"If you're gonna live in Chicago, grow a pair of eyes in the back of your head" [OPEN

[Virgil_Mayhap]

"Grow a pair of eyes in the back of your head, or you die in Chicago" [CLOSED]

Thread is now CLOSED I love comments but please use private messages. Thanks!

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Modern day Chicago is free of its history of corruption. Both the Democratic Machine and Capone's influence have decayed over time, leaving the city generally safe and free of sinister influence.

At least, that's what you're told to believe.

In truth, organized crime is stronger than ever. Only now it is more sophisticated, technologically savvy, and ruthless than before. The decaying brick buildings that once held speakeasies now are host to elaborate chemistry labs generating designer drugs. Mobsters no longer hang out in sleazy clubs; they operate from sleek high-rise fortifications. The kingpin, known only as Bishop, observes the city with a network of cameras and spies. The paranoia in his operation runs deep, every pawn feels his eyes.

Akeley Crew runs various "daily operations" for Bishop. On Monday he slit the throat of a DEA agent and on Tuesday he had a business lunch with the Mayor. At 30, he is relatively young to hold such a vital position. No-one knows the how he got the job, but his notorious reputation makes people think if Bishop didn't accept him, Mr. Crew would have simply taken power for himself.

Bishop needs Akeley, but is ever suspicious and paranoid. To keep tabs on his right-hand-man Bishop needs a spy. Through private channels Bishop recruits a young woman with the pretense that she is to expose Akeley as a police mole. Is she good enough to figure out the truth herself? Or is Akeley actually working with the government? She better be one hell of a spy, and she better grow eyes in the back of her head. As they say in Chicago...

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Other open scenes by the author:
The Corporate Influence

 

[SortOfBeautiful]

Crystal Hudson had already been briefed weeks ago. While she had many jobs assigned to her coming up, her main mission and goal, was to look into Mr. Crew and just find out what dark secrets he was hiding, and if he had any hidden agendas. Or hidden identities. You could never been too careful, especially with a man who proved to be quite skilled in what he did. The government had its own spies, and it was clear that Bishop was paranoid. But none of them could risk information getting in the wrong hands, or their whole operation would cease to exist.

"If you notice anything out of place, or inconsistent, I need to know. You'll report to Jenkins twice a week. And if you find he's working both sides...take care of him." Bishop had told Crystal. It didn't take a genius to figure out how he wanted her to 'take care' of him.

But damn it, Crystal wasn't an assassin. She was a spy, a con artist, and sometimes and a thief. But she wasn't a killer, unless her own life depended on it. If Akeley really was in the wrong, she'd worry about that when the time called for it.

For now, Crew's set-up was a fake mission. Well, it was really a mission within a mission. Bishop had a few ties and allies in the political field, and with a new election coming up in a few short months, he was determined to bring a rival politician's scandal into the light of the public to help his 'client' increase his ratings. All they needed to do was search the politician's house for clues, or find the sex tape with his curvy, underage assistant, and bring it back to Bishop to use as he pleased. All the while, with Crystal gathering information about Akeley.

It wouldn't be out of the ordinary; a lot of Bishop's employees often times doubled up, or worked with others. This just so happened to be Crystal's first time working with Mr. Crew. She had worked there a few years more than him, but he definitely had built up his reputation quite fast.

So, Crystal changed in to a sexy, but sophisticated dress to fit in at the gala cocktail party at the current Mayor's house. Due to Bishop's connections, and some of Crystal's friends on the inside who knew her as Crystal Bailey from a recent con, they were able to get two invites to the event.

Crystal waited for Mr. Crew in the back of the limo that was parked in their meeting place, and she tapped her fingers lightly on her thigh as one leg was crossed over the other.

"He's not really a punctual man, is he?" She called out to the driver, who only shrugged.

 

[Virgil_Mayhap]

Annoyed would be a generous word to describe Akeley. Every once in a while Bishop gets it in his mind that he is a brilliant tactician and proposes elaborate plans that often end up no-where. The plan du-jour seemed beneath Akeley; it was fairly well known that the Mayor had his fingers where he shouldn't. Added insult was weighing him down with a partner. Crew knew of Crystal and respected her work, but he would prefer to choose his own accomplices.

"You're a fucking fool, Bishop" were the last words he spoke as he left his boss' office. The discussion had taken much longer than expected and the sun was setting. He was expected to meet his partner downstairs; not giving him any time to change out of his suit. In the elevator he slipped a small handgun into the inner breast pocket of his jacket, sprayed a single press off cologne on his wrists, and did his best to straighten his messy hair and regain his composure.

"A limo..." Crew shook his head as he left the lobby of the building. Without hesitation he opened the door, sliding in over the leather seats. He ignored the single passenger as he reached for the mini bar, pouring himself a finger of rum. "Why are you here?" He finally speaks after a sip of liquor. "Do you need someone to introduce you to the Mayor?" his voice is deep and rumbles through the small cabin of the limo, but the sarcasm weighs heavy.

 

[SortOfBeautiful]

"Why are you here? Do you need someone to introduce you to the Mayor?"

Quite the charmer, this Akeley Crew was. If this was another day on the job, Crystal Hudson would tell him to go fuck himself. She didn't have time with this, and actually took her job seriously. But no...she had to remember her real job here. She had to get close to this guy, and she probably wouldn't be able to do that by cursing at him like a sailor. But then again, she still refused to fawn over him. Even if he looked ridiculously handsome in a suit, the bastard.

