Playing Both Sides(Closed to Sinful_Whispers)

[KatarHol]

Edward Drake:



It had been a long road for Edward Blake. A road that any who knew him as a kid woud never have imagined him taking. Hell, most people who knew him now would be surprised. He didn't publicize his activities, or his reasons for leaving Chicago and heading down south to New Orleans. He thought back on the events that had lead him to the sidewalk he was taking a night time stroll to work on now.

On the surface, he seemed to be just another businessman and after hours barkeep, an average guy. His fiance, Elizabeth Falcon, was a beauty anyone would be considered lucky have on his arm.

But the stuff beneath the surface had begun to bubble over. He decided, seemingly on a whim, to sell his restaurant/speak easy in Chicago and come down south for work. It was a move which cnfused everyone, incuding his bride to be. People would be far less confused if they knew his reasonings.

It had only been a few months since his brother Teddy had been taken out in a mob hit. He had gotten under the skin of Will Hogan, a bad move for anyone. Teddy had decided to go after one of Hogan's girls, and it didn't end up well for him or the girl. Hogan picked up his operations and moved down to Orleans. And Edward followed.

He wasn't going to get under Hogan's skin, he was going to get close to him. Become a trusted little soldier, then take him out and take his business. Ed couldn't help but smile to himself when he the thought of Hogan's death at his own hands crossed his mind.

He put the smile away as he reached his destination. He knocked three times on the door and walked in.

The room was ornately designed, scarlet, gold, and crystal chandeliers adorned the place. Candle sticks stood upon each table, and the bar was stocked to the nines.

He tooks a seat at the bar, about to get the bar keeps attention when a wonderous sound broke out over the din of the crowd. A wonderful singing voice. He turned his eyes to the stage and saw the songstress, a striking brunette. His eyes were fixed on her as well as his ears. The siren had entranced him. Yeah, he had Elziabeth, but just looking was no crime.

[Sinful_whispers]

Elizabeth Falcon, a twenty-six year old statuesque blonde-haired blue eyes beauty with sultry smokey blue eyes. Her family had been in the Chicago area for many years; she was born and raised on its streets. Many a changes took place as she grew up, watching the small business going out, banks going under and the mob move in. Probation taking over made it hard for many, bootleggers and distributors were squeezed out one by one in the lawless age of the Tommy gun.

Her father was gunned down when Scarface and his motley crew came to Chicago. Henry Falcon owned a local savings and loan and when Chicago was taken over with Scarface on one end and Capone on the other both squeezing Henry in the middle to launder money for one or the other cost him his life when he turned them both down leaving Elizabeth alone to care for her mother. Katherine Falcon didn’t walk the earth much longer before she contracted a virus and it left Elizabeth alone with a decent nest egg from her father.

It was right after that, that Elizabeth met the man of her dreams when she entered a downtown Chicago restaurant/speakeasy and made eye contact with the owner Edward Blake. He was the most handsome man she ever set her eyes upon, brown hair, tall good-looking and a smart business man. Six months into their relationship he asked Elizabeth for her hand in marriage, she said yes and the engagement was set in stone, a nice shiny diamond on her left hand in a golden setting.

Elizabeth turned and sighed as she reached up and moved the pearls around her neck back and forth on the necklace string thinking and pacing. Edward hadn’t been himself as of late, they were in their relationship over a year and his brother was murdered by the mob, it hit Edward hard changing him slowly in certain ways.

He announced to her two weeks back that he had sold his business and decided to look for another one more south in the New Orleans area, and if she wanted to still marry him she wouldn’t ask questions but just let him do what he needed to for their future. She agreed but didn’t like it. He said he’d call and keep in touch as much as possible, he said he’d return on weekends but the first one went by and he was a no show no call.

Elizabeth decided to give him two weeks longer and after that he was on his own, she loved him more than life itself but she wasn’t going to pawn away waiting on him to return from wherever he really was if he was even telling her the truth.

XXX

On January 16th, 1920 the 18th Amendment was passed, prohibiting alcohol in the United States of America. Instead of putting an end to the use, sales and production of alcohol, it served as a catalyst, which amplified its demand and inevitable supply. There grew an even stronger desire for the devil's candy. And since it had to be consumed privately, out of the eye of the law, the underground bar was born. Because of its secrecy, it was coined the "Speakeasy"…a place women flooded to and drank the cocktail poison, danced and sang flirting in the open with men from everywhere and all walks of life.

She cleared her throat and then took one last sip of her chilled white liquid and then placed the tumbler down on the dressing room vanity as she stood up and gave herself one last once over before she exited the back room and headed to the small stage in a speakeasy named ‘The After Hours Club’. She had been the clubs main attraction singer wise for the past nine months. She drew a crowd with her songbird voice, curvaceous figure and batting green eyes.

Victoria smoothed over her beaded black dress as she stepped out and stood by the piano and waited till the played gave her, her cue and then she tilted her head back and closed her eyes and from there the words flowed freely in a wondrous way. She tilted her head and moved about, her eyes met his once again, he had been there the evening before as well, she offered a smile and then walked the other direction towards the other side of the low platform stage and looked over the crowd as she could still feel his eyes upon her.

Walking back she finished her show, sixty minutes of singing was enough for a show done three times a night six days a week, though she never complained for she knew things could be worse. Victoria bowed as the crowd applauded and then headed off stage. She waited a few minutes for the crowd to die down before she stepped from the shadows and took her normal seat at the end of the bar, she watched as the tender bough her a drink as she crossed her toned stocking clad legs and leaned back looking around and once again their eyes met.

[KatarHol]

Like the night before, as soon as the siren sung her first note Ed was entranced by her. Her voice momentarily took his mind off his goal. But in the few moments of rest she had in between songs, his mind went back on track.

He had some advantages going in. The first being he and Ted didn't share a last name. When Ted decided to stay on the rough and tumble path they oth shared as youths, he decided to use his middle named, Miller, as his surname. It was his way of providing some protection to his family. Will Hogan, as far as Ed knew, had never even heard the name Drake. But he would remember it in the last few moments he had to live. The onyl drawback was Hogan wouldn't get to see his business be taken over.

His second advantage was his contact, a friend of his brothers named Joey the Squid. He was after more than revenge though. He figured if Edward did succeed, he would need a right hand man. And he was right. He was also useful. As full of rage as Edward was, he knew he couldn't go into all this without a pair of eyes to watch out for him.

He ordered a scotch and took a sip. For a moment his thoughts drifted to Elizabeth. He pondered bringing her down soon. After tonight he would call for her to come down. He'd have a job, both the official and underground one at Hogan's place.

Just as quickly as his fiance had entered his mind, she faded again when the songstress sat at the end of the bar. To keep up appearances, he figured he might need to take a girl on the side. At least that's what he told himself was his reasoning when he approached her form his end. He took a seat next to her.

"May I ask your name pretty lady?" he said, giving her a smile.


************

Will Hogan


Will Hogan took a big drag on his cigar and smiled as his mol for the night put on her clothes. The great thing about running all the scams in the city were the free perks.

He puled his pants up as she walked out of his office. It was just a great start to what he knew was going to be a good night. Not only was it collection night, but he was getting a new employee, the best bartender Chicago could offer. In these times, that might not seem like much, but it was just another edge, and after the Miller affair in Chicago, Hogan needed every edge he could get. He had been sloppy with Teddy's murder, he got too personal. But in the end, the little shit got what he deserved, as did the whore Teddy stole from him. He couldn't decide who's pain he savored more.

Still it came at a cost, he had to relocate his affairs to New Orleans. Not too high price to pay, and he found himself a new girl, Victoria. But even with that, he had to satisfy all his appetites. One woman is never enough, ONe of anything is never enough.

Will gave himself one last lookover in the mirror and slicked his hair back before he left his officet catch the last few songs of Victoria's act.

