Brutal (4 page)

 Friday nights cater to those who want to dance specifically: hardcore hip-hop, techno, and absolutely no fucking disco or pop music. Saturdays are metal based, and I keep it dark and painfully loud. Mosh pits are encouraged and so is fighting, which happens a lot. I love that shit. I love aggression like some girls love appletinis.

I relieve the boys of their duties, and they head back to the bar. I quickly prepare myself mentally for the first set. I tap the mic to get the crowd’s attention and yell, “Detroit sure does look fucking sexy tonight! How are my lovelies doing?”

With all the screaming and clapping I can’t make out a thing and that means it’s live in here.

“Welcome to Lush, the D’s dirty little secret. I’m Kharma, but you can just say ‘bitch’ and I’ll answer to that, too. I don’t take requests, but I do take offense, so don’t offend me by sitting down, standing still or leaving, alright? Hook your servers up, and stay away from the bouncers, yeah? They’re some mean motherfuckers! Now get your sexy asses on the floor or a table if you fancy, and move that mutha fuckin’ ass!”

I go right into “Dance all night” by Poison Clan, and the place goes flat out insane. Smiling to myself, I do some of my signature moves and get a little nasty with the masses. It’s the only time I let go. The music allows me to be the me I should have been, instead of the me I turned out to be. It’s a small reprieve, but I’ll take it.

I never let a track play long, I don’t care how hot it is. Keep them wanting more, is what I do. I start to do a little spinning, really putting on a show. I fucking love the bass, the screaming, the pheromones all coming together. I start to mix in Eminem’s ’Bezerk’ to keep them revved up. After that? A little Danny Brown, with a heavy dose of Kendrick Lamar and A$ap Rocky. I’m spinning, dancing and lost in the moment; truly feeling young for a minute when I notice two very large men approach the platform, with security looking really pissed off.

I ignore them because they’re probably just trying to get to the bar, when both men push security out of the way and they flank me. I look from left to right, not understanding the situation. I also see Max and Anthony Gallo in a dead run to get to me. Why is security just fucking standing there? Uh oh, this can’t be good.

“Venessa Cross, you are under arrest for suspicion of murder. Spread your legs, and put your hands behind your back,” says the officer. The crowd hears it via the mic, then all hell breaks loose.

“What?” I yell. “I can’t spread my legs! Have you seen my skirt?”

“Hands behind your back and you’ll walk out of here peacefully,” says officer number two.

I’m speechless, to be honest. Under arrest for
suspicion
of murder? Huh? I haven’t even killed anyone lately. Then, it hits me. Briggs, you mother fucker. Shit. I knew I put myself on their radar; taking down police will get a girl noticed. At least I’m wearing clean underwear.

“Where the fuck are you taking her?” demands Max after he cuts the music. “Don’t say a word to anyone, Venessa. I’ll have the attorney there within minutes. Not a fucking word, you feel me? I’ll fix this.”

“Yeah, okay Max,” I say, because what else can I say? I
am
sort of a murderer.

“We take care of our own. I got you. We got you,” he says, nodding to a lot of VIPs and a very pissed off Tony.

“I know, Max, thanks. You know I’m solid, right?” I ask, needing his reassurance

“You’re a fucking angel in this hell hole, baby, no doubt you’re solid. I won’t let anything happen to you,” he promises.

I get out a quick “I trust you Max,” before my hands are cuffed behind my back. I’m led from the platform onto the floor, headed toward the exit, but the employees and a shit load of our regulars aren’t having it. We’re stopped repeatedly. The police are getting pushed, threatened with death, and various other things. Everyone is rooting for me, and it’s a little disconcerting. They think they know me based on my reputation here. If they only knew the real me, they’d run in the opposite direction. Oh, who am I kidding, they’d probably love me more…

It’s straight up riot ready in here, and as much as I don’t like being touched by strangers, let alone handcuffed, I know these men are just doing their jobs so I dial it down. Focusing on the fact that I’m headed to the station, I rack my brain to figure out where I went wrong. Even after I do this, I still can’t understand why. But before I can get to the exit, I’m stopped again, this time by Anthony Gallo. A very pissed off Anthony Gallo. That’s never good.

