Pushing the glasses up my fake nose, I looked to Mel as she clenched her hand in annoyance, the short hair of her wig blew slightly to the side. She wore a short, red beach dress that had already caught the attention of a few men lingering around the property. The music was so loud it seemed to make the closed doors vibrate from outside.
“We’re the tax collectors,” I said, and the big man looked to the second guard in confusion.
“We’ve already paid the tax. I know this because I personally paid it myself,” he sneered as he eyed us both.
“You’re nothing but a doorman.”
“Fuck you. You got ten seconds to get out of here before I put a bullet in the two of yah.”
“I think you should let us talk to someone a little higher up on the food chain,” Mel replied and he sucked his teeth in response.
“Let them through, Bell,” the second guard said as he subtly moved his blazer to make us fully aware of the gun at his waistline.
“Bell? Like Tinker Bell? Isn’t that cute,” I mocked, brushing past his shoulders as we moved up the stairs.
“You better pray you are who you say you are, or I will personally kill you slowly,” he snapped as he led the way.
None of the guests paid us any mind as we entered. They were all too busy drinking and groping each other to care. The only ones who focused on us were the guards; they stuck out like the secret service in a kindergarten classroom. The man we wanted to speak with sat under a beach canopy with three women, all of whom were preoccupied with kissing and touching his body.
I hated meeting dealers.
They were a necessary evil that I found myself getting rid of more often than not. He didn’t pay any attention to us and instead chose to slobber all over the women around him. Mel took the chilled bottle of champagne and poured it over the girls
“You bitch!” they screamed, as two of the guards came forward.
“Move another inch and you will be face down in that pool,” I stated and he froze as a red dot appeared in the center of his chest.
“We don’t want to make a scene, Gus. This is an amazing party. But we can and will if we have to,” Mel said as she took a seat on the lawn chair and crossed her legs.
He clenched his jaw, making the scar on it quite prominent. “Go, now.”
The women glared at us as they staggered away.
“We paid the bosses our fucking share already.” He spat off to the side. “And you two ain’t the normal collectors.”
“About that, we aren’t really collectors,” I said eying Gus as he sat up.
His guards circled in behind us while Bell began to smile like an idiot. This was why I hated wasting my time with the footmen, they were always a bunch of trigger-happy morons. “What are you going to do? Shoot us? Make a scene and have the cops show up, because we both know they’ve been gunning for you for months now.”
“You gotta be a special type of stupid to crash my fucking party like this.” His jaw clenched as he poured himself a glass of champagne.
“It was either we crash it now or the FBI crash it later.” Mel smiled and I knew that smile well. We’re going to have to find ourselves another dealer in the district.
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
Mel leaned forward. “I’ll use small words since you’re incapable of comprehending; you have a rat, and not just any rat, but a fed.”
He sat still, staring at us for a moment before he put his glass down on the table beside him.
“Who is it?”
“Would you like the honor Tinker Bell? Or should I?” I said as I looked to him.
He froze for a moment before snapping. “They’re out of their fucking minds, sir! We don’t even know who these motherfuckers are—!”
“Dear God, stop yelling,” Mel held her fingers to her ears. “This can be proven quite easily, just check your email Gus.”
He took his phone out and scrolled through his emails, reading the files that the FBI had tried to hide, even that of Tinker Bell’s family. The family no one knew of; two little girls and a pregnant wife.
Three.
Two.
One.
“You bastard!” Gus screeched as he lunged for him.
Before he could reach him, Tinker Bell tried to make a run for it. It was pathetic attempt. I thought he would have gone down with more honor than that. Holding on to his arms, the guards pulled him back to Gus. He struggled but it didn’t matter.
“You’re going to wish you were dead by the time I’m through with you.”
“Actually,” Mel said as she rose from her chair, “we would like the pleasure of getting rid of him.”
“Why? What the fuck do you want with him?”
“Let’s just say our bosses want to make an example out of him. But don’t worry, you will have proof that he’s gone,” I stated.
Mel clapped as she turned to look at his men. “Now which one of you gentlemen would like to escort our prize to the car?”
“What makes you think I’m just going to hand him over so quickly?” Gus was thinking a bit too much.
“Because if you don’t, every one of your consumers will think that you’ve been working with the FBI and so will your bosses. So tell me, does Tinker Bell really mean that much to you?” I asked him.
He swallowed and shook his head. “Just bring me the proof.”
“We said you were going to get it and you will. Word of advice though; start looking for a new city. I’m sure Agent Tyson has already told them more than enough to put you away for life.” I stood in front of the man who held his head high as if he had not just tried to run like the little bitch he was.
“We were going to kill you quickly, but then you threatened us.”
“Bye, Gus.”
Mel and I walk away as his men dragged out the agent. The great thing about Gus’ parties was the fact that drugs were so rampant that almost everyone there was high on something. None of them cared that we’re dragging a reluctant man through the house. They were in their own personal high.
People were selfish and self-serving. They were ruthless and didn’t even know it.
