I've Got You Under My Skin (Satine)

[Andrew Shedim]

Satine, at long last his sewer rat had a name to match her face. Satine, the smug little brat probably felt she had achieved something during their last encounter in the filth that was the sewers. Sure, he would give credit where it was due; she had given him a most memorable wound the first time he laid eyes on her, a wound she was apparently so delighted with that she couldn't resist repeating.

After she had managed to give him the slip and leave two of his men dead he had decided right then and there that he would need to step up his game. He had immediately sent men to follow her, knowing full well they would find nothing, these street thugs were proving consistently they were good for nothing beyond pushing product. No, she required greater effort, he would need more competent help if if he was going to handle this broad properly and he knew right away where to get it. Blood thieves. During his own period as one finding a vampire was a task but it was far from impossible and thankfully Carlo had been kind enough to assign him a few.

Just as he had anticipated they had found her. So she worked at this Mirror Mirage putting together fanciful little outfits for late night shoppers. Such a mediocre occupation for such a prime specimen, he felt the temptation to scold his budding rival followed immediately by a moment of shame at having been bested by someone who probably spent their work hours chewing bubble gum and twirling her hair. But perhaps the best piece of information, aside from her name, brought to him was her address. Drew laughed to himself, his plan coming to him in seconds.

He gave her a few days, it was best she lapse back into that false sense of security. If she felt secure she was vulnerable and that is when he would come for her. To her he was probably nothing but some two bit hood rat looking to make a name for himself, no matter, he was always one to allow himself to be underestimated. If there was one thing he had long ago learned about vampires it was that they were quick to underestimate their opponents, he wondered how many vampires had underestimated him as a blood thief before being reduced to ashes. Satine the sewer rat would soon fall into that category.

With his wounds fully healed and nothing to break his focus it was time to put his plan into motion. Parking his 1952 Crestline Victoria with custom black paint job and golden Lionelli L in the grill a few blocks away, he wanted nothing to draw her attention as she made her way home. One of the men had quickly picked her lock, the lack of proper security another reason to scold her, and held the door open for him. Krepsi straightened any creases that may have tainted his tailored navy pin striped suit, making sure his tie was perfectly aligned before taking a seat in the recliner adjacent to her door. The four blood thieves that had accompanied him on this excursion did a quick run through, no hidden weapons to surprise him with, no fadeportals to give him the slip, nothing. When she stepped foot into her lovely and safe home she was his.

The hours slowly ticked away, Drew was in no rush, his time a luxury he was actually eager to share with her. "How long do wish to wait sir?" the man standing to the left asked quietly but received no reply, his mind was on nothing but Satine and he was not going to break that focus. He could see it, the look of fear on her face when she turned the light on to see him waiting for her. Oh how she would be furious at him for intruding into her personal fortress of solitude; he could not help but smile as he pictured the look of rage in her eyes but unable to do anything. He had seen to this, coming to her in a rather public area any gunshots then countless neighbors would phone the police, not to mention she would be facing him and four capable blood thieves. But this visit was not about violence, no, this time he would make a stronger point.

At long last he heard the click of her keys in the door, excitement flooding his body. Finally he would have her face to face. The noise of keys hitting the table, good, she seemed to remain unaware of their presence, the sound of the lock brought a large smile to his face, a decision she would be regretting any moment now.
"Come out, come out wherever you are."
So she knew he was here? No, she didn't know it was him, she remained too calm and if he was not mistaken there was mischief in her little tune. If she believed she was going to make a mess of a couple of home intruders that were making their last mistake then he would nip her aspirations in the bud.

He clicked the lamp on, smiling at her as he rested his head in his fingers as if he were some diabolical corporate lawyer. "Tsk tsk, it's rude to keep me waiting, and I even brought flowers." gesturing to the dozen roses he had placed in a vase inscribed with "Til Death" in a bold font before he rose to his feet and approached her slowly, extending his arms to show her he held no weapons. "There will be no need to play with any toys tonight Satine." he said her name softly as he cupped the pistol in her hand, slipping it from her grasp and placing it next to the keys she had tossed on the coffee table. "Please" he gestured towards her couch, his voice more assertive "take a seat, you and I need to talk."