"Don't play stupid, we both know why I'm here. So, here's what's going to happen," She started, getting it all out of the way. So much for introductions.

"You're going to not get drunk, and we're going to go in to that party as a couple. When the Mayor makes his wonderful speech before dinner, that's when we're going to slip away and look for the files. Got it?" Crystal looked back at him cautiously with her blue eyes, skeptical already about how this was going to turn out. How the hell could she work with a man who clearly had his ego inflated so much, and didn't like working with another person? Or perhaps it was more personal; he didn't like working with a woman.

"We're ready, Ted." She nodded to the driver, who pulled away from the curb and drove to the party.

"What am I supposed to call you, anyway?"

 

[Virgil_Mayhap]

"You're going to not get drunk"
Akeley tips up the bottom of his glass and finishes his drink, pouring another one even taller. He can't help but admire the fire in Crystal's voice and a smile creeps onto his full lips. Before he sips at his second drink he can't help but wonder why his new partner is so committed to such a trivial task. Is this her biggest responsibility? Perhaps his estimation of Hudson's esteem was inflated.

"What am I supposed to call you, anyway?"
"Handsome" The second drink vanishes down his throat. Relaxed a bit, Akeley takes in the lovely lady sitting across from him. He silently thanks Bishop for at least having the courtesy to include a treat for the eyes. "Bishop didn't mention we were lovers. Is that something you came up with, because I can certainly oblige."

The limo pauses at a light and Crew glances out the window, always scanning for cars trailing or a suspicious camera flash. His silent gaze returns to his partner. The blue in his eyes looks like a kaleidoscopic as the red and green street lights bounce off the lens. The dark leather seats of the limo contrast with Crystal's light dress and he can't help but imagine the celebration that will take place on the very same seat after they steal whatever nonsense she has her mind set to.

 

[SortOfBeautiful]

With a tough man to figure out like Akeley Crew, Bishop had picked Crystal for the obvious reasons. Her beauty was one of them, but she played by the rules, did her research and got the job done. She knew how to con her way into any situation. Unfortunately for her, there was only so much she learn about a man who apparently had secrets and kept them well. So, each move this man made beside her, and every word he spoke, was just as unpredictable as the next. She didn't like that.

Crystal watched with intense, glaring eyes as he boldly poured himself another drink. God, she hoped he could hold his liquor, because the last thing she needed was him blowing their cover.

"Bishop didn't mention we were lovers. Is that something you came up with, because I can certainly oblige."

Taken aback, Crystal's glossy mouth opened in surprise, for once not having an immediate comeback. She wanted so much to be herself, to tell this man off and cut him up with her words. But no, she'd play nice, for Bishop's sake. For her job's sake, because she didn't want to imagine what kind of punishment waited for her if she couldn't spend one night with this man. Akeley's arrogance definitely kept up with his reputation.

"Bishop gives us the job, not the con. I would introduce you at the party as my retarded brother, but unfortunately, a few at this party already know who you are. So that won't work." Crystal's blues looked back at his, and it was hard to ignore the tension that was building between the two where they sat. She wasn't quite sure exactly what kind of tension it was, but it made her uncomfortable, and her heart in her chest pounded a little harder than usual. It was probably the frustration with her partner.

When Ted pulled up to the front gate of the Mayor's house, Crystal looked away from him so she could look outside at the line of cars already pulling up to the front of the house as they drove down the long driveway.

"Don't screw this up." She grumbled at him, then wore her brightest smile as the door beside her was opened, and one long leg after the other, Crystal accepted the hand of the valet and stepped outside.

 

[Virgil_Mayhap]

"I would introduce you at the party as my retarded brother, but unfortunately, a few at this party already know who you are."
Akeley can't help but break into a burst of laughter as the lady he was eyeing dodges his words and returns a punch. Her tension is obvious and it confuses him. Walking into a party and grabbing a home-made porno is hardly a critical task for two top-tier employees of a crime syndicate. If anything, she should be happy to get a night away from shaking down store owners and breaking knees - or whatever it is Bishop has her normally doing.

When the limo pulls up Crew steps out on the opposite side, and during the brief moment she loses direct sight of him Crystal thinks she hears his muffled voice, but there is no-one else within earshot.

"Don't screw this up."
He walks around the limo and hooks her arm in his. His bright full smile in full effect as he leans to her ear, playfully nipping at it like a teasing boyfriend. "There's nothing to screw up here. We could ask the Mayor nicely and he'd give us those tapes. Please relax...' Crew's voice is a quick whisper in her ear before he moves his head away, leading them up the marble steps, past the absurdly tall pillars. He greets some of the union representatives and the few senators the mob has in their pocket.

Crew takes Hudson's hand and guides her through the halls, as if he knows every granite slab that was used to construct the Mayor's house. "Please, my dear" his voice is deep, but still mocking the couple's charade "Show me our destination."

 

[SortOfBeautiful]

After stepping out of that limo, Crystal smoothed out her dress, and brushed her long curly blonde hair behind her shoulders as she looked around. For a paranoid second, she worried that Akeley would head on up to the party alone and try to get the job done by himself...but the next thing she knew, he wore a charming smile on those wonderful lips of his, and took her arm in his.