MELODY
“Liam, he’s dead, you can stop now,” I said as I leaned against the rails of the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge. The bridge had been shut down so there was no chance of anyone driving across it. All we needed were police officers at both ends to let the motorists know that the bridge was closed. The D.C. police were harder to pay off than the Chicago police, but not by much.
Liam had beaten into Tinker Bell’s face so badly that both his eyes were swollen shut. We knew he hadn’t known much, but we didn’t expect him to be so clueless. He had been undercover for eight months, most likely waiting for Gus to refer to the Callahan family. But our name was never openly mentioned. We referred to ourselves as the bosses, and all those who communicated directly with the dealers were simply referred to as “tax collectors.”
“Kill joy,” Liam muttered, as I pulled out the man’s badge along with a note that read “Rat.” I placed both items over Agent Tyson’s head.
Taking the rope, Liam wrapped it around Tyson’s neck before he tied the other end to the rails. Then we picked him up and threw him over and watched as his bodyweight pulled the rope taut. He bounced and jerked like a marionette before going still. His body swung and turned as the winds blew.
“Someone’s going to make the evening news,” Liam whispered.
“All in a day’s work, the second agent to fuck up in as many days. Avian will have his confirmation.” I smiled. There was no way he could stop us without knowing who we were going to go after next. Colemen had given us a list of names that spanned across the country. The next person was going to be taken care of by Coraline and Declan in Chicago.
Walking to the car, Liam opened the door for me and we both took a seat. We drove across the bridge and the police left without another word. I waited until we were a few miles from the bridge before I turned to
him.
“Do you trust them?”
“Not even the slightest.” He smirked and slowed down as the cop in front of us sped forward.
I sighed. “Neither do I.”
Taking out the burner phone, I dialed, and as people began to honk at us, the police car went up in flames.
“None of them are in any rush now,” Liam muttered as he looked into the rearview mirror. A few who stepped out were rapidly speaking on their cell phones.
“Well, I am, let’s go home.”
“We have dinner reservations,” he replied as he pulled off his fake nose and edged the car forward.
I turned so fast that my head snapped. “You’re joking,” I glared at him.
“You agreed.”
“Now is hardly the time.”
“Is there any better time?”
Crossing my arms, I leaned back and refused to speak to him. It felt kind of childish, but I didn’t care. Liam, much to my annoyance, placed his hand on my thigh, forcing me to look back at him.
“I enjoy going on the dates with you, Mel. They make me feel like we met normally and I swept you off your feet.”
“Swept me off my feet? Is there a reason why I can’t walk?” I asked him smiling.
He rolled his eyes. “I’ve never met a woman so opposed to romance in my whole life.” He shook his head, and looked out the windshield.
“You have to admit, I’m getting better. One day I may even ask for flowers.” The moment I said it I laughed, causing him to frown. This time I placed my hand on his thigh. “Liam, my definition of romance isn’t chocolate, flowers and dates…but if you’re dying to get me to some restaurant, fine. Go crazy.”
He snickered. “Oh I have, baby, I have. You might want to take that wig off.”
I eyed him carefully before I took off my wig and pulled the pins out of my hair.
“What are you planning, Callahan?”
He said nothing, as we pulled up to a designer boutique and an older man came to the door, and held it open for me.
“Welcome to the Louvre, Mrs. Callahan,” the man said to me, as he helped me out of the car.
I remained silent as Liam exited the car and came around to meet me. One of the valets made a move to park the car, however Monte, who I had not seen until that moment, came around and stepped into the driver’s seat.
Liam led me into a store filled with luxury dresses, marble white floors, and antique furniture. Three women, dressed in black, stood waiting. One of them had a make-up belt and a curling iron.
“A make over? If you had told me, I would have gotten dress—”
“Ladies, do not pay any mind to her. She’s in your hands.”
Liam ignored me before he excused himself and stepped into another room, which was presumably the men’s section of the boutique.
“Right this way, Mrs. Callahan. Would you like some champagne?” the smiley woman in black asked, as she placed her bony hand on my arm.
I felt my eyebrow twitch at her touch. “I prefer red wine.”
“Mr. Callahan said you would,” another woman added, as she handed me a glass. I glared at the section Liam had disappeared into as the women led me into the dressing room and offered me a seat.
Do not make a scene. Do not kill.
“We’re going to pull out some dresses, just let us know if anything catches your eye; nothing is off limits,” bony hands said with a grin so wide that her face looked as though it was about to crack.
I wonder how much she’s making on commission.
“How can I pick a dress if I have no idea where I’m wearing it to?” I asked them as I sipped my drink. The moment I did, I paused; it was my favorite wine.
How the hell did he plan all of this?
We had ten billion things to do, and he had me shopping.
“Don’t worry, Mrs. Callahan, your husband told us everything and all the choices will work perfectly for the night.”
“He told you everything? Good. Where are we going?”
She giggled, not at all realizing how serious I was. “We can’t tell you and you might as well stop asking because you won’t get anything from us.”
So you think.
