Free Shoot 'Em Up by Janey Mack Page B

nod.”
    She stared at me, evaluating. “Done.”
    â€œThank you,” I said.
    Her pointed red tongue slid out and licked the center of her upper lip. “Bannon’s gone to a helluva lotta trouble over you.”
    â€œYes.” I swallowed hard, aching for him like a whipped dog. “But trouble doesn’t put a ring on your finger.”
    She held out her hand and snapped her fingers. I extended my left hand. She moved it under the desk light. “Cartier?”
    I nodded.
    â€œRenko gives you the world, is that it ?” She let go of my hand.
    â€œSure. And he sticks around to share it with me. That’s the trick.”
    Vi nodded. “Ain’t it, though.”
    â€œHe’ll be back. Sooner than later.”
    â€œThen we’ll be seeing you around, Mrs. Renko.”
    Jimmy the Wolf pushed off the wall and opened the door.
    I guess that’s my cue.
    We reentered the dining room, the Wolf with a firm grip on my elbow, reminding me that I was still an interloper.
    He slowed as we neared the table we’d shared earlier. Everything remained as we’d left it, untouched. Coles and his date were nowhere to be seen.
    â€œAnother?” Wolf asked.
    Practically giddy, I smiled up at him. “Why the hell not?”
    * * *
    Two shots and twenty minutes later, I remembered I’d left Ragnar out front. “I better scoot, Wolf.”
    His heavy brow creased and he started to get to his feet. I put my hand on his arm. “Stay. I know the way out.”
    I ambled through the dining room, recognizing a Bear, a Blackhawk, and an indicted city councilman drinking with a local newscaster.
    I passed through the heavy drapes into the lounge.
    A hand grabbed my ponytail and jerked me backward. Another jammed something against my throat and let go.
    Fire.
    I slapped my hand over my neck. Tripping over my own feet, I swung wildly through the gold fabric into the lounge. Blinded, I crashed into a bar table, sending glasses shattering on the floor.
    I lay crumpled over the table, tears streaming down my face.
    JaysusfeckingChrist, it hurts so goddamn bad!
    I sucked in a deep breath. The stink of my own burning flesh filled my nose and mouth.
    Oh god.
    A cigar.
    Coles, you sonuvabitch!
    â€œMiss?” a waiter asked. “Are you okay?” His eyes widened as I pulled my hand away.
    â€œBurn,” I forced out through clenched teeth.
    A heavy hand landed on my back. “Tell the kitchen,” Jimmy the Wolf ordered and half-carried, half-walked me into the staff room.
    A woman in a white sous chef uniform took one look at my neck and marched me into the staff room. “Put your head over the sink.” She pulled out the sink hose and ran cool water over my throat. “You’re in luck. Burns are my specialty.”
    The pain pulsed in constant, searing throbs. The agony so intense it was almost narcotic.
    I stayed that way for five minutes, shaking. The Wolf watched, frowning.
    â€œSit.” The sous chef opened a first-aid kit. She opened and put on disposable gloves, tore open an antiseptic packet. “Silver sulfadiazine.” Ignoring my whimpers, she applied it with a swab before covering it with a 3M Tegaderm clear-gel dressing.
    I felt light-headed. Equal parts shallow breathing and pain.
    â€œYou should see a plastic surgeon after it heals.” She glanced at the Wolf. “I’ll let the boss know.”
    He nodded and turned to me. “I’ll drive you home.”
    â€œActually,” I said, “I have a ride.”
    The Wolf would have carried me out if I’d let him. Instead, I just trembled against his side.
    â€œYou are a guest of Violetta’s. My responsibility,” he said. “I’ll make this right.”
    â€œNo, you won’t.”
    We walked to Hank’s G-Wagen. He put his hand on the door, but didn’t open it. “Who?”
    For God’s sake.
    â€œColes.” I got into the car,