[Sinful_whispers]

Victoria kept to herself, she never really cared for others flaunting over her which was why she always took the last seat at the end of the bar after ever show and for the fact that she didn’t care for trouble from Hogan. Men feared Hogan and women loved him and then there was Victoria who wasn’t sure what she felt for him if anything.

Her slender fingers wrapped around the glass, she lifted it to her mouth feeling the wicked poison run over her bottom lip across her tongue and down her throat burning as she swallowed. She raised her eyes looking over the edge of the glass and her eyes met his once again as he looked towards her.

This time Victoria didn’t advert her eyes away from his instead she held the contact for a few minutes then turned her head away as she reached and pulled into her silk beaded satchel, unloosening the tie as she pulled out a silver cigarette case and popped it open taking one out. She placed it to her lips and lit it, inhaling as she drew in the smoke and held it within her mouth letting it out slowly. She loved the feel of a hand rolled cigarillo between her lips, the taste of the sweet tobacco.

It was Victoria’s only bad habit other than Hogan; women who smoked were looked upon as scandalous and lower class but Victoria played by her own beat and did as she pleased, she never cared how she was looked upon by others. Most women viewed her as an easy harlot, men the same thinking and to Victoria as long as people talked about her, her name still circulated which would keep her in her career till the day she found the right man and settled down.

Curling her fingers around the glass again she drank the rest of the harsh liquor, one she had become used to and swallowed it down. She placed the glass on the other side of the bar and raised her forearm letting her elbow remain on the bar top as she signaled for another drink. She placed the cigarillo down within the makeshift ashtray and blew out the smoke from her lips as she closed her eyes and leaned her head back, just letting it slowly empty from her mouth as her full plump lips formed an ‘O’ shape.

Once finished she leaned her head back down and watched the tended fill her glass once again with a triple shot of hooch as she looked around over the crowd, she knew sooner or later Hogan would be leaving his bull session with the boys and joining her, he usually made it to see her sing a song or two before the night ended. Looking around again she turned around in the chair and sat more towards the side and crossed her legs feeling the lace drag across her bare legs.

“Nice gams” a male voice said as he walked by her and headed into the bathroom.

Victoria rolled her eyes and turned her head and looked to where the other guy was sitting noticing he was no longer keeping the bar seat warm, she shrugged to herself and figured he was probably nothing but a private dick or something knowing she’s a moll of Hogan’s but looks can be deceiving, she didn’t pay attention to anything around her, what she didn’t know couldn’t get her killed for…simple.

Victoria turned her head back around and picked up the no longer burning cigarillo from the ash tray and placed it to her lips and lit it once again drawing in slowly as the sound of jazz played around the gin joint. She turned her head and froze for a moment as he stood there before her looking directly into her eyes.

"May I ask your name pretty lady?" He said with a handsome smile.

Victoria smiled and uncrossed her legs and re-crossed them once more as she smoothed down the beaded black dress lowering her eyes from his for a second then looking to him as she tapped the cigarillo on the ashtray rim, “Victoria…and you are?” she asked then leaned her head back taking a drag on the sweet tobacco end.

XXX

Twelve am. In the morning and Elizabeth couldn’t sleep as she laid there in bed and did nothing but toss and turn. She still hadn’t heard from Edward and she didn’t really like how this relationship was going at that point. Elizabeth grumbled and reached over turning on the radio as she listened to the soft jazz play causing her to slowly fall asleep in the bed, another night alone.

[KatarHol]

"Blake," he said. "Edward Blake." His eyes locked on her, examinging her face. He'd gotten a nice view of her body while she was one stage, but her face left him flabbergasted, his brain struggling for wors to form a coherant sentence.

These are not good thoughts. Edward thought to himself. This woman couldn't be anymore than part of his facade. Anything else would just make things far more complex then they need be, get in the way of the prize. And then there was Elizabeth, back at home waiting for him. Sure, he'd have to be a little unfaithful to pull this off, but he accepted that. It didn't make him a worse person. He already planned to do many a thing that couldn't be considered proper for a good man to do. But it would have to be strictly physical, all emotions feigned...

Whatever it was about this woman, he would have to ignore it, man up and get back on target. And Victoria could prove to be a valuable asset, despite whatever attraction he felt towards her.

"Would you mind if I bought you a drink Victoria? It's the least I could do for that wonderful performance you gave the crowd."


********

Will Hogan entered the bar from his office. From his vantage point he had the perfect view of everything save the wine cellar.

The place wa spacked tonight. All the money, he couldn't help but crack a smile. The night was only going to get better from here.

Hogan's eyes raomed the crowd in search of Victoria, but when his eyes caught her, his smile faded into an angry grimace. She was talking to another man. Any good humor in him faded as he began t approach the bar. Well, not all good humor. He had a deep down feeling of anticipation he was going to putthis chump through.

[Sinful_whispers]

Victoria looked over Edward as she waited for him to introduce himself. She watched as he looked directly into her eyes and over her face as if he were studying her. She took one last look over him trying to figure out if he was a private dick or not, she wasn’t really sure with him. There was something about him she just couldn’t figure out.

"Would you mind if I bought you a drink Victoria? It's the least I could do for that wonderful performance you gave the crowd." She heard him ask.

Victoria thought about it for a second and she realized he had no clue who she dated and sighed softly not wanting to put him in harms way knowing the jealousy Hogan felt when other men were around her, but she decided to make an acceptation for this new man, “I’d be honored if you would Edward.” Victoria said and within mere seconds Hogan no longer was in her mind, he became a distant memory…least for a few short amount of time.

“So Edward mind If I ask you what brings you here to new Orleans? No accent, the way you dress …makes you stick out a big, easy to spot for a new guy in town…” she said as the tender bough the bottle of hooch over and poured her another drink.

Just as she asked that the sound of jazz music stopped and all one could hear way the sound of laughter and drunken men and out of control women that filled the speak easy. Victoria surveyed the crowd and she knew what was about to happen…she looked and then watched as Hogan’s henchmen stepped into view first and knew Hogan was close behind.

“Listen Darlin’ I do appreciate the drink but I think you need to find another seat fast…” Victoria didn’t want any trouble from Hogan, not tonight, she wasn’t in the mood for it so warning Edward to move was about the only thing she could do to prevent it but when she looked over to the henchmen it was too late, there stood Hogan looking back at her and there wasn’t a smile upon his face.

Victoria watched as Hogan came through the crowd, it parted like the red sea did for Moses, “please Edward go back to the other side the bar …now” she said and knew it wasn’t worth her breath and it was too late.

Victoria looked to Hogan as he stopped before her, “Listen he was just buying me a drink that’s all nothing more Hogan…” she said and then sucked in a deep breath. “Hogan meet Mr. Edward Blake…” she turned to Edward, “Please meet Hogan owner of this joint.”

[KatarHol]

Hogan snapped his fingers and his men flanked him. He gave them each a look and they took their places in front of him. They headed towards Victoria and the unfortunate idiot. The crowd went as silent as a cemetary.

Will saw Victoria turn around, a look of absoute dread and terror in her emerald eyes. It brought a smile to his face. He loved that look in anyone's eyes, including hers.

He and his boys soon arrived at the bar. “Listen he was just buying me a drink that’s all nothing more Hogan…” Victoria said, breathing deeply. “Hogan meet Mr. Edward Blake, “Please meet Hogan owner of this joint.”

His boys were about to tear the guy apart until, surprising everyone, save the oddly calm Edward Blake, Hogan stopped them. "Hold on boys," Will said. He approached the cool headed Blake, who was sipping from his glass of scotch. "You're Edward Blake?"

*********
Edward waited on baited breath for Victoria's reply. “I’d be honored if you would Edward.” When she gave him a positiv answer, a euphoric rush went through his mind. It was so intense he couldn't help but give her a smile. He signaled the bartender to bring her something, then turned his attention back to her, his attention hers and hers alone.