"Please relax..." Crystal really did try to as she exhaled slowly and took a deep breath. Normally, she wasn't so nervous. But when the success of her job was put into another person's hands whom she didn't know all that well, and didn't trust...well, it didn't sit with her too well.

And of course, she knew that the Mayor would easily work with them on getting the files if they really needed him to...but that wasn't the point. The less people who know about the job, the better. Less loose ends to tie when it was all over. Hopefully, to anyone who truly knew who they were, or at least who they worked for, they could actually pass for being on an actual date.

Crystal held her small hand in his larger one as she let him do most of the leading inside. She'd honestly only been inside that mansion a few times, but never with a complete tour. Really, the girl with the plan was just 'winging' it.

"Oh, Miss Bailey! An elderly, high pitched woman exclaimed from across the hallway.

"Shit," Crystal mumbled as she leaned in to him, showing she clearly wasn't too thrilled, nor was she expecting the woman of her latest con to be here. She'd actually spent three months on her latest con, getting close to the Whitman family and getting this woman's husband to sign over half of his growing business to one of Bishop's clients.

"Hi, Mrs. Whitman, how's Charles?" Crystal asked politely with her usual bright smile, letting go of Akeley so she could lean in and kiss the woman's cheek. She smelled of three different perfumes, and wore much more make-up than she should have. But still, Crystal tried not to show her distaste as she pulled away.

"He's wonderful! He's around here somewhere, and--well, who is this?" The older woman smiled wickedly at Akeley, and placed a hand on her hip. "I don't think we've been introduced..."

God, the quicker they could get out of there, the better. Akeley was a grown man, so Crystal let him charm the older woman like she was sure he was perfectly capable of. While she turned and accepted a glass of champagne that was being passed around on a tray. What? Who said he's the only one that gets to drink?

 

[Virgil_Mayhap]

Akeley took the moment to asses his partner, watching her schmooze with someone she clearly hates. Her job in the syndicate was becoming more and more clear. Crystal was Bishop's Confidence-Man. Her skills weren't needed at this party, and for that matter, neither were his. Something didn't add up.

"The lovely Mrs. Whitman... the pleasure is mine" Crew takes the lady's hand and kisses the top. He guides her with his voice, leading the decrepit old woman back to the party with small talk. He mingles with a few friends and loses himself in the growing crowd, but his goal is the Mayor; a conversation without his companion is in order. Crew and the Mayor Bixby have old ties, both through the mob and as childhood friends. It was likely the party would have been attended by Crew regardless of his mission.

Moments before he approaches the head table Crystal re-appears at his side. Annoyed certainly is becoming the theme of the evening. "You're welcome for taking that beast off you." Akeley grins, pulling Crystal into his arms. "I assume you came to me..." his voice drops to a whisper "rather than do your mission" his voice returns to normal "...because you wanted to dance." The music in the room has swelled, and other couples and cheerfully swaying their hips and losing themselves as the liquor of the evening takes hold.

 

[SortOfBeautiful]

When Akeley whisked that elderly woman away, Crystal sighed with relief and sipped her champagne. A few more faces recognized her, and a few others she avoided completely as she moved around that large mansion. Everything was too clean, and too perfect. Even the tile and marble floor beneath her feet was sparkling with cleanliness. It was hard to get comfortable anywhere, not really in the social mood, and Crystal found herself at Aekley's side again, before he thought about wandering off solo.

"...because you wanted to dance."

Crystal felt his arm around her, holding her close to him, and those blue eyes stared back at him as she silently question whether or not he was serious. He was hard to read, and that wicked smile of his was something she was damn determined to figure out.

"I'm not really one for dancing, darling." She replied through gritted teeth, wanting to get on with their night, and she wasn't aware that someone nearby was listening in.

"Don't be silly! If you don't dance with this handsome young man, then I will."

Crystal looked back at the other woman who was standing there with someone she assumed to be her husband. Even if the man looked old enough to be her father.

"Well, in that case..." Crystal smiled politely, nodding at Akeley before she gently took his hand and pulled him with her away from that table and toward set-up stage area for dancing. There was no rush in getting the job done right this second, but he was proving to be harder to work with than she could have imagined. They both pulled in different directions when it came to work, yet here they were. One of her arms wrapped over his shoulder behind his neck, while the other held his hand up to his chest between their bodies as they danced between other couples around them.

They looked like quite the stunning couple out there, and Crystal focused on any particular eyes on them as they danced, keeping a special eye out for the politician they were there to bring down.

"When the toasts start later, I was thinking we could head upstairs." Crystal tilted her head back, just now finding him slightly taller than her, and she saw that wicked grin on his lips again. She realized then what he must've been thinking at her suggestion. When she was coming on to him, he'd know it. "To look for the files, pervert." For the first time tonight, Crystal laughed.

 

[Virgil_Mayhap]

Akeley was pleased and in his comfort zone. Holding a beautiful woman in his arms and floating to the music was what he really wanted to do that evening; the menial chore for his boss was low on his list of priorities. In fact, Crew could think of nothing else when guiding his lithe partner across the floor. His hands swished up her back, his fingers dancing along the thin fabric as if searching concealed weapons.

