A/N: Hey all, sorry it took so long yet again for me to post. Lots going on, been a bit under the weather lately, so I hope this chapter is okay.
Suppose I should probably put a trigger warning in for violence against women, but I kinda feel like if you're reading a noir, you should know there's a pretty good chance a broad 'ill get a grapefruit in the face.
Thanks as always for sticking around and reading, following, and faveing!
Chapter 8
"Ugh." I let out a small groan.
My head throbbed; it felt like somebody had hit me over the head with a sledgehammer. I blinked back clouded eyes, slowly but surly coming to.
"Good morning sweetheart." Came a strong tenor from somewhere above me.
I rolled from my side onto my back, to take in a steely fella with clean, curly dark brown hair, and a grey, three-piece, pinstriped suit.
My ears perked as I made out the tune to an old favorite standard of mine; Lauren used it for her closing number. Must not have gone far, wasn't exactly my master plan; but it got the job done, Mr. Big Shot must be Lachlan.
"That'll be all boys." The man in the suit barked. Boys? I paused and focused my attention on the rest of my surroundings.
I was on the floor of a dimly lit room. Soft carpet slid under my out stretched palms and looked to see I was lying on the floor, on top of an ornate woven rug. The area around me was decorated like something outta the dark ages, lots of heavy wood and stone, tapestries hanging from three of the four walls.
I trued my head to the right where a large, black, iron safe stood; and then my eyes drifted down to the door to I figured as the exit, seein' as how it was being blocked by two guards.
The one closest to me was a big, burley fella with flat, ginger hair. He was wearing a white button down shirt with a black tie, and matching black suspenders, pined to high-waist grey slacks.
I didn't think I remembered seeing him around the club, which was odd seeing as how I'd been spending most of my nights here for the past minute, must be some sorta bodyguard to the big man himself.
The other bruiser… Damn. The other strong arm was my sandy-hair, scruffy bearded, ex-buea. Dyson. His voice was the one I heard, bastard musta' been the one to knock me out cold.
He stood, staring stoically at Mr. Big Shot. He was dressed up more than his usual uniform, adding a white and cream blazer and flashy satin tie to his usual dress slacks and black sports shirt.
Dyson bawled his fists loosely, shooting a glance my way before turning and opening the closed office door, the other hired muscle close on his heel.
"Please, have a seat Ms. Dennis." The man said as he walked around me, making his way toward the desk.
I groaned as I lifted myself up, scrambling to catch my footing. I dusted off my trousers as I regained my composure.
The grease ball stopped just behind the desk, and opened a drawer, pulling out a gold cigar case, popping one out as he sat.
"Sorry pal, have we met?" I questioned innocently.
"Oh come Ms. Dennis, you can drop the theatrics." The man smirked at me.
I narrowed my eyes.
"Well, I suppose it isn't exactly fair, I know quite a bit about you, and you know very little about me. Name's Lachlan." With that he leaned forward and practically pulled a match out of thin air as he struck it against the side of his desk and lit the awaiting cigar in his hand, taking a long, slow, puff; filling the air with a circular ring of pungent sweet, musk.
"Pleasure to meet ya'." I scoffed, as I folded my arms across my chest.
"The pleasure Ms. Dennis is all mine. I've been eager to make the acquaintance of the individual my little canary has taken such a shining to." Lachlan jeered as he leaned back in his chair.
"Well, I don't know about that sir. Think you have it the other way around. Just another adoring admirer." I shrugged.
Lachlan chuckled as he relaxed further into his chair.
"Well Ms. Dennis, you wouldn't be the first admirer of Ms. Lewis's to grace through my office doors, and I hardly think you'll be the last."
I felt my blood begin to boil, I dropped my arms, curling my hands into tight fists, my nails digging into my palms so hard I coulda' sworn I felt a few droplets of blood roll down my fingertips. Lachlan wasn't going to play my way, and there wasn't a snowball's chance in hell I was playing his.
I barley even knew what I was doing. Call it muscle memory, but I found my hand sliding across my coat to the spot where I had stashed my .44 before embarking on this suicide mission.
"I wouldn't do that Ms. Dennis." Lachlan warned, raising his voice; my body turning to stone as I heard the door behind me burst open.
I dropped my hand to my side and slowly turned my head to see the ginger brute standing in the doorway.
"You can call off your hounds." I sighed as I slowly lifted my hands out to the sides, letting them know I didn't mean any funny business.
Lachlan waved off the man and I heard the door shut behind me.
"Please, do have a seat Ms. Dennis so that we can discuss the matter at hand like civilized human beings."
"Thanks, but I'd rather stand."
"Suit yourself." Lachlan shrugged settling back in his seat.
I eyeballed him closely; he was a businessman so I doubted he would ever dirty those pearly white hands of his. If he planned on outright killing me he would have had Joe Greenstein do it, or hell, even Dyson, though he did have Moose on the other side of that door, he already proved he could play that card, I'd be dead before I got off a single round.
"You seemed to get a little twitchy when I mentioned Ms. Lewis." Even him just saying her name gave me a sick feelin' in the pit of stomach. "Perhaps more of an acquaintance?" He waved dismissively. "The point is that you have gotten close, and I feel it is my civic duty to let you know that you are consorting with a fugitive." I could feel my palms start to quiver again. "I'm afraid she's stolen something very precious that belongs to me. Perhaps you've seen it?"
I shrug, causing him to furrow his brow at me.
"It's a small, golden coin." He tilted his head, waiting to see if he jogged my memory.
"Listen buddy if you're lookin' for a dime I'm afraid you're barkin' up the wrong tree, I don't even have two nickels to rub together."
