Текст книги "Cassie"
Автор книги: Jennifer Foor
сообщить о нарушении
Текущая страница: 4 (всего у книги 14 страниц)
Chapter 7
Cassie
We’d been in Vegas for two weeks, and in that amount of time I’d spent my days and my nights in regret. I missed the smell of fresh air, kind people, and the love that radiated from my family. Unlike where I was from, every day in Vegas was like a weekend. People partied twenty-four-seven. That kind of life takes a toll on anyone, especially me. I drank too much, mostly to break away from reality. Two different times I’d smoked marijuana, and once I’d gotten brave enough to take my top off in the hot tub. Of course, when I woke the next morning and realized what I’d done, I felt sick to my stomach all day. The idea of Rocky seeing me exposed was disgusting.
Brant was always reassuring and protective. I appreciated feeling safe when I was with him. He’d be a good father one day, once he was done with this way of life. I prayed every night that he’d follow through with our plans. I needed him to be the man I deserved instead of the one I felt like I was settling for.
After the first night, we’d gone out to different clubs, some like the first. As time slipped away it began to get easier, being away from my family, the drinking, and being independent. Not a second went by where I didn’t think about someone from my family, and wonder if they’d all given up on hope that I’d return.
Brant had been supportive, but I think he sensed how homesick I’d become. Probably assuming I’d just get over it, the topic was never addressed. Instead he consumed me with ideas on how we could accomplish great things.
It took me two weeks to finally find out how Tammy and Rocky made their money. To say I was shocked would have been an understatement. Apparently their little heists were nothing compared to the high scale of grand theft they were performing under everyone’s noses. The shit had hit the fan, and I was caught in the middle.
During the days, while I was stuck alone in the house, Brant would leave with Rocky and Tammy, only to return half-hammered and tight lipped. He claimed they were working, but I wasn’t really sure it was true. For the time being I had a roof over my head and food to eat. It was better than living on the streets of Vegas, begging for my next meal. Still, I was miserable, succumbing to the fact that I’d given up everything to live a life of crime and grief.
One thing I was certain of was that my boyfriend knew about the people we were living with the whole time, and it made my blood boil. How dare he get me involved with such people? Why would he want this for us? Why couldn’t he get a normal job like other people?
I was aware he’d kept it from me because he knew I’d never be okay with traveling across the country if I knew we were staying with such dangerous people. Whatever he was doing couldn’t have been good, and I was at my wit’s end to figure it out.
Brant probably wouldn’t have told me on his own, but I continued drilling him, and prying when no one thought I was listening. Each night I’d take what I learned and push him to tell me the truth.
Finally, after threatening to leave, he came clean. “If I tell you, you have to swear you won’t say anything.”
“Who am I going to tell?”
“Rocky has an underground digital theft ring.”
He made it sound important. “What? You’re making no sense.”
“Hear me out. He’s got this programmer who makes devices small enough to hide from the naked eye. Each time we go into a casino or gas station, his tiny devices are put on or near the ATM machines. From there it takes a photo each time someone approaches and sends a transmission to his internal server enabling them to record the card numbers and use them fraudulently. Each transaction is small and hard to detect. Until the card is cancelled for being compromised, the funds continue to be deducted without the person’s knowledge. It seems like he wouldn’t do well, but imagine thousands of cards per day. Once they’re in the system they continue to withdrawal until they are no longer active. He’s banking millions of dollars, Cass. That’s why he has such nice things.”
“What?” I was in shock. “He’s involved in bank fraud?” I knew it was a lot bigger than I’d feared. They weren’t petty criminals at all. “Why did they have me stealing from people at the casinos? How could you bring me here to be around these people?”
“They’re building you up. They have to be able to trust you before they let you in on the program. Since you’ve never committed a crime they have nothing to base the trust on, and let’s face it, with my record your lucky I was able to bring you with me at all.”
“How many people involved are we talking about? How long has this been going on?” I inquired. “This is beyond screwed up.”
Brant turned up the volume on some music playing and brought his lips up to my ear. “You have to stay calm, Cass.”