“So Edward mind If I ask you what brings you here to new Orleans? No accent, the way you dress …makes you stick out a big, easy to spot for a new guy in town…” He was lost in a maze formed of her voice and eyes, searching for an answer, not only that would keep her around, but also help him keep his cover. If she worked here, she was a link of some sorts to Hogan, he had to keep his story straight.


“Listen Darlin’ I do appreciate the drink but I think you need to find another seat fast…” Victoria said before Edward could get a reply out. Edward looked around to see what she was talking about. He soon noticed that the bar had gone silent except for the sound of the two human rhinos clearing a path towards hi. He couldn't help but smile a little Too early for my tastes, but it was gonna happen eventually.

“please Edward go back to the other side the bar …now” she pleaded, but he had already arrived. He had a a tinge of fear in his gut but he refused to let it show. He knew Hogan despised two things; anyone around his women and cowards. And judging by how soon he had gotten Hogan's attention after just speaking with Victoria,, he knew he had hit pon the first one. He looked them all in the face, nonchalantly sipping his scotch.

“Listen he was just buying me a drink that’s all nothing more Hogan…” Victoria said, bretahing deeply, nervously. He felt guilty for bringing her into this. Even if he smoothed out of it, she would most likely catch Hell for this tonight. Again, h couldn't let it show. Franly, he was confused as to why he shold even feel this way about her.

“Hogan meet Mr. Edward Blake…please meet Hogan owner of this joint.”

Hogan's men were about to get to work on Edward, Edward himself rprepping himself mentally to take these two goons out until Hogan actually stopped them. he pushed himself from between the two towers of muscle and stared down Edward.

"Hold on boys," Hogan said. "You're Edward Blake?"

"That I am Mr. Hogan," Edward said, taking a sip from his drink again before hopping off his seat. "And I'm this joint's new manager, if you ya think my "references" check out."

[Sinful_whispers]

Victoria released a soft sigh hating confrontation in the worst way, seeing Hogan snap his fingers and watch as his cronies stepped aside him meant just that. The chatter came to a slow stop as Hogan walked through the parted crowed towards them, Victoria wished she were on set avoiding this whole situation but she hated the way Hogan treated her before everyone, yes she was ‘with’ him, she could say she was his steady but she knew she was one of many which didn’t surprise her at all, she knew as long as he was kept happy with others it would be less for her to need to fulfill with him sexually.

She needed one that would guard her, protect her and being his moll did exactly that even with the price that came with it, she knew you took the good with the bad in life as Victoria had enough bad, now she was waiting for the good and just surviving day by day.

There was a look of fear in her emerald eyes, Victoria knew what Hogan was capable of, more what his sidekicks were capable of; they did as he said and she’s witnessed her share with him, things that turned her stomach and made her fear him at times.

Victoria recalled in her mind a dark rainy night, was sometime after the joint closed and her and Hogan were headed to her place when he told his right hand man to stop at some deserved warehouse where there was three other cars, all belonging to Hogan’s men. He told her to come with him, they went into the dimly lit empty warehouse and there was the Hogan gang standing around a lanky man who was tied to the chair and beaten to a bloody pulp. She could remember the sound the bullets made as they sunk into the guys body, the splatter of blood upon her dress, and the way he slumped forth, dead. That was enough to scare her of Hogan and him men for a long time and to top it off the body was never found as far as she knew.

Hogan’s voice brought her back from that gruesome memory, “hold on boys, you’re Edward Blake?” He said with a stern voice and a raised brow. Victoria exhaled slowly hoping this was a good thing and not a bad one.

“That I am Mr. Hogan…” he said as he slipped from the seat and stood tall and confident before Hogan. Victoria knew that he wasn’t one to cower down after seeing that move take place. "And I'm this joint's new manager, if you ya think my ‘references’ check out."

That last part of his statement tossed Victoria off a bit, she had no idea that Hogan was selling the speakeasy, especially this one that she worked in, not that he didn’t have a few others but this was the only one she would perform in, the others made her skin crawl.

This one was in a decent part of New Orleans, one that made her feel a bit safer than the others, and with the wars going on between the gangsters for territory she knew she was safe there. Victoria knew not to say anything and to keep her mouth shut and just listen to the conversation before her.

Once the crowd and musicians felt at ease with the two men meeting business went as usual, chattering and music filled the joint again.

XXX

Elizabeth woke up sometime after midnight, her arm extended out and she caressed the empty place aside her in the bed. She rolled over to her side and grabbed his pillow, snuggling it as she kept her eyes closed listening to the soft music while she took in his scent.

Anger and sadness filled within her as she felt a pit in her stomach, he left her alone in Chicago and moved on with his life. She looked down to the ring on her finger and watched as it glistened slightly in the light that seeped through a small crack of the bedroom curtains from the lamp out along the sidewalk before the house.

Getting out of bed she threw the pillow against the wall and slipped into her heeled slippers and walked into the livingroom where she poured herself a drink off the liquor cart and stood there by the window just looking out it to anything and nothing as she felt the fire in her throat from the scotch as it went down it.

[KatarHol]

Ed stood eye to eye with Will, waiting for a reaction. "You are the Will Hogan Joey the Squid told me about right? Though I doubt there are too many people in this town with that name who share the same occupation."

"Yeah, yeah Joey told me about you," Hogan said, the stare not breaking. "From the way he talked, you'd think you had some sense, that you were smart."

"More than you know Mr. Hogan." replied Ed.

"For such a smart guy, you don't seem to know your manners, like when to apologize to a guy."

"I don't apologize for things I don't do. And I'm guessing you're referring to my chat with the lady, it was friendly. As far as I knew, she was just like any other woman here. I didn't know she was your girl, so I'm not apologizing for what I didn't do."

The two didn't break their stare, and Hogan's boys were getting ready to pounce once again.

"You want me to take care of him boss?" one of the men asked.

Hogan thought on it for a second. "No. I like his style. Not a lotta guys would have the guts to talk to me like that."

"Yeah, they're losers who end up making their place at the bottom for the rest of their days."

"Indeed they are. You're just the kind of guy I need running this place for me. Why don't we go to my office and discuss some details?" Hogan asked, extending his hand for a shake from Ed.

Edward looked down at the hand and grasped it, shaking it firmly. The two walked to the office, Hogan' men clearing a path for them. He looked back and gave Victoria a smile and a wink when Hogan wasn't looking.

"You were kind of off about one thing Blake," Hogan said. "Victoria is a lot of things but a LADY she ain't." he said, making sure his insult was loud enough for her, and the people around, to hear.

[Sinful_whispers]

Victoria listened back and forth on the conversation between Ed and Hogan, she had no idea Hogan has sold the place or was which really floored her. Her mind was going in a few directions between the conversation and her security in the speakeasy to when she was up next for the last set of the night.

She watched how Edward Blake stood there confident and rather handsome, not backing down from Hogan one guy he should have but he had balls and that was attracting to her, a guy that didn't cower down and she knew he had to know who he was since apparently they were doing business together. Victoria listened as she was spoke about pissing her off since it seemed they didn't even care if she was sitting there before them.

Reaching forth her arm laid upon the top of the bar as she curled her fingers around the tumbler looking at her lipstick print upon the glass before she raised it up to her lips and took a large swig feeling it burn again as it went down her throat. 'You're just the kind of guy I need running this place for me.' Victoria heard Hogan say meaning he was planning on making Edward one of his right hand henchmen, which made her turn in her chair and look forth over the bar losing interest in the conversation.

As they turned and headed back the hallway towards the back office Victoria turned and looked as they walked, she cocked her head checking Edward out from behind and as she was he turned his head and gave her a smile and a wink making her grin as she took the last sip of the drink and then placed the glass back down on the bar top.

Hoag's voice grew louder as he spoke making sure he carried over everyone, Victoria just turned back around when she heard him open his mouth and talk about her. "You were kind of off about one thing Blake, Victoria is a lot of things but a LADY she ain't."