"When the toasts start later, I was thinking we could head upstairs... To look for the files, pervert." For the first time tonight, Crystal laughed.
Her laughter put him at ease. His mind clouded by the prospect of being alone with Crystal, Akeley let his earlier suspicious thoughts slip away. "I never expected to be called a pervert by someone so eager to get her hands on an underage sex tape." The familiar victory smile flashes across his face.

The party swells. More couples elbow onto the dance floor and Crystal and Akeley retreat, their hands still gracing each other, brushing palms and accidentally or intentionally colliding. Servers circulate the guests, handing out flutes of sweet bubbles. A calm sweeps the crowd as the mayor makes his way to a podium. Akeley wraps his arm around Crystal's shoulder and squeezes her close to him "It looks like our time to shine."

 

[SortOfBeautiful]

Crystal wasn't exactly sure how long the two of them stood there dancing, his strong body pressed up against hers as they swayed slowly to the band playing. Both of their eyes were glancing around them; for two people in their line of work, they were always cautious of their surroundings. But whenever Crystal did look back at him, her blue eyes would roll every time she saw that familiar, cocky smirk on that wonderful mouth of his. And though she wouldn't admit it, the night was finally starting to turn around a little more, and Akeley was a little easier to work with.

As they moved through the crowds of people and talked to old friends and new ones, Crystal felt Akeley's arm wrapping around her once more, holding her close as he whispered in her ear. Smirking with excitement, Crystal just nodded, accepted a champagne glass, and walked with Akeley through the crowd so they could slip away upstairs unnoticed. The Mayor was just beginning his speeches, and thank you's as the two of them snuck out of the main hall and disappeared upstairs to begin their search.

Akeley knew his way around better than her, so Crystal let him pick which room to start in first. The first room was dark, but it smelled like dust. There was a large bookshelf that was built into the walls on each side, and a desk with a large leather chair behind it.

"You check the laptop, I'll look over here." She said, even though she'd already learned that Akeley didn't like taking orders. Or maybe it was just her, that he didn't like taking orders from.

They were in that room for a few minutes before they concluded that there was nothing there, and off they went into the next room accross the hall. And the room looked exactly the same as the next.

"You've got to be kidding me," She sighed heavily, and turned on the light before she walked over to one of the cabinets. They were fuzzy on the details for exactly what kind of files that they were looking for. Maybe they were in a safe. The fact that such a file even existed...well, that politician was just asking to get caught.

But the sound of voices in the hall had Crystal's blue eyes shoot open wide with surprise, and the second she realized that those voices were coming into the room they were in, Crystal grabbed Akeley by his arm and pulled him toward her.

Crystal pressed herself back against one of the bookshelves quickly, pulling him right with her. And after pulling her dress up to her knees, she wrapped one smooth leg around his waist, grabbed the back of his neck, and crushed her lips hotly against his own. It was the only damn thing she could think of, and it definitely wasn't the first time she had made out with someone to get out of a situation. But Akeley didn't shy with putting his hands on her slender body, and pressing himself back up against her. Crystal could feel Akeley's smile against her soft mouth, and she knew when this was all over, he'd give her hell.

"Oh, uh--What are you two doing in here? This isn't the boy's bathroom at some night club."

Crystal pulled back, almost a little in a daze from that hot kiss as she fought to catch her breath back. She knew the voice, and the face of the man that spoke. It was the exact politician that they were trying to discredit. There he was, with that gold ring on his left hand, sneaking up here with his intern. Whether or not he knew the girl was a minor was irrelevant.

"Oh, I'm so sorry! We were just looking for--" She started on with her excuse, but he interrupted.

"Each other's tongues?" He finished for her, making Crystal grin wide, since she actually found it rather amusing. "I think you found it. Now go on..." he motioned, as if they were two high school kids caught in the Janitor's closet, and Crystal slipped out first.

"You got a little--" She grinned in the hallway, wiping off some of her lipstick from Akeley's bottom lip with her thumb.

 

[Virgil_Mayhap]

Crystal pressed herself back against one of the bookshelves quickly, pulling him right with her. And after pulling her dress up to her knees, she wrapped one smooth leg around his waist, grabbed the back of his neck, and crushed her lips hotly against his own.

Akeley slipped his own hand up outside of her silky leg, his strong fingers helping her keep her balance while she inhaled him. The effect she was going for worked better than she intended, and for a moment the hardened criminal Crew felt more like a schoolboy lost in a moment. He moved his hand further up her thigh, taking advantage of the moment to discover the more discreet parts of his companion.

Akeley heard the door open but refused to acknowledge it until the familiar voice rudely interrupted. Crew let his lady escape the ruse she had set up, allowing her to quickly leave the room. He lingered for a moment, now that he was out of earshot from his partner he was able to exchange muffled words with the Mayor. Moments later Akeley joined his cohort in the hall.

"You do know I'm friends with the Mayor right...?" Akeley caught her wrist as she helped pat her makeup off his face. His strong fingers were hot from the brief lusty moment they shared. "I had to explain to him why I'm too cheap to get a hotel room like a normal human being." Crystal had no way of telling if that was really what the quick exchange was really about. Akeley's eyes were expert at lying.

Still clasping her wrist he guided her hand down his chest, helping her flatten his ruffled dress shirt, pushing her fingers against his firm chest. "Level with me, this espionage plan isn't Bishop's... what do you have against Mayor Bixby? The man is practically in our pocket, what benefit is it to expose him...personal grudge?" Crew released her hand when it brushed the handgun in his chest pocket. A few other guests walked the hallway, idling searching for a restroom or their own make-out place. From inside the room the grunts of the Mayor drifted out.