Seating himself back into the recliner he crossed his legs and lit a cigarette "don't mind if I smoke do you? It seems you and I got off on the wrong foot, I would like to remedy this what's the word I'm looking for" he inhaled deeply from the cigarette, blowing the smoke directly towards her "misunderstanding?" He again approached her "let me explain, you seem to have made a very large mistake by shooting me you see." though his tone was calm and rather low there was no mistaking the ice laden undertone. "When you failed to just cut your losses and decided you needed some sort of violent restitution" he laughed jokingly, "you picked the wrong target doll face. I don't know if you were under the impression that I'm some little run of the mill street thug but let me help clear this up for you. My boss, my sire is Carlo fuckin Fachiano. No, name not ringing a bell there toots?" smiling warmly he gave her cheek a gentle pat "he's a Lionelli crime boss. And he's not the guy you really want an angry."
He sat next to her on the couch, placing a hand on her knee "if someone were to say, in some hypothetical way of course, were to really make him mad, well, again hypothetically, something really bad might happen to that person. And you're a pretty girl Satine, seems like ya got a lotta potential, it would break my heart to thinka somethin happenin to you ya know." Drew got to his feet and gestured for the men to leave. "What I'm really trying to tell you doll face" he dropped all pretenses of niceness "I can find you anywhere, I can get to you at anytime, do not...****...with me." in blur he was out of the building and back in his car. He had found the nights satisfaction.

[Satine]

Satine was in her apartment two nights later stopping by to check on things that would have had no reason to move since the last time she was there. The step of her black platform maryjane pumps settled into the carpet beneath as she allowed the water to pour in a slow stream downward into the vase that was still giving the message ‘Until Death’. The budding necromancer leaned in and took a deep draw of the scent of roses that had widened in their bloom since they first arrived. It was a rather odd sight to be sure if one were watching her. Her bare pale legs nearly glowed against the contrast of the black pencil jumper dress. The straps tracing over the curves of her front shaped down tight over the red ribbed babydoll top. Her waist length raven hair was wrapped up neatly in a french bun that kept it in place at the back of her head. Work and duty called. Satine was dressed for the part.

The two bit gangster and his goons visiting should have left Satine shaking in her sweet little stockings. It was bold and increasingly cold. The score was a solid. One up and no man down...yet. As for her stockings shaking, well, she wasn’t wearing any and she had no intention of sliding into a pair just for the sake of full effect.

In short, the way the man made it sound he had friends who had other friends and they too had some buddies somewhere who knew a few more with a couple ideas about a few things in the art of making the likes of her disappear. It was all really kinda cute. He liked to play rough and yet he liked flowers. He was not above stepping inside a locked door and waiting patiently like a true gentleman should. She would be certain to return the favor. He was in for a full blown treat of all that surprise and misery he was merely asking for. Two could get down with this little game. Satine was sweet as the icing on any cupcake that his little sugar momma whipped up for him while he was out playing cops and gangster’s and yet she still could turn cold as his grandmother’s deep freezer.

Satine smirked as she stepped out of the transit and clicked her way to the mall. Her fingernails were finally dry after being drenched in blood red polish sending each to burst in vibrant length. She was dressed to sell and to kill. Sell the latest in couture that is. She played the part and hopefully sales would go up for the boss that made work seem like anything but that. Why couldn’t there be more like him?

The work went along smoothly. Shipments coming in to Mirror Mirage were just what she ordered and for once the setting up of the displays was uneventful. Her irritation had not got the best of her and she managed to get used to the extra juice pouches she carried along with her. She never drank from the customers in the store. It was not the way to get them to keep coming back. They tend to wake elsewhere dazed and confused. So her increased discipline was kicking in finally. That was another high point.

The closing hour found Satine locking up and exiting the mall. The light click of her heels serenaded her as she made her way across the street. A set of dim light beams from oncoming headlights caught her attention and she froze in the middle of the street waiting for a relic beast of a black car that took time to go by given its boat like length. A shimmer of a gold ‘L’ caught her silver eyes like a cat’s claws on passing string. Her attention was hooked. The face of the driver was familiar as it went by. It looked like one of the sharp dressed flunkies that Krepsi ran with. Her plans to grab a bite to eat later just took precedence over dropping off the mailers in her tote bag at the post office drop box. The car moved slower than flatbed float in a parade when it finally arrived in front of a shop. Satine sighed keeping it in sight from the corner.

“About ******* time, Jesus.”

