Page 20 of Grace of Spades
And now the asshole from the other day at Ray's drop-off is involved in this bullshit. I just want to go home and sleep.
"This was my bookie. He's all yours, Ace." Bianchi says.
"With all due respect. It might be a good idea to clean house a bit." I say looking at all of them. Chekhov stands up in offence but I raise a bloody hand. "If they had files on all of you. It is a safe assumption that there are leaks in each of your houses." Iexplain. He nods and sits back down. Those Russians, always so fast to act. "I will take care of this one but then I'm going home. You know how to contact me if any of you need me again." Ray grimaces as he kicks Paolo over onto his back. I can't believe I made him piss himself. That's going on my resume. "Grace "Ace" Jacobs is so badass she made a grown man wet himself". It's got a nice ring to it.
"Of course. Thank you for your time." Bianchi smiles. These guys are big softies. Well, for Mafia bosses.
"Alright, Mr. Roberts, we need names..." I don’t even have to fucking touch him before he starts giving us every name he can think of. Wow. I knew I didn't like this guy.
I hear a bunch of names I know are a part of each house but I keep quiet. I know I'm not untouchable. Valuable, yes but there is always someone else who can do my job. I'm only alive because I keep my mouth shut and because no one knows who I am.
Once he's sobbing on the floor at my feet with nothing else to give, I look at The Heads and they all nod. Giving him the death sentence. I slit his throat with a quick and practised move before walking out of the room to wash up.
Once clean, Ray and I pass The Heads and their sons with a respectful nod and head to the van. Tomorrow is going to be interesting. I don't know if any of them recognized me. God, I hope not.
I change in the back of the van and once I'm back to Grace I let out a frustrated groan.
"What's going on, Little Mama?" Ray asks.
"I know the sons. One as more than a friend." I admit.
"Oh fuck. Which one?" He laughs. This is not funny.
"That's classified." I huff as he howls with laughter. What an asshole. Why am I friends with him again?
"Well, you didn't know who he was, did you?"
"Obviously not." I snipe. "God, the one time I'm a slut!" I growl.
"Please, you're hardly a slut. To be honest, I thought you were celibate." He chuckles. Ugh! Men! "Well, it's not like you don't know now. Just avoid them."
"There is no avoiding them."
"Oh. Well, just be careful?" He shrugs.
"Helpful. Thank you." He pulls up about a block away from his storage container. If hard pressed after a job, I would stay here sometimes but it is so not safe here with all the foot traffic. I’m thankful I don't have to worry about thatnow though.
"I'll take care of everything here. Get home." He says hugging me.
"Love you, man. Will I see you on Friday?" I ask.
"Fight night? Fuck yeah." He laughs. "I love watching some girl-on-girl action!" I push his arm playfully with a snort.
"Pig." I hop out and grab my bike. A black Honda nighthawk. I got it used when I turned fifteen. I needed a quick getaway from my parents and there he was. It's actually how I met Ray. He's the one who sold him to me and it's been best friends ever since... on both accounts.
I kick my bike to life and head to Andras' house letting the roar of the engine and the wind take away my stress. And hopefully the smell of blood.
I pull up to the gatehouse and am greeted by the night guard. He's a younger guy with sandy blonde hair and a sneer on what would be an attractive face.
"Hey, Mr. Van Doren is expecting me," I say passing him my fake ID.
"Sorry. You're not on the list." He says looking down at a clipboard.
"Greg let me in this morning!" I plead. God damn fake IDs they're no good when you need them.
"Look...Miss. Soprano, if you're not on the list I'm afraid you'll have to leave or I will call the police." He says firmly seasoned with only minimalcondescension.
"Are you kidding me? Just call him!" I suggest. Then I remember I have a phone now! "I'll call him!"I shout in victory taking out my phone. I hear the guard pressing a button that probably calls the police anyway so I hurry and dial Andras.