Victoria felt infuriated for him even saying that, he knew she wasn't and 'easy' woman to bed in fact Hogan was the second man she had ever slept with. Out of nowhere she opened up her mouth and yelled back at him, "fuck you" and then pushed from the seat with all eyes upon her and headed to the small stage area and grabbed the microphone, tapped the piano looking at the played and mouthed something to him.

Her voice was beautiful, it had this raspy sound to it when she sang, she hit every high note there was and she moved around the stage in a very sexy seductive manner. Victoria felt the buzz of the hooch hitting her as she sang, she didn't miss a note but it caused her to sway. Nobody would notice as it looked like part of the act, she sang four songs and then curtsied as she ended the show for the night.

The place was still hopping, usually she waited around for Hogan, or went back into his office to sit with him while he finished up his 'business' but tonight he had pulled the last of his shit, she was done with him. Victoria went back to her small dressing room area and sat there looking at herself in the vanity mirror, she sighed softly knowing she wasn't getting any younger, and knew she needed to eventually get away from Hogan but she wasn't sure how. That wasn't the first time he pulled shit with her in front of a crowd, and Victoria had enough, she had enough of everything.

Grabbing her wrap she placed it around her shoulders and exited the dressing room door, she looked seeing Johnny four fingers standing outside Hogan's office door. He gave her this grin and then stuck his tongue out waggling it back and forth like the sick pig he was. Victoria shot him a glance and turned on the heels of her pumps and headed back out into the bar area and out the door, alone.

She wrapped herself up in the silver fox shawl and tipped her small beaded hat back upon her head as she began walking down the sidewalk towards home hoping Hogan stayed away for a while, as she didn't feel like dealing with him. Every now and then a cop car cruised the street, she offered a wave as they waved back.

Victoria was well known thanks to Hogan, he did her a great justice by offering her the spot singing nightly in the joint but then on the opposite side it gave her a reputation, one that was far from true.

[KatarHol]

As Ed exited the building, there was a spring in his step. Observers, including Hogan, would see it as happiness at having a new and profitable position. Observers would only be half right. The job was simply a means to an end. And yes it would pay.

As he walked to his car, another advantage coming to his mind, even though he tried to surpress it. He knew he'd see Victoria on a near nightly basis.

No matter how he tried to block her from his thoughts, her sparkling emerald eyes burn through the haze, bringing her front and center stronger and faster the more he fought it.

He walked a ways, more than five blocks in the dark of night. He parked this far away to conceal himself a bit better from Hogan and to better spot a tail. He ay have decided to go on the straight and narrow as he grew up, unlike his brother, but he still retained some tricks of the trade, which now he intended to use to the fullest now that he decided to deviate from it.

He finally approached his car, got in, and headed to his apartment. Thoughts of Elizabeth entered his mind alongside those of Victoria, though the songstress took up more of the thoughts. He bothered. Not buy that, but by the fact that he was thinking about Victoria, a woman he had only just met, more than his fiance didn't bother him. He thought he should at least feel guilty, but the emotion woudn't enter his head, and it bothered him.

The two women battled it out in his head until he finally arrived at his apartment. He parked his car and was soon in his empty room. He decided to give Elizabeth a call. He promised her he would when he knew if he had the job. And hopefully hearing her voice would take his mind off Victoria. He picked up the phone.

*********

He knw Victoria couldn't see him following her. Hogan new the backstreets to her place better than she knew the standard. He hated cutting business deals short, especialy with such potential high earner like Ed Blake, but Hogan could never let intentional disrespect just pass. From what he knew of Blake from Joey and the guy's rep alone, it was a good choice. And the guy seemed willing to help out in Hogan' other ventures as well, and it was always nice to have multitaskers "on staff". Any further examinations of Edward would have to wait though. First came Victoria.

She wouldn't get anything as bad as Ted Miller and the other dame had gotten. She just needed to be reminded who's she was. And that was always a fun little time to be had for sure. He had his driver stop one he was suitably ahead of her. He went to an alleyway and waited. Soon he smelled her perfume and heard the sound of shoes on pavement. She walked by, not noticing him. Hogan stepped out from the shadows and began to follow.

"Time to have a litte fun Victoria," Hogan muttered low as he began to follow in earnest.

[Sinful_whispers]

Elizabeth rolled over looking at the wall as the phone rang, she pushed the blankets from hr and quickly ran out from the bedroom to grab it before it hung up answering it breathing heavily, "H-hello?"

She heard her fiancé's voice on the other end and out of nowhere Elizabeth felt anger, he hadn't called her in days like he had promised, things just were not adding up, his stories had to many holes in them and she was at the point where she was tired of it all. you don't ask somebody to marry you after you proclaimed all this love for them then skip town and don't stay in touch.

"Well its about time you call me, I've been waiting for days and then you call me in this ungodly hour of the night or should I say morning with a happy voice while you leave me here in Chicago...!"

Elizabeth was extremely upset and wanted to make sure Edward knew how she was feeling, "You tell me you love me, ask me to marry you, we get engaged and then sell your business out of the blue and skip town...Edward what the hell is going on with you...with us?"

She finally stopped talking and gave him a chance but she felt much better getting that off her chest. She didn't even want to look at the clock and see the time, she knew it was after midnight yet before morning. She was so glad to hear his voice and yet she wanted to cry because she felt hurt and left behind like this was the call that was the 'dear Elizabeth' letter.

X X X

Victoria walked along the dim light sidewalk, her heels sounding with each step taken, she never realized that anyone was following her and really wouldn't have cared with her head clouded with the image of Edward Blake inside it. His face was clear, his smile bright and the wink made her smile as she wrapped her arms around herself to keep her warm and moved her hands up and down her bare arms.

Looking down she watched as her dress bounced against her lower thighs, she lifted her head again as she walked by a dark alleyway and her pace picked up as it always did. She needed to buy a car, she needed to get away from Hogan, she needed to make it big....she needed and wanted to many things in life, she wanted happiness.

Victoria was still pissed about the comment Hogan made, her knew she didn't sleep around, hell he had a hard time with her giving up to him still to this day, she grumbled softly and looked ahead and just as she rounded a corner she seen a shadow from behind her cast over her as the streetlight shined down from behind.

She went to run, but in heels that wasn't very likely to happen, she went to turn...

[KatarHol]

As the phone rang, Ed waited nervously. He realized he'd been a bit neglectful of his fiance ever since Ted was killed, and it only got worse when he came down to New Orleans.

In seconds he heard a click and and her breathing. "H-hello?" he heard her say.

"Elizabeth," he said. "It's Edward."

Well its about time you call me, I've been waiting for days and then you call me in this ungodly hour of the night or should I say morning with a happy voice while you leave me here in Chicago...!"

Oh boy... Edward thought to himself.

"You tell me you love me, ask me to marry you, we get engaged and then sell your business out of the blue and skip town...Edward what the hell is going on with you...with us?"

Once he knew she had gotten it all out of her system, Edward spoke "Sweetheart, I'm sorry. I was just so overwhlemed with everything that's happened lately, and I needed to get my head together, think of a new plan you know?" he said.

"i know you must have been worried sick dear, but I have some good new for you. I found a new job. A good paying one too. I'm sending for you, wiring tickets to come down tomorrow."

"I can't wait to see you again my love," Edward said. " I already have a place to live and everything. I love you." With that he hung up the phone and walked the apartment. It was quite spacious, maybe even bigger than the one he shared with Elizabeth in Chicago. The furnishings were exsquisite as well, though he had decided to go with him less on his own tastes and more on what he though Elizabeth would like.

He went to the bar and poured himself a scotch, then walked to the window and looed outside, into the night. He sipped on the scotch, finding himself very eager to see Elizabeth again. She might be able to take his mind off the songstress.

Once again she entered his head. I wonder what she's doing now?" he thought to himself.

