Serious calls

[mya]

Casey

As Matt worked at the computer, images of Justine flashed through my mind. Of her smiling, of her partying, of her bitching about the dishes in the sink. An absent smile crossed my lips. I missed her and couldn’t wait for her killer or killers to be put behind bars. Finally the image of her casket as it was laid to rest in the grave filled my head. One lonely tear slid down my cheek.

I was awakened from my reverie by the sound of the phone. Matt answered it and it was obviously Tiffany. As he got the details down I composed myself again. As he turned back to me, I was once again able to flash him a grin. I hoped he hadn’t noticed my melancholy mood. As he got himself all prettied up, I cleared away the breakfast dishes. I smiled again as I remembered Justine again. Under my breath I murmured, “See I do do the dishes! Sometimes at least.” I stuck out my tongue playfully as my eyes glanced upwards as though Justine could hear me.

I just finished in the kitchen and was heading into the hallway when I ran right into Matt. His fingers brushed mine as he placed the keys in my fingers and explained I’d have to drive. “Drive. Drive…yes right! I’ll drive! I’m a good driver. Just promise me you’ll give me directions…it’s my navigational skills that really suck!”

I turned and headed out the door, grabbing my coat and purse. “Follow me Hop-a-long.” We chatted all the way to the bar. Neither of us really to sure what Tiff had to tell us there. But we were both game to help in any way we could.

We beat both Tiffany there and sat in the bar sipping on drinks. We wanted to blend as much as possible. “Christ!” I growled under my breath as Tiffany walked through the door with Lucky trailing behind her. “Doesn’t he know when to get the hell out?”

As Tiffany hastened to tell us how “innocent” Lucky was, I listened. I didn’t buy it 100%, but Tiffany’s words did at least give me pause for thought. There was also nothing more I could say about him at the moment. Not unless something else came up to make me trust him less. It didn’t take long, because Tiff was now spouting off about how Lucky was going to get her into the same game Justine had apparently been in before her murder.

“CASEY!” Some of the other patrons turned to look. I lowered my voice, “Are you crazy?”

My gaze turned to Lucky, darts shooting again from my eyes as I hissed, “And YOU! What the fuck do you think you’re doing letting Tiffany get into such a dangerous game! I think if this crazy plan is to go forward, and that’s a big IF, then we need to work closer together on this. Just how are you going to protect her let alone yourself if things get…out of hand…or should I say, out of PANTS!” I couldn’t believe that Tiffany was prepared to play this game and perhaps lose her virginity like that.

I turned to Matt for reinforcements. “Tell her Matt…tell her how crazy this is.”

 

[Henry]

Matthew Bryant

I had not liked Tiffany showing up with Lucky at all but i figured there had to be a reason for it all. My eyes darted around the room occasionally as i listened to Tiffany talk and explain things. Casey's actions and words mirrored mine for the most part , only one thing didn't make sense. What or how did Lucky know about the whole set up.

Moving a little i gave Lucky a cold stare and remembered back to the restaurant as i heard what seemed to be a familiar voice. It was coming from one of the corner tables, i couldn't get a good view but could tell it was female. Turning my attentions back to Tiffany and Lucky i started to speak

"Tiffany this whole idea is so absurd, you are going to trust him over us. Then if you are totally sure i will help but i think that we need to discuss this somewhere more private."

I pointed towards the corner table and passed a sheet of paper to Casey with the words "the one who hit me is at that table" on it..

 

[mya]

"I'm sure Matt's right. We should discuss this more," I agreed as I read Matt's note. My back stiffened. I wanted to immediately turn around and look at Matt's assailant, but I knew that would be a dead give-away. Instead I snuggled closer to Matt.

"Darling," I said loud enough for those around us to hear, my lips nuzzled his ear as I turned my head. I peeked out from half closed eyes trying to capture a view of the person Matt's note referred to.

I could only make out that it was a rather husky Asian man. "Is that him?" I whispered? "Kiss me back and take a peek," I urged. This new distraction made me momentarily forget about Lucky and Tiff and their dangerous scheme.

 

[landiek]

Casey reacted pretty well the way I expected from her only with a tad more volume than I hoped for.

