This is news to me, I knew I wouldn’t have clean hands, but I didn’t know I’d be taking the reins today.
“Silas.” I nod to greet him, but I keep my hands to my side. “I’ll answer to either.” I’m trying to get better at staying a mystery to the large personnel under the Karma’s. For the sake of safety, but also to show dominance. The Karma’s respect my strength and my abilities, hell they don’t even question the fact that I’ve adopted their very name without prior discussion. But in a well-known, prominently male group, I know I’ll have to prove myself in ways outside of bloodshed to earn the hired help’s respect.
“I’ll show you our problem.” He nods and turns on his heels to bring us through the room. I have noticed that every person on the Karma payroll is willing to turn their backs to us, showing a significant amount of trust for us. Maybe it’s knowing submission, but I’ll vote on the latter. The space was a lot nicer than what I had predicted. Which was foolish of me, because it’s clear that the Karma’s do all things in style.
It looks like a regular casino. Black jack and roulette tables, and booths in the corner shadows for darker bets beingmade-- the only thing missing are slot machines and loud music. Cigar smoke is swirling all around us in thick ringlets, and the smell of whiskey and beer is vibrant in the air.
I catch the eyes of many patrons, mostly just curious, some are a bit wary; no doubt from the spread of the newest spit-fire redheaded Karma. Brandon told me sometime last week that news of me has spread like wildfire through their ranks, and the city is becoming aware of me as well. I haven’t decided if it’s a good or bad thing yet. For the sake of drawing out the Cambions leader it could be great, but I don’t like the idea of the people accepting my hit knowing my whereabouts. Catch 22 and all that jazz, I suppose.
Silas brings us through a door, and it looks almost like an industrial kitchen with bright fluorescent lights and metal equipment surrounding us. My eyes zero in on a man tied to a chair that matches the decor outside. He looks just barely roughed up, like he put up a fight when they snagged him, but nothing more. Another show of respect, letting the Karma’s take care of business, and not overstepping.
“Good work, gentlemen.” Max dismisses the two burly men that were standing over the tied-up man. “Silas, we’ll take it from here. You can go back to your post.”
Silas and the other two men make a quick exit, not sparing the bound man or us another glance.
“Z, this is Tiger Barlow. He’s been caught counting cards and placing bad bets with a few of our other patrons. But worst of all he has been cheating the house.” Max introduces the man who has still refused to lift his gaze to us, keeping his focus on the tiled floor beneath him.
“Do we have an idea of how much he’s stolen from us?” I ask, tapping the barrel of my gun under Tiger’s chin, coaxing him to look up.
“An estimate of thirty grand.” Dean answers.
I hum and circle Tiger, to untie his gag. “Tiger,” I tut my tongue, “When do you think you can pay us back?” Max cuts his eyes at me in question, but I shoot him the same stare to dare him to question me. He doesn’t.
“Uh, I can’t. I mean I can, but it’ll take a while.” Stutters out Tiger.
I let a disappointed hiss roll off my tongue, “That’s not good enough, Tiger. I’m sure you’ve heard by now what I do to thieves.” And it’s this exact moment that I realize that I haven’t slipped into the numb, right now I’m just Zoe.
“I heard, but please, you don't understand. He made me do it, he threatened me, and I needed to get him the cash.”
This piqued my interest, “Who?” I stop in my tracks, directly in front of him.
“I don’t know his full name, but I think he went by K? KH maybe? The leader of the Cambions.” He breathes out, as if sharing this information will convince us to spare his life.
“How were you involved with the Cambions?”
“Uh...” He sputters, “I just bought this one girl, just for a few hours it was nothing. But I couldn’t pay up.” Now the pieces of the puzzle slide into place.
“Thirty grand is a pretty high price for just a few hours, Tiger. I think you’re leaving something out.” My blood begins to heat, and I feel the rage burning at my fingertips.
“I swear, it was just a few hours.”
I crouch down so I’m eye level with Tiger, “You killed her, didn’t you?”
“W-what?” His head snaps up, looking to Max and Dean for safety, but it’s clear they aren’t the ones to provide that. “No, I didn’t!” It sounds like he’s trying to convince himself more than us.
I know a liar when I see one, they all have these eye twitches and it’s like they never notice it. “I say we get a handle on him, and let Teddy take care of him.” I step away to get a full visual of Tiger. I don’t turn to the men, knowing that they’re aware that I’m speaking to them. Turning my attention back to Tiger, locking my eyes with his, “I said this once, I won’t be so kind as to offer you a quick death to a thief. Much less a child abuser. I’ll let Teddy take care of you as he sees fit.” He tries to let out a scream of protest, but I take the butt of my gun and rick it into the crown of his head, effectively disabling him for the time being.
“Great job, Harpy.” Max gleams, as if he has been my mentor or something.
“I wasn’t looking for your approval.” I roll my eyes, and shift my focus to Dean, “Dean, can you carry him out?”
Dean nods and we make a fast exit back to the car, barely sending a nod in Silas’ direction.
Dean keeps Tiger bound then gagged in the trunk space before getting back in his driver position. Max takes the passenger side again, and I slide into the back.
“I need a phone.” I break the silence about half way into our drive back to the manor.
“For what?” Max asks.
