Author's Note: This Chapter is from Ashley's perspective. Thank you for the kind reviews and I hope you all continue to enjoy the story. The next chapter will be published soon.
"Ashley! Welcome back," the blonde sales rep is even more chipper than usual, rushing toward me for a quick cheek kiss.
"Caroline!" I reciprocate the kiss, it's become our usual greeting.
"I was hoping you would come in today. The jacket we spoke about came in last night," Caroline is practically jumping with excitement. "It's perfect!" She squeals.
I pull a smile and try to match her excitement, "That's so great." No way that was believable but Caroline doesn't care, and that's why she's annoyingly perfect. "You know I actually haven't eaten yet so-"
"Oh my god, no. You can't try on clothes while you're hungry. Let me get you a strawberry croissant from the cafe, and maybe a coffee too? Medium roast, 2 sugars, and cream." Caroline doesn't wait for me to answer she's already speed-walking to the Hermes Cafe.
Annoyingly perfect.
I take a seat in one of the oversized chairs letting my head rest against the back. Comfy. Another thing this place has going for it, aside from Caroline of course, is there's no ambient music so I can hear everything and nothing. Like the sound of combat boots coming up behind me.
"You aren't supposed to eat on this side of the store." I playfully chastise Madison who's plopped down in the chair next to me, scone in hand. "What is that, blueberry?" I pull my legs up into the chair and turn to face her.
"What are we doing here, Ashley? I hate Rodeo." Madison frowns sweeping the crumbs that have fallen on her shirt onto the floor.
I cock my head at her, "what the fuck" I mouth, motioning to crumbs on the floor.
"I'm sure they've got a vacuum around here someplace." She shrugs and I consciously push the corners of my mouth down to keep from smiling. "What are we doing here?" Madison repeats her question.
"I'm buying a jacket," I say, scanning the store. It's still practically empty and the customers who are nearby aren't paying attention to us at all. "but it doesn't matter where we are I need you to do something."
"Talk to me," Madison takes another bite of her scone.
"Stefan Gallo. He called me a bunch of times last night and left some voice mails…didn't go into much detail but whatever it is has got him worked up."
"Fuck does that have to do with us?" Madison's face looks as if I've offended her.
I lean in and put my hand on her arm. "Checks and balances, Maddy. I keep telling you this." Madison drops the face and I continue, "Go to him today. Find out what happened, whatever it is don't make any promises just tell him to sit tight."
I can see Caroline quickly approaching out of the corner of my eye.
"Sit tight. You want me to tell him to sit tight?" Madison whispers.
"Strawberry croissant and a coffee. My apologies that it took so long, the cafe is a bit busy at this hour." Caroline hands me my breakfast. "Oh, Hello! I'm Caroline and you are?" the bubbly sales rep introduces herself to Madison.
I can see Madison controlling every muscle in her face to stop from scowling. I can't help but let out a small laugh before biting into my croissant, "Mmm, delicious" I smile at the two of them. "Caroline, I'd like to try that jacket now if you could bring it to me."
"Of course," Caroline says, hurrying away again.
"Yes. I want you to tell him to sit tight," I tell Madison once Caroline is out of earshot. "I don't know what happen but I know Gallo, he shoots first and asks questions later, and I don't want him doing anything before I even have a chance to hear what went down. When we meet up at the club tonight you can tell me what's going on." I explain to her.
"Ok, fine." Madison shrugs. "I have to check on some other activity today so if I'm going to drop in on Gallo I should get going." She stands up and shakes any crumbs she has on her onto the floor, again.
I nod letting her know I understand, "You can bring Aiden with you but he stays in the car. The Gallo family is still…touchy, about him since that thing." I make sure to add knowing Madison and Aiden usually check on operations together.
"You mean when he pissed on their pool table?" She smiles adoringly, that's her man.
"Yeah, exactly." I laugh out, standing up to give Madison a hug before she leaves.
When I pull her in my hand glides across her back, hitting something hard.
"You feeling me up?" She quips
"You brought a gun into Hermes." I raise a brow, I'm not surprised but what did she think was going to happen, a shoot-out over handbags and scarves? "You and Aiden stay safe. I'll see you tonight."
"See ya," Madison turns to leave through the cafe entrance, the same way she entered. Just like we agreed on.
When she's halfway across the sales floor I remember something.
I call after her, "Hey Maddy, What-"
"It was blueberry!" She yells without turning around.
