Rhapsody (Butcher and Violinist 1)

Watching the Asian woman at the bar, I noticed the pain in her eyes. The type city-living brought. No matter what country, the vileness of the city clung to the unlucky. Her gaze looked tired, like she didn’t get much sleep.

I grabbed Louis’s attention. “Find out what wakes her up in the middle of the night.”

Rafael rolled his eyes. “We’re back on the nightmares?”

“That’s the only way to truly beat someone.” I rose from the table. “Just focus on the women, Rafael. I’ll concentrate on everything else.”

I left the Sugar Lounge and headed for the exit. There hadn’t been much time to think since the cops had ruined my breakfast, and Celina had revealed herself to me.

Everything had changed.

I couldn’t use the force I’d yearned for.

New plan.

Outside, the moon glowed in the sky, despite the blurry view from the storm. Gray clouds illuminated shades of gloom above the city. The Red Light District’s traffic thumped and banged through potholes on the street. Rain fell in a pitter-patter pattern. Not a storm. Just enough to get a quick walk in. A chill rode the air. Men rushed by with scarves hiding their faces. Everyone gripped large umbrellas.

Walk or hang about?

Irritated, I searched around for anything that interested me. A strip club sat right across the street. A red light glowed in the window. I’d been told by many that one could get a perfect steak there.

I’m not hungry enough, and I’ve seen enough naked women for the night.

I kept my hands in my pockets and strolled forward.

More brothels and strip clubs outlined each block. It was clear that even in the bad weather, the sex business boomed.

I passed two blocks and realized that someone was following me. Perhaps they lingered in the shadows. Maybe there were several. But my journey through the rainy district was definitely being monitored.

After the third block, a black car drove by slowly.

I looked at it.

Two men sat in the front. The passenger guy scowled at me.

They rode on for a few feet, and then parked a block away. The driver didn’t even strive for precision as he rammed the right tire hard against the curb. The lights remained on, and they both left the car.

We have more surprises today?

Both wore long black coats and held baseball bats in their hands.

Really? Bats? There are so many things out here to hurt each other with. Why bring bats?

Others moved around on the sidewalk, getting from here to there. No one paid attention to the men coming my way, but me.

More of Celina’s men or is this now Eden’s cousins coming to beat me up? Getting to her has become a serious task.

As they stepped closer, the men slipped the bats under their coats. A good distance stood between us. They had ten yards of sidewalk, then the cross walk, and another ten more yards. They walked with ease. Huge. Confident. Ready to use those bats.

I kept a neutral expression as I increased my pace, wanting to get to the crosswalk first. Thankfully, they reached the crosswalk, after me.

I stood on the opposite curb.

The stop light flashed green, making us all pause. Cars zipped by.

They watched me from the other side.

I studied them.

If I was casting an action movie, I would’ve hired them. They looked the part. Tall and heavy. Padded with muscle. The bats stayed hidden under their coats. They probably gripped them around the meat of the wood and kept them upright under the lining.

I checked the traffic light. It went to yellow. A few cars passed. Then the light changed to red. The men walked over. Others crossed too. I remained where I was.

They approached.

Which one is the boss of you two?

The first guy to speak, represented the dominant half of a partnership. When it came to a moment like this where it was two of them against my one, I liked to knock Mr. Authority out first.

I edged back, attempting to give them a sense of security.

Right in front of me, they stepped up on the curb and glared. Only two feet lay between us.

The guy on the left spoke first. A heavy Russian accent rode his words. “We would like to talk to you somewhere in private.”

“Why?” I asked.

“Celina would like you to stay away from her niece.”

“I understood the message this morning.”

“She doesn’t think you did. It appears you had somebody bully Eden’s date this evening. He never showed up.”

Good. He ran off.

I gave a sad smile. “Sounds like they weren’t compatible. That has nothing to do with me.”

“We still think it would be a good idea for us to talk.” He opened his coat and exposed the bat as if the gesture was supposed to trigger fear in my heart. Had they not heard about me? Was Celina really prepared to battle?

The traffic light changed to green.