There were eight of the Armani thugs standing around her place. Some where looking out the windows, others were just standing there playing with their thumbs hoping to not get shot. Rowan surveyed them quickly. No body new, which means no one got whacked since the last time her father paid her a visit. Her father was sitting in on her ‘Elegant Modern Le Corbusier Style’ red leather sofa that she picked out herself. A couple of babbos were seated next to him, speaking quietly so the others couldn’t hear.
“My precious daughter,” her hefty father said, standing up with his arms outstretched. “Good to see you again.” He gave her a small huge and looked her up and down. “I see you’re doing well,” he finished with a smile.
She put her purse down on her ‘Le Corbusier’ red leather chair. “Laying off the subs I hope,” Rowan said as a greeting to her father.
He chuckled and picked up a scotch glass from the bar. “Always lookin’ out for me, aren’t you, doll face?”
“It’s locked,” she said, pointing to the cabinet where she keeps her booze. “Not trying to sound rude or anything, Daddy, but is there a reason you’re here?” She looked around the room. “This can’t merely be a social call.”
Greco howled then, laughing so deeply Rowan could feel the vibrations from the floor. She looked at her father, he seemed relaxed, laid back. That could only mean the news he had brought couldn’t be that bad. She kept telling herself that until he spoke again.
“The economy sucks, love.” He cleared his throat. “We can afford such a dramatic change, but our consumers are having a bit of trouble. The administration will be making some…financial changes.”
Rowan jumped up, her heart pounding in her chest. “You can not cut me off, Daddy.”
A small grin formed on Greco’s face. “No…no…no…” he trailed off.
Rowan moved across the room to her father and put a hand on his arm. “Daddy?” she whispered.
He touched his chin with his hand. “Baby girl, I’m here to ask you a simple favor.” He hesitated, lost in thought, before he continued. “I have a few enemies that need dealing with, just a couple of babbos that have some beef with me. They’ve been steeling some of my consumers, promising them better deals on the good stuff.” Stuff being drugs and guns.
“You want me to whack them, Daddy?” She said immediately.
Greco looked up at her in shock. “These aren’t your ordinary buttons that you’re use to burnin.’ These creeps are in some high places and have tighter security than the president of the United States.”
Staring at him with blank confusion, she asked, “What can I do?”
“I like you’re motivation, cupcake.” He said quickly, and then sat down on the couch. She followed his example and sat across from him in the chair out of respect. One can never seem higher than the boss. “I want you to help out an associate of mine. Help motivate him, so to speak.”
Rowan’s hands became clammy. “Love you like I do,” Rowan started, trying to keep her voice calm. “I’m not going to whore myself around just so you can motivate a few assassins to do your dirty work.”
An Armani smirked but quickly sobered with Greco shot a malicious glance at him. “Baby girl, I’d never ask such things from any of our ladies.” Ladies being wives and daughters of anyone in the administration. “I’m hurt you’d even suggest such a thing.”
Rowan ran the conversation back in her head, being absolutely certain that was where it was headed. “I’m sorry,” she finally said. “I assumed that’s where you were going with all of this.”
Greco shook his head. “No, not whoring, training. Show this guy some of your moves in hopes that some of your attitudes will rube off on him.” One of the Armani’s grabbed a manila folder out of his jacket and handed it to the boss. Greco opened it and glanced at a few of the pages. “We have a few assignments for you and your new partner. Some simple jobs to get you back into the flow of things.”
Rowan took the folder from her father and flipped threw it. “No problem,” she said as she threw it down on the glass coffee table. “When do I meet my new partner in crime?”
With a smile, Greco said, “you already know him.”