Looking at both officers, Anthony levels them both with his hard eyes. He rubs my cheek gently and I allow it. Anthony has always been good to me. I know a lot of his secrets, and he isn’t someone I’d ever take down. He isn’t a bad guy, he just isn’t the most ethical guy. He’s also beautiful; deadly, but beautiful. He’s right around six foot, with perfect hair, a perfect jaw, perfect teeth. Even his eyebrows are perfect. Dark brown hair, brown eyes, olive skin, and a killer dresser, he’s pretty much the definition of the perfect looking man. Too bad he doesn’t do it for me, at all.

“You harm one hair on her head, and you’ll get a visit from me personally,” he calmly says to the officers.

He looks at me with warmth, and maybe something else? I’m not sure, but I’m not in the frame of mind to make out what it is. He leans in, but speaks loud enough for both officers to hear. “We won’t stand for this, baby. Detroit’s finest has made a lot of enemies tonight. I
will
be seeing you soon.” He made it a statement.

“Okay, Tony. Thanks for caring about me,” I reply, slightly confused.

“I care, baby. I also protect what’s mine,” he says, and he knows I’m totally shocked.

I’m sure the shock of that statement is written all over my face. He doesn’t explain, just smiles and whispers that he’s coming for me. Whatever
that
means. Tony and I are around each other a lot, and granted I’ve never actually seen him with women, I assumed he had someone. Hell, with his looks, several someones. We’ve been tight for years, so this turn of events is even more shocking than the arrest.

More police show up to make room for our exit. My arrest sure stirred up a lot of people. Word must have traveled fast, because the moment we cleared the doors there were cameras and reporters everywhere. God, I hate the media.

None of the questions fired off were aimed at me, but at the police, and none of them flattering.

The ride to the precinct is a quiet one. Both officers look nervous. The media follows us like bloodhounds, and are made to wait outside. I’m escorted into what I assume is an interrogation room, the handcuffs are removed, and I’m left to wait. If they are looking through the two-way, expecting to see me nervous, they can think again. On the outside, I’m calm, cool, and collected. But on the inside, I am nervous. Not for me, though, for them. Whatever Max and Tony are going to do will be swift, I know that much. I wonder how long I’ll have to wait, and seconds later the door opens. So okay, I guess I didn’t have to wait very long. Guess it’s good to know people.

“Hello, Venessa, it’s been a while.” As if I could ever forget that voice.

“Yes, Captain, it has. How are Diane and Gary?” I ask quietly.

“She’s real good. Retired, and now we have cats,” he says proudly. “Gary, though, we don’t see much”

“I’m happy for you, Cap,” I say seriously. “So, tell me about Gary. Is he any better?”

“Oh, Venessa, we missed you, you know? Diane and me, we worry, too. Gary, we can talk about later. You, though, you were like a daughter to us. What happened to your family…fuck. What happened to you, and no one was there - then you left and never came back. Why didn’t you come back?“ he asks me, with hurt in his voice and I feel the guilt in my gut.

“Cap, please don’t do this now. I’m okay I swear. I stayed away, because I thought it was best for everyone. You, Diane and Gary were always good to me. I still love you, you know. Even though I stay away, I do,” I say, pleading with him to understand why I can’t go back to that life, or see the people from it.

“You were always a good girl, Venessa. Proud and strong, like your dad. You’ve become like a celebrity around here, you know? The guys, they keep an eye when they see you working, making sure you’re safe. Except some news just hit about what you’ve been up to, and it’s not good. You have some real shady friends, Venessa, and it ain’t no secret. We’re going to need to discuss that while you’re here. I know being here is tough on you, but we do have to talk,” he tells me.

“Okay, Cap, what was so important that, instead of coming to see me in person, you had me cuffed and charged in public? Because it caused quite a scene, sir. And it made of a few of the regulars who come there to see me pretty upset,” I defend.

