Below Zero

The six girls were to lounge in the chairs and couch, see if Stenko was interested, let things develop from there. She stuck close to Shawanna. But Stenko barely looked at any of them.

Stenko said to Geno, “Why did you call them out? I didn’t ask to see them.” He sounded exasperated.

“I thought it might be a nice distraction,” Geno said. There was a line of sweat that showed through his mustache. “I thought we could have our discussion afterward, when you’re more relaxed.”

Stenko was obviously worked up about something. His movements were stiff but sudden. His eyes darted around the room. At first, she was scared of him. He was big, his hands were huge, and his face was wide and fleshy. He kept running his hand back through his thin hair in an angry way.

Stenko said to Geno, “I don’t need to be relaxed. I want to cash out. I told you that, and I told the Carriciolis that. That is the only reason I’m here, Geno.”

Geno looked nervous. She hadn’t known him long, but she’d never seen him so pale, so furtive. Geno said, “Have a drink, relax. You look pretty good, Stenko. When I heard you were sick, I expected you’d look, you know, sick.”

“I’m on meds,” Stenko said, “and some days are better than others. But no matter what day it is, I can kick your skinny ass out that window if you don’t cash me out of this operation.” When he said it he gestured toward the girls without looking at them.

“I can’t, Stenko,” Geno said softly.

She could tell that the other girls were getting tense. There were no false smiles or purring, just quickly exchanged glances back and forth. She saw Shawanna mouth, “Oh my God.”

Stenko said to Geno, “What do you mean you can’t? I have an investment in this operation. I want it back. I’m not asking for principal plus profit, which is my due. I just want the principal back. Now.”

Geno shook his head. “Stenko, you know what’s going on. The feds are on us, too. We’re not liquid right now. You know that.”

Stenko said nothing, but his rage was building. It was as if he were getting larger. His presence seemed to fill the room, dominate it. She watched him clench and unclench his fists and stare down Geno. His stillness was more frightening than his words earlier.

Geno said, “What about your guy? The accountant? Is it true what I heard about him taking your money and the Talich Brothers and hitting the road? Maybe you should be going after him instead of trying to shake me down.”

Stenko just stood there, swelling in size. She found herself pressing back further into the couch. She thought, Shut up, Geno. Can’t you see you’re making him even angrier?

“Get them out of here,” Stenko said through clenched teeth.

The girls didn’t wait to hear from Geno. They were up and rushing the door they had came through, stiletto heels snapping on the hardwood floor like castanets. Shawanna reached back and pulled her up by the hand, said, “Let’s git, April.”

She was nearly through the door when she heard Stenko say, “Who is that one?”

It was as if a bolt of electricity shot through her.

“April!” Geno shouted harshly. “Stay here.” He seemed happy to change the subject.

Shawanna let go of her hand at the shout, and April stopped short of the open door. Before the door shut ahead of her, Shawanna said, “Sorry, girl,” and sounded like she meant it. Alone again.

“Turn around,” Stenko said. His voice was soft.

She turned, blinking through tears. She wished she could stop them. Geno was looking at her, angry, imploring her to stop crying.

Stenko looked at her and gently shook his head. There was something soft in his expression. Sympathy, pity. Or . . . recognition. As if he knew her.

Geno said, “You want her? We can make a deal. She’s absolutely fresh—the freshest. Inexperienced, though. No skills at all I know of. I just want you to know that up front.”

“How old are you?” Stenko asked her, ignoring Geno.

“She’s . . .” Geno started to say.

“I’m fourteen,” she said.

Geno stared daggers at her.

Stenko said to Geno, “Fourteen?”

Geno held his hands out, palms up. “Hey, she claimed she was eighteen earlier. I believed her. She looks like she could be eighteen.”

“Look away, darling,” Stenko said to her.

At first, she thought he was asking her to turn and pose. She hesitated.

“Avert your eyes,” Stenko said. She turned. But in the reflection of a glass picture frame, she saw him reach behind his back under his jacket. That was the first time she saw the pistol. Stenko wheeled on Geno. There were two loud pops and Geno slapped his forehead like he’d just gotten a major idea instead of two bullet holes. Then Geno pitched forward onto the hardwood floor.

“Don’t look,” Stenko said, approaching her and taking her by the arm. “We’re leaving, and I don’t want you to see him.”

THEY WENT OUT of the building the same way she’d come in, being pulled by her hand by a man saying, “Follow me.”