She lowered her voice, "Are you crazy?"

I reflected on that thought and winced trying to come up with a valid reason but Casey had already started to verbally attack Lucky. I finally managed to catch the tailend of what she said, ... protect her let alone yourself if things get....out of hand.. or should I say, out of PANTS!"

Then she turned to Matt "Tell her, Matt...tell her how crazy this is."

"Casey it may seem a little haphazzard but what choices do we have? I feel like I don't even know who Justine really was anymore. She was my big sister and yes, she was your friend... to all of you." I snapped in frustration. " It's like you are placing much on the line. DAMNIT!"

"Tiffany this whole idea is so absurd, you are going to trust him over us. Then if you are totally sure i will help but i think that we need to discuss this somewhere more private." Matt seemed to agree with Casey and me.

I excused myself to the restroom and started crying. I was making a wreak of myself and turning the only friends I have away. "What am I suppose to do?"

I collected my emotions and walked back to the table and hoped that they hadn't torn Lucky apart to horribly. I also noticed the man at the corner table and narrowed my eyes. I recognized him from the restuarant that Matt and I went to that night. I grimaced as I noticed the money that was moving between the hands of him and the girl with him.

I quietly sat down at the table and too wonder if we all were being tailed by Chang's people.

"Where do we go from here?" I asked quietly.

 

[Henry]

Matthew Bryant

Feeling Casey snuggle closer to me i breathed in her sweet perfume and partly heard footsteps. I noticed Tiffany heading towards the restrooms as my eyes looked in the direction of the man and some girl. Resting one hand on Casey's leg i kissed her softly on the cheek before brushing my lips against hers , if the man was following us we had to make it look right i thought to myself.

I could only wonder as to what Casey's reactions to the kiss and my hand as i turned my attention to my drink. Taking a few mouthfuls i glanced occasionally at Lucky before mouthing the words "Yes" to Casey.

Soon Tiffany returned as i finished my drink and glanced around the bar. There was not much movement or activity so moving slightly i started to stand up.

"I'd like to get out of here and go home Tiffany, its a lot better there. We can talk and discuss this further then you can meet up with Lucky later tonight"

 

[BLACK BART]

Lucky

Shaking my head in frustration I watched Matt and Casey pretend to be lovers for the sake of the unknown watchers...Then I rolled my eyes as Tiffany left with the excuse of needing the bathroom and returning tense minutes later with red eyes...

"Where do we go from here?" I echoed Tiff's question and watched Casey's eyes blaze at me.

"It's the same as it's always been. YOU go where all the good and decent people go and I return to the streets." I blazed back at the three of them. "The only difference this time is I know who you're dealing with and you don't. Matt wears a lump on his head from a blackjack and should consider himself lucky that's all he got when he fell down the stairs..."

I stood myself and eyed both Matt and Casey, then tossed back my own drink...

"I expected this from you Casey. Your nose has always been too far up in the air to actually ask what a guy like me does, or to trust me if I did tell you. But you Matt? We both cared for the same woman...you as her lover perhaps...and me? Me I saw her as the sister I never had. So go back to the right side of the tracks and make your decisions...but don't wait for me to come running when you call."

Turning I walked stiff backed from the room, the resentment from thier distrust sour in my mouth and making my stomach boil...boil so badly I stopped outside the door and lit a cigarette and took several long pulls from it, then looked at the foil wrap on the cover of the softpac that had given me my name...

"What the hell am I so lucky about?" I growled outloud...

 

[mya]

Casey

Matt’s kiss had been gentle and nice. A warm distraction from the heavy topic at hand. But the warmth evaporated quickly as I watched a distraught Tiffany trot to the bathroom, and Lucky stomp out like a wounded animal. The hurt in Lucky’s eyes as he chastised me and Matt convinced me he wasn’t Justine’s killer afterall. And I felt bad. Feeling guilty I grimaced, before turning to Matt and saying, “Come on, I think we’re leaving. We can’t let them leave without us.”