*******************

Hogan smirked to himself as he saw Victoria begin to increase her pace. He always found the chase fun, no matter how how it ended. It was a rush few were ever abe to treat themselves to.

He gazed at her legs, noting the high heels she was wearing. Not right for running, but perfect to accentuate her wonderful body, a body he was getting prepared to enjoy.

He rushed Victoria and grabbed her from behind, taking her into an alleyway. He pressed her facing the wall, holding her arms tight to her body. "Such a disturbing use of bad manners Victoria, and in fornt of the customers," Hogan said with a laugh, licking her shoulder. "What are we going to do about that dear?" He grabbed her wrists and moved her hand above her, making her place her hands flat on the wall in front of her. "Don't move those. Not one inch."

Hogan slowly moved his hands down her body, moving them to front to give her breasts a rough squeeze. From there they went to the hem of her dress, moving underneath the garment to grab on to her panties.

"I have some ideas on how you can make it up me though."

[Sinful_whispers]

"Sweetheart, I'm sorry. I was just so overwhelmed with everything that's happened lately, and I needed to get my head together, think of a new plan you know?" he said.

It wasn't as if she was cold-hearted Elizabeth knew how hard his brother's death was on Edward but she was hurt that he shut her out and closed her off from him and became secretive. "Edward, I know Teddy's death was unexpected and hard on you, and you also know that being in that type of work there was a chance something could happen, and it did and you reverted to this man I don't even know anymore. I respect how you feel I just don't like being shut out that's all." Elizabeth took a breath and left him speak again.

"I know you must have been worried sick dear, but I have some good new for you. I found a new job. A good paying one too. I'm sending for you, wiring tickets to come down tomorrow." He replied back to her.

"Tomorrow? Edward the house needs closed up if this is a permanent deal. I'm glad you found a new job that pays well, I am proud of you for keeping yourself on a path and I'll stop in and pick up the ticket in the morning when I go out but I won't be able to leave for two or three days. I don't wish to leave things a mess here at the house , it's still mine and its paid off, I'll work on closing it up and get my bags packed and leave in ...today is Tuesday, I'll leave Friday and the train should be there Sunday or Monday I'm not sure. I'll ask at the station today when I go get the ticket."

Elizabeth went silent for a minute and then exhaled, "I had all these thoughts Edward running through my head and the worst one was thinking you just up and left me...."

"I can't wait to see you again my love, I already have a place to live and everything. I love you." He said as she smiled on the other end.

"I needed to hear those words Edward...It's been to long. I love you to and please call me before Friday morning so I can tell you when I'll be arriving and where, so you can be there waiting...." she said and then went back to his previous statement. "You going to tell me what kind of job you found or you want to wait?"

There was crackling in the phone and she knew either the line was tapped or the storm that was supposed to set in was about to. "I love you Mr. Blake " she said before the line went dead, not sure he heard her but she hung the phone up and leaned against the wall with her fingers curled about the receiver and felt the tears well within her eyes.

Elizabeth stepped back and reached for a handkerchief and dabbed her eyes, he was safe and alive and still loved her, she was relieved. She made a cup of tea and yawned as she sat in the darkness of her parlor and just let her mind wander to the new life she'd have with Edward in the south, a place she'd never been before, part of her afraid, part excited.

XXX

Victoria's pace quickened as she turned around, at first she didn't see Hogan's face, he grabbed her from behind and pulled her into the alleyway. Her heart raced in her chest as he covered her mouth not allowing her to scream out. his hand was big enough to cover her nose as well stopping her from breathing for a few minutes.

She felt the rough wall against her body where the material of her black beaded dress didn't cover, the brick was cold and felt damp as he pushed her harder pinning her there between him and it. His hands pinned her arm as she finally gasped for a breath, she pondered screaming but when she opened her mouth nothing came out.

"Such a disturbing use of bad manners Victoria, and in front of the customers, what are we going to do about that dear? Don't move those. Not one inch." Hogan said as he laughed in this dark demented way while she felt his fingers wrap around her wrists and pull her arms up over her head telling her not to move.

Victoria thought maybe at first he was just messing with her but she knew the truth...he wasn't, he was serious, the tone of his voice told her that. He had never did this to her before and she feared him, she knew what he was capable of.

His hands moved along her body while she said nothing at all, breathing slowly as her mind spun quickly. She thought about using her heel and jabbing his foot or bringing it up to his crotch but she knew if she did anything he would have her killed quickly and most likely her body wouldn't ever be found.

His hands came around and grasped her breasts as she whimpered feeling how rough he was with her. Victoria was enjoying this at all, it did nothing for her in the least, not an inkling of excitement felt within her as he put a hand up her dress and yanked on her panties pulling them down.

"I have some ideas on how you can make it up me though." he said to her ear.

"Please Hogan don't...don't do this just take me home Hogan...I'm sorry for saying that but you started it first that was uncalled for that comment you know better...I'm not easy" Victoria said as she knew he wasn't about to stop, she was about to be degraded and humiliated by him to teach her a lesson.

[KatarHol]

"Please Hogan don't...don't do this just take me home Hogan...I'm sorry for saying that but you started it first that was uncalled for that comment you know better...I'm not easy"

"If this was the first time you had such an outburst, then we could have just "talked" it out," Hogan said. "But honey, we both now this isn't the first time." Hogan tugged her panties down just enough to expose her to the air, then tore them off in one quick, savage movement. He heard he exhale in surprise at this, making a smile cross his face.

"Don't be scared dear," he said in a soft whisper, bringing his lips to her ear. "You know full well we can both enjoy this." Frankly Hogan didn't care if she did or not, but he didn't want a bruised and angry singer. That just wasn't good for business, not at all. Not even his own carnal desires would get in the middle of him and his one true love; his money. Though he had t admit, the way the moon light played so well with her skin, that while he wouldn't cal what he felt for Victoria loved, she was a fine, fine example of valuable property.

With one hand he moved back up and to her front, reaching under her dress to play with her breasts again, but in a softer manner, circing his fingers around her nipples, softly caressing the flesh. He smelled her hair, breathing deep the scent, and kiss the back of her neck.

His other hand when to his pants, undoing them and bringng them to his knees. He flipped her skirt up jut enough to fully expose her as and rubbed the head of his cock on the delciious rear end before him. His hand then moved again to her front, but lower, under her skirt to her pussy, lighty carresing the lips before dipping his fingers in.

"I'm nt such a bad guy, am I Victoria?" he asked. His kissed her, nibbling a bit from her shoulder to her neck. "We have fun. Let's have fun now babe." Hogan removed his hand from her pussy and grabbed one of her, gently bringing it down to his cock, putting her hand on it. "Feels good in your hand doesn't it?"

[Sinful_whispers]

"If this was the first time you had such an outburst, then we could have just "talked" it out, but honey, we both now this isn't the first time." Hogan said from over her shoulder.

Victoria went to say something and then felt her panties pulled from her rounded firm cheeks and the cold night air rushing between her thighs, and before she knew it she felt the silken material tugged against her legs pulling her back from the hips down as he savagely tore them from her hips. "You still have NO right saying that about me" she cried out and felt her flesh where the panties were about her legs burning from the abrasion where he yanked it tightly and pulled. "Stop it Hogan...stop it now!" she cried out as he pinned her even tighter against the cold wall.


"Don't be scared dear, You know full well we can both enjoy this." He whispered to her ear. Veronica wasn't enjoying it one bit, in fact she hated sex with him, she hated him period and it was going to show sooner or later as this was getting out of hand.

She felt his hand slip under her dress bringing it up as he went for her breast, this time he wasn't as rough as he was the first time he touched her. Victoria almost liked it, he knew all her spots that turned her on, she was trying to fight it, trying not to give into him.

His other hand came around and moved between her thighs as his rough fingertips began to move along her lips caressing as his heated breaths were felt upon her neck and ear. She tried to turn her head and look out to the street but there was nothing there, nobody not a car...nothing.

