8. Ike
8
IKE
“Shouldn’t you check in on Isla?” IRIS asked.
I turned down the alley, parking about two car lengths in. “Isla can take care of herself.”
He snorted derisively. “Didn’t you just get kidnapped with her?”
“There were extenuating circumstances. Isla’s not in danger.”
“Then what the fuck are we doing out here?”
“Hunting,” I muttered, shoving open the car door and getting out.
The darkness of night wrapped around me, reminding me how good it felt to be in the city again, to be surrounded by the life I knew so well. It was also a reminder of what I would need to leave behind if I had any chance of winning Isla. My life could never touch her.
“I love it when you say all that cryptic shit. Hunting. Like that’s a fucking answer.”
“We’re going to visit a friend.”
“I didn’t know you had any,” he muttered.
I glanced over at him, stopping when I saw what he was wearing. “Don’t you ever wear anything more…fashionable?”
He glanced down at his tactical pants and then back at me. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”
“IRIS, we’re going into a nice establishment to talk to the type of men who would never take you seriously dressed like that.” Sighing, I turned around.
“Where are we going?”
“You can’t be seen like that.”
“So, we’re just giving up?”
“Nope.”
I pulled out my phone and placed a call to my favorite girl. She was always there when I needed her, and this was a desperate situation. Twenty minutes later, IRIS and I walked into my favorite shop. There were no fancy labels here. But everything was tailor-made. However, we’d have to buy one of his samples for tonight.
“Linda,” I grinned, holding out both hands, giving her a kiss on both cheeks.
“It’s been a while, IKE. Are you here for another fitting?”
“Not tonight. My friend is in need of an emergency makeover.”
Linda looked past me to IRIS and nearly fainted. Her eyes bulged when she saw the boots he wore. “Oh my. I will do the best I can. How long do we have?”
“An hour tops.”
She nodded and got right to work. I turned back to IRIS and grinned, knowing he would hate every second of this.
“I’m not getting rid of my clothes.”
“For tonight, you are.”
“But I need my pants.”
“For what?”
“Uh…my explosives?”
I rolled my eyes. “Improvise.”
“Improvise,” he said mockingly. “You know, some of us don’t need fancy suits and scarves and wool coats,” he said, snatching my scarf from around my neck. Then he frowned. “Actually, that’s pretty nice. What is this?”
“It’s cashmere.”
“It’s so soft.”
I snatched it back before he could get it dirty. Tucking it back in, I waited patiently, taking a seat as Linda called IRIS back. When he finally came out, I was shocked at what I saw. Gone was the EOD expert. In his place was a man who could pass for someone like me.
“The suit fits a little awkwardly,” Linda said, tugging at his pants. “His muscles are just too big. And the inseam isn’t quite right?—”
“Hey!” IRIS said, shifting as she touched just a little too close to his cock.
I chuckled at the baffled expression on his face. She was just doing her job. “It’s fine, Linda. He’ll do for tonight. Now we just need a coat.”
“And a scarf,” IRIS piped up. “Preferably one like his.”
I shook my head at him.
“What? If you have one, I should, too. I want to look the part.”
“Trust me, you won’t.”
“You know, George doesn’t like to sell his samples, but I know he would do anything for you.”
“We’ll bring it back in the morning.”
She looked relieved at that. “I would appreciate that.”
“And can you add in some cologne for this one,” I said, jerking my thumb at IRIS.
“Anything for you, IKE,” she said, her cheeks turning bright red.
While she scurried into the back, IRIS turned at me, his eyebrows raised. “She would do anything for you?”
“I work exclusively with her,” I explained.
“Yeah, I’ll bet that’s not all you do.”
“I have never once crossed that line with her. I would hate to have to find another tailor.”
IRIS snorted and turned away. “Seriously, I don’t understand why we need to look like this to talk to some people. When I want answers, I just beat it out of them.”
“You wouldn’t get very far with these men.”
“Why?”
“Well, first, you’d have to capture them. The amount of planning just isn’t worth it.”
“And second?”
I turned and cocked my head at him. “Second, what?”
“You said first. That implies there’s a second.”
“Or it means that I had one really good example.”
“Then you should have just said that. Why would you say first if you didn’t have a second? I don’t get it. You just put me through this whole back and forth for nothing.”
“You put yourself through that.”
Linda returned just in time to save me from an argument with IRIS, handing over his coat and a bottle of cologne.