I slid from the bar stool and calmly followed Lucky outside. I was glad to see him still pouting outside the door. Glancing at the cigarette I replied, “Those things will kill ya you know.” I could see the anger blaze full force in his eyes again.

I held up my hands in surrender, “Whoa there big fella, I’m not judging you again. I’m sorry OK. You’re right, I should have given you a chance. And you’re right, we do need your help. And I believe you didn’t have anything to do with Justine’s murder..OK? I’ll try to control my temper…though you should know I come by it honestly. My Dad’s Irish.” I gave Lucky a soft smile and waited to see if he’d forgive me long enough to give us a second chance. I felt Matt’s warm presence behind me.

“How about the four of us start working together?. Matt and I need to know how we can best help with this plan of yours and Tiff’s. We both loved Justine too and want the same thing…justice for her. And I’m very worried about Tiffany going into the ‘Lion’s Den’ so to speak, all alone. How are you going to stay close to her when one of Justine’s tricks or pimps or whoever the hell killed her has Tiffany in a private room? It seems to me that you and Tiff can use all the back up you can get.”

 

[BLACK BART]

Lucky

Flicking the butt into the street I looked from Casey's innocent and wide eyes to those of the more intent and studying ones of Matt, then pushed off the wall of the building and stepped closer to the pair of them.

"I'll be close enough to Tiffany to watch over her, she won't be doing anything she doesn't want to do, I'll stake my life on it."

Casey was right though, we did need all the back up we could find, especially when we were able to find out the details of Justine's death...

"But you're right, without help on the outside Tiffany's life is going to be short lived, and I've got a few ideas on how to correct that as well with Matt's help..."

At that point Tiffany came through the door, a worried expression on her face as she moved towards the three of us and Matt turned to grin at her.


"Don't worry, they haven't torn each others eyes out yet and have agreed to save it for later"

Grinning ruefully I nodded as Tiffany stepped into the huddle we were making on the street.

"We may even all make it out of this alive if Matt can convince them he's a buyer from overseas bidding thru Chang's website"

Rain slowly began to fall and it was time...Time to take Matt's suggestion and get off the street, to find a better place to make plans without having to watch our backs...

"If you three need to do some planning I can understand, Tiff still has my phone and knows how to reach me"

 

[landiek]

I was disappointed that Lucky was still considered an outsider. It was when Lucky exploaded in his own form of anger that I was able to get a little closer to his deeper feelings.

I felt like I was back in the middle of a family fight as Lucky, Matt, and Casey let out the pent up anguish in a snap. When Lucky stood up and slugged back his drink I reached out to him.

"Lucky, please...."

"I expected this from you, Casey. Your nose has always been too far up in the air to actually ask what a guy like me does, or to trust me if I did tell you. But you Matt? We both cared for the same woman.... you as her lover perhaps... and me? Me, I saw her as the sister I never had. So go back to the right side of the tracks and make your decisions... but don't wait for me to come running when you call." Then he walked out the door much to my shock as I started to get up and go after him.

I was interupted by Casey and Matt as we were just past the door as Casey remarked about his smoking habit... "Those things will kill ya, you know"

Casey even opted for another alturnative. "How about the four of us start working together? Matt and I need to know how we can help with this plan of yours and Tiff's. We both loved Justine too and want the same thing....justice for her. And I'm very worried about Tiffany going into the 'Lion's Den' so to speak, all alone. How are you going to stay close to her when one of Justine's tricks or pimps or whoever the hell killed her has Tiffany in a private room? It seems to me that you and Tiff can use all the back up you can get."

"I'll be close enough to Tiffany to watch over her, she won't be doing anything she doesn't want to do, I'll stake my life on it."

I was releived to see that Casey hadn't killed Lucky and even Matt was agreeable to the challenges ahead.

"We may even all make it out of this alive if Matt can convince them he's a buyer from overseas bidding thru Chang's website" I liked Lucky's thinking on that note.

"How about you pick somewhere to get the details all out and in the open, Lucky?" I suggested with a smile. "Along with an option to getting a few extra invitations."
I felt absolutely stravin Marvin at the moment. "You know," I suggested. "Maybe we can discuss it over Pizza... so what is your poison? And at who's place do I have it delievered?"