I shoved him away from me. “No! You’re crazy if you think I’m staying here for another minute. Those types of crimes are traceable. I’m not going to prison for sharing a house with someone.”
“Trust me, he’s covered his tracks. The funds are filtered through international accounts and then transferred back into the states under a dummy account. The dummy system pays it’s employees. It pays taxes and runs without suspicion. It’s legit.”
I ran my hands through my hair and paced around our room. “We can’t stay here. What have you gotten me involved in, Brant?”
“Nothing! You’re not involved, and that’s why I didn’t tell you about it sooner. The less you know the more protected you are.”
“I want to leave,” I reiterated.
“We can’t yet, Cass. I was hired for a job, and I’m obligated to stay until it gets done.”
“Then I’ll go and stay somewhere else without you. I can’t be here. I know you think I can handle myself, but this is bullshit. I miss my family, and they’d never approve of this. Please, if you love me you’ll let me go home, even if it’s for a visit.”
He reached over and ran his hand over my cheek. “If you leave you won’t come back. I’m not a fool. They’ll never let you come back to me.”
I could see the fear in his eyes, the pain of me leaving and never coming back again. Sure, Brant had lied to me, but his love never failed. The idea of him being around these big-time crooks made me nervous. “How did you even get involved with these people, Brant? They’re dangerous.”
“I knew someone, who worked for them in the past. Rocky doesn’t like keeping the same employees, just in case they’re working undercover to bust him. He let’s you in, teaches you what you need to know, and then uses you one time to change out and add new devices. He doesn’t even tell you when it’s happening, just in case you were to call and report him. Everything is done without notice. That’s why I’m trying to wait it out. We’re not in danger, baby. I’m going to do the job and get paid. Then we’ll take the ten grand I make and get started someplace better.”
It sounded a lot easier than I knew it would be. Still, I sighed and wrapped my arms around his waist. “I love you and I don’t want to leave you here. I’m just afraid. This could put you in jail. I could go as an accomplice.”
“That’s why I wanted to keep you occupied and out of the spotlight, Cass. Now do you understand? Do you see how important it is to stay out of the business?”
“Why did you let me steal?”
“I thought if you felt like you were a part of things you’d back off. You’re going to keep me on the straight and narrow once we’re out of here. This is one last stint and then we’re off to a better life. Have I ever let you down before?”
I hated to admit it, but he hadn’t. He’d always been there for me no matter how small the challenge. His love was true and forever. It was something I could always count on, even when I was steaming mad, I knew it would never fail. “No.”
He cupped my face and stared into my eyes. “Don’t tell anyone about what I told you. Nothing bad will happen if I stick to the plan and get the job done. This is for us, or else I wouldn’t be doing it.”
I felt annoyed. “Let me guess, he’s got other people doing the dirty work just in case you were to get caught? Do you have any idea what you’re risking by getting involved with these people?”
“It’s not as bad as you’re making it. It’s smart business. Rocky has been doing this for a long time. People would jump on the opportunity he’s given me.”
“He’s a joke. I hate him. He’s creepy, and he stares at me all the time. What’s with the two of them? Are they a couple? Tammy seems to screw whoever she can find to drop their pants.”
“Obviously they’re swingers. They don’t talk to me about it.”
“Why would someone want to share the person they love? I guess I’m too jealous.”
“Don’t worry, baby. I’d never share you. Stop thinking about them. Imagine it like we’re sharing a house with strangers. We don’t have to be their friends. Just be cordial and the time will go by quick. If you need to take the edge off just tell me and I’ll get you something.”
“Something, like drugs?”
He shrugged. “Whatever it takes. I won’t let you get hooked. It’s important you’re comfortable. I know you’re not happy.”
“I feel stuck in a situation I don’t want to be in. Put yourself in my shoes.”
“It’s for our future. How many times do I have to say it?”
His defensive attitude annoyed me. “Forget it. While you’re dabbling in danger every day, I’m going to go out and get a real job. I’m tired of staying in this house.”