"I'm not such a bad guy, am I Victoria? We have fun. Let's have fun now babe." He said kissing her.

Victoria closed her eyes and just let him do his thing as she tried to think of something else, her mind went to Edward, she closed her eyes tighter and in her head she imagined him behind her, she imagined his hands upon her as she gasped a breath.

She hear him undo his pants and then felt his weight upon her again as she tried harder to block him out, the smell of the booze on his breath as her body felt the roughness of the wall she was against feeling it against her exposed flesh, "please stop this Hogan...please...now! this is getting out of hand."

XXX

'Elizabeth couldn't sleep so she began to clean the house and started covering up furniture with sheets to keep the dust off of it, she went through the cabinets and cold box looking over the food she had recently bought, packing some away for the ride on the train and then began packing her clothing wanting to make sure she took as much as she could manage, and that was with help of a porter.

it was going to be a long day for her, she had so much to do and she knew by the afternoon she'd be slowing down and take a nap. She smiled thinking about what he said to her, her mood shifted from the sad fol one she was in to more a happy one as the morning progressed. there wasn't much to do at that hour, so she diddled about the house some more.

[KatarHol]

"You still have NO right saying that about me" Victoria said, making Hogan chuckle a bit.

"No right? You're kiddin, right Vicki? I MADE you. Everything you have is because of me, and I think I deserve a bit of respect, and fun, every now and then." Hogan didn't want to et rough, but with how Victoria was acting tonight, she wasn't giving him much choice. Her outburst in the bar, now this, non of this pleased him.

He bent his knees a bit to rub his cock along her slit, returning her hand to the wall, making her place it down flat. "Stop it Hogan...stop it now!"

"You're being more difficult than necesary dear," Hpgan said, struggling to keep his composure. He took the torn panties that he had placed in his pockets and brought them to her face. "Am I going to have to restrain you? I know you don't like that. So why don't you just calm down so we can both have a little fun?"

He put the torn gamrent in his jacket's breast pocket as he once agaun began to kiss her neck and shoulders, his fingers on her breasts now pinching and tugging them, but not too hard, he was still willing to play this nicely.

He pulled her as to him, feeling her warm flesh against his, making sure she felt his hardness on her rump. "All for you Victoria," he breathed into her ear. Hogan began to finger her again, priming her, getting ready for what was to come. His cock was as hard as it ever was, ready and willing to drive into her hot and tight cunt. It'd been far too long in his estimation since he'd gotten to feel the warm velvet feel of Victoria. She'd been dodging him lately. In his estimation, they had a lot of time to make up for. And he was going t savor everythng she had to offer him, maybe more than that if she continued acting so ungrateful.

"please stop this Hogan...please...now! this is getting out of hand."

"I ain't the one who made it get out of hand Vicki. You need to keep that temper in check." He removed he fingers from her cunt and brought them to her mouth, putting them in. "And no snapping at the boss."

He turned her to face him and looked Victoria straight in the eyes. "You're a nothing without me, and right now, I don't feel too appreciated, it's time for you to show me some appreciation. Got it?"


**********

Ed sighed deeply and he began to get ready for slumber. Talking to Elizabeth had indeed taken his mind off Victoria, temporarily at least. Now she wa there again, on a stage inhis mind, singing only for him.

Here eyes, those emerald jewels had pierced him well. He couldn't shake her. And this just made his self-appointed mission that much more difficult. How could he avenge his brother if he was going to make the same mistake Ted did?

He'd have to keep his distance from Victoria, be aloof. And hopefully when Elizabeth did arrive, there'd be no more issues. But as he looked at his own reflection in the mirror and still heard her song in his head, something told him that was a pipe dream.

Looking at his reflection also brought memories of his brother to light. Ted may have been older, but the two had always acted like twins, and got in more than enough trouble for quintuplets. Ed had the battle scars to prove it. The knife cut across his chest was perhaps the biggest reminder, it was the one that made him wal the straight and narrow, for the most part, at 17. It'd been years since he even rasied his fists, let alone lift up a weapon. At 28, Ed was a man of peace getting ready for total war.

"For you Teddy, Ed said as he turned from the mirror. "He'll pay."

[Sinful_whispers]

"No right? You're kidding, right Vicki? I MADE you. Everything you have is because of me, and I think I deserve a bit of respect, and fun, every now and then." He said to her as she could hear the way his voice changed.

He placed her hands back against the wall making her hold them flat against the jagged stone and cement. Victoria felt the tip of his cock rub along her slit from the back as she rested her cheek against the wall hoping that if she didn't comply, if she didn't move that he would give up and just let her go home.

"You're being more difficult than necessary dear, Am I going to have to restrain you? I know you don't like that. So why don't you just calm down so we can both have a little fun?" He said to her as he grabbed her torn panties and held them to her face threatening to restrain her as she went to turn her face scraping her cheek against the jagged edge of cement where it pushed out between two bricks.

Victoria whimpered and cried out, as he pushed his hips forth holding her there as he was about to enter her. His large rough hands went back to her breasts, his fingers and thumbs rolled and pinched her nipples, she gasped out feeling him release them only to do it again. "All for you Victoria," Hogan said kissing her as he pushed his cock between her cheeks making sure she felt how hard he was for her, and there was no way she couldn't feel his stiff meat as he grinded against her.

His hand dropped down again and came up between her creamy thighs making her part them wider as his thick middle finger pushed into her slightly wet hole, he began to move it in and back out getting her ready to take him, either willingly or by force. Victoria had been able to dodge him for the past few times he's wanted it from her and it was about to catch up to her now.

She begged him to stop again and again, and it didn't help she figured it only egged him out with her please to stop and let her go. "I ain't the one who made it get out of hand Vicki. You need to keep that temper in check and no snapping at the boss." he said to her ear, as he pulled back his finger from her cunt. Victoria knew if he went to enter her now it would hurt, there wasn't enough lubrication...wetness to take him in a swift thrust which she knew would be happening.

He gripped her face my her chin and turned her head as she once again felt the sharpness of the cement against her face. "You're a nothing without me, and right now, I don't feel too appreciated, it's time for you to show me some appreciation. Got it?"

Victoria whimpered again, "yes-s-s-s Hogan I got it damn it..." She knew she had to give in or she would be in trouble, he was much larger than her in size and a dangerous man. Victoria yanked her chin from his hand and turned her face and just closed her eyes forgetting the booze on his breath, the way he smelt of stale cigars and left her mind go back to Edward once again hoping that would make this all bearable.

Her tears were silent as she felt them roll down her cheeks not wanting him to see them and bring him even more pleasure than taking her already did.

[KatarHol]

"yes-s-s-s Hogan I got it damn it..." Victoria said, turning her face to the wall.

"That's all I wanted to hear my lovely," Hogan responded. "Could have done without the swear word though." He lifted her skirt up, fully exposing her firm ass and slapped it hard, leaving a red hand print on the cheek. "Bad girl." He reached back over to her slit and once again inserted his fingers. TO his dissapointment, she wasn't wet enough. He could have just thrust right in, but it wouldn't have felt quite as good.

"Dammit," he said under his breath. "Better get ready right quick deary," he rowled, pistoning his fingers into her faster and faster. After a few more minutes, he figured she was wet enough and withdrew his fingers, forcing them into her mouth as his free hand lined his cock up with her slit.
"Yes!" Hogan growled as he entered her with one quick thrust. Her gripped her hips tightly, his hands holding tight to her soft flesh.

He leaned his face forced, his mouth reaching for hers in a rough, animalistic kiss. His hand moved from her hips to her breasts, grasping them hard as he increased his pace.

