The Euclidian: Alien Hitman Read online

  Toni managed a club in Greenwich Village called the Blue Note. Though she sang there on occasion, she mostly used it as a front to run the mob’s business. Likewise, the ladies that hit the stage at her place weren’t there just to sing. Toni, being quite the looker, got offers all the time, but she never mixed business with pleasure. She stayed focused on her mission, which didn’t include romance. She didn’t just want to take over her husband’s territory, she wanted Harry’s job, too.

  Growing up an only child of parents who both taught classes at a college in Ithaca, NY, Toni learned early that knowledge is power. Thus, she set out to learn as much as she possibly could to quench her burning thirst for power. Because her name was Toni Titus, she suffered the nickname “Titty” from teasing boys all through school. This experience spawned in her a deep disdain for members of the opposite sex. She eventually shed the hated moniker after college, but she retained her distrust of men. When she married, she took her husband’s name of Stapleton to distance herself from her unpleasant youth.

  Toni earned a political science degree from Princeton and an MBA from Harvard. Afterward, Toni undertook a lucrative career on Wall Street, investing in high-tech startups. She quickly climbed to the executive ranks of her firm, but felt blocked from attaining a position in upper management because she was a woman. Her husband taught her she could earn substantially more money pursuing illegal business activities. This led to her changing careers, but she never lost her drive to be on top.

  Toni walked the few blocks from Harry’s Chelsea penthouse office towards her club in Greenwich Village. They are not going to take what’s mine. She pounded her fist into her other hand, deep in thought. I ran that territory, not my husband, and they know it. And Lee has the audacity to think he can just pick up where my dead husband left off. What do they take me for? A flaming idiot? Or just another dumb broad? Well, we’ll just see about that. Toni ducked into an alley to smoke a cigarette and think about her next move. As she leaned against a wall and slowly exhaled a cloud of smoke, a figure approached her.

  “Hey, lady, what you doin’ in an alley?” asked a husky man in jeans and a hoodie when he drew close. “Don’t you know it’s dangerous to be wandering around an alley by yourself?”

  After getting a closer look at her, the would-be mugger pulled back his hoodie to expose his curly black hair and flashed his bright brown eyes at her, hoping to ease her suspicions and catch her off guard.

  “Don’t worry. Stick close to me, I’ll keep you safe.” Toni smirked as she tossed away her spent cigarette, unimpressed by his size or his looks.

  “Oh, you got jokes. Why don’t you give me that Chanel bag and I’ll let you walk away unharmed,” the guy growled, flexing the defined muscles in his arms in a show of intimidation.

  “I got something you’ll enjoy a lot more than walking around with my bag over your shoulder,” Toni said, propping her right foot up on a paint can nearby and sliding her skirt higher to expose most of her thigh. She took a deep breath and sighed to feign interest in the fellow.

  “Now you talkin’. Let me see what you got,” the man said, eagerly rubbing his hands together.

  “Come closer. I want you to feel me,” Toni said, reaching her arms out toward him.

  The mugger moved in close, enjoying the vapors of expensive perfume that wafted from her neck. He found the scent intoxicating as he nuzzled the area behind Toni’s ear. But when Toni pulled a dagger from a sheath on her thigh and thrust it into the mugger’s abdomen several times, his hands clenched around her arms.

  “You feel me now, big boy?” Her whisper was rough and feral as he slid down her body onto the alley floor.

  Toni stared at the crumpled body at her feet, her normally sultry eyes cold and dispassionate. She snatched up her knife as if she were pulling a straw from a glass of water to toss in the trash. Wiping the blood on the mugger’s shirt, she returned the blade to her thigh sheath.

  “Now look at what you’ve done to my nice suit. If you weren’t already dying, I’d kill you for this,” she said, noticing a blood stain on her cashmere coat.

  Toni removed the garment, turning it inside out to cover the blood and strode off down the alley, pulling out another cigarette as she walked.

  Oddly enough, that moron back there gave me a good idea. Momma always told me to never give up on my dreams, she thought.