"Er, you can tell me while we walk..." Akeley turned and started off, heading up yet another flight of stairs. He doesn't bother to make sure Crystal follows - he is forming plans of his own.

 

[SortOfBeautiful]

Crystal didn't know what the exchange between Akeley and the Mayor was, but she didn't like it. It was unnecessary, and she wondered if his relationship was something she needed to look more heavily into.

With her thumb brushing over his lip, Crystal jerked back her hand when he took her wrist. Like his hands on her body before, though in a much different manner, even that grip on her had her heart beating faster than normal. But his grip was stronger than she thought it would be, and it held her attention as he brought her smaller hand to his hard chest.

"Level with me, this espionage plan isn't Bishop's... what do you have against Mayor Bixby?"

Crystal raised a brow as she looked up at him, not sure where he was getting at. They both were good at the lying game, and both were hard to read since the two still had yet to learn each other's moves. But damn it, what the hell did he think he knew? He should have been distracted with his head in the mission, not in what her motives were.

Before the pretty blonde could answer, another couple was walking up the stairs and into the hallway, and Akeley was already turnning the other way toward the next flight of stairs.

With a heavy sigh of annoyance and frustration again, Crystal stormed up behind him, following as they stepped around the corner and he started up the stairs.

"I don't know what the hell you're talking about, Crew." She said finally. shaking her head. "Do you think I care about why Bishop wants to bring down the Mayor? Clearly, there has to be a reason. I get paid to get the job done, not decide what's right and wrong." Truth be told, Crystal stopped asking questions a long time ago. Did he help her sleep better at night? Not completely. But she was already too deep in Bishop's waters to swim back to shore, now. It wasn't like she could just get out and walk away.

"I realize now that he's your friend, and I'm sorry...but I don't care. We have to do this. And if you can't, I will." Of course, she needed him to work with her. Otherwise both of her missions would fail. And she was not going back to Bishop with no files, and no information on Crew.

But Crystal was tired of talking to his back.

"Oh my god, will you stop moving for one second?" She groaned, grabbing his arm again, much like she had back in the other room.

 

[Virgil_Mayhap]

Her fingers catch the little apple of his bicep, rolling off, but her touch is enough to get Akeley to stop. He pivots in front of a huge oak door with mahogany trim, beside it is an awkward addition: a modern computer lock. "I imagine what you want is inside. I don't think it is what Bishop really wants, and it won't help us. Whatever you told him to convince him this was a good idea is going to cause us all a lot of trouble." Akeley touches his lip, remembering her sweet taste. "Actually, I don't want to know how you convinced him. I've done my part here. I'm going to enjoy the party."

Crew hesitates for a moment, his eyes drinking in the lady in front of him. He regrets his temper, his skepticism. "The code is Bobby Phi Six" His voice is low and tired "Don't take this the wrong way, but I never want to work with you again."

 

[SortOfBeautiful]

Crystal Hudson still failed to see how any of this was her fault.

It wasn't as if she went out seeking this mission, and she sure as hell didn't volunteer for it. Or volunteer to spy on a man who was so arrogant, cocky, stubborn, and impossible to work with!

'Actually, I don't want to know how you convinced him. I've done my part here. I'm going to enjoy the party."

"Wait, you're what? Akeley, there was no convincing! What the fuck are you spatting on about? How could you possibly think that any of this was my idea?" Crystal stared wide-eyed as she watched Akeley take a step back, pulling away from her hand at his arm.

"The code is Bobby Phi Six...Don't take this the wrong way, but I never want to work with you again."

Crystal could only stare in shock as Akeley turned away and left her. Even when she retorted with, "I'll be sure to pass the word on to Bishop that you're a quitter, and a pussy." And still, he moved back down those stairs, seemingly unphased at her outburst.

Bright blue eyes glared down that empty hallway for what seemed like forever. Crystal didn't know how long she stood there, pacing, groaning, and cursing. She had two missions tonight, and both were not going well. This was exactly why she preferred to work alone; things always went more smoothly when they went her way, and she wasn't worrying about a partner's moves. She could have taken this opportunity to at least get one of her jobs done, and she'd go back and tell Bishop to hire someone else to watch his ass. His perfect, firm ass. Perhaps that's what she should have done, and that's what everything inside her was telling to do. But then, why wasn't she moving? It felt as if gravity was pulling her back, pushing and shoving for her to follow after him. After a few moments of that inner-battle, gravity won.

Crystal moved away from that large door and her heels carried her back down the stairs to the hallway that would take her back to the party. Secretly, she was sure she could get another chance to take down the Mayor. It didn't have to be tonight.

So, not too far behind Akeley, Crystal made her way back downstairs, only to be greeted by more guests before she finally made her way back to that tall, stubborn man. He was seated, and Crystal lowered herself right into the seat next to him, much to the disappointment of another woman who was seated at the table.

"I'm sorry, I just needed to freshen up for a moment." She said politely, in excuse for herself. "But I'm feeling much better." Crystal's tone was promising, more of a promise to Akeley than the guests around them as she leaned in and her small hand squeezed the top of his thigh.

 

[Virgil_Mayhap]

"I'll be sure to pass the word on to Bishop that you're a quitter, and a pussy."

