Albany Park (44 page)

“Whadda you want, Sal?” she said softly, staring first at him and then at Joey.

He put his hands up in front of him, spreading his fingers. “Look, we don’t want any trouble, I just wanta make sure we understand each other.”

“What’s to understand? I don’t like being threatened.”

“Look Shirley,” he whined, “I want my ninety grand. And another thing, I heard you went to see Jack Brown. I don’t like that. You deal with me and only me.”

He grabbed both her wrists. “Don’t get any ideas,” he said pulling her close as she struggled to break free, “Joey will smash that pretty face of yours.”

With her eyes shut and head down, she waited. Slowly, he released her. “I’ll give you thirty days to work something out. If not, I own you.”

He paused, then pulled her chin up, “Look at me,” he mumbled, his face close to hers, “you understand?”

She nodded.

Sal motioned to Joey, who stood poised by the door. “Relax, she ain’t going to try nothing.”

Joey looked at Shirley and pointed with his chin towards an umbrella in a large ceramic pot near the door. “Hey, what’s this?”

“It’s to hold umbrellas when people come in from the rain,” she murmured, her arms wrapped around her waist as she kept her eyes on the two of them.

Sal relaxed his grip on her arm and turned to Joey, saying, “Let’s get outta here.”

The big man shrugged then grabbed the umbrella and the stand, shoving them under his arm as he followed Sal out the door.

On the driveway Sal turned back. “See ya Shirley. And remember: thirty days.”

Holding the door open a few inches, she watched him disappear into the passenger side of the Cadillac while Joey stuffed the umbrella and vase into the trunk and settled his bulk behind the wheel. Backing into the street, he revved the motor and pulled away.

Closing the door, she leaned against it, before slowly making her way into the living room, where she slumped onto the couch, her mind racing. An hour later, she called Jack Brown and asked to see him.

They met at his office shortly after five; the staff had cleared out for the day. Proceeding to his private office, he held the door for her, and motioned toward the sofa.

She hesitated tensely, mouth half opened and turned to face him. “May we sit at your desk? I want to talk over a business idea with you and would be more comfortable sitting across from you.”

”Okay,” he said slowly, noticing how tight her jaw was set as he moved across the office and directed her to the chair facing his desk. “I’m not sure I can help you, but what’s on your mind?”

She pulled a small sheaf of notes from her purse. Glancing at them, she looked up, catching his eye. Observing his reticence, she began slowly and calmly, much like the way she’d pitch a new real estate client.

“Jacob, I’ve known for a long time that my husband was involved in all sorts of shady deals. As far as I knew, it was petty stuff. He never talked about what he did and quite frankly I just ignored that part of our relationship, because it paid the bills and while we don’t have much of a marriage, he is a good father. I know that when my son David finds out about him, I’ll have my hands full. The boy will be devastated.”

Pausing, she looked down at her notes. Jack was leaning forward with hands folded in front of him, waiting calmly, for her to continue.

“I have to accept that Howie is probably going to prison. My job now is to see that David can stay in school. He’s always found ways to forgive his father, so as far as that relationship goes, he will come around. As for me, I will have to figure out how I have to support the two of us and deal with Howie’s defense and the money he owes. I can’t rely on my real estate business to do that. With all the publicity about Howie’s arrest, I’m already losing my clients. ”

“Shirley, I can’t give you a job here. If I could, I would, but because of the drugs, we have to do everything to avoid being tied to Howie
right now
.”

Sitting up straight, she cut him off. “Hear me out, Jacob.”

He nodded. “Just so you know where I stand. It’s nothing personal.”

“Jacob,” she hesitated, and slowly looked directly at him, before saying, “I want to replace Howie. I can run the poker games and the other gambling. I also know about putting money to work. I’m in the real estate business, where sometimes the only way I make a deal is determined by how I can get it financed and believe me, I know how to put deals together and put money to work.

“The same goes for the prostitutes. I know I can manage them. Even though I never interfered in Howie’s business I know what it involved.” Let’s face it, I grew up in Chicago so I’m not naive. Howie isn’t the first hustler I’ve been around. My father was in the liquor business and he gambled too. I know I can do this.”