Twenty minutes later, we were strolling down the alley to the door at what appeared to be the back of a restaurant. It really was the back of a restaurant, but it was the entrance only for the men who gathered in the back room. It was an exclusive club of sorts. Well, it was really just a bunch of bad guys that got together and discussed how amazing they were.
They played cards and risked a lot of money, but this was where deals were made and lives were lost. It was one of my favorite places to be. I nodded to Victor—the guard on duty for the night—grateful that it was him and not some newbie who didn’t know who I was.
“IKE, I haven’t seen you around in a while,” Victor grinned, entering the code of the night and opening the door.
“It’s been too long. He’s with me,” I said, jerking my head at IRIS.
Victor looked at him strangely. “Are you sure? He doesn’t really look like…”
“Like what?” IRIS snapped, stepping forward.
I held my hand out, pressing it to his chest and stopping him from ruining everything. “He’s cool, Victor.”
“Yeah, I’m cool,” IRIS huffed, completely ruining the image I was trying to present.
Victor nodded and let us in, but he eyed IRIS the whole way. As the door shut behind us, I grabbed IRIS and shoved him against the wall. “Are you trying to get us killed?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m cool?” I repeated his words, letting them drip like acid from my lips. “Victor doesn’t care if you’re cool. My word is all he needs. So keep your mouth shut and follow my lead.”
He rolled his eyes. “Is this what Jane saw in you?”
“My ability to get into a room without killing someone? Possibly. Most likely, it was my charm and suave looks.”
I released him and kept walking, adjusting my suit on the way and slicking back my hair. I was itching for a cigarette, but refrained for the moment. The doorway opened up to the backroom where the magic happened. I spotted the table I wanted and glanced at IRIS, nodding toward it. Hopefully, he could keep it together.
I strode through the room, nodding to a few of the men I knew better than others. But there was one man in particular I wanted to see tonight. Dressed like a mafioso, he was the man who had eyes and ears everywhere. If you needed information, he was who you came to—for a price. Donny stood as I approached the table, grinning as he shook my hand.
“IKE, it’s been a long time.”
“Donny, good to see you,” I said, laying on the charm. “This is IRIS.”
Donny nodded, holding out his hand. IRIS hesitated, only holding out his hand when I glared at him.
“So, to what do I owe the pleasure?”
“You know me. Gambling, booze, and information.”
“My three favorite things,” he grinned. “Bosco, move over and make some room for our friends.”
Bosco moved grudgingly. I never liked that fucker, but he always did as Donny asked. I removed my coat, handing it over to a gentleman who came over for it. IRIS followed my lead. As I took my seat, I unbuttoned my suit jacket, grinning at the rest of the men at the table.
“So, my friend, what can I get for you?”
“Whiskey.”
“I know that,” he laughed, nodding to the man who still stood behind me. “What information are you looking for?”
“I need to know about a cop,” I said, taking the cards that were dealt to me. “A detective.”
“From around here?”
I shook my head.
“That’ll cost you.”
I smirked. “I expected as much.”
“You got a name?”
“Yates. Shawn Yates.”
“And what has this fucker done?”
I tossed a chip into the center as I studied my cards. I wasn’t really here to win. I never was. I came. I lost a little money. I paid my dues to the man. Every once in a while, I took on a whale that walked in here pretending he was tough shit. But mostly, I just dealt with Donny.
“Put a hit on his wife.”
“A cop? You sure about that?”
“Either that or he did something to make someone else put a hit on her. I need to know what and why.”
He nodded. “It’ll take some time.”
I raised my eyes and smirked at him. “Not too much time.”
“Of course.”
I glanced at IRIS who was studying his cards, but paying attention to the conversation. However, he’d caught the attention of Bosco. Apparently, that fucker didn’t know when to mind his own business.
“You don’t belong here,” Bosco said, sniffing at IRIS.
“Bosco,” Donny snapped.
“What’s your deal?” he continued. “You come, but you don’t talk?”
“Just here to play poker and drink,” IRIS retorted.
Bosco leaned forward, grinning at him. “And why do I not believe you?”
“Are we going to have a problem, here?” I asked Bosco.
“Nah. Just never seen this fucker before.”
“He’s with me,” I said, narrowing my eyes at him. “That’s all you need to know.”
Bosco flicked his gaze to Donny. “Something ain’t right.”
“Bosco!”
