To Find a Queen

~ FIVE ~

Once done, I made my way quietly over to where he was sitting and replaced his empty glass with the full one. I felt his eyes follow me and I swear I saw him dip his head in thanks, but I decided I must be seeing things, as these men do not thank anyone for anything. As I moved back towards the bar, I almost stopped in my tracks when I heard a familiar name pop up in the conversation. I place myself back behind the bar and pretend to be busy wiping down the side as I break the cardinal rule of Hellgate. I eavesdrop.

‘I swear on my mother's grave, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I would never go behind your backs. Whatever you’ve heard about me and Anton’s crew is a load of bullshit.’ Vinny rambles on from his chair, the angel-of-death guy slowly circling him with his knife still effortlessly trailing across his fingers. Vinny finally shuts up and gulps as he tries to keep the knife in view. Whisky leans forward, his elbows resting on his perfectly ironed grey trousers. He straightens up an imaginary wrinkle in his sleeve cuff and then intertwines his fingers in front of him.

‘Ah, but you see, Vinny, we know that’s not true. Now we have been very nice to you in the past. Have we not?’. Vinny looks like his head is about to wobble off his fat neck if he nods any faster.

‘Absolutely sir. A-a-and that’s why I would never, ever betray you. You’re just far too nice to me and my club for me to even consider it.’ He stutters out in reply.

Normally, Vinny is walking round like he’s one of the kings himself. You’d think this place was one of the higher end Casinos in uptown, not a shitty little strip club and illegal gambling set up. He may as well call himself a pimp for some of the services he offers from the dancers’ back rooms. Yet here he is cowering like a mouse and lying through his teeth. See, years of waitressing for Vinny’s poker games has lead to me knowing every tell he has, and if his excessive blinking, rubbing his finger over his thumb on his tied down left hand and the bouncing of his knee is any indication, this guy is bluffing big time.

If this guy is working for f*****g Lowe now, then I’ve got to find a way out and fast.

I’ve managed to avoid Lowes' crew for years other than my monthly drop offs of mum’s money to one of his guys. I have no intention of running into them at work every weekend. But I am also interested in the fact the kings have an issue with this. As far as I was aware, Lowe worked for them, but this interaction has me thinking he’s broken off and is stepping on their toes. I file that little bit of info away to dwell on later.

’I agree’ says the Shadow Guy. Vinny lets out a relieved sigh, but soon sucks the air straight back in when he adds ‘we have been far too nice’.

’I'm afraid we have been because we've obviously given you the impression that we are weak. That's the only reason I can think of for you to be so ... idiotic, and sneak around behind our backs thinking we wouldnt notice. And with Anton Lowe, no less. And to top it all off, you lied to us about it! To our faces! Dont worry though, Vinny, I believe my brother here has time to give you a quick refresher on who’s actually in charge around here.’

‘No! No, please! I'm so freaking sorry. It's all a massive misunderstanding. I swear! I SWEAR!’ Vinny trembles, looking as if he is about to either burst into tears or piss himself. Oh look, it’s both.

Whisky sits back in his chair with a look of disgust as the smell of urine fills the air and Vinny turns on the waterworks. Angel of death suddenly looks enthralled as his eyes light up with glee and he looks to Whisky for the go ahead.

Okay, so two notes to take away. I thought to myself. Angel over there is far too excited at the thought of 'teaching' Vinny, and out of the four of them it looks like whisky is in charge.

Whisky looks at Hercules and silently communicates something before the doorman nods and leaves the room. Then his eyes landed on me and I froze in my task. He seemed to be almost reading my soul from across the room, then spoke directly to me.

‘I will give you two options, Princess.’ The nickname instantly gets my hackles up. ‘One: Leave the room and forget everything you heard and saw here today.’ He seems to wait a second, as if expecting me to dash out the door instantly. ‘Or two: stay and watch first hand how my brother reminds people of who is in charge. Before you answer, however, you should know there will be stipulations afterwards, should you choose to stay.’

Now most people would leave as fast as they could. But my intuition is screaming at me that it would be a mistake. If they believe Vinny is betraying them, it isn't a long way off believing that those of us under him are aware of it, myself being in that category simply for working for him. If I leave now, it could look as if I have something to hide. But I have also heard enough of the conversation to spread word about what happens when you cross the kings, so it would be their benefit for me to leave and boost their reputation around here with a little gossip if there are others round here in the know. I turned my gaze over to Vinny once more as he sobbed in his chair. I have no loyalty to you,Vinny, and I'm not getting dragged into your s**t, definitely, if you are working with Lowe.

My gaze flicked back to his and I held eye contact as I picked up a glass and continued with my waitressing duties. I saw the slightest flash of something close to surprise flash across his expression before he masked it and turned back to Vinny.

‘So be it. Have fun, Brother’ he said, then sat back as if getting comfortable and picked up his whisky. Angel advanced on the blubbering mess that was Vinny as his cries turned into screams.

I dropped my gaze as my hands began to shake. I've been around plenty of violence in my time, which is part of the problem, as the noises threaten to dredge up the memories I have long had on lockdown deep in the recesses of my mind. Keep it together, Athena. My heart sank as I questioned my decision. Have I just stepped over a line I can’t cross back over?