Butterflies Volume II

Chapter 10

The following day Frenchie led Butcher and Violet to Little Nina's hideout. In a small community lied her Russian grocery, most likely a front for other dealings. Frenchie was still apprehensive as he led them, and Violet could understand why even knowing nothing about this woman. She clearly was much more powerful than Butcher estimated from the nerves coming off of Frenchie. And partially, those transferred to Violet as Frenchie held open the door for her.

Inside it was decorated just as the sign out front eluded too. Worn and cold on the inside, Violet shoved her hands in her pockets as Frenchie and Butcher led the way. There was something floating in the air however, forming from the kiss from last night. She no longer was sour towards Butcher, and Frenchie caught that, as the romantic he is he always caught those feelings. But she didn't kiss and tell, especially when she didn't know what the kiss meant for the two of them.

There were two men at the back of the store, one grabbing Frenchie to pat him down. They gave Violet a look and she followed as the two made them line up. After patting Frenchie down, the bald man moved to Violet, looking her up and down before proceeding. As he ventured down her leg, her hand flickered purple, just so he didn't get any ideas. He stood up baffled and she smiled, trailing after Frenchie and Butcher as they entered the back room. Rolling up pastries was the woman herself, dressed in an expensive blouse and a sleek ponytail.

"Hello hello," Butcher greeted politely, and she looked up to the three of them, "you must be Nina."

She smirked as she saw him, "William Butcher. Sergi, why you not tell me he's so delicious?"

Violet made a noise in amusement, pulling the attention to herself.

Nina tilted her head, "and you're Miss Violet Henry, yes I've heard about you... Many things. Sergi and Violet, lucky man."

"Well, we offered him a better home," Butcher replied patting Frenchie's head, "and as for her uh..."

Violet glared to him before he could say anything, and he chuckled.

"So, to what do I owe this pleasure?"

"I'm after a particular bit of tech," Butcher informed, "a weapon you'll not be surprised to hear. And I thought you and your mates at the Kremlin might be able to help."

With a cigarette between her fingers, she shrugged, "that's giving me some credit."

"Where it's due love. Way I heard it, you filmed a couple of punters from the Interior Ministry having a right old frolic under your golden shower."

Always a way with words, Violet turned to Frenchie and he rolled his eyes. He was antsy, clearly not wanting to be there at all, and from the way Nina spoke about him, she did not blame him in the slightest. In some ways, she wished she could give an excuse for him to leave. Butcher dumped a duffle bag of cash on the table before he continued.

"That's to cover Cherie's debt, plus a hundred grand for your troubles," he said, and she came forward to see the bag.

She unzipped it and checked the cash, "does your Bureau know you're giving me their nice clean money?"

"Well, it's the U.S. Government love. They'll just print more."

Her eyes checked Butcher up and down then, and Violet frowned. Frenchie frowned also, but it was much more knowing than hers.

"Yeah, the money is good for my trouble," Little Nina pouted, "but what about my pain and suffering? Then there is the time spent and my stress. I have been sleeping so poorly."

Butcher ran a hand down his face, "and what would ease your pain?"

"Cherie."

Frenchie chuckled and shook his head vigorously, "non. No way."