“Maybe that’s a good idea.”
I was shocked he’d agreed, but didn’t question it. The less I had to be in the house the better. “Then it’s settled. If we’re staying for a while I’m getting a job. I promise to keep my mouth shut about your business venture, if you promise as soon as it’s over we’re out of here. I’m not screwing around either. One time is enough, Brant.”
The idea of him stealing for our future still didn’t sit right with me, and I knew my parents would never be able to understand. Brant may not have been forthcoming about our future, but I believed he had our best interest at heart.
One of us needed to forge toward an honest living, before we both got carried away in evil acts we couldn’t be saved from.
Chapter 8
Cassie
It took me eight days to be called in for an interview at a casino. My hours would vary, but at least I’d be making honest money to put away. The job requirements were simple. I had to be twenty-one, without a criminal record, and able to wear a slutty little outfit around while serving drinks to gamblers. I could be friendly all the day long if I needed to, plus meeting new faces seemed like a good side of it.
Brant didn’t like the idea, especially after he saw the uniform. After two days of arguing, he was dropping me off at the back employee entrance, warning me to let him know if men tried to grope all over me.
I snickered as I walked inside the establishment, getting off on the fact that he’d be jealous. A part of me wanted him to be overprotective, because it was reassuring. Another part wished he’d let me breathe. Since we’d been away from home I felt like he was watching me constantly. I liked freedom.
My boss was an older woman in her fifties. She still had a nice body for having six kids. She took me under her wing and showed me the ropes, introducing me to employees and going over my job duties. Carol Tanner had worked in Vegas since she was sixteen years old. Her husband, Joe was a party planner for major clubs in the area. He’d met her while he was a guest at the casino, and they’d been together for thirty years. Her story was sweet, and to hear her talk about her children made me want to be a mother of my own.
I didn’t divulge the story, which led us to Vegas, except for the part where love was involved. She seemed like a hopeless romantic, and I appreciated her caddy way of bringing out the best in people. Standing a good foot taller than me, with legs to kill for, was a co-worker named Chloe. We hit it off fast, especially since she was from Virginia. It was nice having another east coast person to chat with while on the clock.
After my first week I’d met a ton of new people. My life didn’t seem to suck as much, but more than anything I knew I had to reach out to my family, so one day during my lunch hour I used one of my co-workers phones to call home.
“Hello.”
“Hi, Mom. Before you say anything I want you to know I’m calling to tell you I’m okay. I have a roof over my head and Brant is being good to me.”
I could hear her getting choked up. “Cassie. It’s good to hear your voice. We’ve been worried sick. I’m glad to hear you’re doing okay, but you need to know we want you to come home. Your dad has calmed down. I know you don’t understand, but the things he said were because he loves you. We don’t want to see you with a criminal when we know you can do so much better.”
Rage filled me once again as she gave her honest opinion about my boyfriend. I think what made it worse was the truth in it. I was more worried about the things I’d said to her, not that I could admit it. It was better if I kept my distance and didn’t give her false hope. Criminals or not, I wasn’t living under my parent’s roof and they would never be able to tell me what I could and couldn’t do again.
“I’m not calling because I’m coming home, Mom. I’m calling to let you know I’m doing fine. I’m happy,” I lied. “Maybe if you could have given Brant a chance things could be different. We’re starting a life out west, and I’m sorry you won’t be a part of it.”
“Please, you need to know our door is always open.”
“Actually it’s not. I made my choice, and it’s obvious you’ll never understand.”
I hung up the phone before I could say or do something I’d regret worse. I’d already shattered her soul, but at least she knew I was alive and well, at least to her knowledge.
I spent the rest of my break bawling my eyes out. Chloe came outside to fetch her phone and light up a cigarette. Briefly I explained how I’d left home to run away with my boyfriend. Right in front of me she lit up a bowl and inhaled some type of strange smelling drugs. Then she passed it over to me. “Take a couple hits. It will relax you and keep you focused.”
“What is it?”
“Weed. I get a strain from this guy I know. It’s potent.”
