CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
-:- Paisley -:-
Sweating as always on a Sunday morning I give Star a filthy look because she’s hardly puffing at all. “Why is it you look so good and I look like I took a sweat bath?”
Star giggles, “Well, I work out every morning, so this is nothing new to me or my body. I love working out. Muscles heated, blood pumping, sweat running down my back and between my breasts.”
“Breasts, what breasts?”
We both look up, but I’m surprised that it’s Meat speaking because I have hardly heard him say a word. But he has a heck of a wonderful voice, deep rumbly, reminds me of aged whisky in a crystal glass…
“Hey, shut it, that’s my man’s voice.” Star says but with a huge smile on her face. The blush rushes into my face and even my forehead feels hot. “Yeah, you said all that out loud.”
“Shit,” I mumble, turning and walking away fast. Now you could call that speed walking to get distance between me and the laughter from Star and Meat.
Rushing through the kitchen, I make my way to our room, where I’m going to have a shower, and let my embarrassment ease. Why is it I can’t just think things, instead of this blurting shit out without realizing? Honestly, it’s one bad habit.
“What’s a bad habit, Pais?”
I turn and see Jo looking at me questioningly, “That…That is a bad habit.” I don’t wait to explain anything. I zip my lips, and jog the rest of the way to save meeting anyone else before I can close the door and smack myself silly.
Cleaned up, I pick up the coveralls that Specs had delivered to me, along with everything I need for refinishing the crib. I’m going to make a start on that today, and it’ll be a good way to stay out of trouble.
TwoCents has gone to Club Whisky with Silver, who is going to be returning to work by the end of this week, but he’s only going to do two hours a morning just to check orders, and staff rotations.
Downstairs I enter the shed, which is more of a barn, if I’m honest. I see the gear that Specs has set out for me, and someone has even broken down the crib, so it’s in pieces, ready.
I get the paint stripper after placing the mask over my face. The thing completely covers my face, but I’m okay with it because I don’t want to incur any breathing issues. I paint the stripper on each piece of the crib. Set my phone timer for twenty minutes when I’ve done the lasst piece, then clean the brush and place the stripper can away once finished with.
Placing my ear buds in, I find my playlist on my phone and tuck it in the sleeve holder. Then I get to work with the scraper and take off all the old paint, making sure I keep it all in one place, ready to throw it away when I’m done.
It takes around two hours to finish stripping all the paint and wiping the wood ready for sanding. But I’ve had enough for today. I clean up and put everything away, making sure I keep my things together but out of the way of anyone else wanting to do anything in here.
The how-to instruction sheet Specs has printed off is easy to read, and I hope I’ll do a good job with the crib.
I take my earbuds out and tuck them in the top pocket of the coveralls, then jump slightly when I hear someone speak.
“Can I see what you’ve done so far, Pais?”
Turning, I see Fox stepping into the shed, “Oh, yes, of course. I’ve only taken the old paint off so far.”
Fox squats in front of the crib, scrutinizing, and giving me nods now and again. I wait for his critique with what must be a hopeful look on my face.
“You’ve done well, Pais. Next, you need to give it a light sanding. Make sure not a spec of old paint is left on it first. But I think you’ve done a good job, Pais. If you need help, you give me a shout out.”
“Thank you, Fox,” I say, giving him a small smile. “I followed Specs’ how-to-do instructions for stripping off the old paint.” I pass Fox the paperwork Specs gave me and he reads it, passing it back to me when he’s done.
“Follow it and you should be fine. But, you get stuck, you call and I’ll be happy to help or guide you.”
I watch Fox walk away and I feel grateful that he will help if I need it. I’ve never done something like this before, but I’m willing to give it my best shot.
Back in the clubhouse, after another shower and change, I walk into the kitchen and grab a bottle of water. I keep my eyes down because I don’t want to embarrass myself even more than I have already where Meat, who is in the kitchen slicing ribs and preparing them for the smoker, is concerned.
TwoCents appears through the back door, and I give him a bright smile. I love it when he comes back from somewhere. It always has me feeling complete.
