A Stainless Steel Cat (9 page)

"Before I answer that, Mr. Royce, let me make something perfectly clear. If you listen to my entire offer, then refuse, there will be no hard feelings, but the offer will remain open. I do not coerce, threaten, or force anyone to join my organization. Do you understand?" He asked with a friendly smile.

"Yes, sir." Royce said. It always paid to be polite when dealing with a Mafia Boss and an entire room full of henchmen. Royce pretty much knew what the offer was going to be, though.

"Good. Now, to answer your question, Darnell, the day of the incident, he returned here and had to see my attending physician. He had two cracked ribs. Also, just this morning, he came to me and told me that he harbored no hard feelings toward you, and that he thought you would be an asset to my team. Before you say anything, I will pay you $150,000 a year to join my Enforcers. You will have to perform some questionable services, just to be clear. Also, I have just given my Enforcer team a raise, so Darnell doesn't have to pay them out of his own pocket, anymore." Mr. Wolfe was looking straight at Darnell when he said that last sentence, and his smile had disappeared.

"I can explain, Mr. Wolfe." Darnell said quickly, only to have Mr. Wolfe raise a hand to stop him.

"D, I have treated you like family. I pay you half a million dollars a year to ensure your loyalty. My physician and attorney are at your disposal for any medical or legal needs you might have. My tax attorney is also at your disposal to make sure you pay the least amount of taxes possible, both Federal and State. I supply you with your toys and women, and just last evening while you and your team were in the club, I found out that you have been plotting against me." He paused for effect, letting his words sink in. He hadn't even raised his voice, but Darnell had already processed everything. His coup wasn't going so well, but he still had Hook and Slake in his pocket. He was sure of their loyalties.

Wolfe cleared his throat and continued. "Now, D. None of your team betrayed you in that regard. But as you can see, I have given them all a substantial raise. Firstly, because you, unwittingly though it might have been, showed me that I was being rather cheap with them. For that, they have my sincerest apologies. My second reason was to, of course, foil your attempted coup. Now, what is going to happen is this: First, you have been fired effective immediately. Second, you will be shown out and you will not return. Your final paycheck will be deposited in your account, but I'm afraid I won't be able to give you a recommendation. Let me make one thing perfectly clear to you, Darnell. You are only going to keep breathing as my thanks for the 6 years of loyal service. If you do anything to either Tamara or Camille, or to Mr. Royce here, however, I will devote all of my resources to exact revenge upon you. If you go to the police, I will have you killed in such a way that it will never be traced back to me."

Before Darnell could say anything, Mr. Wolfe concluded. "And without further ado, Hook and Slake, please show Mr. Dutton out."

"But sir!" Darnell exclaimed.

"Would you prefer a bullet in your brain pan, Mr. Dutton? If so, please keep talking, and I may rescind my offer. If not, be grateful for what I have given you, and never darken my door again." Mr. Wolfe nodded his ex-Chief Enforcer's former friends, and they each grabbed an arm and pulled him away.

After the doors were closed, and all but one of his Enforcers had been dismissed, Mr. Wolfe turned his attention back to the smiling Royce.

"Mr. Royce, I would like to offer you a position on my staff as a security consultant. I believe that's what Camille says you do. I will pay you the previously mentioned sum of $150,000 a year, with full medical, dental, and legal benefits. What do you say?" He asked.

Royce was VERY tempted. In spite of the fact that Wolfe was a Mafia Boss, and had ordered people killed, he was also a very fair man. Royce decided that honesty would be more than adequate for what he had to say. He cleared his throat.

"Mr. Wolfe, while I'm honored that you would consider me, I enjoy my Freelance status. I'm not a big fan of authority, and I hope you understand why. I grew up in an orphanage, and was constantly being ordered around by nuns and priests during my 18 year stay. I respect you, sir. Please don't misunderstand me on that. I admire the way you handled Darnell, but I personally would have killed him. I'm not judging you, sir. Just giving my opinion. However, I must decline your offer at this time." Royce finished, grateful to God that his voice had remained even and hadn't cracked while he'd been speaking.

Wolfe's brows furrowed for a moment, but he smiled and nodded his head. "I understand, Mr. Royce. Taggart here will show you out, and drive you wherever you wish to go. I wish you well, and have a good day." He stood, and Royce stood as well, taking the proffered hand in a firm grip.

