Mobster Boy

18

The crackling intercom wakes us both up. We're both still keyed up from the shootout, and living here has made me an even lighter sleeper. "Hey. Chance. Meet me downstairs." Ash demands softly. Chance doesn't get out of bed quickly. He stays with me, palm stroking down the center of my back and causing me to shiver. Finally, he gets up after giving me a short kiss.

"You should come downstairs, too." I sit up straight, my hands in my lap. Even if I tried, I don't think I could have kept the excitement out of my voice.

"Really? It's okay?" I grin.

"Sure. I trust you." The leader of the gang gives me a look, his eyebrows quirking up even as his expression remains stoic.

"And you'd find a way to follow me even if I forbid it." I smirk.

"Who, me? I would never." He throws on his clothes and walks to where I'm sitting, on the edge of the bed. His palm rests on the top of my head before sliding down, caressing my hair and cupping my face in his hand. I relish in the feeling, sighing contentedly at the contact.

"I might as well keep you where I can see you..." He smirks at me.

"A wise decision. You need my eyes, anyway." I get to my feet as well and get dressed in a flash.

We head down to the private casino. Though I'm eager to see whatever Ash has ready for us, nothing prepares me for what I find. There's a man tied up to one of the chairs, bound and gagged. I blink a few more times, wondering if I'm still asleep and dreaming. "One of Giovanni's goons? Nice." As cold and distant as ever, I can still hear a note of pleasure in Chance's voice.

"Is this one of the people that attacked us yesterday?" Ash nods.

"Found him after I doubled back to do another sweep. I warmed him up for you. He's ready to talk." He says it so casually. Judging by the bruises on Ash's knuckles, I don't think I'd ever want to know what Ash is like when he's actually mad. Striding over to the goon, Chance takes the back of his chair in one hand and rips out his gag with the other.

"So do you actually have anything useful for me, or are you just going to beg for your life?" I purse my lips, hoping he actually does have something.

"I...I do. I promise I do. Just don't kill me." I breath a sigh of relief.

"I'll make sure they won't. Just cooperate." All three men look at me with surprise. 'Woops. I spoke without thinking again...' But really, if we kill him, we're no better than Chance's father. 'Part of beating him is not stooping to his level. Chance has to understand that.' "...Well?" I raise my brow and cross my arms over my chest.

"You heard him. Talk." 'Does this make me the good cop? Or...well...good gangster?' The man sighs shakily, closing his eyes.

"I don't know how useful this might be, but I know where you can get Giovanni unguarded. Tomorrow." Chance and I make eye contact, excitement lighting up his eyes.

"Okay. Go on." I encourage.

"He's hosting a private event for the Governor tomorrow." He gives us an address to one of the nicer hotels downtown. I write it down even though I instantly memorize it.

"Get comfortable, my friend. I have some more questions for you." Chance smiles coolly.

An hour passes, by my watch, before Chance is satisfied. He drills the goon for information, going around in circles until he slowly opens up with more answers. 'Wow, Chance is on top of his game today.' When he has no more questions, Chance stares down at the man. I can almost see the calculations running through his head. "All right. We're done here." He nods to Ash. "Now get rid of him." Standing still, I look from Chance to the hostage.