  Sometime later, Lee walked into the Blue Note club and dropped into a seat at a table near the stage. Toni’s singing and her looks captivated the big guy. He once offered to take out her husband so they could rule his territory as equal partners.

  She turned me down, now she has nothing. Finally, I’ve got her just where I want her – at my mercy. He chuckled to himself.

  Toni smiled at Lee as she finished her song:

  A tale as old as time, boy you got what you deserved

  And now you want somebody to cure those lonely nights

  You wish you had somebody that could come and make it right.

  But boy I ain’t somebody with a lot of sympathy

  You’ll see I thought I told ya,

  What goes around, comes back around.

  “You singing Justin Timberlake songs now?” asked Lee, sliding a chair up for Toni as she arrived, so she could sit across from him.

  “It just seemed apropos to our situation.” Toni smiled, momentarily placing her right hand on his.

  “Is that directed at me or Harry?” Lee asked, beginning to worry about retribution from Toni.

  “Just the situation. Grab your drink. We should talk where we can have some privacy,” Toni said, looking to reassure him. She stood and motioned for him to follow her.

  “You took the words right out of my mouth,” said Lee, heaving a relieved sigh.

  Toni led the mobster backstage and up a flight of stairs to her private office and boudoir.

  “Nice office you got here, Toni. Even has a view of the park,” said Lee, looking around and checking out the view of Washington Square Park out her window.

  “Let’s move into the next room. It’s has a bed and some champagne. We can get more comfortable. Be a doll and grab a bottle of Veuve out of the fridge and open it for me,” said Toni, pointing at the small fridge on the other side of the room.

  “I’d love to. You certainly know how to treat your guests. Does this mean we can be business partners?” asked Lee hopefully. He plopped on the love seat next to the bed, unwrapping the cork and opening the bottle of champagne with a pop.

  Toni stepped behind a screen, meanwhile, to remove her dress and don a red silk robe. “I’m not sure I want to share with you a portion of what is supposed to be all mine. As a matter of fact, we should squeeze Harry for more territory, period.”

  “That’s going to be difficult to do. He’s careful not give too much power to one individual,” Lee warned.

  “He must have a weakness. Something he wants enough to make a trade,” Toni prodded, hoping Lee would open up.

  “Well, since the oil revenues have dropped off, the Russians in Jersey City are being pressured by Putin to send more cash home. That has forced them to start making inroads into Harry’s territory.”

  “You know that Bobby’s crew in Newark is looking to take over Jersey City,” Toni offered.

  “If we could get them fighting, it could weaken them enough for us to move in,” said Lee, hyped to be included in a planning discussion with Toni. He poured some champagne into two glasses he found on a nearby shelf.

  “Lovely idea, Lee. Let’s toast our future together and then maybe I’ll let you consummate our new partnership,” said Toni, taking one of the flutes from Lee.

  The two touched glasses and took a sip of the bubbly. Toni slid a finger down her robe, loosening the belt and letting it fall open to reveal pink lace underwear.

  “Why do you still have your clothes on? You like to keep a lady waiting?” Toni said in a sultry voice, batting her eyelashes at him.

  She turned toward the bed and let h
er robe fall to the floor past her firm ass and long, well-toned legs. “You don’t mind if I prepare the room, do you? And you better have a condom. I just hate getting all messy before going out. It would be nice, if we could have dinner later.” Toni looked back at Lee, smiling.

  Lee felt like a kid out on a first date with the school’s homecoming queen. “Of course I have a condom somewhere. I probably have a couple, so let’s not be in a hurry to go out. Go ahead and get things ready. I’ll undress and wait for you in this comfy loveseat,” he said, patting the right arm nervously.

  Toni lit some candles, turned off the lights, put on some mood music, and pulled the covers back on the bed. She turned toward Lee and slowly peeled off her lingerie. “I hope you don’t mind if I leave my stilettos on.”

  “Not a problem. Not a problem at all,” Lee replied, finding it harder to breathe.

  “Good. Now put that condom on and get over here and take care of me,” she ordered, her lush, red lips parting in a wicked grin. Sitting on the edge of her king-size bed, she studied the middle-aged man hurriedly undressing before her. Lee grabbed at his clothes with all thumbs, almost falling in his eagerness to remove his pants.