Satine looked down at her heels that were weeping in the sounds of squeaks and grated clicks. They were trashed from her constant sprint to keep up. The twit driving had to be an idiot or just liked driving the yacht on four wheels around the same five block radius for kicks. The car was parked and tall dark suit got out with the engine still running. He adjusted his jacket as if anyone was looking and needed to be impressed at two in the morning while he opened the back door. There he was. Slick was in for a surprise and standing right where she wanted him.

As the suit leaned in to grab an item she was on the back of his warm neck forming a seal with her lips pressing his weakening body face down on the back seat. With the ease of her foot she hooked her heel on the inside door handle and pulled it shut like a lover who couldn’t wait until she got him home. The rush of warm blood flowed like silken fluid slide down her throat and her body lit up like fireworks were going off early. She released her bite and licked her lips. He was spicy going down but had a bite to him. He was a keeper.

With the choice easily made the resourceful necromancer opened up her tote and pulled out a few items she made sure to never leave home without just like any other lady. The hiss of duct tape being pulled from its hosting roll filled the spacious backseat. Sparing no expense, Satine rolled the majority of the industrial size quantity around the man's ankles securing them together and then his wrists behind his back. Happy with that she took off the man's sharp tie and stuffed it in his mouth then duct tape that as well. The jingle of her bag reminded her not to forget the finishing touches. Two sets of cuffs were pulled from the depths of the red tote and now fastened to the space above the duct tape around each limb locking them all together. The tall male was formed into a ball at hands and feet to sleep it off. She was wise to the guy and emptied his pockets, holster and even his socks of weapons. New wheels, a sweet tasting guy and a few brand new toys. Krepsi was far too generous.

Satine slid over the back seat into the front and bounced into the space for the new driver. The car slowly purred into motion as she guided it away from the curb and into the lane heading north. Hopefully the tank was full. She had several errands left to run and would have no clue where the hell to fill it if she needed to. Her silver orbs sparkled as the random street lights spilled across the windshield of the car. Glancing in the rear view mirror she admired what she would fondly call her ‘juice box’. She wondered if her sire would be impressed. Not only had she acquired her own set of flashy wheels, she just improved her technique on feeding. Sharp, sassy fingernails pinched the button on the stereo and let the music rise in volume. Frank Sinatra was belting it out tonight. ‘The Best is Yet to Come’ made the windows rattle and the massive car bounced lightly across the dark street.

“You and me are gonna be so happy.” Satine cooed to the groggy male slowly coming around in the back. “Just you wait and you see.”

[Andrew Shedim]

The room was a little small, dingy, and smoke filled. Drew had spent the last few hours in the backroom of the bar playing poker with the boys. A lot of things had changed for him since his turning, he slammed his cards on the table watching another seven hundred dollars disappear, his luck not being one of them. Lightning another cigar he shuffled the cards before doling them out, tossing in the obligatory fifty dollar chip, hoping to at least win back part of what these sharks had bled from him.

Satine crept into his mind at random intervals, he had heard nothing from or about her since he had paid the raven haired woman a visit at her apartment. But he was certain he would see her again, afterall, if she was going to live up to the expectations he had set for her she would be hitting him really hard any day now. He was quickly brought out of his revelry when one of his companions had uttered "call", yet another loss.
"You fuckin hustling me Charlie?" he joked. Nights like this, dicking around and joking with some wise guys, was what he lived for. It used to be a lot of drinking, gambling, and cocaine from late night until the early hours of the morning that kept him going, now the drugs had very little effect, he couldn't stomach anything that wasn't blood, and he was fast asleep at sunrise. Suddenly vampirism seemed to share a lot in common with the elderly. He snorted a quick line as the next hand was being dealt, high or not tonight was all about fun and some bonding with the guys.

"Drew, man, you're gonna want to see this." Roger, the man on lookout duty spoke quickly as he peered out of the window. "Looks like some broad with..." Krepsi quickly interrupting the man as he stood, smiling "lemme guess, black hair and pale as a ghost. Roger the lookout took another quick glance "yep, but both her and your car are gone man."
"And the driver?" Drew snorted another line before walking towards the door. "Didn't see him. What, piss off your girl so she's taking your fuckin car?" the man laughed. "Yeah, something like that. I'll catch you guys later." he checked to make sure his gun was fully loaded before opening the door "got something to take care of apparently." he left the room with a large smile on his face.

