Catch A Tiger By The Tail (THIRDS 6)

Calvin looked down at himself with a frown. “Hey, Baby Face Nelson was shorter than me. You wouldn’t call him adorable.”

“Probably because he was a cold-blooded murderer. You, on the other hand….”

Ash leaned over to pinch Calvin’s cheek, and he swatted Ash’s hand away with a laugh.

“Fuck off.”

Ethan had to agree with Ash. Calvin was the most adorable mobster he’d ever seen. Of course, he wouldn’t tell Calvin that. The royal blue three-piece suit brought out his eyes, and the newsboy cap looked too cute on him. Ethan had chosen the same style hat, but he’d gone with a more casual look, opting for a green shawl collar sweater with deep auburn buttons that matched his bow tie and shoes, and a pair of gray slacks. He looked more like some twenties collegiate than a dangerous mobster.

This was so much fun! He couldn’t wait to see what the rest of his friends were wearing. Just as the thought crossed his mind, Dex emerged from the back entrance of Dekatria, which Bradley had left unlocked for them. The drums of some swinging tune kicked up as Dex sauntered over. Ethan had to give the guy a slow clap.

“Aw, shit. Well, look at what we’ve got here,” Calvin said with a laugh. “It’s Public Enemy Number One.”

“More like Public Pain in the Ass Number One,” Ash grumbled.

“Thanks, Cal.”

Dex bowed gracefully, and Ethan put his thumbs up. His friend looked good in his navy blue three-piece suit and long black overcoat. He wore a black felt hat on his head with white spats over his shiny black shoes. Dex grinned widely and opened the sides of his coat to reveal the imitation Tommy gun hanging from his shoulder holster. He motioned over his shoulder.

“My sugar daddy should be here any minute. He’s parking the Rolls Royce.”

“So the delinquent falls for a class act. Not much playacting involved there,” Ash drawled.

“Bite me, Capone.”

The back door opened, and Ethan let out a whistle. Holy cow. Everyone broke into whoops and catcalls.

“Yeah, yeah. It’s called a shave,” Sloane said with a smirk as he turned to show off his tuxedo with tails, white vest, and bow tie.

His hair was slicked back and parted neatly to one side, and he held a top hat in one white-gloved hand. Ethan couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen Sloane without at least some stubble. Had his friend ever been clean-shaven? Come to think of it, he’d never seen Sloane in anything that resembled a suit either.

Dex walked over to Sloane and kissed his cheek. “You clean up so pretty. Now how about wetting my whistle, handsome?”

Sloane held his arm out, and Dex looped his through it.

“Come on, kitten. Let’s get us some hooch.”

“Just stay away from the grapes,” Ash warned.

Dex cringed. “Ooh, you ate from the platter before he put it out? You’re lucky to be alive, man. Lou is scary when he’s working. Seriously. Like, we’re talking Temple of Doom, rip your heart out of your chest scary.”

Ash threw his hands up. “It was one freakin’ grape.”

Ethan chuckled and followed them to one of the larger tables. Letty arrived draped in a faux fur coat, her hair pinned up in curls, and a dazzling silver headpiece sparkling as she walked to the coatrack. She took her coat off, and everyone whistled.

“Holy shit, Guerrera’s wearing a dress,” Ash teased. “Never thought I’d see the day.”

Letty flipped Ash off as she hung up her coat and walked over, the fringes of her glittering gold flapper dress swishing as she moved. “Fucking heels. I already want to throw them at someone.”

“Looking smoking hot,” Dex said, wriggling his eyebrows.

“Shut up.” She tried to gather as much of her skirt fringe as possible in an attempt to sit, got frustrated, and plopped onto the empty chair beside Sloane.

“No really, you look good.”

Letty peered at him. “You saying I don’t always look good?”

“Um….” Dex leaned into Sloane, whispering hoarsely, “Help me out here.”