Stella arrived at the family HQ a little after 8:30 in the evening.  A driver had appeared at the escort agency to bring her at his immediate request.  It wasn't unusual for him to ask a member of the family to meet at any time of the day or night, but there seemed to be a sense of underlying urgency in this summoning.

One of the guards met her at the door and brought her back to Uncle Joe's office, where she was immediately shown in.  The door was closed behind her.  Uncle Joe was seated at one of the two comfortable, leather chairs in front of his desk, smoking a cigar.  He stood and gave her that warm smile, and they exchanged the traditional cheek-kisses before he gestured for her to sit.

"Stella, you know that I don't like to involve you in the more 'dirty' parts of this thing of ours; but I have a situation that needs a more...feminine...touch."

Nodding, Stella sat back in her seat, listening carefully.  Whatever this was, it was tricky.

"Uncle Joe, you know I'll do anything you ask of me."

"I know.  As much as I need you for this, I still don't like putting you in a situation like this.  Still, it needs to get done.  There's this guy- a high-roller from Atlantic City- that's been spending more than a little too much time in Vegas.  My guys tell me he's been asking a lot of questions, and from the information we're getting, he's got plans to move in on our interests.  Luckily, every man has his downfall, and this lousy bastard is a sucker for a pretty girl.  Young pretty girls."

Joe sat up, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees.

"We've arranged for him to play in an invite-only roulette game tomorrow night.  I need you to be his good luck charm.  You're going to need to disguise yourself a little, because you've been getting to know people around, but a little change with the hair and make up should do fine.  Spoil him with booze, sit on his lap, flirt- you know the drill.  Let him get on a good hot streak...then I want you to take him out."

Stella raised her eyebrows.

"And by that you mean..."

She didn't exactly know how to put it, but she knew.  Uncle Joe nodded once.

"Shoot him.  Head shot, if you can manage.  Blow him out, grab the cash, and run.  This is where it gets tricky, sweetheart.  I can't risk having any of my guys there, because he'll know them.  It'll be a small group, but it'll be strangers.  Get yourself some back up- someone that can get you out of there quickly.  The game will be in a private room toward the back of the casino, so if you plan it right, you can escape by the back door."

Having been holding in a deep breath, Stella exhaled slowly, nodding.

"Of course.  I can do this.  Just tell me the time and place."

Uncle Joe smiled again, reaching forward and patting her knee.

"Nico will give you everything you need.  You just get out of there alive.  You promise me."

Within another hour, Stella had all the information and was just getting back to the Agency.  Most of the girls were with clients or relaxing in their rooms.  She poured herself a glass of whiskey and water, then took it upstairs to her suite.  Once her shoes were kicked off, she stood for a moment, thinking.  There was only one person she trusted enough to help her make this work- if he could get there in time.  With the drink in one hand, she picked up the telephone from it's cradle in the other and asked to be connected to Philly.

Tara had asked that all calls to Gavin's apartment get rerouted to her if they went unanswered. That had happened the first time he'd missed an easy job just by choosing not to answer the phone. She had a notepad and a pen in her hand to take a message when the call clicked through.

"Tara Byrne answering for Gavin; how can I help you?"

There was a moment of confused silence before Stella spoke. 

"Tara, hi - it's Stella. Is Gavin OK? I wasn't expecting you to answer the phone."

She chuckled a little, thinking how glad she was she hadn't said something embarrassing thinking Gavin would be on the line. 

​​​​​

Stella could hear Tara smile through the phone.

"Well, I have his calls rerouted to me if he doesn't answer. Think he's playing poker. Do you need him for something?"

Her voice changed, growing a bit softer.

"How are you feeling, by the way, with everything- since New York?"

Tara had spent time watching over Stella as she recovered; meanwhile, Gavin had been out exercising some revenge on the men who'd hurt Stella.

Stella slowed down a bit, smiling at the kind words from her friend.

"Much better. I've been spending a lot of time staying busy and being smarter about things. Which, actually, is why I called. Joe has given me a little task; some garbage that needs to be "taken out." There can't be anyone from the family in on it, but I need some back up. I think I've got a good plan."

​​​​​​

​​​​​​Tara nodded. 

"Say no more, Stella. I'll have him out on the next plane. I'd expect to see a familiar face tomorrow morning."

***

Gavin stretched as he walked out of the plane. Fuck, those seats were uncomfortable. Tara's private plane was better, but after the most recent time he'd "borrowed" it she'd stashed it in a different hangar and he had yet to track it down. Walking out of the airport, his usual suit and dress shirt open at the neck were accompanied by a long case. A trombone, perhaps?  The taxi quickly took him to the escort agency, where he was warmly greeted by a couple of the women. They'd always liked him, but were particularly enthusiastic fans after he'd helped find Stella when she'd gone missing.

"Good morning, ladies. Is the boss home?"

"She's upstairs. She said to have you go on up when you got here. There's some breakfast in the kitchen if you want. Mara made French toast. There's coffee, too."

Jen gestured toward the kitchen, grinning. The other girls, lounging comfortably on the couches and chairs, waved and giggled. It was still a good hour or so till opening time.