So she resorted to actually stealing his car? His beautiful 1952 Crestline Victoria now being driven by the sewer rat, he prayed he would find her with no scratches or dents, and god help the woman if he found any. There was no rush in his pace, it was a simple swipe on his phone to start tracking the gps he'd installed, she wasn't going to end up anywhere he couldn't find her. Within twenty minutes she had come to a rest in the Honeymead district, noting the coordinates he immediately set off. Within seconds he'd found her, parked across the street from the flashing lights of the Metronome Club, she hadn't even made past stepping out when he approached her.

"If you wanted to borrow the car doll face, you could've just asked." His eyes locked on to hers, giving her a small smile before stepping back and checking for any damage to the body of his car. "And what did you do with my driver?" he leaned closer, keeping his voice low, but he didn't need an answer, he'd spotted the man bound in his backseat. He couldn't help but love exactly how bold this woman really was.
When she made to step out of the car he seized her by the hair, forcefully shoving her into the passenger seat. Glancing around to make sure they had not drawn attention he felt the all too familiar sting of one of her bullets tearing through his groin. He fought back the pain and anger that compelled him to smash her face through the windshield, settling for keeping the barrel of his gun pressed against her head. "How about we take a little drive there doll face." his clenched teeth making his smile seem very forced.

[Satine]

The machine was a work of art all its own. Satine was already attached to the way it glided to a slow stop as if it was aware it could take all the time it wanted to finish its performance. She was a beauty and she was now owned. The keys jingled as she set it in park and took a last glance back to her recently acquired sweetness all bound up behind her like a holiday package. Juice Box, as she affectionately called him numerous times in the last fifteen minutes, was gonna be a delight to open up over and over again.

Beneath the bright lights of the club that was her destination her bare ghostly white leg stretched out of the opening door. The firm, petite and bare length was instantly a slide of flesh for the beams of moonlight to ride down. Her hips shifted to stand and that is when pretty boy Floyd was there to greet her. Why would she ask to borrow what was hers? That was going through her mind while he basically asked the question of her. Before her crimson bathed lips could deliver a sharp retort the fire erupted instantly over her scalp signaling the fool had his meathooks in her tight french wrap.

Satine was petite. So given that it was no surprise she was instantly seeing the drivers side of the dash and nearly landed under the passengers side. A few things really got under skin and her attention. One was taking him hold of her hair and two was moving her without asking. It was a great way to lose body parts. She could smell his scent for miles and he was feeling strong at the moment. She inhaled it deep into her useless lungs. Wasn’t that sweet of the guy. Bugsy was taking insult to her demonstration that he could run and he could hide but she could find his *** under any rock as well.

Satine rolled her eyes heavenward to see the man planning to slide into the seat getting that much closer to where he had tossed her. Like any other player on the streets recently, the young necro was always prepared to play out her hand. In that hand was a guarantee to anyone who started **** with her. a few wild cards and surprises to boot. She had been quick lately and she was able to prove it yet again.

Reaching behind her leg had the grazing of her blood red fingertips sliding up under that glove tight black pencil line skirt. Without a sound she retrieved the weapon carried on the inside of her upper thigh. It shimmered beneath the moon’s light that washed across the windshield in a last effort to come to the unlucky vampire’s rescue. The gangster made the mistake of giving a **** if anyone was watching what he was doing. And there he was once again making it easy by looking in the wrong direction. He would learn eventually never to take his eyes off her if he was that close.

Satine was grinning like a cheshire cat as her pale hand appeared with a surprise of her own. The red length of her nails locked tight as the chilly blue lines of her veins lifted beneath her skin with the pressure she applied to the weapon that was in her grip. A single ominous click sounded as the safety was released. It was so fast and smooth that it was disturbing all the details of what happened could be savored by her. Each movement she made, no matter how slight or unnoticed, was a mini rush of the execution in hitting her mark.

The scent of his blood was nearly enough to fire off all those impulses and to forget where they were and dive forward. Satine could tumble him from the car and have him on his back on the ground finding his place beneath her. It would serve him right and part of her was guessing he might even like that. Just as she was about to do just that and make her move the barrel of a gun made an even sharper bite of warning as he pressed it roughly into the pale canvas above her silver orbs.

So it appeared Krepsi was getting quick as the rest of the dead in the shady city and shaking off the tearing of his flesh with her recent gift of lead. Satine’s taunting grin remained as she eased back, releasing the gun in her hand and letting it fall for his view. She had more where that came from. Her eyes dragged sadisticly slow down his chest to pin like two sharp daggers sinking into a fresh wound and twisting deeper. Nothing like hitting him where it hurts.