Feeling overwhelmed by depression, I sucked in the mystery herb, letting my lungs fill with the substance. After a coughing spell, I could feel it taking affect. Chloe took another hit and slipped it back into her purse. “You’re not the first person to run away from her life, Cass. If you ever need to talk to someone I’m your girl. My apartment is small, but I always have room for a friend, especially if you bring the alcohol.” She walked away while laughing at her own response.
I remained standing in the same position, realizing immediately that I hadn’t just smoked marijuana, but something else laced with it. Everything around me was starting to spin, but if I started walking it straightened out. My heart was beating faster than normal, at least that’s how it felt, and I wanted to smile at everyone for no apparent reason. Chloe spotted me once I was back on the casino floor. She shot me a wink while taking someone’s drink order. Thankfully, I made it through the rest of my shift with ease. In fact, it went by so quick I wondered how dangerous the substance could actually be. It had made my performance better and lightened my mood.
The next day I struggled to stay on my feet. I was tired from lack of sleep, and kicking myself for calling my mother and getting her upset all over again.
I waited for Chloe to get off and asked her if she could get a little more in case I had another bad day. She let me take another hit of her bowl while we sat in her car, and gave me a Xanax to hold me over. I hadn’t realized how pathetic I was until she’d given me something to fix me. Now I felt devastatingly alone and in need of a fix to keep me on my toes.
Figuring it was easy to stop whenever I wanted, I agreed to the amount she said it would cost, and believed when she said it was only a strong strain of weed, not laced with any other drug. Being naïve had never been a problem for me, but in this instance it would come back and bite me in the ass later.
Like after every shift, Brant showed up when I called him for a ride. I found it funny how he didn’t notice anything different about me. I suppose I was super paranoid from taking a couple hits of Chloe’s bowl, and assumed everyone would be able to tell I was high. Instead he acted like everything was normal.
Once home, we sat out at the pool by ourselves while drinking a few mixed beverages. The drugs made me extremely adventurous, and in no time at all we were in the hot tub with nothing on. Music played in the background from inside the house, and the only light was from the pool under the water.
The air was cool with a slight breeze. We stayed close, letting the warmth from our bodies keep us comfortable. Brant’s kisses were both hungry and passionate. His hands cupped my ass while my legs wrapped completely around his back. He leaned me against the seat, slipping inside of me with ease. I was fully aware of what we were doing outside, on display for anyone to walk up and see, though I didn’t care. We were in love and free to do whatever our hearts desired. Everything was fine until I heard voices radiating from inside the house. I could make out three figures from afar, and sat up straight with alarming speed. “Oh my god. We’re not alone.”
He kissed me again, this time ignoring what I’d said. I pulled back, shielding my breasts with my arms as the figures came walking outside. Tammy got an eyeful before a wicked grin flashed across her face. “Well, well, well, it looks like the princess has finally come out of her shell.”
I growled at her assumption and looked to discover my towel was out of reach. “Don’t flatter yourself, Tammy. We were just finishing up.”
She began pulling the straps of her sundress off her shoulders, while the two men, of which I’d never seen before, stood behind her. “Don’t leave on my account. There’s enough room for all of us.”
“All of us?” I questioned. Brant gave me a quick look of worry. I knew I needed to keep the peace, but being exposed in front of other people wasn’t my idea of a fun time. It didn’t stop Tammy from stripping down and slipping inside next to us.
“Don’t worry, Cassie, I’m sure Brant will be just as gentlemanly as he was the last time we were in here together.”
She made me want to scratch her eyes out. Before I could respond I noticed the other two guys removing their clothes with hopes of joining us.
Dicks, it’s all I could see. I tried to unsee them, to look in another direction, but my head wouldn’t respond to my order. With my boyfriend clung to me, I stared as the men got closer, wedging themselves inside the hot tub with us. Right away Tammy floated over and began to tend to them, while I was left speechless and vulnerable.
Against my better judgment, I turned back around and attempted to ignore them, focusing all my energy on being with Brant. I was surprised when he tapped me on the shoulder, halting me from doing anything further. “What?” I whispered.
