your girl

I couldn't sleep

A steamy haze lifted off of me as I tossed and turned in my heated apartment. A small cool breeze came in through the open window but it did nothing to satiate me. I groaned loudly as my hand slid down and under my boxers. I breathed heavily as I gently stroked myself. Flashes from that night flickered through my head like a late night porno.

"Fuck!" I moaned loudly as I gripped myself tighter.

She started moving her hips, sliding up and down on me, wet as a whistle. Her tits hung out, bright and sharp as she bounced on top of me. Her hair hung all around like a willow tree.

A loud groan escaped my lips, my face heating up as I quickly came unabashedly in my boxers. I haven't contacted her and she hasn't contacted me.

I made sure to squeeze every last drop out of me before I peeled myself up from the bed. I threw myself into the shower, a lonely unlit cig dangling from my lips as the cold water drenched me from head to toe. No matter what I did, or who I fucked, nothing could quench this thirst.

As soon as I got out of the shower I threw on some clothes and left the apartment. I drove down my same old routine as I had been doing for the past couple of weeks. I parked in the same spot, a few feet away from my target. The lights were on inside. She was home.

I turned off my car, waiting, hidden in total darkness. A moment later the lights turned off. I checked my clock, right on schedule. I sat back in my seat, waiting for yet another long night. I made myself comfortable. The front door light turned on and a second later a figure popped out.

I narrowed in on the action and straightened up. This was new…

Rachel walked out of her duplex and made her way to her car. I ducked down and watched as the car lights flicked on. She pulled out onto the street and took off down the road. I started my car and took off after her. I pulled into Dizzy's, the best jazz club in the city. Rachel parked her car and went in. I parked myself out of sight. The club was packed with dozens of heated bodies. I gazed around the room, trying to find Rachel. I walked along the walls so that way I wasn't noticed. On stage a large and heavy black man stood with heavy beads of moisture. He spoke into the mic, the speakers squealing out in rebel.

"How is everyone doing tonight?" The man asked.

The room erupted with various replies and cheers.

"Alright, good to hear! We are about to get started in just a moment. As you know, our lovely lady Berry is in the house again with us tonight. You make sure to grab yourselves a drink and tip the young lovely lady on stage."

I stood towards the back, my eyes watching the stage with intrigue. Four guys clambered onto the stage, picking up their respective instruments. The fifth guy sat down behind a large grand piano. Small beads of sweat streaked down my forehead as the lights dimmed down. Music started blasting through the club. Dozens of people started dancing on the floor on queue. A funky kind of melody kicked in. This place was hot.

A spotlight came on and Rachel walked out onto the stage. More cheers and applause clawed through the music. The brunette smiled warmly and took her place at the front of the stage. My eyes glazed over her like a horny teenager. She was wearing a tight green dress, her hair pulled back into a bun. She was wearing makeup, her lips as dark as blood. Rachel began moving those luscious hips of her to the music. I groaned internally as I felt my dick stir to life. I quietly rubbed the front of my pants down, feeling my face heat up even more as I tried to make sure no one was watching me. After a few seconds the music swiftly changed and slowed down. Rachel gently wrapped her green gloved arms around the tall mic, her eyes gazing out into the audience.

This suspense is killin' me
I can't stand uncertainty
Tell me now I've got to know
Whether you want me to stay or go

My jaw fell open with genuine shock. Her voice husky, low, and soft, it was enough to almost make me cum in my pants. My eyes were glued to her, so was everyone else's.

Love me or leave me
Or let me be lonely
You won't believe me, I love you only
I'd rather be lonely
Than happy with somebody else

I knew Artie had found her at the theatre but I didn't know she could sing. I stood there, completely mesmerized by the mere small but powerful woman on stage. With each and every lyric her voice revealed just a little more than before.

You might find the night time
The right time for kissin'
But night time is my time
For just reminiscin'
Regrettin' instead of forgettin'
With somebody else

BZZZZZ! BZZZZZ! BZZZZZ!

I pulled my phone out and read the text I'd just received.

Bronx (Meathead): Hey srry to bother u, I know ur prolly busy. Got an emirjensing.

Me: A what?

Bronx (Meathead): An emirjensing.

I narrowed my eyes down at the word, making sure I wasn't seeing things. I shook my head. Nope, definitely not seeing things. I'm assuming he meant emergency. I sighed, gazing back up at the woman I fucked a month ago.

Me: I'm on the way, text me your address.

I quickly changed Bronx's name, simply for my benefit.

Bronx (Meathead Idiot): K, got it boz, 12th and 15th street.

There'll be no one
Unless that someone is you
I intend to be independently blue
I want your love

But I don't want to borrow
To have it today to give back tomorrow
For your love is my love
There's no love for nobody else

My fist slammed into his face, over and over again. The feeling in my hands became numb. I couldn't feel anything but warm wetness. Blood was oozing out of him. Bronx was able to track down one number from the burner phone I gave him from the hit man that tried to kill me. It led to a man named Ernie Wells. Ernie had made contact with my attacker just minutes before. The fucker knew something.

I stopped for a few seconds, exhaling heavily, a mist of warmth flaring from my lips. Small specks of moisture fell from the sky, the clouds growing darker than usual tonight. A low growling groan shouted across the sky.

"Now look what you made me do!" I sighed, shaking my head.

I lifted my hands up, they were covered in blood.

"Be a good boy now and this will all stop! Tell me who is trying to kill me?" I asked politely.