  I can’t believe this is happening. Lee Talmadge is about to have sex with Toni Stapleton. Yes! Should I take off my socks? I hope she doesn’t laugh at my penis. That would just ruin it for me. My goodness, she looks sexy.

  Toni widened her smile as Lee moved toward the bed while fumbling with a condom. He watched Toni as she scooted back toward the center before reclining on her elbows, her baby blue eyes narrowed to a mischievous glance.

  Lee slowly climbed onto the bed and crawled to Toni, inhaling deeply as the odor of her fragrant perfume mixed with the natural scent of her womanhood hit his nostrils.

  “I can’t wait to watch you cum with me inside you,” he growled, his eyes roving over her smooth tanned flesh, panting in anticipation of what was to come. “I’ve been wanting to be inside you for a while,” Lee whispered.

  “What a coincidence. I’ve been wanting to stick something inside you as well,” said Toni, pulling a shiny, double-edged stiletto from under a pillow and jabbing it into Lee’s hairy beer belly. He tussled with Toni on the bed, and they toppled onto the floor with the woman ending up on top of the mobster. She grabbed his throat and stabbed him three more times in the chest for good measure.

  As Lee gasped his last breath, Toni leaned in and stared into his eyes. “You won’t get to watch me cum, but I’ll get to watch you go, motherfucker.”

  Wiping her hands on his dress shirt, Toni grabbed her cell phone and made a quick call. “Johnny, cleanup on aisle five. Don’t bother me with the details. I’ll be in the shower.”

  Chapter 10

  Havoc in New York

  Given his involvement in taking out Luigi, Ahmed thought the timing good to present Adar to Harry. Luigi had been a mob boss before Harry came to power and usurped his claim to the position of capo dei capi, or boss of bosses, in Manhattan. Luigi had frowned on this new world order, and boldly expressed his disapproval to Harry every chance he got. He constantly chided the mob boss, and his payments were always late and deficient.

  Harry had connections and guns. The bosses he didn’t kill he had thrown in jail. The only higher authority he reported to was the Syndicate, and only for administrative purposes. They were like the Pope, anointing the new capo for each area. They kept the peace among the families. So long as Harry stayed within his territory, he could do as he pleased.

  Ahmed felt that a position with Harry would give Adar a view of any major activities across the different crime families, which hopefully would lead him to his quarry. Ahmed also envisioned the new collaboration leading to an elevated status for himself.

  Ahmed led Adar to Harry’s offices at the top of a building at 10th Avenue and West 28th Street, which had a view overlooking High Line Park and the Hudson River. The two stepped off the elevator and admired the spacious, open foyer with its high ceiling. A large, elegant painting of Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia hung over a fireplace. Harry felt a special connection to the legendary mayor because they shared similar physiques and successes in the city.

  Tall potted plants dotted the perimeter of the room, and an extravagant flower arrangement sat atop a wrought iron table that graced the center of the space, adding a sweet aroma to the air that Adar found repugnant.

  The pair walked across white marble flooring onto an enormous, silk Persian rug, where a couple of Harry’s guards met them. They frisked Ahmed and took his gun. When they reached to frisk Adar, he kicked one of the men against the wall with the heel of his boot, knocking him out and placed his spear against the other man’s neck, while grabbing him by the shirt.

  “Adar, what are you doing?” screeched Ahmed. “You trying to get us killed?”

  “I don’t like people rubbing their hands on me,” Adar said unapologetically. “Let’s go see Harry,” he said to the guard, shaking him by his grip on his shirt.

  Ahmed picked up his gun and followed Adar.

  “Right this way,” said the guard, holding his chin away from Adar’s spear and walking down the hall sideways towards a closed set of double doors.

  Ahmed opened the door to see Harry seated in the middle of a long conference table. Several men around the table went for their weapons as they entered. Ahmed rushed to defuse the situation, hoping to avoid another gun fight.

