Page 32 of King of the Bronx

Chapter Thirteen

Raven

"I'm doing it tonight,” I said to Erica as I walked into her bedroom. Erica sat on the bed with a mirror perched on her knees as she applied her makeup.

She looked up with wide eyes. "Why tonight? He came here looking for you."

Because I needed to protect myself. Because Enzo made it clear that I’m just a booty call and I can’t let myself get wrapped up. I crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed. I’d chosen to wear a pair of tight skinny jeans and a loose top. Hopefully, I won’t draw too much attention to myself.

"I just need to do it, get it over with, pay off the Irish, and go back to living my life. A life without Enzo or the Irish."

“You really think he's going to let you go that easy?”

Yes, because he didn’t really care to begin with. He wanted me for sex, and he got what he wanted. He was just like every other man, just like the Johns that came in here at night, except Enzo didn’t have to pay for sex. I’d given it out for free.

"What choice do I have? I can't sit around expecting someone to save me. You know as well as I do. That never happens. Women like us don't get saved by Prince Charming. We have to do it ourselves."

Erica stared at me for a moment, processing everything I’d said.

"What do you need from me?" she asked finally.

"Just take care of things here. I'm going to disappear for a week or so. If everything is fine, I'll come back."

Now that Enzo somehow knew where I lived, I couldn’t hide out there anymore. Luckily, there was an empty apartment above Toby’s bar that he said I could stay in.

"And if everything is not fine? If he comes looking for you, then what?”

“I don’t know.”

There wasn’t much time to think about the potential consequences. Either Enzo or the Irish would come knocking at my door again soon if I didn’t hurry up and do this.

Erica stood up from the bed, letting the small mirror fall to the side. She crouched down to look under the bed and tossed me a pair of bright red heels.

“Here. If you’re going to risk everything…at least do it in heels.”

I changed from my sneakers into the heels. When I stood up, Erica engulfed me in a hug.

“Be careful, Raven. I know you act like you’re doing this for your own pride and independence, but I know you’re doing it to keep us safe. That’s a helluva lot more than anyone has ever done for me.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat and smiled at Erica. I was afraid if I talked, the tears would start to stream down my face, and I’d spend too long on my makeup to ruin it now. Erica took a step back, allowing me to walk past and out of the door.

*****

I took a deep breath and squared my shoulders before walking down the steps to the underground. Butterflies erupted in my stomach, and my heart was in my throat. This was it. I was finally doing what should have been done a week ago. Hopefully, Enzo wouldn't pay me any attention. It would be even better if he wasn't there tonight.

The man at the door smiled before holding it open. The smell of smoke and whiskey filled my nose. Glasses clinked together at the bar area, and the sound of cards being shuffled bounced off the cement walls. After this, I’d never come back to the underground. Hell, I might never come back to the Bronx or maybe even New York depending on how this panned out. I reminded myself why I was doing all this. Why I was risking my life and business as I knew it. It was for the women back at the house who'd never had anybody look after them before. I couldn't let them be taken when they'd already been through so much.

Much to my relief, the place was packed. Maybe I’d blend in easier. I crossed the room to an open spot at the blackjack table. Staying close to the door for a fast exit would have been the smart thing to do, but all the blackjack tables were near the back of the room.

“You in?” the dealer asked. He was a skinny man with a gun on hip that looked like it was weighing down his jeans.

I grabbed the wad of cash out my purse and set it in the middle of the table. I should be smart and lose a few hands before getting on my winning streak. But I also wanted to hurry this up while Enzo wasn’t here. The dealer started to deal the first round of cards. It was going to take at least three games for my counting to be accurate.

My first card was a five, but the man to left of me had a face card as well as the man seated two spots away from me. The second round of cards was dealt. Only one other face card turned up. I was given a two of spades. We currently had three face cards on the table. I assigned each card a number and quickly realized I was going to lose this hand. The man to my right hit twenty-one exactly. He took his money and left the stool. I crossed my fingers, hoping someone else would show up. It was easier to count with more people playing. A man dressed in a suit took the seat beside me and added more money to the pile.

I won the second game, which was enough for me to break even. After that, I kept winning. By game six, I was halfway there with fifteen thousand in my purse. I could take it all home in this next game. The other players probably thought my luck was running out because they raised their ante. The pile of money in the middle grew. The door closed and the air shifted in the room. I didn’t even have to turn around to know he’d walked in. I could feel his presence. I shifted in my seat and focused on the game. Maybe he wouldn’t notice me. I can win this hand and then get out. I bounced my leg, wishing the dealer would get the cards out faster. The men around me were screwed. One had busted, three were short by at least five. The dealer pointed at me. I tapped the table, indicating I wanted another card.

I hit twenty-one. The men groaned. Some got up to leave. I quickly grabbed my money, stuffed it in my purse and made my way to the door. The walk seemed so much longer now with over thirty-thousand dollars in my bag and the feel of Enzo’s eyes on me. I avoided looking his way, afraid it would make me lose my nerve. I tried to stay calm but all I wanted to do was break into a run to get to that door faster. My heart beat loud in my ears. I wasn’t far from the door now. I did it. I was going to hand this money over to the Irish and take back ownership of my brothel. I’d never have to tell the girls about the real threat that had been circling over their heads. I could taste the freedom on the tip of my tongue.