There was no proper response to the flurry of insults.

Crew's mind was reeling as he descended the stairs. Things were spiraling out of control. From the moment he stepped out of the limo he was in contact with the Mayor, but even their coordinated efforts at distracting Crystal were failing. The brief face-to-face the Mayor and Crew had been tense; Akeley couldn't explain what Bishop and Crystal were really after - it made no sense and it was infuriating to be left out of the loop. Crew had the most at stake, if Bishop discovered his true motives his life would be over. At this point it was best to give the enigmatic woman what she wanted see what resulted. 'Better the Mayor fall on his sword than me' thought Crew.

He found a chair that faced the stairs and waited, brushing off the few advances from the other women at the party. He drummed his fingers on the soft cushion, recalling the tender flesh under them moments ago.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me" Crew groaned as he noticed his partner on the stairs, far too soon to have entered the office and found what she needed. It dawned on him... he was the target. His heart was pounding in his chest. What did she know?

"I'm sorry, I just needed to freshen up for a moment." She said politely, in excuse for herself. "But I'm feeling much better."

Akeley's face betrayed none of his concern. Instead his blue eyes lit with a fire "You look like a weight has been lifted" he smiles "I'm glad you found what you were after... can we enjoy ourselves now?" His eyes never leave hers, preparing himself to hear a lie.

 

[SortOfBeautiful]

"...can we enjoy ourselves now?"

Crystal flashed him a warm smile, and slowly nodded her head. It was time to start playing a different game now. She knew that Bishop would agree that Akeley Crew was her main mission. He was just a job to her. She knew nothing about him, and yet, why had it bothered her so much when he told her he never wanted to work with her again? It shouldn't bother her, since she liked to work alone, anyway. No dead weight.

But Akeley wasn't her partner. He was her job. Her con.

"How about a drink, sweetheart?" Crystal brought her arm across his chest, where he didn't realize that a waiter was standing with a tray filled with about a dozen flutes, filled halfway with champagne. Crystal grabbed two of those glasses, then carefully handed him one.

"Let's start over." She spoke softly, keeping that conversation just between the two of them as both of their blue eyes seemed to never leave each other. She held out her glass politely, wanting to toast.

"To...new beginnings? Or is that too cheesy?" Crystal smiled cutely, tilting her blonde head to the side a little as some of her blonde curls fell in front of her face. "I'm sorry I was a bitch. And...that I called you a pussy." She leaned in, that cute smile slowly growing into a grin as she leaned in closer during that last part. But others around them took the exchange as something different. Something more intimate.

"Well, aren't you two just adorable?" One of the older woman at the table pointed out. "Harold! Have you invited this beautiful couple to come out to the yacht this weekend? Oh, you two have to come..."

It took a moment to realize that this woman was actually speaking to the Mayor, who was returning to the party as he approached from behind them. And his lovely, underage intern seemed to have disappeared.

 

[Virgil_Mayhap]

"How about a drink, sweetheart?"

The sudden change in his partner's tone was unsettling. First she scolds me for drinking, now she's offering? Akeley accepted the flute, and welcomed the pretty blonde leaning over him. His eyes made no attempt to hide his observation of her full chest. If this woman was going to pretend to come on to him, he was ever willing to play along.

"To a successful evening" He corrected her, lifting his glass and flashing that familiar wide smile. "You're a professional, no need to apologize for your devotion." Crew pressed the glass to his pursed lips and took a heavy sip. While he could hold his own, he felt it would benefit him to feign a bit of intoxication. He clumsily gave his partner an amateur wink and forced himself to blush a little. The color in his face made him look more alive and less business-oriented.

Crew leaned closer to his partners face while simultaneously resting his hand on top of hers. His fingers traced little circles on the top of her wrist. "Yachts are over-rated." He whispered, observing her disappointment and not actually being invited on a late night ride. "A floating hotel room is boring, unless you make a point to have fun topside... which you can do just as easily on the pier." Chicago's Navy Pier was renowned for being a late night drunken stomping ground after bar-hours. It wasn't Crew's first choice for an impromptu interrogation of his partner, but he had to get her someplace outside her comfort zone. He didn't expect her to take the bait, but it was worth a try.

 

[SortOfBeautiful]

Crystal didn't suspect any bait being thrown out by Akeley, only a man trying to get out of something, like they typically did. But no, Crystal wouldn't let him talk their way out of spending some more time with these rich, boring politicians and their gold digging followers. Just because one job wasn't being done tonight, didn't mean that it wouldn't be done another time. And spending more time around the Mayor's presence, who seemed to be friends with Akeley...well, why the hell not kill two birds with one stone?

She looked down at his hand over hers that rested on her thigh over her dress, and his fingers tickled as he traced invisible circles over her soft skin. He seemed to be pushing that fake relationship a little bit further than really needed...but then again, hadn't she just kissed him against that bookshelf upstairs?

"You know what," Crystal called out, her blue eyes leaving the blues of Akeley as she turned her blonde head and looked across the table to the old woman who had invited them to come out, early.

"We'd love to come." She said with a wide smile, partly because she could feel Akeley's sitting position adjust a little beside her. "It's supposed to be a beautiful weekend, I think a day out on the water sounds lovely." She continued to wear that bright smile on her lips as she nodded politely, and the woman beamed with happiness that the young couple had accepted her invitation. She said that she would give them the details in the morning, and Crystal nodded her head and slowly turned her attention back to the handsome, blushing man beside her.