Off the top of my head, I could think of at least six different ways to get her talking, four of which involved dismemberment of some sort.
My phone buzzed and I grabbed it to find a text from Liam.
“Be nice. Or have you lost your touch? The woman I married could fool angels into believing she was one of them.”
He was taunting me, knowing full well that I would prove to him that nothing had changed. He’d been able to play me like a violin. Since when did he get to know me so well?
With a sigh I sat back and gave them a brilliant smile. “Fine. You win. Dazzle me.”
“Great!” They clapped. “The first dress I have for you is a black and gold Dolce and Gabbana piece.”
I look it over and frowned; “It’s pretty, but I don’t have the figure for it.”
“Oh, Mrs. Callahan, you’re beautiful!” They gushed as I rolled my eyes.
There was nothing a woman liked more than making another woman feel better after she’d put herself down.
LIAM
I stepped out, and pulled on my sleeves as Mel came in wearing a tight, black dress. Her hair was down and curled, her make-up was done naturally, and her eyes shone. She was stunningly beautiful.
“You clean up nicely,” she said to me as she walked forward.
I pulled her to me, and kissed her as hard as possible. In response, she wrapped her arms around my neck, and moaned.
“We have to go or you’re going to make us late,” I whispered, as I broke away from her hold.
“It’s hard for me to keep track of time if I don’t know where we’re going.”
“Patience is a virtue.”
She leaned into me and kissed my lips. “Who ever said I was virtuous?”
With a groan, I once more forced myself to pull away before I took her hand and walked out of the store. There, both Kain and Monte stood, dressed in suits before the new black car.
Mel turned to me, mouth slightly open before she turned to address them.
“Tell her nothing,” I said quickly before they caved under her orders.
She stayed quiet, and entered the car. I knew she was getting frustrated and it amused me. She hated this type of attention, simply because she wasn’t in control. God forbid anyone ever surprised her. But thankfully, it was a short ride to the where we were going.
For the last few days, we had been getting our hands dirty, it was only right that today of all days we enjoyed the brief time we had together.
I pulled out the box and waited as she all but pressed her face against the window and stared at the building ahead.
“The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts? Liam, what—” she turned to me, then stopped short as she stared at the box in my hand. With a sigh, she stared into my eyes. “When I said go crazy, I did not truly mean to go insane, Liam,” she whispered.
“You can’t take it back, now open it.”
She didn’t, so I opened it for her.
She stared at the diamond bracelet for a moment before turning her furious gaze to me.
“You cheated on me, didn’t you?”
I coughed while the men up front both snickered. Glaring at them both, they caught my furious gaze in the rearview mirror and immediately silenced themselves. Turning back to her I smirked. “Really, that’s the best you can think of?”
She frowned. “Thank you for the bracelet, the dress, the shoes, the wine, and I’m guessing that this is an opera?”
“Yes. Bianca e Falliero by Felice Romani. But before that, the symphony will play a piece written solely for you.” I smiled as her eyes widen slightly.
“You had a symphony composed for me? As in symphony orchestra?” she asked slowly. “I may not be used to this dating thing, but don’t most guys just write a song?”
 
; I wonder where she got that idea from.
“Would you have married me if I were most guys?”
The look on her face right now…
“Liam, for a simple date, you’re going above and beyond. How did you even know that Bianca e Falliero was my favorite?”
“Jinx.” I frowned at the thought. “And it’s not a simple date.”
“I knew it. What’s going on, is there someone in there that we need to get rid of? I don’t remember any—”
Taking her hand in my own, I pulled her to me, and pressed my lips against hers hard and fast. I could taste her, and at this point she wouldn’t have any lipstick left before we started our date.
“This isn’t a hit, it’s a date, our date. After all, it is our anniversary,” I whispered only inches from her lips.
Her mouth dropped open and it looked as though she was going over every moment we had ever shared together. She glanced at the dress and then at the bracelet that still lay nestled in the velvet box in her hand.
“Now I feel like a bitch.”
“You are, but it’s a part of your charm.” I smiled as I took the box out of her hands and snapped the heavy jewelry around her wrist.
She brushed her hand through my hair. “I forgot, I’ve been so worried about Avian.”
“I know,” I whispered. “We will get him. I swear. But he can’t take over our entire life. All work and no play is not healthy for us Irish, and it’s considered a sin for you Italians.”
Kain opened the door for us and stood waiting as we climbed out. Stepping past me, Mel turned and shot me a wicked grin. “The faster we get through this, the quicker I can give you my gift,” she said before she disappeared into the crowd that stood in front of the center.
Playing with her was my favorite pasttime.
SEVENTEEN
“I thought we were celebrating being richer and cleverer than everyone else!”
—Scott Lynch
LIAM
Before the opera started I took my beautiful wife to listen to her symphony, simply titled A Symphony for Melody. We sat alone in our private box, since the opera house had been closed off to everyone else. The piece started off strong, then it melted into a soft, almost broken tune, and returned with an even stronger closing…just like stages of our life together.