I got ready that night, drinking a glass of whisky and smiling to myself. I wasn’t nervous at all this time, and only felt excitement to get back out there with Louisa again. This time, she was the one making the plans and bringing me along, and I couldn’t wait to see what she thought up.
As I sat in the main living room, drinking my whisky, Ethan came in.
“Any updates on our lawyer?” I asked him.
“He was very forthcoming once you left.”
“I hope you didn’t hurt him too much.”
Ethan paused. “Well, not visibly at least.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “You’re a sadistic bastard, you know that?”
“It’s why you keep me around.”
“Sure isn’t for your stellar company.”
He grinned and walked over to the bar, pouring himself a drink. “You haven’t said much about this girl yet.”
“Do I need to?”
“Yes.”
“Okay then. I think she can be very, very useful.”
“In what sense?”
“To our plans.”
“So this isn’t just a way for you to get your dick wet?”
I smirked at him. “Why can’t it be both?”
“You know why.”
I sighed. “Ethan, you trust me, don’t you?”
“I always have.”
“Then trust me on this.”
“Do you have feelings for this girl?”
“Nothing that I can’t control.”
“I’ve heard you say that before.”
“And I’ve always meant it.”
He watched me carefully for a second before slowly nodding. “Okay then. If you think this is a good idea, then I’m with you.”
“Good man.”
He sat down across from me. “Want me to tail you two?”
“I don’t think that’s necessary.”
“She’s dangerous.”
“I know that.”
“I’ve been digging more. The Spiders are a pretty serious outfit.”
“I know that, too.”
“But it is true that they’ve mainly been targeting human trafficking spots. Apparently their whole goal is to liberate every woman in the city.”
“Noble goal.”
“Dangerous goal. They’re fanatics.”
“Not Louisa.”
“But her people.”
“I’ll be careful.”
“Good.”
I finished my whisky and stood. “Follow up with Myers, make sure he’s cooperating. I want those fucking drug scumbags in jail by next week.”
“I will.”
I paused at the doorway. “How do I look?”
“Beautiful.” He grinned at me.
I laughed, waved, and headed downstairs.
I understood Ethan’s hesitation. He and I had been together for a long time, moving up through the ranks. He had sacrificed a lot to get me where I was, and had done everything I ever asked. He was afraid that Louisa was going to get in the way of what we were trying to build together.
I wouldn’t let that happen. I wouldn’t let the feelings that were brewing inside of me, the curiosity and the desire, get the better of me. I could control my feelings. I had always been about control.
I found her in the same spot as the other night, though this time she wasn’t wearing a dress. Her long hair was pulled up in a bun and she had on tight jeans and a plain black t-shirt. She smiled as I approached.
“Wyatt.”
“Louisa. Am I overdressed?” I was wearing a three-piece suit.
“Not at all. You look perfect.”
“Of course I do.” I kissed her on the cheek. “Where are we going tonight?”
“You’ll see.” She smiled and headed out front. I followed her, unable to stop myself from smiling back.
We got into the back of my car and she gave the driver an address. He paused until I gave him a nod, and then he headed out. I guessed that the address was unusual, or else the driver wouldn’t have hesitated like that.
“I hope you’re not taking me somewhere inappropriate,” I said to her.
“There’s no such thing.”
“I can’t go to crack dens, underground fights, or gambling parlors. As much as I’d like to.”
She laughed. “Nothing like that tonight.”
“Damn. And here I was thinking we were about to have a lot of fun.”
“Oh, we’re going to have fun.”
“I suspect that’s true.”
We drove through Chicago and moved into a series of rundown neighborhoods. Louisa spoke about the city, about housing segregation and poverty, mostly things I already knew. But I liked to hear her talk, liked her voice and the way she held herself.
Finally, the driver stopped outside of an abandoned building. It looked worse than the other houses around it, and I thought there might be bullet holes in the façade.