Jack held up his hand and she stopped, mouth half-open, and waited.

“You’re serious aren’t you?” he said, his brow creasing into a look of doubt. “Do you have any idea what you’re asking?”

“Jacob, I have to do this,” she sighed. “I know you can make it happen. Please give me a chance. I know I’ve got what it takes.”

“C’mon Shirley, this thing you’re asking for is a dirty business. There’s no way you could handle it,” he said shaking his head. “A classy woman like you will be laughed at, or worse, maybe muscled in a way that you can’t handle. Some of these guys are animals and the women are no better”

He started to rise, but stopped as she stood up and glared at him, her jaw set firmly.

Leaning toward him, her hands on the edge of the desk, she took a deep breath. “Look, you don’t really know me. I know what you think and I wouldn’t have come here if I didn’t think I can do this. Yeah, I sell real estate and dress nice, but don’t let that fool you. I’ve made deals with some tough guys and take my word for it, I took good care of them in more ways than you can imagine.”

His brow still wrinkled, he raised his eyes to look into hers, His lips were compressed into a tight line, but he made no other movement as she continued.

“Besides everything else, I’ve covered for Howie enough times when he was passed out drunk and got calls from customers or some of the whores. Yeah, it’s a dirty business, but I can do it. In fact I can do it better than Howie and certainly better than scum like Sal Farina.”

Lowering herself into the chair, she slumped back and after a brief moment raised her head, focusing on his eyes.

“Jacob, I know what is at stake here. What I really want to prove to you is that I can make money with this operation. Just give me ninety days to show you. The only thing I’d need from you is to keep the goons away from me.”

Shaking his head with his hands folded and resting on his desk, Jack let her words sink in.

Sliding her notes into her bag and resting it on her lap, she showed no signs of nervousness, but continued to fix her eyes on his, trying to assess his mood, looking for an affirmative sign.

“Are you through?” he asked softly.

She shrugged looking at him without lowering her gaze.

Standing he said, “I heard you. Now go home. I’ll be in touch.”

Getting up she started to say something, but he held up his hand.

“Go home. I’ve got some things I have to do.”

“Jacob, I just want a chance,” she sighed, abruptly turning toward the door. As she left a tight smile broke across his face as he admired the sight of her backside.

Chapter 28
 

It was almost midnight when the phone rang, startling Shirley. She picked up on the third ring, praying it wasn’t more bad news.

“Hello.,” she answered tentatively.

“I hope I didn’t wake you. It’s Jack.”

“No“, she answered slowly, trying to imagine what he wanted. “As a matter of fact, I was just getting ready for bed. I’m a late person.”

There was a chuckle on the other end.

“It’s ten to twelve, where are you?”

“I’m at a pay phone a few minutes from your house, thinking about you and how much better it would be if I could talk to you in person.”

“Why Jacob,” she exclaimed, a crease showing on her forehead, but quickly relaxing into a smile, “aren’t you full of surprises, calling a girl in the middle of the night.”

She waited for his response but only heard the sound of a passing auto.

Glancing in the mirror she smiled. Something happened today and she wasn’t the only one who noticed. “I guess he got the message,” she thought. “I only hope we’re on the same page.”

She crossed her fingers and kissed them while raising her eyebrows, thinking, “here goes, it’s now or never.”

“Oh why not?” she said. “How about swinging by and we can talk?”

Quickly slipping into a sheer nightgown and a pale blue satin robe she dashed to the bathroom. Dabbing her face with a tissue, she checked her eye make-up and applied fresh lipstick.

Back in the living room she fluffed the sofa and smiled wondering what the neighbors would think seeing a strange car at her house at this hour.

Hearing Jack’s Mercedes pull into the driveway, she opened the door, waiting for him just inside, spreading her arms as he came up the walkway.

As he drew close, she threw her arms tightly around his neck as they stood in the open doorway. She kissed every part of his face while he held her tightly.

It was a long minute before he kicked the door closed, looked into her eyes and said softly, but enunciating the words clearly, “I want you,” his hands slipping the robe and nightgown from her shoulders, watching it slowly drop.

Tugging at him, she helped remove his jacket and shirt. As they slid to the floor, he ran his hands over her breasts and hips, reaching between her legs.