Walking right up to me, wrapping his arms around me, and kissing me gently before holding me for a few minutes. “Missed you, Pais. What have you been doing?”
Releasing me, we take a seat at one of the tables and I fill him in on my paint stripping. I also tell him Fox offered to help or guide me if I get stuck. That pleased him and he gave me a nod before telling me any of the brothers would help if I asked, but Fox is a furniture man, so to listen if he tells me anything.
Drag calls our names, and as we turn, he gives us a chin lift to follow him. I look at TwoCents and he gives me a shrug that he does not know what’s going on either.
Walking into Axel’s office, I see a woman standing with a man behind her. They look similar, so they may be brother and sister. But I give them both a small smile before sitting in the chair Axel points at.
Axel gains my attention when he speaks. “Paisley, this is Nell and her brother Graham. Nell is a friend of the club, and she has some important information.”
“Hi, Paisley. I have your buyer on my property. We picked him up when his private jet landed and we quietly stole him away. His boss is Vincenzo Vitale…” Nell is calmly speaking, but I jump to my feet because I recognize that name.
“That’s the mafia guy, right?” I gasp and I look at TwoCents, who doesn’t seem even a little concerned about any of this.
“Sit down, Paisley. Vitale is going to sort out this Augustus Brant because what he’s been involved in should not be happening. Vitale has cleaned up a lot since he took over, and he’s not going to let any of this get away from him. He’s already got an underboss traveling to take over from Brant.” Nell is giving me another calm look, and steps toward me before taking my hand in hers. “He’ll sort them out, or I will. I’d like you to come and meet Vincenzo Vitale, Paisley, so you know that you are safe from now on.”
I turn and look at Axel, who has said nothing since introducing Nell and her brother. My expression must tell him I need him to confirm or deny what Nell is telling me.
“We’ll meet this Augustus asshole and speak to Vitale. Now, if we are not happy with what we hear, we’ll deal with the fucker ourselves. Nobody will hurt you, Paisley, I’ll make sure of it. As the President of this club, I will take him out myself if need be.”
TwoCents puts his hand on my shoulder, giving it a squeeze before speaking. “I may be the accountant to the club, but I’m also prior-military, and if this fucker needs taking out, I’ll do it. Pais is my wife, and I’ll do whatever is needed to keep her safe. If that means killing a piece of shit like Brant then I have no qualms about doing it.”
“Okay.” That’s all I say because I could easily cry knowing these men who I’ve only known a few months would do what they are saying has my heart ready to burst.
Walking into Nell’s boarding house a while later, I can’t help but think how homey it is. It has a warm, welcoming feel to it, and the kitchen feels like the hub of the house.
A man in a black suit, looking impeccable, walks into the kitchen, taking hold of Nell’s hand and kissing her knuckles. Now, Nell does not look impressed at all by his display, and the man that walked in with Mr. Impeccable places his hand over his mouth to hide the smile he’s wearing.
“My Nell, how are you today?”
“I’m not your Nell, and don’t you forget it,” Nell spits at him. Now I don’t hold the giggle back, and Nell gives me a dirty look. I shrug because hey, it was funny.
Axel steps forward, holding his hand out. “Vincenzo, nice to see you again. I hope you are keeping well, and all the rats have been taken off the ship.”
“Rats don’t have time to run off my ship because it isn’t sinking. I don’t allow any to scurry into dark corners, or jump overboard. But we have a few more I need to deal with, it seems.”
I have to say that he is smoothly spoken, and his voice has a melody to it. Not sure if it’s Italian or not, but I’m keeping quiet. I make sure my mouth is well and truly zipped, and none of the speaking out-loud happens.
TwoCents turns me to look at him. “I need you to put this blindfold on, Pais, but I’ll be holding your hand all the time, so you have nothing to be frightened about.”
I search his face for something that may show I need to be worried, but seeing nothing, I give him my trust and nod my head. “Okay.”
Blindfold on, turned around a few times, then led by TwoCents to goodness knows where. I keep a tight hold of his hand. My senses are trying to catch anything that gives a clue, but I only smell cleaning products, no breeze on my skin, and the only sound is footsteps.