 

[BLACK BART]

Lucky

Won over by Tiffany's smile I nodded agreement then made the required choice.

"If Matt is willing his place would seem to be the best? I can give him the address to Chang's website and the keycode that will get him into the bidding rooms, as well as access to a bank account which they'll want to verify has funds in it. If they think there is a rich buyer who is bidding on Tiffany it will guarntee her safety..."

It was up to them now, my part would come when we all went to the private party...and I revealed to them who I worked for...

 

[mya]

I dug into the tight pocket of my jeans, pulling the fabric tighter across my ass. I jangled Matt's keys as I caught his eye over my shoulder. "How about it Matt? Is your place OK?"

I felt Matt's body press against mine. The warmth of his body was reassuring. "Sure, sure. Let's go to my place."

My eyes scanned Casey and Lucky, "You two need a ride?"

Without waiting for an answer, I reached behind and caught Matt by his belt loop...turning on my heel I headed for the car, dragging him along like a lover. I figured it made a good show to anyone who might still be watching us. Afterall we'd already played the lover role in he bar. And besides, Matt was kind of growing on me.

 

[landiek]

I smirked as Casey gave Matt's pants a tug. It seemed that they were getting along fabulously. Which from the looks of it, Matt didn't seem to mind too horribly bad.

I glanced back at Lucky, "Ill ride with you, if that is okay."

I made the quick call for three pizza's... Pepperoni, Meatlovers, and Supreme to be delivered at Matt's place and told them my name and asked that it be charged to my credit card.

Slipping my arm in Lucky's I smiled up at him. "I'm glad things are working out. I'd hate to have to sneak around to spend time with you. Plus you haven't told me what sort of things DO happen at those parties besides drugs and sex and stuff. I mean ... would I really be ..you know.... " I started to turn a bright red as I came closer to asking about the sex part. "Ummm we'd better get going.... the pizza will there in forty minutes."

 

[Henry]

Matthew Bryant

My head was still spinning with the news Tiffany and Lucky had dumped on us inside and i couldn't really respond much for the time being. Feeling Casey leading me back to my car i wondered what else lay in store for me over the next few days.

As Casey drove back to my place i kept my eyes checking over the computer and doing a little research of my own. Smiling and laughing at one webpage i saved it and sent it to my home computer. What sort of site did this Chang run i wondered, not many had ever posed problems to me before but i had a little feeling this one could..

Soon we had stopped and made the short walk upstairs, opening the door i left it open as Casey and i entered...

"Casey thanks for being here the last few days..."

I wanted to say more but couldn't for the time being , all in good time i thought to myself.

 

[BLACK BART]

Lucky

"My car is over here" I pointed out and walked along side Tiffany and then stopped as she asked.

"Your REAL car or another "borrowed" one, Lucky?"

Face to face we stood, her face serious then breaking into a teasing smile and I growled in mock anger and replied.

"Mine, earned with honest money...which explains the chipped paint on the rear fender and the bent fender"

I held the door for her and admired her as she slid into the car, then took another good look as I slid into my own seat.

"You asked about the parties, Tiff? And what goes on in them? As the evening gets longer almost anything and everything can and will happen, the loose form of order you do find is kept by Chang's own gang of enforcers, fighters and bouncers. All hired muscle and all quite deadly. The girls are on "display" at the parties and not forced into anything, but most are there because they're desperate and need the money and what it can buy."

Following Tiffany's directions and following Casey driving ahead of us we quickly came to Matt's place and parked the car. I turned and looked at the woman next to me, then smiled...

"A woman that isn't desperate is rare and intriguing in Chang's harem...one as pretty as you are and with legs like that...you can bet the bidding on you will go sky high, I know I'd give everything I have if I knew I stood a chance."

 

[mya]

Casey

"No problem Matt!"

He looked kind of cute standing there. At least the colour had returned to his face since his whack on the head. He stood there behind the still open door, looking down at me. We stood very close to each other. I couldn't help myself as I leaned closer and softly kissed his lips.

"Any time Matt, any time," I whispered. He didn't pull away so I covered his lips again, taking it nice and slow and easy this time as my lips slid over his.