She moved her hand to his, but abruptly he stopped and pulled back. “Let me look at you. God, you are beautiful.”

Shyly she reflexively crossed her arms across her breasts. Moving her hands away and admiring her, he sighed, “you
excite me
.”

Lowering his head, he began kissing her breasts and stomach, working his way to her thighs and then spreading her legs so he could kiss her in a way he knew would arouse her passion.

Closing her eyes, her face became contorted as she felt the tension begin to rise. Soft shrieks erupted as she arched her back and let out a scream, followed by a muffled sob. Jack gasped, holding tightly to her outstretched arms.

“Now“, she cried, taking deep breaths, “make love to me, Jacob. I want you. You feel so good. Do it. Ohhhhhh! Love me.”

“Mmmmm,”, he moaned softly as he entered her, looking into her eyes.

With her teeth clenched and her arms pulling him closer as he rocked into her more intensely with each thrust, she whispered, “yes, yes, love me, love me, until she felt his release and he slumped down. Slowly he kissed her lips as they rolled to the side, spent, still holding tight to each other.

“Oh my God, do you think the neighbors heard me scream?” she whispered, stifling a giggle.

“If they did, I hope they enjoyed the last few minutes as much as I did,” he answered, pulling her tighter. “You are unbelievable! I feel like a twenty-year old kid.”

Rolling to their backs, they held hands, sighing and lazily smiling for several minutes as they looked at one another. She moved first, starting to get up and turning to him with her hand outstretched. “C’mon lover, let’s get more comfortable.”

“Wait, we have to talk,” he said, pulling her back down. “I heard you today and I think you’re nuts, but I admire your guts.”

“So I’m a gutsy broad, so what?”

Propping himself up on an elbow, he pursed his lips as if mulling an important decision, hesitating and then saying, “So I decided, there’s no way you can get involved in the gambling or the loans.”

Closing her eyes she turned away.

“You want me to keep Sal away from you but you’re going to have to collect from guys like him. No way, that will work.”

“If you let me do this, don’t worry about Sal. I can handle him,” she whispered almost pleading.

“Hold on, hear me out. Like I said, I don’t feel comfortable having you collect on juice loans, but if you can get women to be as sexy as you are, you gotta be a natural for the girly operation. So,” he paused, and squeezed her hand. “I’m gonna’ give you a shot at running it.”

“Oh Jacob,” she screamed, giggling and clasping her hands, “I love it. Just you wait; you’ll see how good I really am. Now let’s go get comfortable. I feel wonderful.”

Standing, Jack let his eyes linger on her sensuous body as she casually led him to the bedroom. His lust and passion for her was returning. In bed they embraced and talked quietly about how crazy it was that this was happening to the two of them until she put her finger on his lips,

“Shh, let’s not talk, just hold me.”

The next morning, he rolled awake with his hand on her hip and tried to see if she was sleeping. Her eyes opened and she smiled. He began tickling her back very slowly with a light touch. She responded by leaning over and teasing him as he grew hard in her mouth. Becoming fully aroused, he lifted her up to kiss her and entered her, gently waiting as she caught up to him. She climaxed with a soft scream, causing him to shudder and release his passion.

Lying back, he turned to her. “I can’t believe this. I’m usually up by six and at my desk for an hour by this time.”

“Well, I’m sorry I kept you, Mr. Brown, but don’t you think it’s important to spend time with your clients?” she said, tugging on the sheet to cover herself.

“This was a very important meeting and I think we had a lot of issues to resolve. Let’s meet again as soon as our schedules permit to see if we forgot anything.”

Sliding out of the bed, he grabbed for his clothes, saying, “You know, when a girl has an ass as beautiful as yours, most men don’t even look to see if she’s got brains too. But I think you’re pretty smart. You’re right, we should get together again, real soon. Now, before my business falls apart, I’m going.”

“Coffee?” she asked.

Leaning he kissed her gently on the head. “No thanks. But can you be at my office at two?”

“Thank you, Jacob, I’ll be there,” she replied softly, snuggling into the covers, letting one leg slip out into view. “One other thing, is it okay if I don’t use my real name when I’m working?”