“You don’t know fuck about what we do and you don’t want to know little girl. Just know this, you’re in dangerous territory right now, you’d do well to remember that and keep your pretty little mouth shut.” Marco snapped, pulling his jacket back to reveal his handgun.
“Dude you don’t have to scare the girl.” Vinnie said.
I chuckled, “You think I’m scared of a handgun? Let me tell you something, I’ve been dealing with shit from the Marquez family since I was eight years old so let me tell you something, I don’t scare easily and I’m used to danger. You think you know me, think again.” I guessed right, Luca was into something illegal.
Vinnie chuckled but Marco just looked straight ahead, his expression gave nothing away.
We pulled up outside a large black metal gate and Marco pushed a button located on the dashboard that activated the opening mechanism. The gates slowly eased open to reveal a short driveway up to a large white two storey house surrounded by high walls with cameras in every corner.
“Nice place.” I nodded, “Is this your club house?” I teased.
“This is the bosses home,” Marco stated proudly pulling up next to a black sports car, “He lives here alone, well he did until tonight.” Marco turned to me and raised his eyebrows. “So what makes you so special then little girl?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know.” I replied opening my door and grinning back at him. “Maybe if you’d been friendlier on the drive over I might have told you.”
“We aren’t supposed to be ‘friendly’ with girls we deal with in our line of work.” Vinnie smiled as if to apologise for their lack of communication.
“Good job I’m not in your line of work then isn’t it.” I grinned back.
Marco led us to the highly polished black double doors at the front of the property and keyed in a code. The doors opened as the code was accepted and we strode inside.
“Wow this place is so cool.”
I walked across the small entry hall into the open plan living area and went down a couple of steps towards the windows which ran the full length of the room from floor to ceiling. It was pitch black outside but I could still tell it was a spectacular view of the beach with its snowy white sand and crashing waves. The décor was simple blacks and whites, and there were no photographs or personal artefacts on display. Luca’s home showed nothing of his personality, or perhaps it did. It was a front, perfect on the outside, flawless even, but hiding dark secrets underneath.
I spotted a pack of cards on a console table nearby and my rebellious side kicked into gear.
“Either of you guys play cards?”
“Not when we’re on duty.” Marco said folding his arms.
“Well you’re off duty now,” I held my hands up in the air, “Look, I’m where you needed to take me.” I huffed out in boredom, “Oh come on guys, humour me a little okay. I’ve had a pretty shitty night so a couple of hands of poker might cheer me up.”
Vinnie shrugged at Marco, “Sounds better than sitting around making small talk. Are we playing for money?”
Seeing as I had no money to start with I kicked off my Louboutins and gave a cheeky smile.
“How about strip poker?” They both raised their eyebrows at me. “Oh come on! I have three items of clothing on.” I opened my jacket to reveal what was underneath and Vinnie laughed, “You’re one crazy girl you know that?”
“So I’ve been told!” I danced over to a white lacquered dining table and sat down at the head of the table.
“So how many cards do I need to deal out for poker?”
Marco raised his eye brows in exasperation, “Do you even know how to play poker?”
I shrugged nonchalantly, “I played a few years ago with my Dad. I’ve forgotten some of the rules but I’m sure you guys can help me.” I gave Marco my best puppy dog eyes and he growled.
“The boss will kill us if he finds out we’re playing cards never mind strip poker.”
>
“Good job neither one of us will tell him then.” I smiled. “Marc you really need to live a little, let your hair down. If you take that stick out of your ass once in a while you might even have some fun.”
Vinnie roared with laughter, “Come on girlie I’ll deal, you just pray the cards are lucky for you tonight sweet heart.” He winked at me as he dealt the cards and Marco sat in the chair opposite him and to my right, looking at Vinnie as if he’d agreed to a game of Russian roulette.
We each looked at our cards, we ummed and ahhed and eventually we were all ready to show our hands.
“I don’t think my hand is any good is it?” I pretended to look hopeful as I put down my cards with zero value.