Page 48 of Romancing the Rumrunner
Jessie swallowed. Her heart nearly in her throat. “It’s in my office. If you could just wait for a moment?”
Mario’s eyes narrowed, but he nodded. Jessie hurried down the stairs into the cellar and yanked open the door to the refrigerated room. The envelope with Willie’s payoff money was stashed between two slats near the door. She took a second to lean against the cool wall, trying to catch her breath.
How could she have been so stupid? It was bad enough to forget to pay a regular creditor, but to forget to pay Willie…it was tantamount to suicide.
Luckily, she’d been pulling in enough that she had a triple payment for him. That might ease some of his irritation at having to send one of his guys out to collect. Hopefully it wouldn’t pique his interest in her club. The tightrope she had to walk to keep all the jackals at bay was giving her stomach pains. The payment should be just enough to make Willie happy without being so much that he worried her speakeasy was becoming too much of a rival for his own.
She hoped she could make a similar payment the next month, which would pay Willie off once and for all. She would be glad to be free of at least one of the blades that seemed to be hanging over her head. And hopefully she’d never have to set eyes on Mario again.
She ran back up the stairs and slid the envelope across the counter. “Please convey my apologies. There is a triple payment in there. And I hope to be able to make the same next month, which should clear my debt.”
Mario cracked open the envelope and did a quick count, thumbing through the bills stacked inside.
“Very good. I was instructed to educate you on the importance of being punctual…”
Rigid with fear, Jessie stood her ground. She wouldn’t show Mario how terrified she was. It was like with bees and dogs… Willie’s goons could smell fear and it only spurred them on.
“However, since it does seem to just be an oversight, and since I’m still rather fond of you and all of your…softer parts,” he said, a little of his come-hither charm oozing back into his voice as his gaze raked over her, “andsince you have an overpayment, no less, I think we can let this slide. I advise you not to let it happen again. Not even my influence will keep Willie at bay should he decide you need a lesson in good manners. And that face of yours is just too pretty to mess up,hmm?”
Jessie nodded, adrenaline making her knees weak. She put a trembling hand on the counter to steady herself. “It won’t happen again.”
“Good,” Mario said, slipping the envelope into his pocket. “Word is you’re singing at The Corkscrew now.”
Jessie’s eyebrow cocked. “Word travels fast.”
He gave her an appraising look. “We were surprised to hear of it.”
“We?”
Mario pinned her with a look and Jessie dropped the act. They both knew she knew exactly to whom he referred. She gave him a faint smile, trying to keep her stomach from revolting in sheer terror. She’d been getting more and more on Willie’s bad side with every successful night at her club. Willie didn’t mind a little competition, as long as that competition stayedlittle. And bought Willie’s booze to fuel that success. But The Red Phoenix didn’t buy from Willie and entirely too many people were frequenting the club for Willie’s taste.
Russo was waiting for her to respond, so she shrugged. “I’m not sure why Willie is interested in where I choose to sing.”
“Willie is interested in the Phoenix. And if his best gal is abandoning him for a rival…well, that interests Willie greatly.”
Jessie’s gaze darted around. “I haven’t abandoned the Phoenix.”
“Then that is even more troubling to hear. The Phoenix is a nuisance right now, but if he were to team up with another owner, combine resources…”
“No, no. That’s not it at all. I’m just singing a few nights at a different club, that’s all. I always wanted to sing, but The Red Phoenix already has a singer, so…” Jessie heard herself rambling and zipped her lip.
Mario studied her for a moment, his sharp eyes taking in everything. “So, the Phoenix sent you in to spy on the competition, eh?”
Jessie kept her composure. She always tried to give Willie just enough information to make it seem as though she was cooperating without giving away too much. It was a fine, but incredibly dangerous, not to mention hair-raising, line to walk.
Mario nodded his head. “Smart man.” He straightened, pulled his gloves back on and fixed her with a stare. “Keeping an eye on one’s competition is always a good move if you want to stay in business.”
She straightened her back, held her head high and gave him a sharp nod. She knew exactly what he was saying. Willie would be keeping his eye on her.
“He must have a lot of faith in you, Jessie.”
Jessie knew she should just keep her mouth shut and let the man leave, but she couldn’t stop from asking, “Why?”
Mario shook his head. “If you were still my broad and were spending all your time with some P.I., I’d be a little worried you were going to do me wrong. But then you,” he said, leaning across the counter and running a finger down her cheek, “would never bite the hand that feeds you, would you?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You mean you don’t know?” he asked, with a tone that suggested he was all too aware of her ignorance.
