Read Online Adversary by S. W. Frank - Free Book Online

hit. The media downplayed it and after a while people forgot. Of course the attention span of viewers is short, but when you live with a man who’s involved in a dangerous job it weighs consistently on the brain. He didn’t talk about killings or illegal anything. Alfonzo Diaz wasn’t totally a legitimate businessman; he was considered the Boss of Bosses of organized crime. Perhaps that is her ignorance, maybe these were rumors since none of the criminal charges resulted in a conviction, in fact the one case was dismissed. Maybe there was a coordinated warlock hunt so to speak and he was as pure as the driven snow. But, she didn’t buy it. She’d seen the man a handful of times and he breathed danger…warning…scary…ruthless bad-boy!
    Oh handsome as hell though, dressed in tailored threads and a sexy smile didn’t make him innocent. Polite, charming and complimentary without flirtation he was a man that might set fires. He did appear genuinely interested when he asked, “How are you chica?” But, seeing the nice side always made her wonder what ruthlessness was there in the dark?
    The car Tony received from his boss was a late model Audi Sports Coupe. A soft leather interior of butter and honey it screamed expensive. The sleek shiny console, state-of-the art gadgets weren’t on the market, she knew because she researched. What boss gives an employee of less than a year a car like this, she wondered? Tony wasn’t a salesman, stockbroker, trader or CEO of a company. Tony didn’t tell her much. He’s part of security and on call was the story. He had a private office in the main building and that’s about all she got. She did enquire about his job description and he said, “Chauffeur, bodyguard, whatever he needs me to do.”
    The last part of the sentence was vague. Whatever he needs me to do sounded ominous. If he was asked to kill someone would he do it? This prospect frightened her. Tony had a criminal record and if he got in trouble, he might go away for life. She didn’t want to nag so she stayed silent on the issue after emphatically stating her position, twice. Tony wasn’t a kid, he didn’t need her permission. She just had to believe in her man and trust whole-heartedly he wouldn’t do anything stupid that would send him to prison. Goodness, she loved him too much to think what that would do to him.
    They were driving without music and air-conditioning on to diffuse the early summer heat clinging to the evening when he said, “You didn’t answer my question.”
    “What question?” she asked wondering if he meant the black-tie affair, but he’d asked another when she’d gone inside her head and didn’t hear.
    “I asked if you need money to go shopping.”
    “Oh, I didn’t hear you.”
    He made a left when the directional arrow went green. “Whatever you were thinking must be really deep. Care to share?”
    “Tony you know how I get,” she covered with a smile. “After those children I sometimes zone out. But a nice shopping trip on your dime will give me renewed energy.”
    “Shameless shopaholic,” he said with a lopsided grin. “I’m encouraging you to shop till you drop aren’t those words women like to hear?”
    “Nobody but commercials use that phrase. We just do our thang!”
    Tony shook his head. “You finally get to meet the boss’ wife. I think you’ll hit it off.”
    Tiffany wasn’t smiling. “So, this event has something to do with your employer?”
    “Yeah, that casino opening. Music, celebrities, food…and I know how you like to get dressed up.”
    “Yeah, but it depends on where I’m going and the company.”
    “Sounds like you have a problem. Is it my boss or is there a problem going with me?” He was at a red light. A busy Brooklyn street during rush hour where everybody took shortcuts to avoid the congestion of the main road. Kind of defeated the purpose though since most drivers discovered the route.
    “You know I don’t have a problem with you,