The corner of Lachlan's mouth twitched into a grin.
"I can see what Lauren sees in you." He contemplated.
I almost emptied my stomach of it's liquid supper, my hand once again working against me as I reached to draw my gun. I didn't like his tone, and I didn't like the smug smile the bastard was giving me. I'd wipe that smile clean off his face.
"The coin Ms. Dennis!" Lachlan bellowed as the ginger pummeled back through the door, grasping my shoulder from behind and spinning me just in time for his fist to sock me square in the left eye. My head snapped back, my eye swollen in pain as I felt a torpedo knock my stomach clear into my kidneys. I could take a punch, hell I'd taken a few back in my day, but I'd never been hit by two hundred and eighty pounds of lean muscle.
I gasped, as I felt myself flay back onto the floor, the antique rug doing nothing to soften my landing over the wooden floorboards.
The worm didn't even move. Just sat behind his desk, puffin' on that damn stogie. Waiting for me to break. Well I don't break that easy.
I pulled myself up onto my knees and we sat there, dueling in silence, each waiting the other's move. I was in a world of pain, but I'd never let him know it.
Don't know how long we sat like that, but it felt like half an eternity a fist jabbed down, pummeling me back onto my rear. Guess someone's loosing his patients.
I clutched just under my breast. Ugh. I grimaced. Rib definitely broken. I tried to pull myself to my feet and cringed. Maybe two.
Slowly I made it to my feet and stumbled forward.
"The coin Ms. Dennis?" Lachlan repeated, quieter than before.
I snarled as the creep continued to sit there, thoroughly enjoying his game of cat and mouse. Just chewing on that damn cigar.
Another moment passed.
This time a right hook came out of nowhere followed by another blow to the left eye. My cheek split open and salty tears stung as they fell into the scratch.
"Do you know of the whereabouts in which Ms. Lewis placed the coin?"
"Told ya' Mack, don't know anything about a coin." I grunted loudly, laughing out crimson as I took a blow to the kidney.
Damn that bastard's fast.
"The clock is ticking Ms. Dennis."
That was the last thing I heard before pain split down my skull, and I blacked out.
"Bo! My—My! "Bo!"
My whole body felt stiff.
I didn't remember getting plowed by a bus. Oh. Right.
I opened my eyes. The room was dimly lit, and upon further inspection I was able to verify it as my own. I began to sit up when there was a small knock followed by the opening of a door.
Fully sitting up I clutched my side. Not great. But not bad… My eyes drifted up.
"Well, ain't you a sight for sore eyes?" I felt myself smile as I said the words.
"I'm so glad to see you awake." Lauren's tone was cold and contemplative as she came over and began to assess my condition.
"How long was I out doc?"
"Twelve hours." She replied as she took a closer look at what I imagined was one hell of a shiner.
I nodded as she continued looking me over. When she was done she sat down on the bed and I watched her expression change from pensive to worried.
"What happened last night Bo?"
I cocked a brow at her and smirked.
"Be serious Bo."
My expression softened.
"I had a meeting with your employer. He wanted to clear some things up."
"One minute you're at the bar, the next you're in a fight with some Joe?" She chastised.
Oh right. That's how this whole mess got started.
"Some fellas just don't know when to keep their yaps shut." I scowled.
"After Lachlan's boys took you away they planted Bruce on me to keep me from leaving." Her usually beautiful, fierce eyes stained with regret.
I shook my head.
"Nothin' you coulda' done about it baby."
She moved in closer to me and placed her hand against my cheek.
"If I'd known this would happen, I never woulda' dragged you into all this." She said, staring me deep in the eye.
I reached up and cupped my hand to hers.
"Don't talk like that."
She shook her head.
"I took the coin so that I could start on my new life, but I don't want that life now if you're not in it!" Tears brimmed in her eyes. I'd never seen her so raw with emotion. She was one tough broad who kept her feelings close. I musta' gotten to her just like she'd gotten to me.
"Shh." I soothed, stroking her hair. "Acapulco." I let out a breath, pulling her to me and smiling into her cheek.
I felt her body go slightly stiff, before pulling away form me.
"I just want to go back to my original plan, the coin for my freedom."
I shook my head.
"No baby. We're getting' out. Your gonna have your cake and eat it too." I clapped my hands to her shoulders and pulled her forward. "You, me, Kenz, we'll be there in two days, we'll get out of this frozen hell for good!" I smiled.
A single tear slid down her pale cheek.
"I—I can't Bo."
"Yes!" I shook her. "Yes you can!"
Her eyes fell only slightly before reconnecting with mine.
"He'll find us Bo."
"Not if he ain't around to look." I responded. I'd already made up my mind. I'd made it second I woke up. I was taking Lauren to paradise, and I wasn't lettin' anybody get in the way of that. She'd been through enough. I'd been through enough. If I did one good thing in this world, then I'd hope it would be that at least I was able to take down scum like Lachlan.
Lauren's gaze turned fearful, then desperate.
"No! Look at what he did to you! There's not a ghost of a chance you'll live to see the sun!"
"You just have to trust me." I urged, pulling her toward me, placing my hands on either side of her face as I pulled her in, crashing my lips into hers.
I could feel her warm tears on my skin, causing a lump to rise in my throat.
She grabbed my sides and pulled me closer, causing me to wince; I had forgotten all my pain when she walked into the room.
"Sorry." She laughed worriedly, pulling back and re-examining my bandages.
"I've had worse." I smirked as I pulled her back into me, puling her tightly to me as I laid her down next to me on the bed.