"So. Fucking. Tight," Hogan said, accentuating each wrd with an especially hard thrust, the last one almost lifting Victoria of the ground. "Feels so damn good, doesn't it Victoria? Such a good whore you are." He laughed as he said that. He knew it would get under her skin. He didn't know why he liked it, he just knew he did. He began to hear her gasping and moaning a bit. He smiled and began to go harder into her. "I knew you'd love it. You love every fucking moment of it, every time, huh Vicki?"

He began to nibble and bite on the flesh of her shoulder as he rocketed closer and closer to orgasm. "Gonna fill you up babe," he grunted in her ear. He pressed her tighter against the wall.

With every thrust, Hogan got closer. The only sound in the darkened alleyway aside from them was the drips of water from pipes and rustling in the garbage bins.

Soon, with an amost animalistic growl, he came inside her, giving her a few after thrusts to savor the moment. When he was all done, Hogan pulled out of Victoria, giving her another slap on the ass. "Good job babe," he said as he pulled his pants up. He took out a cigar and began to light up, taking a few puffs. He reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a cigarette case. He tossed one to the wall, right next to Victoria's head.

"My treat toots," Will said as the cigarettes hit the ground. He walked to her face and gave her a kiss, licking her cheek before he parted. "The new guy starts tomorrow," Hogan said, not even bother to look at her. "Be nice. And clean yourself up." He chuckled a bit then walked out the alley and to his car, parked right in the alley across from them, he made sure to give Victoria full view of it before his driver let him in and drove off.

[Sinful_whispers]

"That's all I wanted to hear my lovely, could have done without the swear word though." he said to her as he lifted the bottom of her dress even higher as Victoria felt the chilly nights air upon her bare cheeks and the goose bumps to follow that appeared upon her flesh. "Bad girl" he said as she felt a rather large hand connect to her cold flesh, the sting felt upon her rounded cheek as he smacked her bottom and then once again his hand came around and cupped her cunt and she felt him drive a finger inside her fuck hole again feeling how NOT turned on she was.

"Dammit, better get ready right quick deary," Hogan growled out as he finger fucked her pussy trying to make it wet with enough lubrication to get his dick in her , Victoria squirmed against the wall scraping her stomach and felt relief after he yanked his digit from her hole as she exhaled a deep breath. She heard a light slurping sound and then felt his hand behind her as he forced himself into her in a single thrust making her cry out into the night. Her voice echoed in the alleyway but there was nobody to hear her and even if there was nobody would have come to her aid when they seen it was Hogan.

She smelt the stale booze and cigar scent as his face pressed to hers his mouth hungry as he kissed her hard and pile drove her snatch with his thick meat. His weight forced her harder against the wall as he grunted and groaned while fucking her at a quicker pace.

Victoria closed her eyes and left her mind drift again and Edward's face came into her head, she could hear his voice as she tried to block Hogan's out, trying to make his heavy breathing ignored but she was finding it hard to do. His hands released her breasts and moved to her hips gripping them so tightly she knew there would be bruises where his fingertips and thumbs were.

"So. Fucking. Tight," He growled as she was lifted to her tippy toes and almost up from the ground as her body scraped the wall. her hands stayed flat against the cold brick as she curled the tips of her fingers and her nails raked the wall.

"Feels so damn good, doesn't it Victoria? Such a good whore you are." Hearing that pissed Victoria off, he knew all the right words to say as her smaller body slammed back into his forcing every inch of his turgid cock in her, piercing her as he slammed her back into the wall as she gasped and moaned out.

"I knew you'd love it. You love every fucking moment of it, every time, huh Vicki?" Hogan said into her ear, she hated being called Vicki and Hogan knew it doing it on purpose just to piss her off even more. Victoria rammed her ass back and tried pushing him away but that didn't work as he grunted and groaned out thinking she was getting into it. "Gonna fill you up babe," He said to her ear in a heavy breath.

She groaned softly hearing his words, she tried pulling away but to no avail. Victoria felt his cock throbbing within her slightly moist walls as he continued to pound her cunt full of his long hard cock. A hot gush was felt within her as he exploded and his cum poured into her cunt, splashing her inner walls as he continued to pump himself in her making sure he marked his songbird bitch, making sure she smelt like him, making sure she knew she was his now and up till the time he said he was done with her.

He yanked his cock from her leaving her there against the wall her dress up and another smack administered against her ass cheek and once more the sound echoed. "Good job babe," Hogan said and done up his pants and pulled out a cigar biting the end off it and lighting it, Victoria watched as she smoke came in her direction as he purposefully blew it into her face.

"My treat toots," he said as he flicked a cigarillo against the wall as it dropped to the ground. Victoria didn't even look at him or the offering she just wanted him to go away, to leave her alone as she stayed against the wall. "The new guy starts tomorrow, be nice and clean yourself up." He said as she listened to his foot steps as they grew more distant as each one was heard.

Victoria turned her head and looked as Hogan stopped and stood there making sure she seen him before he got into the car and sped away. It was then that she tugged her dress down over her rounded bottom and reached up and pushed the stray strands of hair behind her ears as she lifted her foot and stepped on the smoke he left behind and just crushed it under her heel.

She quickly composed herself and left the alleyway making it home as fast as she could where she stripped her clothing off and filled a hot basin full of soapy water and cleaned herself up. She had light bruises forming on her hips as she predicted and a few scrapes across her one cheek on her high cheek bone as well as her stomach. Victoria dried herself up and crawled into bed and wept till she found sleep and drifted off to vivid dreams of Hogan and Edward, good verses bad but it was always Hogan that won in her dreams as they repeated over and over in her head making her sleep restless.

[KatarHol]

For a first day, Edward Blake was settling into the groove of things fairly quick. It was fairly similar to his own place, a reputable restaurant by day, speak easy by night. The only difference he could tell was the restaurant was no where near as profitiable as his was.

Back in Chicago, Ed's restaurant actually made more money than the bar, despite all the legitamte costs of running one. The best he could figure was the only business Hogan new anything about was under the table. Such a style was sloppy, and would end up hurting his plan if too much attention was brought to the joint, too many questions beings asked, such as How is that place still in business?

Not that the speak easy was pulling pulling in outstanding numbers either. From what he could tell, Victoria was the chief money maker, and even with those sizeable numbers, the place wasn't doing as well as it could. The weight shouldn't be all on her, that might be a bit too much pressure for anyone.

He started to day by telling the day cooking staff, it was time for menu revisions, and for the night staf, he ws working on some drinks he did back home.

He mixed one and poured some in a tumbler for himself. He set it by his club sandwhich he had made, ready for his meal before the night side opened when Victoria walked into the area.

He noticed a cratch on her cheek which piqued his curiosity, but he also hoped she would go straight to her dressing room. But another parted of him wished more that she would come to the bar.

[Sinful_whispers]

Victoria had a rough night of sleep, she tossed and turned all night and by the time the sun came up she was laying there in bed in her small apartment watching it. The night re-played back over and over in her head from when she first met Edward to the whole dirty encounter with Hogan which made her tears flow once again as she laid there naked under the sheets.

She really didn’t feel like going to the joint at all today, she wanted to stay in bed and just sleep and sleep and sleep even more till she couldn’t anymore. She didn’t want to face Hogan; she wasn’t in the mood for another snide ignorant comment from him before all. She knew who she was, and she knew he did as well but he loved to goat her, to rattle her chain and with him saying shit like that he doesn’t realize it only makes the men crawl up her ass even more.

Not all men feared Hogan, but most did; there was a small stupid slice of the equation that dared approach her. Usually there was a side kick of Hogan’s to chase him away and take care of him making sure he knew to stay away from her. Victoria figured that it was Hogan’s sick fucking little game he liked to play with her as a pawn piece, she knew one day he would get his; he was getting in to deep and was pissing a few other mobsters off from the rumors and little whispers she was hearing.

Victoria crawled out of bed and grabbed a small bite to eat and then went back to bed and just slept the whole day away. By evening she dragged her ass out of bed and washed up. She sat before her vanity and looked at herself deeply and folded her arms wishing that she was anywhere else but there. Opening her eyes she knew she’d still be sitting here in her small apartment getting ready to go to the speak-easy and perform.

