Page 5 of Nobody But You

As she slumped, I dragged her dead weight to the same closet where I’d thrown my coat, propping her in the corner with it. I took off her uniform top, quickly putting it on and tucking it inside my skirt. Before fully opening the door, I peeped outside,ensuring the coast was clear, then headed back towards the private dining room.

Well, that was too damn easy!

Before entering, I removed one of the pills and the unused syringe and placed them in the sleeve opening of the cuff. It would be easier and less conspicuous to access them there. Then, I took one last look at the waitstaff uniform. I unbuttoned the first few buttons of the shirt and pushed the girls up for good measure. I usually work for hire, but this I would do for fucking free.

I want information. No, I need that information! Tonight, I will get it from him, dead or alive.

CHAPTER 2

Stephon

Iwas working tonight because I was short a man. One of my private security guards, Brody, called out due to a family emergency. He was supposed to be here, but I was taking his place. I’d been at Porter’s Steakhouse for about thirty minutes, handling all the security aspects of the job my company had been hired to do.

After conducting a thorough inspection and sweep of the room, I placed a chair in the room’s darkened corner. I wanted to be unseen and unheard. I refused to stand up for hours listening to five dumb motherfuckers talk business. I also couldn’t sit long because I had a bum knee. So, I’d have to move around at some point, but until then, I wanted to be comfortable. I wasn’t in the headspace tonight, so I hoped this meeting wouldn’t be long.

The mayor, police chief, one of the councilmen, and some old nigga from NY named Julius Miller and his lackey were to be in attendance. I’d run checks on Miller, and nothing came up outside of him pushing weight back in the day. He’d moved from LA andsettled in NY; he wasn’t making any noise, nor was he a threat. His name barely popped up in my background check. The other three I was familiar with.

I glanced at my watch and checked the time. It was approaching seven o’clock, and I would need to meet the mayor outside to escort him in. One of my drivers had picked him up and alerted me that they were approaching. As I left, I did one last scan, locking the door behind me. I’d retrieved the key from the owner, who assured me it was the only one. I couldn’t have anyone accessing that room before I returned.

The mayor hired my firm, Rockwell Security, tonight, and I was thorough. Before standing in for Brody, I’d also had my analyst run background checks on Porter’s staff. I didn’t trust a soul who would be in or out of this establishment. Not even the mayor. He was the worst of them all. Which is precisely why I didn’t vote for that grimy motherfucker. I was more of a watch and guard from a distance kind of person, so this shit was vexing me.

As I walked back through Porter’s Steakhouse, I saw it was packed. There weren’t this many people here when I first arrived. I also took a mental inventory of the present waitstaff as I walked through. I’d requested a photo file of every employee working tonight when the background checks were run. Everything appeared to be in typical operation and secure.

Exiting to stand on the curb, I breathed deeply and exhaled, placing my hands in my pockets.

It’s about to be a long fucking night!

Out of boredom, I started to people-watch. About a block away, I spotted a woman. What made her stand out was the fact that she was looking down at her body, aggressively tying the sash on her coat. It was strange because it was cold, but not as cold as she was making it seem. If she tied that shit any tighter, I was sure she’d cut off her circulation. She was tall for a woman and stood out over the crowd of people she was pushing through. I watched a little longer to see if she would raise her head because she was now looking down at her phone. There was also this long-ass ponytail billowing in the wind behind her.

More than enough to wrap around my fist.

How my mind had gone there, I couldn’t tell you. Finally, I was graced with her face.

Damn!

She was beautiful. I didn’t want to take my eyes off her, but before I could stare too long, the mayor’s car had arrived at the curb. I waited for my driver to let him out and greeted him. Clearing my now parched throat to speak.

“Mr. Mayor,” I acknowledged with a head nod.

“Rockwell?” He addressed me questioningly.

“Yes, Sir, Brody had a family emergency he needed to handle.” He knew I didn’t usually take jobs like these because I hated the shit. I’d told his ass so every time he requested me. He knew I was the best, so he’d always shoot his shot.

“Very well. Please give him my regards,” he said as I escorted him to the hostess's booth, where she greeted him.

“Good evening, Mr. Mayor. Welcome to Porter’s. Your party hasn’t arrived. Would you like to wait for them?”

“No. Once they all arrive, send them back.”

“As you wish, right this way, sir.”

From what I’ve observed, the few times I’ve taken this job, the mayor had this thing about arriving early. He didn’t like being the last person to enter a room. I agreed with him because I didn’t like that shit either. I wanted to get there so early that you’d forget I was there, especially if we were going to be in a room full of people. This is why as soon as I unlocked the door to the private dining room, I took off my suit jacket and perched my big ass in the heavily shaded corner of the room in the chair I placed there. I probably should have stayed by the door, but I was quick on the draw.

A few moments later, the door opened, and the hostess brought in the rest of the mayor’s dinner party. Once seated, a young waitress came in to take their drink orders. She was a cute little thing. She probably shouldn’t have been chosen to wait in this room full of predators. She bounced around to each man, clenching her jaw to hold back her retorts as they made their advances and inappropriate comments. She seemed to be handling herself well. I’ll admit she had some bite and hid her annoyance well.

I hated this part of the job, which required me to be idle for hours. This was busy work for me. It kept me occupied without actually doing anything. After only ten minutes, I was bored and didn’t know how long I could sit, listening to them talk business. They were terrible at it. Neither of them had said one single thing that made fucking sense, legal or illegal. The mayor hadforgotten I was even here, and his guests had no idea I ever was. I’m assuming that’s why the conversation steered toward their illegal dealings.

I guess they’re going to get right to it then.

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