-------

Upstairs, the door to Stella's private suite was faithfully being watched by Paul and Donny. They opened the doors and both said "Good morning, Mr. Byrne" as they let him in, once again securing the doors behind him. Stella called from the bathroom.

"Hey you. Come on in."

The air in the bathroom was warm and steamy. Stella was reclined in the bathtub, surrounded by lush piles of bubbles.

"Thanks, Jen. Maybe later. You girls have a good morning, huh?"

Moving quickly, he made his way upstairs past the bodyguards and into Stella's room. Gavin smiled as he removed his sunglasses, followed by the rest of his clothes, which he piled on the case he'd carried in. He wasn't sure what "come on in" was referring to, precisely... did she mean the room?... well, he didn't want to wait to find out. Before Stella could say anything to the contrary, Gavin was in the other end of the tub- a bunch of bubbles stuck to the side of his face.

He closed his eyes and leaned back with a smile.

"Well, Tara said it was an emergency. This is my kind of emergency..."

Laughing, Stella ran a foot up and down his leg under the warm water.

"Well, it's certainly urgent, but not until later tonight."

She reached out of the tub and took a champagne glass from the small cabinet top nearby. It was only her second mimosa of the morning.

"Uncle Joe gave me a job to take care of. It's...going to be my first kill."

Her voice was a bit softer as she said it, but her eyes still smiled. She wasn't so much nervous about the job, especially now that Gavin was here. 

"It's not going to be hard. At least, not taking the guy out. But getting myself out could be tricky. I think I've got a plan though."

Gavin kept his eyes closed as he ran his foot up the side of Stella's leg, resting it against her hip. He wasn't surprised about the kill; that was the life they were in. He was glad he'd given her some practice with a gun.

"Tell me everything. The set up. The target. The plan."

He cracked open an eye.

"I'll do my best not to fall asleep."

"Oh, I'm pretty sure I can keep you awake."

Stella smirked and sat up slightly, letting her free hand wander teasingly.

"The mark is a guy named Sammy Carlito. Spanish guy. He's a casino operator from Atlantic City. Apparently, he's been poking his nose where he shouldn't be, looking to develop in Vegas. Joe reached out to him, but he made it very clear he had no intentions of cooperation with 'greaseball goombas like Joe Ligambi.' "

She paused and finished her mimosa, then put the glass down. 

​​​​​​"So there's a high-rollers roulette game tonight at the Star Casino. It's been arranged that Carlito is invited, with VIP treatment. Comped room, food, drinks, the works. He's also going to have a special escort for the evening. Carlito is known for his preference of girls much younger than himself. Early twenties. That's my role. I'll play his arm candy, make sure he has a good time at the table. I'll let him get on a good streak, then blow him away right there at the table, then grab the cash and try to run for it. This is where you come in. My idea is to have you very close, in the casino suited up with a badge. My guy Lyvers will be with you in uniform, so when someone yells to call the police, you two are right there to apprehend me right away. That way everyone calms down and things go back to business as usual. No cops, no heat; done and out."

Sammy Carlito. Spanish. Casino. And rude to Uncle Joe? How dumb can you be?

Roulette. 

"...when you say you'd blow him right at the table...? Oh, blow him away. Right."

He nodded, returning to his listening.

"Sounds like you've got a good plan here. Who's Lyvers? A cop on your payroll? Bodyguard?"

Stella couldn't help but laugh loudly at Gavin's initial confusion from her wording. 

"Yes, he's an agent I've been keeping rather happy with cash and dates with the girls. He's surprisingly quite decent to them. He's divorced and doesn't like dating, but the girls keep him company."

With a sly grin, Stella slipped into Gavin's lap. 

"So, you like my little plan, Detective?" 

 As Stella moved through the water and came to rest on Gavin's lap, he was finally forced to open his eyes. Still, he was forcing himself to focus on business- at least for a few more seconds.

"Lyvers... does he have a car? If not, I can steal one. Easier to get you away if they see us putting you into a cop car. And if I steal it within a couple hours of the hit, they probably won't even notice it's missing. Sound good?"

His eyes were focused on business as they looked up at Stella, but his hands were already starting to go rogue.

Her memory briefly flashed back to the ride out to the cabin. 

"No need to trouble yourself there. Lyvers has a squad car. Besides, you're playing the big time detective. You don't drive yourself around."

Reaching behind her, Stella pulled the pin out of her hair and let it fall long around her shoulders. She leaned in and whispered in his ear. 

"Bet you didn't think you were coming all the way out here just to handcuff me tonight. Or, maybe you did."

------

About two hours later, they made their way downstairs. Stella had a few phone calls to make, so Gavin sat and chatted with Paul and Donny.  Stella ordered lunch, and she and Gavin ate outside by the pool. Over a plate of chili fries, Stella went over the plan thus far. 

"I'll leave here at four, as I'm supposed to meet Carlito at five. Lyvers will come and pick you up at six. We'll be having dinner in the lounge at the casino when you get there, then the game starts at eight."

