The next shot from the bastard above me lands on my lower back. The pain coursing through me really makes me believe that I’ve got a broken spine as I tried to move. However, the goon picks me up with my collar and the back of my coat to send me flying over the table, face first into a couple of chairs. Of course, my survival mode kicked in while my brain sees that I’m closer to the exit out of the building. I crawl on my hands and knees to the door when I see two sets of legs walk in front of me. I don’t bother to glance up because I hear Antonio’s voice.

“Shamus, you got away with your scheme this time, but someone is going to put a bullet in your brain soon. Just remember that nobody gets over on me.”

The polished black leather shoe that struck my ribs I barely saw coming before the wind left my lungs. As I’m gasping for air like a fish out of water, the goons working for Antonio lift me and escort me out of the doors. Next thing I see is the scenery passing by as I land like a rag doll on the sidewalk.

Now, I’m not sure how long I lay there. It can seem like days when you’re struggling to breathe correctly. However, the next thing I see is a pretty face staring down at me like an angel. Her eyes are moist, and she reaches down to help me to my knees.

“You really are a fool, Mr. Dagger. And I thank you for it.”

Of course, I said nothing. Hell, between the lack of breath and my body feeling like I broke several important bones, I just struggled to get on my feet. Sally guided me to the cab. She puts me next to a passed-out Joe who smells like a week of body odor and booze. I’m checking if I still have all my teeth as the car sped away with Sally sitting in front next to the judge. They’re talking as I notice O’Conner grinning at me.

“You really know how to make Antonio mad. What agreement did you have with him?”

Shaking my head, I had to think back to my black book, which was never clear.

“I guess he saw me as another pawn for his operation,” I mumbled out while softly touching the side of my jaw.

“I’ll give you credit for a slick scheme, but you realize how lucky you are to leave that building, don’t you? When the judge asked for those IOUs, I wished I had a picture of Antonio’s face.”

Then O’Conner turned serious.

“You should leave town for a while, maybe permanently.”

I nodded at the suggestion, tenderly putting my hand into my coat pocket. Pulling out the envelope, then leaning forward with a slight groan, I tapped the paper on Judge Seabury’s shoulder. He looked back and took the envelope as Sally looked on with curiosity.

“Judge, you impressed the hell out of me back there. Can you drop us off at my office building? We just need to get Sally and Joe on a train and my job is done.”

I closed my eyes, not seeing Sally give me a long gaze. The judge slid his blackmail items into his coat while he peeked over at the woman sitting next to him. He sighed before turning back to observe the scenery in front of them.

Antonio watched the cab drive away as he stood in the vestibule of Rosetta’s. His face remained impassive despite the bloodlust filling him.

“Get the boys together,” he told his men, who stood near him. “I want bitch brought to me alive.”

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

“Boss, I need to leave,” Hyde replied nervously. “The judge might say something to Winton.”

“Get lost,” the gangster sneered. He didn’t look while his lawyer hurried to the back door.

“What about the others?” the thug called Johnny asked.

“I can’t touch the judge or that ex-cop for the moment. I don’t care what you do with the drunk. Just make sure the bitch comes back to me. Kill that shamus and make sure he dies painfully.”

The cab stopped in front of the Royal Building where I got out and helped Sally get Joe out of the vehicle. The time to get to my office allowed me to recover enough to climb the curb with Joe’s arm around my shoulders.

“Mr. Dagger, we should have a conversation when you put this couple on the train,” Seabury spoke after getting out of the car. “Call me when you can.”

After I glanced back at the judge, I tried to grin, but my cheek still hurt.

“I’ll do that. Thanks again for the help,” I said.

Joe, somewhat more coherent, kept looking at me and asking my name. I ignored him, instead asking Sally to help me get him up the stairs and into the building. After we took the slow elevator, we finally got to the outer office.

Sally held the door, and we went straight to my office. I let go of Joe and pointed to the couch. Heading for my desk, I opened a bottom drawer, which looked like a medicine cabinet. It held an odd array of cotton bandages, along with bottles of rubbing alcohol, camphor, even a tin of Blosser’s Medical Powder. Several medicine bottles with various pills rolled around as I rummaged through for aspirin. A few days back, I wondered why the stuff was there when I took an inventory of the desk.

I’m guessing it’s not the first time Lane Dagger got his ass kicked.

I grimaced after swallowing the aspirin, then walked over to the mirror to inspect my face.

“You’re not going to win any beauty contest,” Sally’s voice came from the couch where she sat next to her husband.

I nodded in agreement. The blue bulge on my cheek still hurt, and there was a trickle of dried blood on my chin.

“Well, we need to get to your place and pick up your luggage, then head to the train station. I wish I had thought about having you come with it earlier.” I lifted my arm, looking over the suit coat at the elbow where the fabric ripped from my fall on the sidewalk.

“I can’t keep ripping up my suits like this,” I smirked. “Can you handle Joe to get him on the train?”

Looking down at her, it was clear from her faraway expression that the woman didn’t hear me. I went to my desk and flipped the switch.

“Alice, are you there?”

“Yes, what can I do?” For a moment, it sounded like I heard concern in her voice.

“I believe Antonio might send his men this way. I want you to be careful and only leave this place with...”

I stopped, realizing that I’m talking to an invisible woman about someone coming after her.

Yes, I’ve lost my mind!

Still, it appeared everyone else saw her, and she’s working for me. I released the switch, then looked over at the couch. Joe nervously tapped his fingers on one arm of the sofa while staring at the empty bottle that he carried from the club. His wife looked at me, but I couldn’t get a read on her thoughts. However, her presence reminded me to call Adele. I picked up the phone and called the number to our apartment. However, no one answered.

Crap, where’d she go?

“She’s pretty,” Sally’s voice made me look over. My face scowled in confusion as I stood with the handset still placed by my ear.

“Your secretary,” she said when she realized I didn’t understand. “I’m glad you warned her about Antonio.”

So, others see her! What does that mean?

All I could do was nod in agreement, trying to keep my focus on the current problems. I didn’t need to think about that issue.

“Is he ready?” I asked Sally as I hung up the handset. “My car’s downstairs.”

She looked at her husband, then nodded.

“Yes. Come on Joe, let’s go home. Lane’s going to drive us.”

His vacant stare vanished as he looked at her.

“I’m sorry. They picked me up and gave me a drink. I lost track of the time. You’re not mad, are you?”

The woman sighed and stood.

“No, now let’s head home. We’re going on a vacation, and I’ve already packed.”

He smiled as he took her hand.

“I remember. It’ll be like old times. We used to go camping many times when we first met. Do you remember?”

While Sally agreed as she held on to her husband’s arm. I watched them walk to the door.

Get a grip. I can’t start feeling sorry for a character that I don’t know.