Blueberry scone, I'll have to try that one another day. I relax in the chair drinking my coffee and enjoying my strawberry croissant courtesy of Caroline. Where is Caroline? I look around at the 2-3 groups of customers who have trickled in. This place is always empty yet somehow they make a shit ton of money on overpriced leather and silk. It would be perfect as a money laundering operation. I look down at the floor, Madison's pastry crumbs all over it.
"I brought out a 36 and a 34 so you can try both. I've set up a room for you to try them on." I look up to see Caroline standing over me with two black biker jackets.
It wasn't an item the store had in stock so we had to special order it last week when I was here. "I don't need a room," I take the 34 from her and slide it on. It fits. I walk over to a nearby mirror and raise my arms, do a couple of little stretches just to make sure. "You're right it's perfect. I'll take it." I look back at Caroline.
"Oh! I knew you would love it!" She gleams.
Caroline takes me to a register where she swiftly rings up the jacket and offers to box it up but I tell her there's no need. I look down at the pin pad, $8550 before taxes. This was an expensive fucking meeting. Caroline is beaming from ear to ear. I swipe my card.
I walk the long way back to my car. The streets are crowded, the usual mix of tourists and locals weaving together. The more obnoxious tourists stopping in the middle of the sidewalk for photos in front of the big name stores. Unlike Madison, I don't hate Rodeo Drive. It's not the first place I would choose to spend my time but being here doesn't make my skin crawl like I know it does for her. Normally I wouldn't have asked her to meet me here but it was unavoidable.
I slow down as I approach Cartier, stopping in front of their glass windows. I use the reflection to help check my surroundings without turning around. 24-Hour Glass Repair read the decal on the panel van slowly passing behind me. I first saw it 2 weeks ago outside my condo, it stood out amongst the luxury SUVs and high-end sports cars in the neighborhood. Over the next few days wherever I went, I had a new shadow. Sometimes the van, sometimes a car, they did their best to mix it up and to blend in but they stood out like Madison and her combat boots on Rodeo Drive. They were following me everywhere except FADE.
FBI, LAPD, DEA, hell, the IRS? I haven't figured that part out yet but I know I'm the only one being watched for now. They either don't have the manpower or the evidence to put Madison and Aiden under surveillance too. So for the past 2 weeks, my new shadow and I have driven all around the city, shopping, eating pastries, running errands, and looking at bougie art. Staying far far away from anything remotely interesting.
My breakfast meeting with Madison was risky. I was careful, Madison came in through the cafe entrance of Hermes while I came in the retail entrance but it was still risky. Gallo isn't going to like that I sent her to meet with him instead of coming myself. To be honest I'm not happy about it either. I know Madison can handle a sit-down but I hate not being there. I want to get back to work.
I cross the street to my car. I can see the van out of the corner of my eye down the street. I toss the jacket in the back seat and then hop in the front. As soon as the engine turns over my phone starts ringing. I recognize the number.
"How can I help you, Erick?" I use one hand to answer the phone and the other to put the car in drive.
"Ashley, hey, I hope it's a good time."
Jesus, why can't people just get the point?
"What do you want, Erick?" I check my rearview mirror before pulling off. The van is moving again too. Sloppy surveillance.
"Uh, well you told me that you would throw something my way in exchange for what I did for you." Erick pipes up.
The panel van has tinted windows but a few days ago I was able to get a quick look at the man and woman who have been tailing me. White guy, blonde hair underneath a blue baseball cap, and an Indian woman with black hair. No doubt taking notes on where I go, what I do, and who I see in hopes that it leads them somewhere. As much as I'm enjoying running them around the city, I think I have a way to end this sooner rather than later.
"Ashley, you still there?"
"Meet me on Victory and Wakely in an hour. I'll have something for you." I end the call.
Next stop, the bank.
... ...
I park on a side street but don't get out of the car right away. I can see Erick further up the block, his hands shoved in his pockets, head down, pacing around in a circle. I've been letting him stew a bit. I grab the white envelope I picked up from the bank out of my glove box and step out of the car. I slowly take in my surroundings, I don't see the van but I know it's here somewhere I caught a glimpse of it a few times on my way here. I have to make sure I look like I'm being careful, so I look around one more time before walking up the street toward Erick. I glance over my shoulder a few times for added effect. I'm laying it on thick but I need them to be paying attention, and short of waving my arms in the air and screaming 'keep watching pigs' this is all I can do.