Bronx stood beside me, a bat clutched to his arm. Ernie made a disgusting gurgling noise that sounded like a girl's first time deep throating. I looked down at Ernie with pity.

I leaned in closer, "I'm sorry I can't quite hear you with all the bleeding that you're doing."

Ernie's eyes rolled to the back of his head. More inaudible noises slipped from his lips. I scratched the back of my head and looked up at Bronx. I shook my head. I was done for the night. This guy couldn't talk anymore. Bronx lifted up the man and carried him to his car, placing him in the trunk.

"Check his pockets and then take him to the lab. Maybe Eddie can get something out of him." I ordered.

"Yes, sir." Bronx nodded, shutting the trunk.

Just as he was about to leave I grabbed him by the arm, uncertainty sweeping through me. Bronx's large brown eyes landed on me. I released his arm and pursed my lips. Just do it….

"A few weeks ago I hooked up with this really hot chick. And I mean we fucked, hard. It was really good, she was really good." I started off, feeling a bit awkward. "The problem is… she hasn't contacted me. Why do you think that is?" I asked.

The broad shouldered man stood there, a blank face running over him, blood dripping from his bat. He didn't say anything at first, his eyes darting down to the floor as if to process.

"Have you called her?" he asked.

"No, girls usually call me back within a few days, begging me for more. I'm having a hard time because I've never encountered this scenario before."

"Are you sure she actually enjoyed the sex?"

I whipped my eyes up at him. "OF COURSE SHE DID!" I yelled out erratically.

Bronx winced a little and backed away from me. "Maybe she wants you to go to her?" He suggested.

"So that I would seem desperate? No way…" I hummed.

"Well, maybe she's one of those smart girls and realized what that night was, just a one night stand."

I pinched my lips together, thinking about what he said. Rachel was definitely a smart girl. She wasn't like the rest of the girls I regularly fuck. Maybe he was right. I mean, we definitely had a one night stand. Knowing me, she probably assumed I needed to fuck her out of my system and that was it. But one night wasn't enough with her. Looking up at her on that stage, I knew I needed to fuck her again and soon. My nights were getting restless, the hunger inside was consuming me. I had a taste that was left on my lips, an undeniable sweet, toxic, kiss. I suddenly understood what Artie had meant when he said he just had to have her. I had to have her again.

"Errrr, was that it? Or can I go now?" Bronx asked, breaking me out of my reverie.

I waved him off, I started heading back to my car. My mind was quickly thinking of places I could "accidentally" bump into her.

"I'm not a detective. Call the cops and let them do their jobs. If not, hire a P.I."

"But my friend said you could locate anyone." The woman stated.

I sat back in my usual booth at the diner. Emma Pillsbury was the name of my new client. She was a small sprightly red haired woman with large dopey eyes. We were barely ten minutes into our meeting before she started spilling out every single detail about her life. She had no filter and didn't bother or care to hide her identity.

"Who's your friend?" I asked, curiously, knowing full and well who sent her.

This time the woman looked away, her cheeks tinting red. "They told me not to say."

I let out a small chuckle. "Fair enough."

"Please, I'm desperate. My son has been missing for over eighteen hours! I know how the cops work in this city. They are fucktards! Excuse my language." She apologized.

Tears were falling from her face, her eyes puffy and swollen.

"I can pay you, whatever you want, please!" she cried out.

A few eyes darted over to our table as the woman across from me continued crying. I sighed heavily, shaking my head. Rachel Berry. She did this. She sent this desperate woman to me. Why?

To completely fuck me… and not in a good way.

I rubbed the back of my neck and took a long sip of my coffee. Crying women always made me feel uncomfortable. And now, she was causing a mini scene.

"What information do you have for me?" I asked.

She handed me what looked like CCTV photos of a dark black van, the license plate completely blurred beyond recognition.

"My son was taken after he had gotten out of school. The only working camera on the street was able to get these photos."

I flipped through the photos, watching as the van door opened. A blurry man popped out and grabbed a small blurry figure. The blurry man and small blurry figure then got into the van, the door closing in the last and final picture.

"How did you get these photos?" I asked.

"My friend helped me." She mumbled out.

I looked up at her, narrowing my eyes at her. "Interesting. How come your friend didn't just help you out?"

"My friend said you were the best and come highly recommended." She replied back.

A small smirk crossed my face. She said I'm the best and cum highly recommended….

"Is this all that you have?" I asked, focusing back on the situation.

She nodded.

"I can't make you any promises. I don't know how this is going to turn out, or if I find him. You understand that right?"

She nodded again.

"Alright," I remarked, beginning to gather my things.

Emma's arm shot out, gripping my forearm. Her eyes peered up at me, a haunting look seared into the back of my eyes. For a moment I was taken aback and left completely breathless.

"He's only eight years old." She whispered to me in a grave voice.

I pulled my arm hastily away from her. My heart was racing all of a sudden. "Don't ever touch me again." Was all I said before I quickly exited the diner.

Something heavy weighed against my chest as I walked to my car and shakily pulled out my pack of cigs. I brought out my lighter and quickly lit one up. I have exactly fifty four hours before Richard Pillsbury is never seen again.

Hi everyone! Surprise! I'm wishing everyone a Merry Christmas! Stay safe, enjoy the food, enjoy the stories! Thank you to everyone that are still reviewing and showing the love! Another huge thanks to those who keep checking in on me. You guys are awesome!

Billie Holiday – Love me or Leave me