The Queen of Gin and Lies by SJ Gallion

Author:SJ Gallion [Gallion, SJ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-06-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

The straps were no less uncomfortable this time around.

Her minor wounds from her trek across town hadn’t fully healed. Each strap rubbed at the tender skin, and she silently prayed for an easy pick-up today.

She had no stalker today, at least; she guessed the mayor and his lackeys were satisfied with her obedience for now. There was no doubt in her mind, though, what would happen if she bucked the direct order to open the club.

One of Biff’s boys was having a smoke outside the warehouse as she approached. When he turned to look at her, she caught the spark of recognition in his dark features, and she watched as he turned and shouted something to the men waiting inside.

Something about his behavior unnerved her. His pants and jacket were disheveled, his eyes were constantly scanning the street. As she closed the distance between them, she could nearly feel the anxiety radiating off of him.

“Good afternoon,” Maggie purred, confidence masking her trepidation.

The doorman only made a quick, jerky nod before he pushed the warehouse door open for her. As she passed, she watched those dark eyes flit up and down the street once more.

Inside, Maggie’s low heels tapped on the dirty wooden floors, the sound echoing through the dimly lit warehouse, off of the walls and the few crates. The room wasn’t as full as it was on her last visit.

“You all going someplace?” When she didn’t get a response, she turned her head to peer at her escort. His face was flat, his dark eyes steady on her own. A flash of metal caught her attention, and her gaze fell to where his suit jacket fell open just enough to reveal the butt of a revolver. Maggie was quick to meet his eyes again before she turned back around, content to remain silent for now.

In her visits before, there'd been more men around the warehouse. Now, there were very few men milling about. And where it was usually quiet as the grave, the space was full of the sounds of shuffling paper, glass bottles clinking, men's voices, and heavy footsteps.

She wanted to comment on the difference, but she had the distinct impression that kind of curiosity was not welcome.

Her escort followed her to the back of the warehouse. Nobody else gathered there this time, but she heard a veritable squad in a neighboring room.

Her escort moved past her and to a door along the back wall. After two succinct knocks, he cracked the door and whistled. After a beat, Biff moved through the doorway.

This was a Biff Maggie had never seen before.

Jacket missing, hair disheveled and damp, great wet stains beneath each arm pit, he mopped sweat from his face and neck with a dingy rag as he approached her.

“Miss Worth,” he grinned. “Opening our club again?”

His usual slow, easy way of talking was the only thing normal about Biff today. Everything else about him, from his haphazard appearance to the dirt caked beneath his chewed nails, was dishearteningly peculiar.

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