“I think your boyfriend wants to know if you’d like to watch? From what I can tell, he’s into that kind of thing.” Her words were like fingernails scratching a chalkboard. Maybe if I were clothed I would have been able to attack her and rip out her eyes. Instead I remained straddled over my boyfriend, hoping he would have the nerve to tell her where to go.
When he said nothing I feared what would come next. Then Tammy, in all her naked glory, sweetened the deal. She leaned over the edge and pulled a small box up on the ledge. I watched her open it and reveal a pocket mirror. She opened it slowly, keeping it’s contents dry. That’s when I saw the soft white glow of what was inside. “Who wants to party? Let’s get fucked up and have some fun.” She turned to my direction again. “Come on. Don’t be such a prude, Cassie. Take the first hit and let go. What do you have to lose? Are you afraid you might like it?”
I was irate that she’d have the nerve to put me in this position, while making it known I felt uncomfortable being in this situation. I closed my eyes for a second and thought about Brant. He’d made me promise to keep the peace, yet here I was prepared to murder this chick in her own pool of water. I felt Brant’s hold loosening, and his gentle words vibrating in my ear. “You don’t have to do this, baby. Let’s just get out and head to bed.”
“No!” I replied loud enough everyone could hear, then, while turning my attention back to Tammy I smiled and took the compact, leaning down and snorting the white powder into my nostril. There was no time to hate myself for what I’d done. The high was almost instant and I accepted how fast I began to forget about my fears. I was overcome with excitement while watching each person in the hot tub doing their own line. Brant kissed on my neck, twisting me around until my back was against his chest. My breast floated above the bubbling water, exposed to our neighbors. Tammy looked pleased as she turned to face me, doing the same with her position against one of the men. The other started rubbing over her tits, then kissing her roughly before pulling away. Her eyes never left mine, and in doing so my body became hot. I felt like I was sweating while in the water, and needed something to cool me down. Tammy’s hands were on my legs, dragging upwards to my thighs. I threw my head back until it was sitting comfortably in the arch of Brant’s neck, allowing her to explore me further without borders. In the meantime, my boyfriend started moving around, making his erection known as it pressed over the opening to my pussy. I kept my eyes closed on account of feeling ashamed. As much as I didn’t want this, I couldn’t make them stop.
Then it happened.
He entered me, while three people sat across watching. My lids cracked open and I saw their eyes drawn on my most precious of areas. Tammy kept touching me, finally dragging her hands up to my breasts. I cried out and focused harder, watching the guy behind her lifting her to be in position. The other one brought his ass up to sit on the edge of the hot tub, exposing himself to everyone. Tammy let go of me and spun around. Her face lowered and before I knew what was happening I watched her sucking on his dick. She came back up and kissed the other man, taking his cock in her hand and began stroking him.
Brant kept moving, lifting me up and then letting me fall back down on his full erection. My tiny moans were nothing compared to the three people across from me, who become completely engrossed in each other. Brant’s hand came up and pinched both of my nipples. I tried to close my eyes, but found myself curious as to what was happening across from me.
In a matter of seconds Tammy had climbed on one of the guy’s laps. They were deep in the water, obviously doing the same as Brant and I were. The other guy wasn’t ignored for long. Tammy leaned over and played with his dick, sucking it and then jerking him off again.
Watching it play out, seeing her in the act, that perfect body, and two men obviously willing to go to extremes to be with her, turned me on. I felt things I’d never experienced before, and perhaps it was the coke, but maybe it was something deep inside me I never wanted to admit. Maybe I wasn’t the innocent woman my boyfriend claimed me to be. We were both guilty of getting involved in this. No one had held a gun to our heads.
I came, screaming out for anyone within a half mile to hear. Beneath me I felt Brant going still, holding me until he was able to grasp what had transpired. Then we sat quickly, still connected, while watching Tammy pleasure two men at once.
I was too high to care about what would happen when I saw her the next day, or if it would somehow change my relationship with Brant. All I cared about was finally feeling completely satiated.
