A Happy Coincidence

Chapter 33

Rory walked up the path toward Vivica’s front door. She attempted to project confidence but inside she was terrified. On the porch there were three huge men standing guard while their mother sat back in a wicker chair watching the street. When she approached the steps, the boys went inside without having to be told. Vivica pointed to the rocking chair behind Rory and nodded for her to sit.

“I've heard a lot about you.” She said in a serious tone that lacked any anger or threatening edge.

“And I you.” Rory smiled, feeling surprisingly as ease. “Happy filled me in. I don't like to come into meetings like this blind. I'm not originally from California so I'm not familiar with the local legends.”

“Don’t kiss my ass.” She said quickly. “I asked you here because I know you're good not because I need someone to boost my ego.”

Already the meeting was taking a turn for the worst. Rory was genuine in her words but this was business. She needed to remember the people she dealt with were much different from criminals of such a high caliber.

"Okay then. What's the job?”

“Someone has been intercepting my goods. I have an idea, a name, but I need information. No one knows you around here and I need someone I can trust to work in with these assholes. All I’m looking for is how and when.”

“That’s above my pay grade.” Rory said. “I don’t like under cover jobs. I can break in to his house, follow him, but I don't want direct contact at all. Besides even if I did, Happy wouldn't let me.”

“What is Happy your pimp?” She asked, her head cocked to the side. “I'm willing to pay whatever you like. If you can get me what I need without shaking that ass for them, good for you. That means your better than I thought but once you agree to this, I need the job done.”

Rory wanted to say no and politely walk off Vivica’s property but she didn't feel that was really an option anymore. The meeting didn't go at all as she expected and Happy painted a much prettier picture of the woman than was true.

“Okay. I'll do it.”

--

“Where are you going?” Happy hadn’t bothered to pull his face out from the pillows when she rolled out of his bed at quarter after eleven. Tossing the top sheet over his naked body, she began to redress.

“Just out for a drink.” She joked. “I want to take a look at this asshole I’m working for Vivica. He doesn’t hit the bar until right before closing so I’m going in now. I’ll be there before he stops in.” Rory perched on the side of the bed and slipped her boot on, tugging the zippers up quickly. “Want me to come back?”

“I’ll go with you.” His words didn’t match his exhausted tone.

“It’ll be our first date.” Rory climbed on top of him and began to kiss his head. “We’ve never gone out, Hap, and I like the idea, but stay put. It’s work.”

“I want to make sure you’re okay. This isn’t your usual thing. I like it better when you’re in all black and sneaking around in the dark.”

“You’re sweet.” She slid off him. “Stay though. Please?” He whipped the covers off and she put her foot down. “If you come I’ll have to tag along on the next meeting with the Irish.”

“I actually believe you.” He groaned and rolled on to his back. “Stay in touch.”

“Of course.” She bent over, kissed him and covered him again. “I’ll be back in a few hours.”

--

Rory strolled in the bar, her gun weighing down her purse, and took the empty spot at the corner of the bar. Ordering a beer, she lit a cigarette and fiddled on her phone while she worked up some confidence.

She knew the moment he walked in, all eyes were drawn to him and his presence was large. Looking him over Rory was thrilled to see he was small, much smaller than McGee and even Happy.

He sat five spots down from her and ordered a vodka straight. With her heart pounding in her chest Rory looked at him without hiding her stare.

“Can I get another?” Rory asked pushing her empty bottle away from her. It was rare that she smoked but she was needed that fleeting calm the nicotine provided.

It was boring. The man did nothing but down three drinks before joining two men at a table once they arrived. Looking away, she texted Happy and he responded with a clear picture of his penis. She laughed loudly knowing he was trying to screw with her. When she looked up her mark was only a few feet away from her and coming closer.

“Your laugh is captivating.” He was Russian. His accent was heavy and Rory knew instantly.

"Thank you." She smiled shyly but on the inside, she wanted to scream. Placing a twenty on the bar, she slipped her phone back in her bag and moved from the bar.

"I've never seen you around before.”

“I'm new,” Rory’s heart was racing. “I just moved from Oregon.”

“Viktor.” He offered her his hand.

“Marie. It's nice to meet you but I really have to run.”

“Maybe I'll see you around.”

With a flirty giggle, she shrugged and walked slowly out of the bar. Rory wanted to run; she could hardly breathe around him, but kept her pace steady. After that chat she knew slinking around in the darkness was probably not going to happen now, it was too risky. Cursing herself as she climbed in her car Rory knew she should have stayed and talked with him. It was a perfect in and completely her mark’s idea. There was no going back in now, she’d have to come back another time and hope she was just as captivating. Speeding down the block she went straight back to Happy’s.

“That picture was misleading.” She said, waking him as she entered the bedroom again. “The angle makes it look much bigger than it really is.”

“It’s not the size.” He said, still half asleep. “It’s how I use it.

Wanting to forget the evening and the fear still coursing through her veins Rory stripped down. Happy was the only one she felt completely safe with, the only one capable of making her forget everything that happened and all she was afraid of.

“Fuck me.” She said, shimmying under the blanket. “Please?”

--

I'm so glad you guys wanted me to keep this going! Anything in particular you'd like to see? Poor Rory can't seem to catch a break! ;-)