A door opens and closes, then we all stop walking. I wait quietly and blink a few times when TwoCents takes off my blindfold.
Looking around, I see we are standing in a long hallway, with five metal doors on each side of me. They have grilled windows and, peeking through one, I can see a single cot, toilet, and a bible sitting on the ground next to the cot.
I think it’s more prison-like than the cells in a prison, but I’m still keeping quiet. I look at TwoCents, who is smirking at me, and I grit my teeth when I realize that once again I said that out loud.
Nell opens one of the cell doors and TwoCents guides me inside along with Nell, Vitale, Vitale’s man, and Graham. My eyes must pop when I see the man sitting on the cot because he’s black and blue, has a badly blackened eye, which is closed, and he’s holding one hand over his ribs. Now, do I feel sorry for him? No, I don’t, because this is the asshole who purchased me as some sort of sex slave, I’m sure.
Whispering to TwoCents, I ask, “Who worked him over?”
Nell smiles, “That would be Tank and Richie. They picked him up from his jet, and my boys like to play with the food.”
No, don’t ask, I’m thinking, but Vitale steps forward and leans toward the man who I notice leans away from him as far as he is able.
“You know what is going to happen to you, Augustus, and you know why it’s going to happen. I already have a replacement for you traveling to take over. All your men will be scrutinized, and we will clear out the trash. Is there anything you want to say to Paisley before you meet your demise?” Vitale smoothly says, and he is cold as ice, which leaves a shiver running down my back.
Augustus says nothing. He doesn’t even look my way. When Vitale’s arm flashes out so fast nobody would have a chance of stopping him, I gag, because the spurt of blood that flies across the room is from the slit throat that Vitale just gave him.
TwoCents pulls me out of the room, cursing under his breath. But after the initial shock, I am actually pleased that the man is dead. Knowing he can never hurt another woman, because you can bet he has done this before, leaves me thankful.
Vitale walks out of the cell and gives his man a nod. I’m not sure what that nod means and I don’t care to ask. But I walk up to him, hold my hand out and, although Vitale takes my hand in his own, he gives me a questioning look.
“Thank you. I’ll never worry about him coming after me again.”
“You are welcome, and I’m chasing Charles Irvin as we speak. Once I catch him, he’ll have the same fate.” Vitale kisses my knuckles, and TwoCents” growl makes me laugh at how silly he is.
Back at the clubhouse I’m about ready to go to sleep when banging on the door has both TwoCents and me jumping to a sitting position. “NEED YOU AND PAISLEY DOWNSTAIRS.”
“Okay,” TwoCents says, and we both drag ourselves out of bed. I throw on sweatpants and a t-shirt before we head downstairs to presumably Axel’s office.
Axel nods for Buzz to close the office door once we have entered, and he doesn’t waste time speaking. “Paisley, I’m sorry to have to tell you that Maurice was shot earlier this evening. We have no more details other than he was at an awards dinner and as he left, someone shot him. He was rushed to the hospital but died on the operating table.”
I sit heavily on the chair nearest to me and look at Axel blankly. My mind is racing to understand all he has said. Maurice is gone. He’s dead!
Quietly, I speak, “Maurice told me to divorce him because of threats he’d received to hurt me, or take me. He rigged up having mistresses, so it looked like he didn’t care about me. Then told me to change my name and run, and to stay well away from him.
“Maurice knew about the information I had tucked away. He had, in fact, given some to me and said if anything happened to him, to give the information to someone who could use it to bring down all of them.
“He wasn’t the bad guy that everyone thought, but I promised I would never speak of it until he told me I could or he died. He was working with someone in the FBI to bring down this trafficking ring. The senators, judges, and anyone else involved are detailed in the folder with the files you will need to give to your man Forest, and allow him to do whatever he can with the information. I have extra files that I will get to you.” A tear runs down my cheek for the husband that he first was, and for the man I divorced who knew he was taking an enormous risk to stop this ring.