“He shows up after being gone for months, and then he shows up with this prick?—”
He reached for IRIS, which was a mistake. IRIS grabbed his arm, shoving his chair back as he twisted the limb up behind the man’s back and shoved him face-first into the table.
“You want to call me that again, motherfucker?”
I turned to Donny and smirked. “New guys. What can I say?”
“Maybe it’s time you left.”
I downed my whiskey and tossed a grand on the table for Donny as a down payment. “Let me know when you find something.”
“Of course.”
“It was good to see you again.” I glanced behind me at IRIS. “Maybe I’ll leave him behind next time.”
He burst out laughing, clapping his hands once. I nodded to IRIS and he released the man, shoving him backward, making him fall into his chair. Fixing his suit, IRIS stalked toward me. As we headed out the way we came, the same man who took our coats met us at the door, handing them over. I pulled mine on, but of course, IRIS had to open his fucking mouth.
“My scarf isn’t here.”
“Forget the fucking scarf.”
“It was a nice scarf.”
“You made fun of my scarf,” I countered. “You didn’t even like it.”
“Well, I like it now,” he snapped. “I bought it?—”
“ I bought it,” I corrected.
“And I want it back.” He turned to the man, tapping him on the shoulder. “Excuse me, but I’m missing my scarf.”
“Is that right?” the man said, his eyebrow raised as he appraised IRIS.
I rolled my eyes, knowing this was not going to end well.
“That’s right. It was a nice scarf. Cashmere.”
“Well, if it was nice, maybe you shouldn’t have worn it here. Things tend to go missing around here.”
“You mean you steal shit,” IRIS said. “You don’t have to lie or mislead people. Just state the truth. People will be happier for it.”
The man stepped forward, brushing up against IRIS’s chest. He was easily a half a head shorter. If he thought he would win this fight, he was mistaken, but I needed that information, and if IRIS caused a fight, that was a surefire way to screw the whole fucking thing up.
“Let’s go,” I said, grabbing IRIS’s sleeve, but he jerked his arm away.
“No, not until I get my scarf back from this pretty boy.”
“Who are you calling a pretty boy? You’re upset over a scarf!”
“A very nice scarf,” IRIS argued. “If you don’t give it back, we’re going to have issues.”
The man pushed him and IRIS chuckled under his breath, turning to me for just a second. I closed my eyes, knowing what was going to happen. By the time I opened them, he was swinging. Chaos broke out as a full-fledged brawl started. I stepped back, unwrapping my scarf and stuffing it in my pocket. I didn’t want it to be used as a choking device.
I dove in, slamming my fist into a man who was trying to choke IRIS from behind. Then I picked up a serving tray and slammed it into the face of the nearest bouncer. I really hated to do this. I liked most of these guys, and I didn’t want to see them end up in casts.
IRIS flung one of the men to the other side of the room. He flew across a table, chips went crashing to the floor, and money scattered to the non-existent wind. I could see Donny in the distance, watching with wide eyes. I gave him the signal to get out and ducked just as a fist flew at my face. I popped back up and gave two shots with my left and a right to his kidney. I heard the rack of a gun and gritted my teeth.
Guns weren’t allowed in the club, except by the bouncers.
Fuck.
I glanced at IRIS, knowing we were screwed. “You got a plan?”
“I got something, but you’re not gonna like it.”
I rolled my eyes. The moment I asked him if he had something, I knew I wouldn’t like it.
“Alright, just…everyone calm down,” I said, trying to keep things cool. Man, I really did not want to ruin this suit. I slowly turned, staring at the men who held the guns on us. If I could just talk them down… “Look, we’re leaving. No one cares about the fucking scarf. You keep it.”
The man swiped the blood from his face, glaring at me, and at that moment, I knew things were about to get ugly.
“IRIS—”
The man shouted just as IRIS tossed something at him. “Run!”
We pushed past them for the door, shoving it open. My feet ate up the pavement, pushing harder than I ever had in my life. I glanced over my shoulder just as a loud boom wrenched through the night. Glass shattered, exploding outward as the force of the detonation sent both IRIS and me flying through the air. I landed hard on my back, gasping for air as the wind was knocked out of me.
I pushed myself up, coughing as smoke poured out of the building and flames licked the night sky. IRIS sat up beside me, grinning like the fool he was.
“That was so awesome.”
I glared at him, then sighed as I turned back to the wreckage. “Linda is going to be so mad at me when she finds out we’re not returning your suit.”