"Thank you, sir." Royce smiled, and was shown out by the remaining Enforcer.

"Where to, kid?" Taggart asked as they got outside to a sedan.

Royce gave him the address for the Ducati dealership, and Taggart nodded with a smile. "I have an 898, myself. Great bike."

"I'm picking up an Il Mostro 696 here." Royce grinned, and Taggart laughed.

"Nice ride, that's for sure." He smiled at the kid. He liked Royce. The kid had style.

Royce pulled into the apartment complex and returned Tam's car to her spot. He called the Ducati dealer and told the lady he would be there shortly to pick up his bike. She assured him that it would be waiting for him.

Now came the hard part. He unlocked his door and walked inside, and saw Tam cooking up some lunch for them.

"Hey, sexy man!" She grinned when she saw him, but her grin dissolved when she saw that he wasn't smiling much. "What is it, baby?" She asked.

"Well, I have good news, and... well, I don't know if it's bad news or not." He shrugged.

"Umm, ok?" She looked puzzled. "What's going on, baby?"

"Well, Darnell is no longer working for Mr. Wolfe." He said. "That's the good news, by the way. He doesn't have that hotshot lawyer anymore."

Tam laughed out loud at that one. "Yes! Wow, Mr. Wolfe really is a nice guy... for a mob Boss."

"Yeah, he let Darnell live, against my advice on the matter." Royce gave her a wry smirk. "Anyway, the not-sure news is that Mr. Wolfe offered me a job for 150K a year."

Tam's jaw dropped at that. "What?! Why?!"

"Two reasons. First, because Darnell actually recommended me, but I'm not too sure about that one since Darnell was planning a coup, and somehow Mr. Wolfe found out. But the other reason is more believable, anyhow. He said that the other day after the fight, Darnell had to have two of his ribs taped from when I punched him in the gut during the fight. In the end, I turned Mr. Wolfe down." He shrugged as he admitted everything. "Oh, and I have some actual good news, though. I bought the Ducati. It's waiting on us to pick it up. Mind giving me a ride?"

Tam took a moment to chuckle as she absorbed all the information. The last part had her laughing again. "Sure, baby. I'll take you to get your new toy." She slipped her arms around his neck. "But first, kiss me."

Royce looked into her beautiful light brown eyes. "I'll be kissing you when we're old and gray, baby girl." He leaned forward and kissed her tenderly, lovingly, and passionately.

Tam lost herself in that kiss. She couldn't think, only feel him, his lips against hers, his body solidly pressed to her and his arms around her.

Much the same happened to Royce as their tongues caressed each other in their kiss. He wasn't sure if the kiss was that good because they were that good at kissing, or because they were soul mates.

Where had that thought come from? Soul mates? He didn't believe in soul mates! At least he didn't think he believed in soul mates. But whenever he looked at Tam, he found himself unable to imagine life without her.

"Mmmmm, God that was amazing. How did you learn to kiss so good?" She sighed contentedly.

"I think you taught me, because I can't remember any other girl I've kissed being as good as you." He replied softly.

"Good answer, stud!" Tam grinned. "After lunch, we're gonna get your new toy, and I'm gonna want a ride on it when we get home."

"Deal, Sweetheart." Royce grinned and gave her a light peck on the lips before they went into the kitchen together.

Darnell sat in his car and tried to figure out what to do. How the fuck had Mr. Wolfe found out about the coup? He said none of his crew betrayed him, but who did that leave? He hadn't told Cammie or Tam. He hadn't told... oh shit. That fuckin' cunt! He had bragged to Celestia about it the night before, and she had said it was hot, and she wanted to be the Boss's girl... but she had been pissed off when he finished before she did and hadn't gotten her off... "FUCK!" He shouted and punched the dashboard, cracking it. "THAT FUCKIN' TRAITOR BITCH!"

But she was beyond his reach now. He was persona non grata at the Club, and he knew if he ever showed his face on any of Mr. Wolfe's properties again, he was a dead man. He knew where she lived, though... But that was another problem. If he went and capped the ho, Mr. Wolfe would know who did it. He ALWAYS had a way of finding out shit before it happened!

He knew that Wolfe had cops on the payroll. Detectives, in fact. It was rumored that he even had the Commissioner on it. But those secrets had been above his former pay grade. Sure, he could go to the cops or the Feds, but if he did, Mr. Wolfe would find out, and he was, once again, a dead man.