"There you are! I was starting to think you forgot about me," Erick stops pacing once he sees me.
"I don't forget people who do me favors," I turn my body outward toward the street, hope this is a good angle for any surveillance photos. I smile to myself.
"Yeah, yeah. Anything you need. Actually, I have a line on something right now down by-" Erick starts rubbing his hands together like some sort of supervillain.
"Why don't you come by the club tonight, full VIP roll out, my treat," I cut him off. If this surveillance includes any kind of long-range listening or recording I don't need him saying anything stupid.
I play this right and maybe I can find out who's taken an interest in me. They've been following me around for two weeks and have nothing, if I give them a taste now they're going to be running in that direction. I need this meeting to look sketch. That's all.
"Really? Ok, I'll be there tonight!" Erick straightens up at the invitation.
I hand him the envelope, "This is for you."
Erick looks around cautiously but takes the envelope and starts to shove it in his back pocket.
"Count it," I tell him.
"Uh…I trust you. No worries." He says and taps his pocket twice.
"You shouldn't," I put my hand on Erick's shoulder. "Go ahead, count it. I'll wait" I tell him again.
He nods slowly and pulls the envelope from his pocket. "Yeah. Ok." He opens the envelope and fans out the cash.
Sorry Erick, but this is the best part. He starts counting out the 3 grand I've given him. Shady cash handoffs in the middle of a quiet street. Doesn't that scream illegal activity? I hope thing 1 and thing 2 are getting pictures of this. I stifle a laugh.
"We're square." Erick tucks the envelope back into his pocket.
"Great, see you tonight." I give Erick a nod and before he can say anything else I slip inside the shop we've been standing in front of.
There's no one out front so I take a look around. Guitars hang from the walls along with some framed photographs. One in particular stands out. It's an old photo of two men in front of the store, taken over a decade ago. The facade of the building is entirely different, along with the sign. I hop onto the glass counter and slide across it.
"Don't climb on my cabinets!" A voice reminds me
"This wasn't here last week when I came by," I point to the photo on the wall.
"I found it at the house, I figured you'd like it so I put it up." Vic shrugs walking over to me.
I stare hard at the photograph, I couldn't have been older than 10 when this was taken. It's Vic and my father from around the time they first opened the store together.
"Your mother took the photo. She and your dad tried to get you to join us for it but you were racing up and down the sidewalk on this new scooter they'd gotten you." Vic rubs his knuckle over his brow, something my dad use to do too.
"I remember that thing," I laugh, "it had these pink and green tassels hanging from the handles, ugh, I thought it was so cool." I think back.
"Your dad would bring you to the shop all the time after picking you up from school, you would do your homework right over there." He points to a nook on the opposite side of the store. It's where music books are shelved now but when I was younger it was a beanbag set up just for me to have my own little space. "And then it was right back to that scooter just as soon as you finished."
Vic and Raife were best friends, they went to all the same schools together growing up, and they were expelled together too. When they turned 18 they went into the army together and a few bad decisions later they shared a prison cell together for 4 years. They were practically brothers. Vic was a constant during my childhood. If my father was there, he was there. Hence, Uncle Vic.
"So, did you just miss me or what? 'Cause I told you you're guitar won't be ready for at least another two weeks." Vic crosses his arms, leaning against the glass counters.
"Someone's following me," I say unexpectedly. I fully intended to make up some white lie about checking on him and the store but the truth came out instead.
Vic's reminiscing smile from a moment ago falls immediately, his face is serious and his body stiffens, "What the hell are you talking about?"
"It started a couple of weeks ago, I don't know if it's LAPD, DEA, or the Feds but I'm under surveillance"
"Jesus, Ashley! and you bring them here?" He huffs. "This about that shit that went down at the club?" He questions.
"I don't know, maybe." I sigh. No one had bothered any of us about the shooting in a while. Things had been quiet.
"Maybe? Is the case closed or not?" Vic's tone becomes one of reprimanding. "Tell me again why you thought it was a good idea to shoot a guy in the middle of a busy nightclub," He pushes himself off the glass counters and folds his arms. "Your nightclub," he adds.
I stand up straight meeting his gaze, "Kyla's club now actually, she bought me out." I tell him. "And I didn't come here for a lecture. It's not the first time I've been under surveillance, won't be the last. I have things under control."
It's quiet between us for a moment, neither of us wanting to budge. Vic backs down first.
"Advice then? If you won't listen to the lecture will you take some advice?" He asks.