 

[landiek]

"You asked about the parties, Tiff? And what goes on in them? As the evening gets longer almost anything and everything can and will happen, the loose form of order you do find is kept by Chang's own gang of enforcers, fighters and bouncers. All hired muscle and all quite deadly. The girls are on "display" at the parties and not forced into anything, but most are there because they're desperate and need the money and what it can buy."

I nodded as I listened carefully. I knew some people that fit that catagory. Desperate for money and wanting to stay in the expensive lifestyle. I knew a girl that lived in our neighborhood that liked pretty things and grew up dirt poor. Justine and I when we were teens bought a porcelian doll for this girl that had her name on the angel tree. Justine knew her personally and that was a specail bond between the both of us. To never know poverty..... Justine had ensured that she wasn't in that boat and her bank book was the proof.

"A woman that isn't desperate is rare and intriguing in Chang's harem...one as pretty as you are and with legs like that...you can bet the bidding on you will go sky high, I know I'd give everything I have if I knew I stood a chance."

I blushed as he complimented my beauty. Then turned a brighter red when he mentioned the bidding, but when he said he'd give anything... my heart just melted. I opened my lips and wet them as I gulped hard. "Who said that you didn't?"
I timidly leaned over and brushed a kiss over his lips, I felt like I was running as my heart begin to pound in my throat. A sigh left my lips as I closed my eyes almost afraid that if I looked, Lucky might laugh at me.

I slowly opened my eyes to notice Lucky's smile. I blushed again as I reached for the door. "Well, ummmmm... yeah" The air seemed to be rather thick between us and I felt the heat raise in my neck. Talk about treading on thin ice and hoping that it goes good.

 

[BLACK BART]

Lucky

I was grateful for the time it took me to open my door and walk around the car, grateful because it gave me the time I needed to collect myself and not let Tiffany see how much her butterfly kiss had affected me. She needed to see a cool and calm man, I reasoned, one that would be able to think quickly and not let anything rattle him as he watched over her.

And I had made a promise to do just that.

Waiting for Casey and Matt to join us, the pizzas set in our hands by the delivery service we stood in the hall, eying each other out of the corners of our eyes...

"Tiff, do you think a man can do the wrong thing for the right reasons?" I ventured...

 

[landiek]

"yeah I suppose that they could. Depends on the circumstances. Wanna talk about it further?" Standing and rapping on Matt's door before going in and setting the pizzas on the table.

I felt the nervousness build in my heart and yet I was wondering if I would have the nerve to kiss him again.

"How about you help yourself and we'll see what happens next."

 

[BLACK BART]

Lucky

Knowing quite well Tif meant the pizza I had another form of hunger in mind and let it direct my actions. As she turned to face me I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her to me, thengently pressed my open lips to hers, letting my tongue taste and tease her soft lips all the while enjoying the feel of her softer body pressed to mine.

"Ohh!" Tiffany exclaimed as our lips parted but I didn't loosen my grasp on her.

"Ohh?" I questioned with a smile and brushed a strand of hair away from her cheek.

"I was just thinking of "that"...and I liked it" She smiled and whispered to me.

And rather than waste time responding I let the hunger inside do it for me, my lips covering hers again, this time insistent that she allow my tongue into her mouth as my right hand cupped her taut buttock and pulled her against my hard cock.

Her lips opened and my tongue slid in, to find and tease her own tongue as our hips and lips ground against each other, the heat between us increasing tenfold and erasing the idea of food.

The nagging idea of being caught by Casey and Matt flitted through my head but as Tiffany's hands began to move, to rub my shoulders and my back as we continued to kiss, then dropping to grope at my own tight cheeks...it suddenly didn't matter.

 

[landiek]

When Lucky took me into his embrace I felt my heart flutter for the quickest moment and I was caught offguard even though I wanted to feel his kisses on my lips and then... "Ohh!"

"Ohh?" I questioned with a smile and brushed a strand of hair away from her cheek.

Was Lucky reading my mind? Or was I revealing more to him then I thought "I was just thinking of "that"...and I liked it" I smiled and whispered softly to Lucky.