Once her make up was done and she put her hair up upon her head she sighed seeing the scrapes upon her cheek, nothing covered them and the more she tried the more they were visible. She washed her face and added a light dusting of make up like she normally did and then stood up and slipped out of her robe and picked a dark blue sequined short flapper dress that hung nicely upon her hips with row after row of dangling pieces that caught the light just right as she moved and caused her to glisten like oceans waters when the sun shined across it on the horizon.

She settled on the vanity stool and rolled a stocking up and hooked it to the garter and then did the other one as she poked about trying to wait till the last minute she needed to leave. She slipped her feet into her heels and bucked the straps, and then stood up and slipped on her red fox shawl around her shoulders.

Victoria pinned the small royal blur hat on her head, tilting it a bit as she pulled the short veil down over her eyes and adjusted the feather from the side of it and gave herself a once over before the mirror before lighting a cigarillo and headed out the door of her apartment.

Once she got to the outside of the joint, her stomach turned. She stopped there right outside the door away from it as it opened and closed fast. She took a deep breath and went in, the smell of stale smoke and booze was hit like a brick wall. She walked through the crowd and right past the bar glancing at Edward briefly and went directly into her dressing room and closed the door behind her as she sat there and checked her make up, removing her hat and shawl.

She had twenty minutes before she needed to be out there to entertain the crowd, she reached and took a sip of the warm water in the glass on her vanity and placed it back down. She smoked another and then stood up and turned around looking over her small dressing room. She knew she could do better…why didn’t she just take off and leave she asked herself as she glanced at the dingy walls…she knew the answer, there was no place for her to go.

[KatarHol]

Hogan stepped out of his office, a big grin on his face. He always had a spring in his step when he had a taste of Victoria. And now that he had someone to look after his place with a closer eye than he had been able to, he could go to a hotel of ill-respute he owned and have several tastes fo more grateful women.

And if any of 'em can sing, maybe Victoria'll become an opener...or a busser. he thought to himself with a smirk. Recently she had become more and more of a diffcult little creature to work with. So ungrateful. Did she know he was looking for a replacement for her? No, it coudn't have been that. The thought didn't even enter his head until her recent attitude problems with him. Could he find a better singer? Doubtful. But one more apprecitive? Definitely.

At least Blake seemed to be a bright spot for business. From what he saw of the guys' plans and his rep, more money was going to be put in Hogan's pockets. More money made for a happier Hogan, and maybe a way to keep Victoria in line.

Just as the name crossed his mind, the woman entered, rushing past him and directly into her dressing room. Perfect. COulda swrong I told her to be nice on the new guy's first day. Will thought for a moment about giving her one of his patented talks, but it was on too much of a shrt notice to find a replacement for the two weeks she'd have her mouth wired shut. That was a ough week for money anyhow.

He couldn't worry about Victoria right now. That headache was Drake's now. He would just ahve to take all that energy out on some other lucky lady tonight.

Still, he headed over to the bar to give Drake a head's up on Victoria's dispostion, and her usual routine.

********

It seemed Edward had gotten one of his wishes when Victoria went right past him with barely glance, heading directly to her dressing room.

"You're in for a fun night Blake," Hogan said with a sneer. He walked up and stood at the bar, tapping his fingers upon it. "She looks to be in one of her moods."

"Moods?" Ed asked. Like any other woman, like Elizabeth he thought.

"Performers. Women. Put 'em both together, nightmare." Hogan laughed a little harderr at this then what it actually warranted.

"Just bring some food and walk on eggshells around the princess, she might actually be civil tomorrow." Edward was going to say something back, but Hogan had already made his way to the door, his men in tow. Ed shrugged and went back to the kitchen and whipped up a quick chicken breast sandwhich for Victoria. He also got her a picture of ice water, and headed to the dressing room.

He knocked on the door, awaiting the worse from what Hogan had said. Maybe if she was like that his mind would be taken off of her. But once again that other part of him wanted Hogan's words t be lies or exagerration, giving him a reason to grasp his neck tighter when the time came.

[Sinful_whispers]

Victoria wanted to be away from Hogan as far as she could, she didn’t want to hear his voice or smell his funky stale cigar breath, or see the sight of him. She still felt the pain where he pushed her hard against the brick building; the scrapes on her face and stomach painful reminders. She knew it was time to take a serious look at her relationship (if that’s what it’s called) with Hogan.

She didn’t even understand why he needed her as a fuck partner or a girlfriend, she hardly gave it up and when she did she never really placed a lot of effort into it, most of the time he just did as he pleased, got off and went along his merry fucking happy way. Victoria sighed softly and placed her face in her hands, closed her eyes and just tried to forget about it before she went out on stage.

Being out there took her away from reality, Hogan and anything else that bothered her. She needed to be one of those princess’s in a fairy tale and taken away by the prince. He didn’t even need to have money; he just needed to respect her as she would him. There was so much more to her and nobody even had a chance to see it and enjoy that side of her, then again she never found one that deserved to by pass that stone wall and see the real her.

The sounds of his footsteps were heavy, she cringed as they grew closer and the wooden floor creaked under him. Victoria held her breath and almost felt a tremble within her as they stopped outside her door; she held her breath and then released it once she heard him continue on past it without opening and entering.

Victoria wanted to cry; she was in a dark place in her life and didn’t see a way out of it. She heard a knock at her dressing room door and swallowed hard once again as she knew it couldn’t be Hogan because he just pushes it open.

Opening the door she stood there making eye contact with Edward. Her eyes drop as she sees the plate and looks back up and smiles, “You are so sweet Edward, I am starving tonight. This is very thoughtful of you; I cannot remember the last time a man brought me anything to eat without asking. Thank you Edward, please step in and place it on the vanity table if you wouldn’t mind.

She watched as he stepped in and closed the door behind him as she smiled for the first time since the night before.

XXX

Elizabeth surprised herself and got everything done she wanted to do, she went and picked up her tickets and stuffed them in her purse and asked a few questions so she knew where she would be stopping ahead of time.

She entered the bank and took out a vast amount of money and left some there just so she knew there was a bit left for her incase she ever needed it. The rain began to fall as she exited the bank, she popped open her umbrella and made her way down the street as she kept to herself.

Once back home she tucked the money away in a safe place knowing how dangerous it was to travel with such a big amount. She was feeling the excitement of going to a new place as well as the fear, not knowing anyone but Edward; she had hoped she wasn’t making a mistake.

The rest of the evening she decided to finish whatever was left to do, make something to eat and then settle and read her book so her nerves would be calmed and she would be able to sleep as she planned on leaving the following morning as the man told her it would take a day longer than normal due to work on the tracks.

[KatarHol]

“You are so sweet Edward, I am starving tonight. This is very thoughtful of you; I cannot remember the last time a man brought me anything to eat without asking. Thank you Edward, please step in and place it on the vanity table if you wouldn’t mind."

Yeah, real nightmare. Ed thought to himself. Anyone that rubbed Hogan the wrong way had to be an all right person. And in Victoria's case maybe more. He didn't want to have these kind of thoughts. And not just because of the distraction it served to what he was here to do, but because of Elizabeth. She was his fiance. Feeling anything more than acctraction to Victoria wasn't just odd, considering they'd only just barely met, but wrong. If it was just a physical thing, he could deal with it. He accepted it as apossibility if he was really going to infiltrate Hogan's operation. But anything more had to be out of the question. Victoria had to be out of the question. Especially with Elizabeth arriving in town soon.

He placed the food and water on the vanity as Victoria had asked. He looked at her and once again noticed a tiny scratch on her cheek. He almsot asked her about it, then thought better.

"I hope you have yourself a great show tonight Veronica," he said as headed to the door. "You certainly were amazing last night.