Sounds of muffled profanity from the back announced the juice box she still considered hers was waking up on the wrong side of the spacious seat. Satine was going to teach the slick dressed hoodlum a few things. She had hopes for him. It didn’t matter what he had planned. As for Bugsy, well he just signed himself up for training as well as far as she was concerned.

“Why ask for what is mine? Juice Box. Is. Mine.” Her voice was a purposeful hiss. “As for that ride…” She casually tucked her hair back in place so it looked as if though the midnight tresses were never touched at all. She winked “It could be rough. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

[Andrew Shedim]

His gun did not move an inch even as he watched hers fall to the floorboard. This wasn’t his first day on the job and he wasn’t dumb enough to think she only carried one. Giving his companion as pleasant of a smile as he could with a fresh wound “hows about I let you keep the rest doll face and we just agree to play nice?” He lowered the gun slowly, watching her intently to make sure she showed she would comply.

He couldn’t help smiling at her territorial growl of a statement, like she could steal from him; take his men all with impunity. It was cute, it made her endearing, but he was eventually going to make his point. Reaching a hand into the backseat he ripped the tape binding his driver, giving her a daring smirk as the man quickly fled the car. “You were saying?” he chuckled, starting the car and pulling into the street.

The first thought was taking her to the docks, they always begged when they found themselves are their knees, cold hard steel pressing into the back of their head the last thing they feel. A sudden ring of his phone startled him from his thought, a glance at the phone told him it was Carlo, a call he couldn’t ignore.

“Yeah boss…Right here with me…Right.” the only words he had in the quick conversation. “Looks like you finally get to meet the boss.” his words slightly sarcastic despite the faintest hint of worry in his eyes. It had been a long time since he’d heard Carlo sound pissed and had never been on the receiving end, but the call left little to the imagination about what sort of mood the old man was in. The rest of the drive to the castle, Drew kept his silence with only fleeting glances at the pale woman beside him, making sure she wasn’t preparing to plunge a dagger into his ribcage.

Upon reaching the castle he quickly walked around the car, pulling her door open he again seized her by the hair. “Don’t say a word” he hissed in her ear, leading her down the stairs towards Carlo’s office. As they entered the room Drew forced her into the chair before standing behind her, his hands cupped behind his back. Now was the time to act professional, he kept his mouth shut and his eyes focused on the image of his boss.

[Carlo Fachiano]

There was this thing nagging at his brain. This quest he had yet to master. Paperwork sprawled out across his small desk in the tiny crap-hole basement room. Night-in-night-out, the upstairs crawled with clinks, clicks, gunpowder, and steel as one Lionelli dropped like the other. The noise was often deafening when he needed a quiet perch to think. Plume of smoke slithered and rose to the brim of his hat. Filled the room with an old-mans scent, masked the blood; blended with booze. Fingers closed, knuckles rapped against the messy surface. A page of scribbled note with dates, names, brief comments of conversations. One a short lead described what Andrew regurgitated after finding a fracture. Another was the gypsy’s calling card. Carlo had yet to meet. He couldn’t tell Marco, yet.

The clock ticked away in the corner. “Where the hell is he?” He dialed.. He answered.

“Krepsi.”
“You gallivanting with gunslinger again?”
“Get over here.”

He promptly hung up. Carlo knew Krepsi would understand urgency in the message did not always mean trouble. Krepsi was was okay at sticking clear of trouble, at least until this chick came around or ulterior motives came into play. He remembered when kid busted in his office in the middle of a thought session, blurted as fast as he could in anger about this gangster who shot him and how he shot her back. Somewhere in his tone was excitement this was happening to him. Cat and Mouse at play. Carlo was proud, kid is growing up well. Might even replace him one day if Carlo did his work right-got Krepsi in tight with Marco. All in good time.

It was not long before he heard the rumble of his car, creak of the hidden side door, and extra footsteps down the stairs. He didn’t say anything when they entered. Iron cold smell of blood emit from their clothes. Star-crossed. Carlo’s eyes followed the pair, a grin in the rough way Krepsi forced the raven-haired girl into a chair. He studied them.

