Page 85 of An Eye For Illusion

“Well, I’ll be damned. You found it!” he says loudly. Loud music comes from inside the house. I guess we aren’t as early to the party as I thought.

Frankie and Dino come out the door behind him. The sound of the door closing muffles the loud bass of the music playing inside. Their smiles don’t match Vinny’s; they’re scowls.

I throw my arms out for show. “I can’t believe you doubted me!” I laugh.

“You sure it’s the one, Boss?” Dino asks as he approaches the car, giving it a once over.

“It’s the one,” Donovan says firmly to Dino. Something is off with Frankie and Dino’s demeanor from the last time I saw them, and it seems Donovan picks up on it, too.

“Of course, it’s the one!” Vinny shouts, his excitement impossible to hide.

Vinny opens the driver’s door, flips the visor down, and keys land in his hand. My brows knit together as I wonder how he knew they would be there. Then, he walks to the back of the car and opens the trunk. The trunk light glows bright, and I see rows of black duffle bags inside.

Vinny unzips one of the bags to reveal the contents. Brick after brick of what I assume is cocaine. Vinny uses the car key to break through the plastic wrapped around one of the bricks. He licks his fingers, sticks it in the powder, and then tastes it.

“That’s the good stuff,” he says out loud to no one specific.

“Frankie, get Elliott,” Vinny hollers over the trunk. Great, fucking Moore is here.

Without saying a word Frankie heads inside and comes back out almost immediately with Elliott trailing close behind him. Elliott makes an effort to avoid looking us in the eye. He has fresh bruising around his left eye.

“Dino, help these two carry these bags inside,” he orders, his tone harsh.

“Take the car back with you, Jax. Do whatever you want with it. Good job. You’ve completed your first drug run for Maggio’s Trucking,” he says as he claps me on the back.

I stare in disbelief. “Wait. What? I thought you wanted this car.” I’m trying to make sense of what’s happening.

Elliott, Frankie, and Dino grab the bags by their straps. Each of them carry a bag in each hand. I notice Moore wince as he lifts the bags from the trunk. Someone must have gotten rough with him. I wish I had a chance the pummel his ass.

“Right, that’s what I told you. I wanted that car, and you delivered. It’s not easy getting this shit moved around. An eighteen-wheeler might get stopped by the police. But a clean-cut young man hauling a junk car is no cause for concern. You boys come inside. We’ve got some ladies for your enjoyment—and some blow.” With a chuckle, Vinny turns and walks the short distance back through the front door to the house.

As soon as he’s out of sight, I turn to Donovan and get close enough so only he can hear me. “My guy found the car. What the fuck is going on here?” It isn’t really a question but a statement, one that I still cannot understand.

Donovan shrugs. “I told you, man. This shit isn’t like the real world. What do you know about your car guy?”

“I know he finds fucking cars. That’s it,” I say, rubbing my temples.

Donovan slaps my hands down. “They’re always watching,” he scolds in a low voice.

I force myself to relax. “You think Vinny and I have the same connection?” I ask under my breath.

“It’s possible. Vin set you up; he set this whole thing up. The only silver lining is we know now what he’s up to. He’s running drugs.”

“Did you notice Moore’s black eye?” I ask.

“Mmhmm. He probably pissed one of those guys off,” Donovan says nonchalantly.

“Hey!” Frankie hollers from the front doorway.

Donovan and I both turn our attention to him. He has the door standing open enough for us to see inside. A couple of topless women pass behind him, dancing to the beat of the music. He motions for us to come inside. We exchange a tense look with each other before making our way toward the front door.

As soon as we cross the threshold, the smell of marijuana slaps me in the face. I’ve never smoked, but it’s never bothered me for someone else to. A literal smoke cloud hovers over the room, and a small bar is set up just past the foyer with a topless woman pouring drinks.

“Hiya, fellas. What can I get you two?” She pushes her breasts forward and gives us a wink as she asks.

“Two beers,” I say, doing my best to look her in the eyes. There are several people here I don’t recognize—all friends or associates of Vinny’s, I assume. I haven’t seen a woman with more than a thong on since we walked in. Normally, I enjoy the sight of a beautiful woman’s body as much as the next guy, but now all I can think about is Jade.

I can’t let anyone or anything distract me from getting to the bottom of exactly what Vinny and Elliott are up to. I have to end this for her, for us. After the amazing rendezvous we had last night—sneaking away together at the charity event—I know she wants me as much as I want her.

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