“I heard. This is a clusterfuck, pardon my language. You aren’t being charged with anything right now, but this was the only way I could get you here. We didn’t know where else to find you, then I get word that Tony Gallo is a close friend of yours? Do you have any idea what kind of people he is? How dangerous he is? Your father wouldn’t be happy about this, Venessa. I’m going to grab a cup, and then we’re going to talk. Do you want anything before we do this?” he asks.

“Yes, Cap, I’d like my attorney and a bag of pretzels, please,” I say, smiling because I’m not rolling on Max, Tony or anyone else. I don’t know what the hell is going on here, but if I’m not being charged for Briggs, or any…let’s call them past discrepancies, then I’m out.

T
he Captain storms into the room like the Tasmanian devil. He’s flinging curse words and coffee everywhere. This did not go down as planned. Honestly, arresting her publicly was not my idea and this is why.

“Fuck!” he yells, and I agree with the Captain.

But, before I can offer my two cents, Rafe adds his. “Gallo’s attorney is in the lobby demanding to see his client, Captain. If he finds out the charge is phony, we’re all fucked. We want information, right? We know she has it. Look at who she runs with. Gallo’s attorney was here within minutes of the pickup. She knows something, sir. We need to secure her. Now. Before he gets back there. We’re running out of time.”

We all know that Rafe is right, which is a first.

“She was like a daughter to me,” he explains. “Brent, Theresa, Diane and I, were the best of friends. We raised our kids together. She was raised
here
. She isn’t capable of murder, or being the one we’re looking for. She’s never even had a speeding ticket, for Christ’s sake. She was even a fucking Girl Scout!” screams the Captain, and I can see he’s trying to talk himself out of the possibility she’s no longer a Girl Scout, though clearly she remembered some of her Girl Scout training, like tying knots, for instance.

“Captain, her hair was found on Briggs and the crime scene. Prints on the phone left with Briggs are a match. She may not be a murderer, but she is mixed up in shit she shouldn’t be, and you know it. She’s in danger, whether she knows it or not. Murder notwithstanding, she may not be breaking the law, but she’s bending the fuck out of it. She has ties to criminals she shouldn’t. She’s brought down six well knowns in the last month alone, Captain, with no one the wiser. You don’t see what she’s doing? She gets in there tight, and takes them down on her own. Big dogs, Captain, not small timers. This is some serious shit, and you cannot let her walk out that door. If we figured it out, it’s only a matter of time until someone else does, too. She’s vulnerable.”

The thought of her leaving here scares me shitless, and I haven’t even seen her up close yet. I also know I don’t need to. That tiny female needs protection, whether she knows it or not, she’s living on luck.

“I’ve known you for nine years, Rogan, and that’s the most words I’ve ever heard you use. But you’re right. Let Gallo’s attorney know she’s being released, and that he can see me release her from in here, then he can speak with her shortly.” He sighs

 “What are you doing, sir?” asks Rafe

“I’m taking care of our girl. She’s no killer, and she’s no criminal, but Rogan is right. We do need her. So take care of the dirt bag, and meet me in here in ten,” the captain demands as he walks out

“The fuck just happened?” asks Rafe confused

“Fuck if I know,” I say. “Go take care of the attorney.”

“Fuck you, you just want to stay in here, staring at that hot piece of ass. But I can’t really blame ya. I hit up that shithole on Saturdays just to check her out. She’s pretty hardcore. I have a video of her kicking a dude's ass on my phone. If you’re nice, I’ll even show it to you later.” He chuckles. “See ya in ten,” he says while walking out.

It takes everything I’ve got not to rearrange his teeth. Dick never invited me to go watch her.

I stand there, watching her eat the pretzels one at a time, like a fucking lady. I’d have polished that bag off in one sitting and demanded more. What the fuck is the Captain up to? We’re letting her go? Just like that? Who will have her back?  Once we pulled her info, I didn’t leave my office for hours after reading her file, and it’s starting to fuck with my head. The shit I read…I want to dig those two fuckers up and kill ‘em all over again. Thing is, if she did kill ‘em, she was justified. Doesn’t make it legal, but she did what we didn’t do. I respect her a fuck of a lot more than I should. Since I can’t stop staring at her through the two-way, what I feel is a lot more than respect, and that’s saying something, too.