I parted my lips to press against his and felt being pulled closer, I felt needed and almost like falling into Lucky's kiss. Not wanting it to end for that matter as my hands slid over his shoulders and along his back. A new exploration that I was intending to make without delay as I nipped at Lucky's lip, was this a sexual hunger? If so I wanted it, my hand moved over the front of Lucky's trousers and I knew for sure that I wasn't alone on that thought. That magical kiss was opening many doors and I wanted to charge into them quickly, with no recourse of who or what might be catching us

 

[Henry]

Matthew Bryant

Feeling Casey's lips cover mine my hands rested on her waist drawing her closer to me. Moving away from behind the door we entered the bedroom as our lips stayed locked together. I was almost in a hypnotic state as i momentarily broke the kiss to look into Casey's eyes.....

"Casey i so want this but feel the timing of it is a little wrong at the moment. Part of me feels guilty with Justine's killer still loose."

 

[BLACK BART]

Lucky

Tiffany's shoulders were bare, the straps dangling over the silky skin, the tops of both breasts sweet smelling and creamy colored as I laved away at them with my lips and tongue. Her hands had moved as well, from my groin to the back of my head, entwining her fingers in my hair as she moaned words of pleasure and encouragement...and then coughed?

Lifting my head to find the source of the cough I found two pair of eyes instead, then quickly rose...

"Ummm, we brought the pizza's?" I tried to find something to say as the eyes expanded into faces...faces which were grinning now as Tiffany slid the lace straps up and I tried to help pull the blouse into place, getting my finger caught between buttons as Tiffany fastened them.

"On the counter...we did...errr, we put them on your counter?"

I was rapidly losing and then as the humor of it hit me....I grinned myself, my finger now free and my balance returning...

"Give us a minute and we'll join you?"

59 seconds later I followed Tiffany out of the corner we had wedged ourself into and to the counter where Casey and Matt were filling thier faces, thier eyes twinkling....

 

[landiek]

I felt like the teenager caught by Mom and Dad in bed with a boy when the cough interupted my exploring. Then I felt my cheeks go flaming red as I realized how it looked.

I felt flustered as Lucky's fingers were caught up in my blouse, yet the stirring in my heart felt sad that our moment was fleeting.

Joining Matt and Casey for the pizza I was able to ask the other question in mind. "How will Chang know anything about me? What has to be said about me to gain his attention?"

 

[BLACK BART]

Lucky

The question caused me to look down, hoping someone else would answer or make a suggestion and when the room remained quiet I looked up to three sets of eyes.

"Simple" I supplied "I'll just tell him who you really are, that you're Justine's sister come looking for answers and he'll be drawn to you like a fly to the fire"

The silence that followed was broken by Matt's snorting laugh...

"You're quite the joker Lucky, I never knew you had such a sense of humor"

I didn't answer, couldn't answer as I met Tiffany's eyes, and then turned as Casey cough and replied...

"He's not joking Matt, I think he's dead serious"

 

[mya]

Casey

The kiss had been nice. But I agreed with Matt...we had work to do. As we munched down some pizza, Lucky began to fill us in on his thinking. My chin hit the floor as he mentioned infiltrating Chang's group without a cover for Tiff. The room was silent.

I remembered the truce we'd drawn on the sidewalk outside the bar. I remembered the kiss that he and Tiff had shared where they looked quite content and trusting of each other. I calmed my nerves and made a conscious decision to trust in Lucky.

"He's not joking Matt, I think he's dead serious."

Turning to Lucky, "That's down right scary. Though you seem to know Chang and his gang and their operation. But just remember, you promised to keep her safe and I'm gonna be here holding you to that word, OK." I wasn't being mean to Lucky this time--I was merely reminding him of his promise, and in my own way letting him and Tiff know I was supporting their decision.

"So it looks like Lucky and Tiffany have things all under control for the inside work, and Matt can handle the computer stuff hands down. It looks like you guys won't be needing me afterall huh?" I couldn't help but sound a bit disappointed as I really wanted to help, but I was feeling like I was only getting in the way and maybe I was just hindering their progress.