  “Harry, take it easy. We just came to talk.” Ahmed inhaled sharply, puffing out his thin chest as he glanced nervously at three henchmen who drew closer as he and Adar approached the mob boss. Ahmed also slowly placed his gun on the table and raised his hands into the air.

  “You have an odd way of showing it! Let my man go, and I’ll listen to what you have to say!” barked Harry, anger reddening his face.

  Ahmed nodded at Adar, who pushed the man he was holding to the side, put away his spear, and switched on his personal shield, just to be safe.

  “I would like to introduce you to Adar, an amazing assassin,” said Ahmed, speaking slowly with his arms still raised. “He just took out Luigi and his crew, with a little help from me,” he bragged. “He’s looking to be the muscle for a local boss. I thought that might interest you.”

  “That interests me a lot.” Harry gave Adar an assessing stare. His heavy jowls split in a broad grin as he leaned back to capture Ahmed’s gaze, his plush leather chair creaking under his 250-pound frame.

  “But how do I know I can trust him?” said Harry, rising from his seat and slipping past Ahmed to study Adar with a thoughtful stare.

  “I’m Adar. You can trust me,” Adar said, offering his hand to Harry.

  “Then why did you have that spear at my man’s throat?” asked Harry, ignoring Adar’s hand.

  “I don’t like men rubbing on my body or taking my weapons. It makes me feel disrespected. I’m a dangerous person. That can work for you or against you.” Adar turned his head to the side as if waiting for an answer from Harry, which would trigger one of two responses he had planned.

  “Okay, I could use a dangerous addition to my team,” Harry said, grabbing Adar’s hand to shake it. “Have a seat and let’s chat a bit. You get the hell out and close the door behind you!” Harry yelled at the guard that came in with Adar.

  Ahmed and Adar took seats at the end of the table while Harry’s personal guard closed the door. The mob boss sat next to his visitors, ignoring the other men at the table.

  “I’ve been looking for a way to push Luigi to the side without starting a turf war. I appreciate you managing that irritant for me. So where are you from, and why should I trust you not to try to take me out?” Harry asked.

  “I am not interested in taking over any territory,” Adar said quickly. “Luigi attacked me so I defended myself. I just came in from Chicago to settle some business. I’m here looking for a couple of female snitches. They are gorgeous twins with an uncanny ability to get people to do what they want. It would be great if you would have
your network inform me of any new women with those particular attributes. Until I find them, I am looking to stay busy and I would love to help you gain more territory and take out any of your enemies along the way.”

  “Interesting story. It’s too early to believe I can totally trust you, but I’m glad to have you on my team,” said Harry, smiling from ear to ear.

  Adar didn’t care about Harry or his territory. He wanted to find the Cheoili. Meanwhile, if he got to kill a few people, so much the better.

  “Do you have anything that we can take care of for you?” Ahmed asked, eager to establish himself as an essential member of Team Adar.

  “I assure you that you will be pleased with our results,” he added, eyeing Harry happily.

  “Yeah, I got something for you. Luigi has a partner in Little Italy named Vinnie Romano. If you could take him and his crew out, that would give me an opportunity to take over his territory and put two hundred grand in your pocket.”

  “Each?” Ahmed raised his eyebrows, figuring he had nothing to lose by asking.

  “Sure. Now go get it done, and be careful that this isn’t traced back to me” Harry wagged his forefinger at them as he rose from his seat and walked back to join the men at the other end of the table.

  ***

  Dholi stood in the kitchen of Sonny’s condo, drinking a beer as she waited for her all-beef hot dog to heat up on the stove. She paced back and forth, a bit upset about the video she just saw on a local TV news program. It depicted a shootout at a local bar. Though the security footage was grainy, Dholi could clearly make out Adar killing a man with his photon rifle.

  “Daloi, you saw that news report about the attack at the bar, right?” she asked her sister, who nodded in response. “You know who that was, don’t you?” asked Dholi, leaning across the kitchen counter.

  “Yes, I know,” Daloi said, a worried look on her face.

  “What are we going to do about that Ossie?” Dholi asked, raising her hands in frustration.