I give a slight nod and he continues.
"Lean on Madison and Aiden. I don't doubt you have things under control but no one is an island, loop them in and give them a chance to step up. Secrets cause fractures, they leave you vulnerable." Vic says, speaking from experience.
"Did my dad tell you everything?" I ask.
"No." Vic hangs his head. "And if he told me more, I could have been there when he needed me." He places his hands on my shoulders. "Don't repeat Raife's mistakes."
... ...
When I left Vic's there was no sign of the van. Did they take the bait that quickly and follow Erick? I doubt it. Something else must be going on. Maybe it's a doughnut break. I didn't expect to lay out my problems to my uncle but he gave sound advice. I didn't get this far alone, Madison and Aiden have been with me every step of the way. Keeping them in the dark about the surveillance can cause more harm than good. I have to tell them tonight, and I'll have to do it at FADE since it's the only place I know for sure I'm not being watched.
Kyla hates it when I park directly in front of the club, but I do it anyways. What can I say? It's convenient. There are a few staff members unpacking boxes on the dance floor, cleaning supplies, toiletries, and stuff like that. Only one of them I recognize, everyone else is new.
"Naomi," I call her name.
She turns toward my voice, her face lighting up when she sees me.
"Ashley!" She rushes toward me and pulls me into a hug. I wrap both of my arms around her and lift her off the ground.
Naomi was one of the first dancers Kyla and I hired to work at the club. She's 5'9, a gorgeous caramel complexion and a face and body that made it hard for the other girls we hired to compete.
"Is it your first day back?" I ask, remembering I didn't see her at the soft opening last night.
"Yeah, I'm working the prep shift today but I'm on the schedule for nights next weekend so I should get to see more of you." She nudges me playfully.
"Good, it'll be nice to have faces I recognize around here," I admit. "Um, hows the… you know." I fumble, uncertain of how to broach the subject.
"It's ok, Ashley," Naomi takes my hand and gives it a light squeeze. "Dr. Hidalgo says the first two surgeries are the most tricky, now that those are done I have to wait at least nine months before my next one but he's very optimistic. He likes to joke that when he's done I'll look even better than before."
"That's not funny." I say flatly. Maybe I need to go have a conversation with Dr. Hidalgo, once I get rid of this tail for good.
Naomi smirks, "No, it's not, but he's one of the best plastic surgeons in the world. Thank you again for making it possible."
Don't thank me, I'm the reason your face is almost unrecognizable.
"Is my sister in her office?" I ask.
"Yeah, I think so."
I take the steps two at a time and go down the hall to Kyla's office, the door is unlocked.
"You got a minute? I need something." I walk in.
Kyla is going through a bunch of papers on her desk.
"Of course you do," Kyla sets the papers to the side. "I need something too," She sits back in her chair, crossed-armed.
"Ok, what is it?" Great she needs something, I need something. This might go smoother than I expected.
"For you to knock before bursting into my office."
Clearly, I spoke too soon.
I reach my arm behind me and use my knuckle to tap on the door, "Knock, Knock" Kyla rolls her eyes at me, hard. "I need my office back."
Kyla's body lurches forward, "Are you insane? No. I bought you out, you don't get an office. You don't work here!"
"I'm asking nicely." I round Kyla's desk and sit on the edge.
"You're not asking, you're demanding," Kyla looks at me. "And what's the alternative are you going to shoot me in my office?"
My chest tightens. Does she actually think I would kill her? Would I kill her?
"You're actually thinking about it, Oh my god." She stands. "You have everything! And still, you scheme, steal, lie…..kill. Something is broken inside of you, Ashley." Kyla backs up, her face a mixture of fear and disgust.
"Not everything. Not my office." I keep my voice calm. "Don't test me on this, Kyla."
I walk back toward the door giving Kyla some space. I watch her sit back down at her desk and push a couple of papers around. She's fidgeting.
"I'll have some of the guys clear out the boxes in your old office, and get your stuff out of storage. I'll get it done but it won't be tonight. You, Madison, and Aiden will just have to plot world domination in your VIP room for now." Kyla doesn't look at me, she just keeps pushing paper around the desk.
"Speaking of VIP, I'm going to need to reserve another balcony for someone tonight. I promised them a good time." I remember my conversation from earlier with Erick. I told him he could come by the club tonight.
Kyla nods but still doesn't look at me.
"I'll see you later," I tell my sister before leaving her office.