Thread: Why Does the Caged Bird Sing? (Corsair and Xana)

The sound of running water woke Mercedes from her pleasant dreams of the Raven. Somewhere, William had gotten mixed up in them, and even that striking reporter of his. Marilyn Stone. Damn, she had to figure out if she was his wife or what. But once the drowsy gaze faded, she figured it was Vinnie in the bathroom, cleaning off his whores stench. Why he couldnt do that at her place, Mercedes didnt know but she didnt feel a need to ask. Instead, she got up and made them both a cup of coffee. When she returned, Vinnie was rifling through her closet. Her disguise was hidden in a box on the floor, under a couple of shoe boxes, but still, Mercedes was terrified hed notice it. Find it. Put the facts together and figure out who had been hitting him. She cleared her throat, and Vinnie half turned toward her with a nod. I want you to wear something nice tonight. Dont I always? She purred, pulling Vinnie away from the closet. Her body was pressed up against his back and her hands roamed his chest. She remembered the Raven, and how he felt beneath her fingertips. Imagined him, as she brushed lips against her husbands cheek. Vinnie didnt move from the open closet door but stopped looking through it at least. Whats the occasion? Mayor Thompson wants to come by the club. Wants to see you sing, and I want you to look good doing it. Vinnie explained. Something about that made her freeze, remembering Vinnies words the night he violated her. You think I wont turn this ass out if I didnt love you so much? Just sing, right? she asked, not bothering to hide the obvious discomfort in her voice. Vinnie turned towards her now, cupping her chin. Shit doll, hes just a mayor, Vinnie laughed, laughing at her. Because she would know he could do it if he wanted. He knew he could do whatever he wanted to her. She was just his little canary, after all. Now, if it were a nosy Fed, on the other hand Vinnie darted into kiss her then, and she let him. Just like she let him hurt her the other night. Because he was bigger and stronger, and even if she could fight him off, he had too many allies for her to get far. Just as his trailed down her shoulder, and she was fighting every urge to flinch or slap it away, there was a pounding at the front door. Urgent and loud, it gave her an excuse to jump out of Vinnes arms. Vinnie held up a finger, Be right back, before pushing into the hallway and the foyer. Once Vinnie was safely out of the room, Mercy let herself shudder, fighting the rising bile in her stomach. Tearing open the top drawer of her dresser, she found a bottle of whiskey hidden under her unmentionables. She took a healthy swig, and then another, washing Vinnies taste from her mouth and his touch from her skin. Scrubbing the lingering droplets from her lips, she put the bottle away. Everything felt a little fuzzier now, a little more distant, and she thought she might be able to endure her husbands attention, now. But there was no need. Not as Vinnies angry roar carried through the house. Bed pressed up against the door, she listened, only catching bits and pieces. Howd they mess up a sure thing? Unexpected resistance Three fucking cars The Raven and maybe another That last line made blood warmed from alcohol run cold. Had someone seen her? Had she left a clue? No, it wasnt possible. The Raven had said shes done well. He hadnt even known she was there. Vinnies guys sounded unsure, anyway. Still, she let herself fall back on the bed, replaying the night in her head, wondering if she had made some mistake. Vinnie burst into the room again, and the thoughts swirling in her mind made her tense, with a guilty look on her mind. Vinnie didnt notice. He was in his closet, pulling out a fresh suit and a couple pieces. Listen, doll, I got some business to take care of. You dont forget what I told you though. Dress nice, so all your audience is jealous of me, capiche? Of course. See you tonight, then? She asked, hiding her guilt in a casual lean back onto the bed. Yeah, tonight, Vinnie repeated, placing an absent kiss on her forehead. He left and the sound of the front door slamming followed close behind. From the bedroom window, she could see Vinnie and his men get into his Cadillac and peel off. Releasing a slow exhale, Mercy looked for her purse and retrieved the paper William Stone had given her. Hed probably like to know about Mayor Thompsons attendance this evening. Dialing carefully, Mercedes called his office.