“Let me make a few things clear.” He was agitated somewhere in the depths of his stomach, but emotion came across neutral. It was that tone that put people at ease. Gave them some security, false sense of hope. When he spoke his words he meant it. No matter how plain a stab to the neck sounded. It was a strength that allowed him to continue quests without fear or concern. This didn’t bode very well for him in personal relationships. Occasionally-very rarely, enough pent up frustration would shine through.

“Krepsi, pull up a chair.” He ordered as he walked around his desk. Krepsi was not in the clear either. He pointed to the spot next to the girl's. His backside rested against his desk, arms folded in front. He brought his cigar to his lips. He'd wait this out for limited time, see what they had to say-he wanted to jump all over them, he was brewing. Company was not exactly still in their seats.

“Little miss what do you have to say for yourself?” This was her chance. To save Krepsi. Save herself from being bludgeon to death, stuffed in a bag piece by piece, and thrown into the river.

[Satine]

Satine was eyeing the man who she heard so much about. Her silver orbs tracked his movements while he handed out the order for Krepsi to park his *** in a seat. A slow building smirk arrived across her lips while she heard movement on Bugsy’s part. She didn’t look over at him because that meant she would be letting the boss man out of her sights. She was not entirely sure if this was one of those gangster wanna be deals like she used to see on the one channel she had to watch late at night back home. The comedies of errors type thing where the most that was ever accomplished is they ran the few surrounding blocks that mostly were comprised of a nursing home, the local methadone clinic and perhaps a dry cleaners. Bugsy shaking down the old folks almost had her giggling but she kept it from surfacing. Just in case this on a thin chance more like ‘The Godfather’ than ‘Gumball Gang strikes out again’ or some sort of **** she could amuse herself with in her head.

"Depends on how much time you got there old man. " Eyes him narrowly. "Since you asked…”

Satine folded one well shaped pale leg over the other and folded both to the side like she was a dame who knew what the hell she was doing. She nodded to the chair he came out of before stepping his somewhat fine tailored suit around to the front of the desk as if she was supposed to be impressed. Hopefully he was bright enough to take a hint...or three. She would make a point to hook him up with one a few price tags upgrade so he could look super slick for the next meeting he called them to.

“Why don’t you just reclaim that chair you were sitting in, plant *** and listen to what all I have to say while your boy here, Bugsy, gets a lesson as well. I am sure it will come as no surprise that I have a few words for you. He knows it too." Satines freshly dipped and dried long nails curled up as her thumb hooked out to point out the lanky gangster next to her. "Someone has to have Bugsy’s back. He is walking around like swiss cheese out there while you are in here doing what?” She glanced at Krepsi and whispered. “What is it that he actually does anyways?”

[Andrew Shedim]

Giving Carlo a silent nod he took the chair next to Satine. He had hoped his warning to her to remain quiet would be headed and he was not disappointed when she disregarded that warning. Fighting hard not to even crack a smile when she spoke to the old man, he resigned to just shaking his head. The woman obviously had absolutely no grasp on the true situation she had found herself in, though he had grown fond of the raven haired menace he knew Carlo was not going to buy her particular charm.

He wanted to explain to his boss why he had spent so much time on her than on finding the information he had been tasked with but nothing logical came to mind, besides, he had tried when not playing guns and ammo with the woman at his side. There was nothing that came to his mind that would help either one of them should Carlo choose to vent any anger, the man was impossible to read until the last minute. Instead Drew kept his mouth shut and just waited.

When Satine spoke to him, the young vampires eyes narrowed. He shook his head slowly, again she had made him want to fall down laughing but now was not the time to get himself into hot water. The appreciation and amazement towards this woman never failed to improve. She was looking at any number of punishments yet she still continued to taunt, she continued to dare, and she was again showing just how crazy she truly was.

[Carlo Fachiano]

Just how much time was on his hands. Satine struck a nerve. Carlo was sent to Harper Rock for a specific mission. Find out about the fractures. Learn all that he can. Attempt to interfere, distract-worse put some people down. He was pleased to if need be. His kind didn’t exactly play nice with the Jones’ in this town. No mercy. In between the lines was a great crack. If exposed would quickly lead to this Caporegime’s demise. Even an organized crime leader had his weakness, vampire or not.

Carlo may appear withered in his ways, but he had reflexes like many trained vampire in this town. Even if his butt remained between the sheets of his bed, wood of his chair that Satine so bluntly directed he should wander back to. His eyebrow arched. Left eye slight squint long and hard, allowing her to finish the bold statement. In an instant he could see why Krepsi liked this dame. Long legs, dangerous goods, ready to explode. She should come in a box marked ‘handle with care or die’.