Darnell closed his eyes and raged against his bad luck lately. So what if he had cheated on Tam? She wasn't givin' it up like she should, so he had to get some strange. So what if he'd hit her. She needed some correction! So what if he'd plotted to overthrow his Boss? The guy was gettin' old, and Darnell knew he could do a better job!

He wondered about putting his own crew together. He had the funds. Shit, he had over 1.5 mill in the bank. He could get the best street soldiers around... who weren't already employed by Mr. Wolfe that is... and carry out the coup that way! Hell yeah!

Feeling a bit better, he started his car, pulled out of his driveway, and started for Compton to get some muscle.

After that, he would deal with the white boy that was fuckin' his woman.

'This 696 is a fucking MONSTER!' That was all Royce could think as he sped down the street towards home. But of course, Il Mostro, translated into English from Italian, meant The Monster. So of course the name fit!

The full face helmet over his head was stainless steel gray, as was the bike itself. He grudgingly admitted that silver-gray was his favorite color. Same color as his eyes, for the most part.

He pulled into the parking lot and parked in his spot, and Tam pulled into hers. He dismounted and pulled his helmet off in time for her to run into his arms. "Mmmmm, you look good in that jacket, baby! Thanks for getting me one too!" She grinned.

"Anytime, sweetheart." He replied, kissing her lovingly. "Wanna go for a ride?"

"Oh hell yeah! Not everyday a girl gets to ride on her Man's Ducati!" She gave him a look that said 'You Crazy, white boy!' to even suggest she wouldn't want a ride.

Royce had forgotten earlier to buy her a helmet and jacket, but that was quickly rectified when they had returned to pick up his bike. The saleslady was surprised and looked a bit jealous of Tam when they walked in together, but hid her emotions after just a moment. Tam had noticed though, and had laced her arm through Royce's and leaned into him as the older lady looked on.

Royce had laughed when she'd told him in the parking lot afterward. "Well, I admit to flirting a little while haggling the price down. I managed to get $500 off the Sticker." He shrugged at her stunned expression.

"Good deal, baby!" She slipped her arms up under his and up his back as he leaned down slightly to kiss her.

Now they were going for a ride, and she'd put on her boots, jacket, and helmet.

"Make sure you hold on tight, Sweetheart." Royce said as they got on the bike. He mounted first, and she threw her leg over the tail after him. Her long legs were just one of the features he loved about her.

"Don't you worry about that, baby." She replied and slipped her arms around his waist and clasped them as she leaned herself into his back. Her nipples were hard, and she was convinced he could feel them even through both of their jackets.

They rode for a good while, and went up into the Hollywood Hills, just to look at all the houses and cars. On that bike, they looked like they belonged there.

Tam had been getting hornier and hornier as they rode, and soon it was too much for her to take. They parked along a lonely stretch of road and She got off the bike first.

"What's wrong, baby?" Royce asked as he pulled his helmet off.

"I'm fuckin' horny, baby." She snarled as she unzipped her jeans and pulled them down, then bent over the bike and pulled down her panties. "Get that fuckin' cock out and fuck me like you hate me!" She ordered.

Royce was harder than iron by that point, and seeing her glistening cunt lips in the moonlight was too much for him to resist. He dropped his zipper and moved in behind her. He rubbed his cock up and down between her brown lips. "Do you want it in you, Tam? You want this big fuckin' cock inside your tight wet cunt?"

"Fuck yes, and you know it! Now give it to me, baby! I need it NOW!" She shouted over her shoulder.

Royce grabbed her hips and thrust forward hard, slamming his length all the way in to the root. He smacked her round firm bubble butt as he slammed into her harder and faster. "You like being fucked like a whore, baby? You like it when I pound your hot cunt?" He thrust forward with each filthy question, and she was screaming out as she came.

"FUCK YES, WHITE BOY! FUCK MY HOT PUSSY! FUCK ME FUCK ME FUCK ME FUCK ME!" She chanted over and over as her orgasm rolled into a second one. His cock was taking her places she'd never been with any other man, and she loved how he felt as he pistoned in and out of her over and over.

"FUCK, baby! I'm going to come!" He declared as she started coming again, her hot warm wet pussy clenched down on him like a vice.