And me?
I was the muscle in the operation if things went bad. But I was also very good at making the others security forget about their jobs and focus on me.
The dress I had picked out was doing work for me, hugging my curves as I sashayed closer to the group of men who were smoking and talking to each other in low voices.
Ilaria had sat down at the table twenty minutes ago and we were supposed to be in and out in one hour.
The plan was that the drinks should really hit the men about forty five minutes in. At that point Ilaria should be up enough that when she walks out of the room with the winnings we wipe the footage and get out of there.
After we leave we drop the money at her house and party.
We’re all on operation cheer up Ilaria because her mafia father got her engaged to the son of the Boston family.
We never told Ilaria that we know about her family. Her mother had told us when she is ready to talk about it she would be open up about it. So far she keeps that secret close and we all just let her think we have no idea about it.
Whatever helps her sleep at night.
“You lost, chica?” The man is a few inches taller than me and covered in black and gray tattoos. I can’t see them all because of his black t-shirt and dark pants but,I wonder if I ask very nicely if he will let me see.
Can I even do nice?
Whatever.
Smiling, I tilt my head, smiling at the man in a way that gets his attention.
Staring at him for a second longer than I should as he runs his tongue along the paper of his blunt to seal it. I’m thinking very impure thoughts about this man and wondering if I fuck him in the bathroom if that would be enough distraction.
No.
Focus, Sammie.
Can’t fuck him in the bathroom.
“No,” I finally answer, “I think I’m right where I’m supposed to be.” He smirks at this, holding up the joint he just rolled like he’s offering to share.
“You want to go outside with me?”
Not really.
“Sure.” I respond, following him out a side door, making sure to kick down the stopper so I can sneak back in without any trouble.
Men are simple creatures.
They haven’t developed in the last hundred years so you can expect them to do the same shit over and over again. Fall for the same tricks every time. They’re predictable creatures.
Which makes it easy when he leans in close to me, licking his lips and trying to be seductive.
Ugh.
My hand comes out, catching him in the throat and making him choke. The joint falling to the ground as he tries to catch his breath from how I took him by surprise. He won’t.
I press my fingers into his pressure point, watching him crumble and pass out.
One down. Nine to go.
I don’t really have to take out any of the security. As long as they don’t interfere it’s not a big deal to let them hang around.
They didn’t see Ilaria go in and they won’t see her come out because she will use the service entrance that I know Tessa is already waiting at to help her escape.
Checking my phone I see we’re running on time.
By now Becca is gone from behind the bar, already in the car and ready to take off. There is about ten minutes left in this card game and we can leave.
Most of the guards aren’t paying attention still and none of them have noticed they’re down one.
Of course they haven’t.
My hands itch and I pull out a cigarette, lighting up as I move over to the bar playing the fit in game so that I don’t have to stand around anymore.
I order a gin and tonic, paying in cash.
Can’t leave a trail for them to find us.
My mind goes back to our first time playing this game against the Cartel.
We had been in college still, Becca had just lost her boyfriend and was a shell of herself.
We wanted her back. Wanted revenge on the people who had taken her away from us. Wanted to see her smile again.