"If you're trying to get me to go to the Pier with you tonight, all you had to do was ask." She whispered, then slowly brought her champagne glass to her lips as she took a long, slow sip. She would never go anywhere with another employee of Bishop if it wasn't work related. But technically, it would be. Though, she wondered if he had his own motives, considering the fact that she hadn't exactly been the nicest to him since they'd met. She really needed to work on that. When she set the glass back down on the table, she tugged gently at the sleeve of his arm. "But you're still not getting out of going on that yacht tomorrow. I hope you aren't the seasick type."

 

[Virgil_Mayhap]

"If you're trying to get me to go to the Pier with you tonight, all you had to do was ask."

That was easy. Akeley stopped dancing his finger on her hand and instead cupped it, wrapping his fingers around her palm and guiding her upward as he stood. "I was most definitely asking. If you want to go, all you had to do was say yes." He interlocked his fingers with hers and motioned them towards the exit. With his free hand he texted Ted to pull around to meet them at the door. Two more texts followed.

But you're still not getting out of going on that yacht tomorrow. I hope you aren't the seasick type."

"I imagine tomorrow will be the perfect opportunity to complete your mission..." The slip in his words was subtle, and he sincerely hoped Crystal didn't pick up on the nuance. Their missions had diverged hours ago, and Akeley was already planning his moves tomorrow. Above all else, self-preservation was key, and he wasn't going to be kept in the dark about what Crystal was really up to. A secluded yacht in the middle of Lake Michigan would be the perfect place to test his partner's loyalty to Bishop.

As they stepped out of the mansion the cool evening air hit their faces. Mr Crew unwound his fingers from Crystal's hand and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her a little closer to him as they walked to the awaiting limo. He was nearly a foot taller than her, but with her heels and poise the height difference was hardly noticeable. Ted awaited them at the limo door.

Akeley wanted Crystal to be pre-occupied as they drove. He wanted her head to be elsewhere, so he did what he assumed would either send her head spinning or her blood boiling; as she bent over to enter the limo he brushed his hand over her ass. Not a grope, but that middle ground where the intent could be open. He followed her inside and again sat opposite, saying nothing. This time he poured two drinks, reaching over and offering her one.

"It is about a 15 minute drive to the pier..."

 

[SortOfBeautiful]

Akeley wasn't a stupid man, he knew that while Crystal may have put a stop to their mission tonight, that didn't mean that she wouldn't try again tomorrow on the yacht. The information about the Mayor and his affair weren't as high on her priorities than the information about Akeley and his involvement with the law. Was he undercover? A double agent, maybe? Or was he just damn good at hib job, and his cons, that he knew all the right people? Either way, it was enough to make Bishop suspicious, and he was not the type of man you wanted to keep secrets from. One way or another, the secrets came out, and it just might be the end of you.

Which was exactly why Crystal Hudson knew that she may as well embrace her job, and her talents at what she did. There was no such thing as quitting, or being let go. The only way out was retirement, which she had a long time until she reached that point, or death. Running away was hardly doable, either. Bishop had eyes everywhere.

Feeling Akeley's arm wrap around her, the yound blonde smiled and leaned against him, wondering if he was holding her close for show, or for his own personal enjoyment. Well, that bolt man took 'personal enjoyment' one step further when he placed his hand over her firm, round little ass as she bent inside the limo. When she sat down, she just watched him with some surprise as he entered as if he hadn't just been out of line and touched a woman on her rear-end. Some nerve!

Taking one of the drinks he offered, Crystal took a long sip, her bright eyes glaring over at him across from her as she reminded herself that she probably shouldn't have any more to drink tonight. Akeley Crew was up to something. She hadn't charmed in, and she certainly hadn't seduced him...yet. He'd thrown her so far off her game from the moment she met him, and it frustrated her to no end how impossible this stubborn man was. But the game wasn't over, yet.

"I'm familiar with how far away the pier is." She replied to his comment, unsure of just exactly where he was going with it. Was he trying to seduce -her-? Or was that just her mind getting away from her? Usually some men were so easy to read, but she learned long ago that trusting a co-worker and partner would only lead to her downfall. Especially a good looking partner with a smile that lit up his whole face. Damn it!

"It could take longer than fifteen minutes, if Ted gets held up in traffic lights." Her shoulders shrugged, and she crossed one leg over the other. The heel of her shoe just barely brushed over his calf, and she let it slowly slide up his pants leg, then back down again.

All the while, she kept her clutch purse at her side, which held her pistol. He'd already learned, with a leg wrapped around him in that dark office, that she wasn't carrying anything else on her.

 

[Virgil_Mayhap]

"It could take longer than fifteen minutes, if Ted gets held up in traffic lights."

One could only hope the ride took longer than expected. Akeley relaxed when Crystal's leg brushed his own, assuming that her continued flirtation was acknowledgement that his ass squeeze had been ok. The walk on the board-walk would be fun, as well as informative; assuming they even bother to leave the limo.

Akeley poured yet another drink for the two of them, this time moving to the backmost seat before offering it, positioning himself snugly against Crystal. In addition to wanting her warm body against his, he wanted information. He hoped by offering a story of his own he might receive one in kind.