“Listen sweetheart. I don’t know what your daddy taught you. Bet they gave you everything. Smart brat with no broken bone. eh?” He turned to his left side for only a second to drop his cigar in the tin ashtray. “First thing, I ain’t giving the likes of you satisfaction of sitting my old *** in that here chair.” He picked up two simple but blazin sharp knives from his desk. “So we gotta do something about this.”

“Krepsi, what we gunna do about this?” He briefly looked to him than immediately held a hand up, palm out, blade in the air. Intentions to silence his best partner-soldier to do his bidding. “Yea, I know what we’re gunna do. You’re not gunna **** around next time.” He canted his head, shook the blade to his chest.

Carlo took a step forward in front of Krepsi. Floor boards creaked under the weight of the killer. He tipped his head staring directly at Satine. At this angle and distance he could see a gleam bounce off her iris from the surrounding light. A shine in her hair. Drying bloodstains on her clothes. He quickly brought his left hand up to strike. In that instance, he secretly enforced Krepsi’s will to bend in ways the kid probably didn’t know was possible. Andrew’s reflexes listened attentively. Carlo watched in amusement as the young gun armed and shot Satine at arms length. Nearly pushing her out of her chair. Forcing her pretty crossed legs to lay flat against the wood grain. Before Krepsi could get a word in or Satine could buckle from the chair, Carlo’s left arm came down hard. Sticking the blade through her left leg. It pierced the wood seat beneath her, pinning her down.

He stood back from the pair. Impressed by the handiwork-to bewitch someone else. He wanted to see her struggle and squirm. He wanted to drop his second knife into her other leg. See just what she was made of-IF he had any inclination to recruit her, he had to ensure Krepsi would stick to his guns. If that meant dragging her along until they worked through the kinks so be it. Her reckless attitude lined with lace would be icing on the cake to anyone’s funeral.

“Now, you got two choices. We can keep up with this charade and I can put you to work, under circumstance that I don’t find the pair of you shaking the bushes when ya got a job to do. Cause as pretty as you are, looks and them cheese holes are slowing my boy down.”

“Two. Ya be on my **** list and we can take this to the gutters.”

[Satine]

Satine was distracted by the aged left hand rising. She expected to feel the flesh greet her own with an admonishing slap. That was a typical gangster movie on a mouthy dame. She was too confident and she was stunned with the bullet that came flying at her. She didn’t see it but she sure as hell felt it. It drilled its way through her chest narrowly missing that useless muscle some would call her heart. Her silver orbs popped wide open as well as her crimson lips. No sound came out. The burn of the fire hot foreign lead tore through the surrounding flesh that tried to slow its travel. The son of a ***** actually shot her in front of his boss! Her chest heaved upward quickly as the cool fluid surfaced from the hole beneath her shirt. She felt like she had the wind knocked out of her. She blinked quickly while the chair beneath her rocked back until her legs braced the front and saved it from tipping over. Andrew Krepsi was in incredibly deep ****. How ******* rude!

Satine hissed in a bit of air to tell the punk next to her just as much when the man in front of them moved. It was fast but it was not unfamiliar to her. The pain raced up her thigh and shot straight to her brain with a warning that this boss was not playing. It came far too late. She looked down at the gunshot wound to her chest and then the knife sticking out of the top of her left thigh. That was it!

Satine’s jaws stretched instantly producing an up close view of what would resemble a rather unattractive yet deadly set of razor sharp lions jaws. Each of her teeth popped to a disturbing length of white fangs that dripped with the blood the taxed and split gums were forced to release. She had only started to snap. The bulbs in the office popped one by one causing the lighting surrounding them to dim consistently. The chairs beneath both she and Krepsi began shaking while her eyes locked on the one who initiated the knife play. She already imagined how he would look missing a few limbs. The desk behind Carlo shivered as her rage boiled to a whole new level.

“The only thing I am going to do if he is in a god damned bush is set it on fire!”

Satine roared sending blood spitting at Carlo as she did. She was ready to kill him right there. Her hand went out ignoring the way she was skewered to the chair and grabbed him. If she succeeded with her rage fueled attempt then the boss was going to come down with an instant and mindblowingly wicked case of paralysing rigormortis. The ******** just stabbed the wrong *****. No one stabbed her or shot her and got away with it. Not even Bugsy.