Page 8 of Spring Break with a Pilot

Heading to the kitchen, I take my time making myself another coffee, using the distance from Silk to get my tears under control. Back turned to him, I call over my shoulder. “You want another cup?”

“Sure. Just black.”

After handing him his mug, I cross to the window, leaning against the frame. “Two days later his chauffeur came by my apartment with a party dress and shoes. He informed me to be ready by eight for a party with my father.

“He picked me up in a limousine. The windows in the back were blacked out. I couldn’t see anything. When we arrived at the party location he pulled into a garage and the door shut before he let me out of the car.

“Inside was movie elegant and beautiful. Crystal chandeliers, velvet chaise lounges and chairs, real crystal for the champagne. Very boujee but somehow sterile. I noticed you couldn’t see out the windows. The view was hidden. When the old man who we called Big Tipper at the Mezcal joined us, along with SD—my sperm donor—I got nervous.

“‘Lovely, well worth the price’, the old guy said to my father.”

I glance at Silk. His expression is neutral, but there is a tic in his cheek. He knows what’s coming.

“My sperm donor sold me to his good friend to pay off a gambling debt.”

“How do you know?”

“SD had his arm over my shoulder keeping me close. When Big approached, I was told to spin around to show off the dress.

“Then he looked at Big and said, ‘We’re even. Debt paid?’ Big nodded and SD gave me a little push toward the other guy.

“Big had just told him to stay off the Faro Lady Cruise Ship, when all the lights flickered.”

“What happened after that?” Silk asks gently.

“Honestly, I don’t know. The owner got a phone call or something and the next thing I was being rushed with SD to the limo and taken away. The car stopped to let SD out. When he was half-in and half-out, I put my foot on his ass and shoved. He fell face first on the sidewalk. I jumped out over him and ran like hell. I got into my apartment from the fire escape, packed what I could carry and took off again. I’ve stayed clear of every place I’d been since. That’s how I ended up on the stoop behind Boots’ shop.”

“You called the old guy, Big?’

“That’s what SD, called him.”

“You said your…donor was a hot shot in the state attorney’s office. I looked there are no Romes.”

“No, his name is Mic Dennis. He’s all over the news and papers.”

“He’s your father? Yeah, we know about him. He’s tied to Enzo Bay as well. They’re both scum. Will you describe the old guy, Big, to a sketch artist? He’s a piece we’re missing.”

“Yes, but why?”

“If we can identify him, we’ll find proof and expose him.”

“Why?”

“Because going after assholes like this is what HARDORE does.”

“If I’m going to trust you, I need to know more.”

“My Ranger team was betrayed on our last mission. We lost three good men. Our brothers. All so someone could line their own pocket. We protect our own and we make it our mission to help others, and one way or another, expose the corrupt.”

I always wondered what the expression, ‘stone cold’, meant. Looking at Silk’s face I now know. Exactly like I feel.

“At the so called party, I saw a few other women, some who looked nervous like me. Others who looked half drunk or maybe drugged up. There was an icky vibe about the whole place. Then when Big came over and I realized what was happening I wondered if…

“Mom never talked about SD. All she ever said was I was a gift and she loved me. Now I wonder if…” I meet his gaze. “If I was the result of rape.”

5

Silk

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