Chapter 10: MANCINI

Not only that, but the guy was a career ender. Quite a few of my colleagues had lost their jobs or positions after tussling with this guy, and I knew what my superiors expected of me as the only female to ever go up against this mastermind; they didn't just want me to use my mind, I was pretty sure they wanted me to use a lot more than that if push came to shove; that's how desperate they'd become.

***

I needed a little downtime to get the stench of the last few days off of me, so I decided to relax by taking my boat out on the water for a little spin. One of my pleasures, sailing, in fact I like anything to do with leisure, yachting, racing boats, cars and bikes; I even enjoyed a little rock climbing every once in a while. Those things kept me sharp, because they involved staying very focused in order to avoid danger.

Today, with the business of filth out of the way, my mind turned to more pleasant enticements; like the eyes of one Cierra Stone. I felt the tightening pull in my gut at the memory of what she looked like; on my desk at home in my personal office I had a glossary that I'd already collected since learning of her existence. By the time the beauty came into my atmosphere I will know her inside and out, as much I'm sure as she probably believes she knows me.

For some strange reason I found that I was reluctant to dig into her past at this particular time, not while I was dealing with the scum of the earth, and that in itself was very telling as well, since when did I care about such menial things? I was beginning to get just a little worried about the strange hold she seemed to have on me; it was her eyes, those amazing sky blue orbs had seemed to look right through me.

If I weren't careful, she'd have me falling at her feet before she even landed, and that couldn't be allowed. The lady was coming here to study me, in order to put me away for a long long time after all, only a fool would be interested in getting burnt like that.

There was nothing for it though, I'd seen and I'd wanted, and what Hank Mancini wanted, he usually took. Too bad we'll have to do the waltz before I can take her to bed, but make no mistake about it, she will be gracing my bed before long.

The next day was spent at home locked away behind closed doors going over everything I needed to do in order for my latest operation to go off without a hitch, I couldn't pay too much attention to the feds and whoever else were on me this week I had innocents depending on me and nothing was going to stand in the way of that. They never knew where I was or what I was doing always in my dust which I'm sure was a bone of contention for them, I wasn't too torn up about it though, I hated them as much as they hated me.

Having law enforcement on your ass twenty four seven wasn't very fun though so I'd devised ways of out maneuvering them for the past six or seven years, now they were hard pressed to even catch an occasional glimpse of me unless I wanted to fuck with them just for kicks which couldn't be easy for their jobs, how the hell could you watch someone you couldn't see? But still they persisted.

***

That night I went to one of my clubs to unwind; it was my night to see and be seen I guess you could say and not even the entertainment up on stage kept eyes off of me. This was my favorite place I bought it as an escape from my daily life and I've made sure this place stayed free of all that other bullshit that usually played out in night clubs; no drugs no strippers no under the table dealings of any kind.

I paid my guys top dollar to see that things stayed that way. The liquor was top shelf all the way the food above par and entertainment was always top billing. Tonight's band was a red-hot European techno group whose latest CD had gone platinum; they cost a mint but the door charge alone will more than pay for it.

There were private booths for the more upscale clientele who preferred privacy along with their entertainment; no sexual activities allowed though. The VIP rooms are always occupied by some socialite, or diplomatic businessman, or someone who had the money to afford the hourly rate. I come from money so I understand better than most that money brings money; people of wealth would rather spend money with their own kind that's why you have society mavens chairing charities instead of the poor housewife who actually knows what the fuck she's talking about.

I was on my second snifter of Louis XIV cognac when she walked in it's a good thing I was sitting alone because my reaction was very unHank like. She fucking caught me off guard; in her official photo you can see the potential for beauty with her tightly pulled back hair, face bare of enhancements she looked about eighteen there; beautiful yes, but you couldn't get the full effect, the woman standing before me was no hidden beauty she was fucking gorgeous.

All that jet-black hair down around her shoulders with those blue blue eyes in a face molded and sculpted to perfection. At least that's what she looked like to me as she stood there. Two things went through my head at once, my heart had kicked, I'll have to examine that later, and my dick took notice, something that hasn't happened in too long to remember. I'd become so jaded that sex was just something you did to scratch an itch. Something told me things were going to be way different this time.

Her body in the low riding jeans that molded slender hips and the tight top that showed off just a hint of cleavage was spectacular, someone had done their homework, I didn't go for the overly made-up ass hanging out type. They'd sent me the perfect package, I hope for her sake they knew what the fuck they were doing.

She looked as though she was on the prowl and I knew just who her prey was; I noticed others noticing her as well and my ire rose just a little. Back the fuck off boys, this one's mine no sense in fighting that persistent feeling in my gut who knows where it would all lead? But I was willing to find out.

After my initial jolt when my body had literally started I played it cool; eyes half lidded I swirled my snifter around as I pretended not to notice her casing the room. I felt the moment her gaze landed on me it was almost like an electrical charge, like touching a live wire. I caught the slight flush and her faltering step from beneath my lashes as well. Game on.