"I suspect you wonder why I'm so tight with the Mayor, and why Bishop likely didn't notify you..." Akeley's eyes scanned the woman's face for signs of mistrust, but he only found himself getting lost in her delicate features. He forced himself to steady his voice. "Over the years Bishop has become more vindictive in dealing with his enemies. This puts me in an awkward position, as the Mayor is a man with power and is open to persuasion by check. From what I gather, Bishop looks to replace him, but I feel this is a dumb move. The devil I know is better than the devil I don't, right?" Akeley's smile wavers as he realizes the flaw in his lie; he just admitted to another gangster that he was undermining the wishes of the matriarch. "I tell you this because I assume you can be persuaded to reason yourself...." The lie upon lie pushes Akeley into a real uncomfortable position, to satisfy his cover he has to recruit Crystal to his imaginary coup. Or just kill her... he hasn't decided exactly what his plan for the pier is.

Akeley wraps his arm around Crystal's shoulder and pulls her very close to him, his face inches from hers. "It is important, I trust you understand, that Bishop not know my personal feelings in regards to the Mayor...." His lips were full and redder than usual, both from stress and the booze he'd put away. The rest of his face was stone serous, his blue eyes so cold and piercing that at such close proximity his gaze nearly hurt.

Outside the lights built up until the pier was upon them. Ted parked and walked to the side, opening the door for the passengers. However, Akeley held tight to Crystal's wrist until she graced him with an answer; it would dictate the orders Akeley would give to the goons he texted earlier. The goons that waited further down the dock by the famous Ferris wheel.

 

[SortOfBeautiful]

As soon as that man had moved to sit next to her, Crystal sat up straighter, holding her glass out in front of her. Akeley didn't need to get closer to make his presence known, she could feel his stare since the moment they sat in that limo.

Crystal just sat there in silence, her head turned as she listened to Akeley lead up to his point. There was still a lot that she needed to learn about him, so she may as well start listening now.

"I tell you this because I assume you can be persuaded to reason yourself...."

Crystal stared at him with a raised brow. Was he trying to tell her what she thought he was telling her, was he? In obvious terms, he had just admitted to her that he didn't agree with Bishop's decision in the Mayor's fate, and he was going to play by his own rules. That raised a red flag right away to Crystal, and she knew it was something she'd have to report back to their boss, but...it still wasn't enough. He still could have been hiding more, and she had to stick around much longer to find out.

Usually, the game would be over right there. Crystal would never agree to go against Bishop, especially in knowing what he was capable of. She'd seen the lives that he had ruined from past employees who wanted to 'retire' early. Unlike him, she didn't have the Mayor on her side with the connections to protect her. So, this was her job. She was given an assignment, and she fucking did it. But it wasn't exactly like she could tell Akeley to fuck off. She had to play along, and convince him that she could be persuaded to go along with his plan, if that meant he trusted her a little more.

His arm wrapped around her, and he leaned in closely. She could smell is cologne, and the champagne on his lips. Her blue eyes tried not to stare at those lips, but in his eyes as she nodded slowly. She didn't speak to him right away, not until the limo stopped and Ted opened their door, and Crystal looked down at his hand holding her wrist. He wanted an answer. The look in his eyes was intense, but the pretty blonde didn't falter.

"I won't tell anyone about you and the Mayor." She promised, not exactly lying. She wouldn't tell Bishop, at least not yet. "It's none of my business and doesn't concern me, and to be honest, I could really care less. It only bothered me before because I thought that we were on that mission together, and you had your own agenda. I don't like not being in the loop, but thank you for telling me." She smiled, just a little, then reached over with her free hand to set her glass down.

"But," She continued, turning right back in to face him again. "We're still going on that yacht tomorrow." She already dreaded the fundraiser that would no doubt take place, but at least there was free drinks to look forward to. And the company of the handsome man beside her. "We have nothing to give Bishop tonight, so he'll expect us to have a back-up plan. So, there it is."

Crystal looked down at his fingers gripping on to her wrist, and then she looked back up at him again. "Now, are you going to try to hold my hand all night, or are we just gonna make poor Ted stand out there in the cold?"

 

[Virgil_Mayhap]

It only bothered me before because I thought that we were on that mission together, and you had your own agenda. I don't like not being in the loop, but thank you for telling me."

"I didn't ask for you to be brought along, and my plans are no business of yours; just like your purpose here is of no interest to me. As professionals, we don't step on each other's feet. We get our jobs done."

"Now, are you going to try to hold my hand all night, or are we just gonna make poor Ted stand out there in the cold?"

A little mischievous smile pulls at Akeley's lips, "Ted will stand there all night, if necessary...." Mr. Crew's daring blue eyes remain fixed on Crystal's, and for a moment a tense staring contest ensues. Finally his grip relaxes, as if deeming his partner trustworthy.

"We're still going on that yacht tomorrow."

"Of course" The smile becomes more genuine, and together they emerge from the limo. The cool Chicago breeze blows across the lake, catching the two off guard. Akeley wraps his arms around Crystal's waist and pulls her snug to him. "Lets figure out our plan for tomorrow together then. Lets get on the same page." His face is inches from hers, close enough she can see the muscles roll along his strong jawline. "As a gesture, perhaps we can both leave our pieces in the limo. I'm not sure we'll need them on the Ferris wheel."