Stella chewed another bite before continuing. 

​​​​​​"There is a slight hitch in the plan here. Uncle Joe's guys have learned that Carlito has muscle. Two guys that stay with him at all times. We should probably figure out how I'm going to deal with them - especially if they decide to frisk me going in."

​​​​​

​​​​​

Gavin chewed on the chili fries, munching and pondering. He thought out loud, taking Stella through his thought process.

"Well... you can't get him during the game, then. You've had some practice, but you're not even close to being able to outdraw and take down three guys on your own. If it was just him at the table, then yeah."

He grimaced.

"And if he has bodyguards frisking people, then you can't even get in the room."

Gavin took off his sunglasses, leaning back and closing his eyes for so long that Stella wondered if he'd fallen asleep. Suddenly, though, his icy blue eyes snapped open and he started speaking again.

"Alright, here's what I've got. You can't get a weapon into the game, so that's out. You'll have to get him on the hook during the game, catch his attention. I'm sure you're capable of doing that. Shouldn't be too hard, if you play the broke young minx sidling up to a guy with money. Make him feel special, and he'll know exactly what he's buying from you. Or at least he thinks he will."

Gavin smirked.

"You'll have to get him back to his hotel room. Get him heated, ready to screw. He'll send his bodyguards out, unless he's kinky as hell. Excuse yourself to freshen up... and I'll stash a gun in the bathroom for you. I'll also try to be in the room next to the bathroom wall, so I can hear what's going on. My guess is that the bodyguards'll be in the hallway. Once their outside, I'll either take them out silently or, more likely, I'll be ready to move once you've put down your target."

"Once you do it, I'll 'arrest' you, take you down to Lyvers in the car, and we're gone. What do you think?"

"That should work, perfectly actually. I'll let you handle the guards however you like. As long as I'm clear to run when it's time."

Jen appeared at the table and softly cleared her throat. 

"Miss Stella, your package has arrived."

"Ah, good. Have Paul take it up to my room."

----

When lunch ended, Stella and Gavin returned upstairs. A large  cardboard box sat on the bed. Stella opened it and dug around a bit  then retrieved something the size of her palm. 

"Here you go, Detective. Now scoot so I can get ready."

She placed the object in his hand. A shiny, gold badge mounted on a leather clip.

Gavin winked as he accepted the badge and headed toward the door. He paused in the doorway, frowning.

"Do what you have to do to make it back, Stella. If you don't have a window... just don't force it. We can find another way, if we need to.... good luck."

Stella walked to the doorway and gave him a lingering kiss. 

"I'm not worried. I'm ready this time. You see, I have an excellent teacher."

-----

Fully dressed, Stella walked downstairs. She wore a long, black black gown covered in tiny, black beads, and a slit in the skirt ending just above her knee. The neckline plunged well below what most women would dare to wear. A dazzling, diamond choker sat on her neck, with a matching bracelet around her black satin-gloved wrist. Her dark hair was no longer glossy black, but expertly covered by a wig in a dark, stunning shade of red that lay in big  soft curls around her shoulders.

Gavin was standing at the door, peering out the window at the cab waiting for Stella. She reached out and touched his shoulder.

"Think anyone will recognize me?" 

Considering Gavin's double take as he glanced at the woman who'd approached him, then no, no one should recognize her. That was obvious from the expression. He grinned as he took in her outfit- particularly the choker and the neckline of the dress.

"Something tells me you're not going to have any trouble getting him to take the bait..."

***

Later that evening, the casino was bustling. The sounds of laughter and music and excited conversations were in the air. Gavin strolled in casually, dressed in a suit and carrying a briefcase containing his "change of clothing". People tended to notice uniforms, and he didn't want anyone to suspect anything when "the detective" showed up later. Somewhere in the casino, the roullette game had probably already begun. Trying not to worry about Stella, Gavin made his way up to the top floor, where Carlito's room was located. He walked past the room twice and didn't hear anything; hopefully, it was empty. The bodyguards would do a sweep when they returned, of course, but if they hadn't left one behind...

Gavin decided to risk it. Dropping to one knee, he quickly picked the locked and silently opened the door. If he had to fight someone here and caused a mess, the whole plan could be shot. But he was fortunate that evening, and no one else was inside to greet him. Quickly popping open his briefcase and removing Stella's gun, he walked into the bathroom. Medicine cabinet... too obvious. He decided to place it inside the toilet box- not the dish, but where the plumbing was located. There weren't that many places to stash it, and he'd mentioned that box as a possibility to Stella. 

The gun safely planted, Gavin locked the door on his way out and moved one room over- the same room that shared a wall with the bathroom. He knocked. No one answered. A second time- nothing. Hoping he wasn't about to walk in on people, Gavin picked that lock as well. No one home. Not too surprising, since they'd no doubt be out for dinner or down at the casino. If he, she, or they came back he'd figure something out- but for now, he locked himself in the bathroom with his briefcase and began changing into his uniform.

He'd stay up here until something made him move or he heard someone come in next door- then he'd be ready to hit those bodyguards.