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“SOMEBODY AFTER YOU?” the stranger asked. His broad shoulders filled out his dark suit. He looked down the street toward the movie theater.
“Yes! No.” She darted a glance over her shoulder. Mr. Rivalde stood outside the theater, holding her coat and looking up and down the street as he searched for her. “Yes. I have to get away from him.”
“Stick with me, kid.” The man released her and opened one of the car doors. “No one will mess with you if you're with me.”
He exuded strength, and Bethany had no doubt what he said he was right.
“Thank you.” Filled with relief, she exhaled.
He smiled. “Get in.”
She didn't know him, so she hesitated, but then Mr. Rivalde headed down the street toward her. He didn't look happy.
Along the steps of the Arlington, other men in suits, some accompanied by women all dolled up for an evening out, approached their cars. Bethany didn't have time to contemplate or discuss things. The man's friends were on the move.
“Thank you.” Bethany slid into the car and scooted across the seat.
The man joined her, placed his arm across the back of the seat, and surveyed the street. His arm felt more like a protective barrier or a statement rather than the beginning of a slow slide to touch her. He hadn't paid her that kind of attention.
“Doesn't look like he's still following you, doll. You gave him the slip.”
Maybe so, but he knows where to find me later. She didn't say the words aloud, but the thought made her wish she never had to go back to the hotel. She had hours to kill until she had to do that. In the mean time, she would stay out as late as she could.
“Where are we going?”
“To the race track. You ever been to Oaklawn?”
“No, never.”
“You're gonna love it. The horses, dinner. Mr. Capone doesn't do small time. Only the best.”
“Sounds like fun.”
He nodded.
The car took off, and the driver followed two other cars. He stayed vigilant watching out the window and paid little attention to her, though he kept his arm across the back of the seat.
How odd that he hadn't even asked her name. Perhaps he wasn't interested in her. Well, she could be bold, instead of shy, and ask the question herself.
“I'm Bethany Robinson. What's your name?”
“Rocco.”
Was that his first name or his last name? She'd never heard that name before, but she wasn't about to ask about it. Rocco wasn't in a conversational mood. He was too intent on whatever he was looking at out the windows.
She reached into her bag for the red lipstick, pulled off the lid, and leaned forward so she could see herself in the car's rearview mirror. She'd known better than to apply the lipstick at the hotel where her aunt might have taken it away.
The driver watched her in the mirror. Blushing, she glanced away and finished applying it, then sat back in her seat to look out the window.
They soon arrived at the Oaklawn Race Track. Once the driver parked the car, Rocco said, “Wait here until I tell you to get out.”
One man stepped out of each car, scanned the area, and then spoke to the people inside.
Rocco turned to the people inside their car and said, “All clear.”
The others started to get out, and he reached in a hand to help Bethany onto the curb. He gazed into her eyes. “Come on, Bethany.”
So he had been paying attention. She placed her hand in his and enjoyed the way he helped her out of the car. He shut the door with one fluid movement and ushered her ahead of him with just his fingertips on her back.
His touch didn't feel creepy. No, more like a man taking control and taking care of her in a matter of fact way without wanting anything more from her. It felt nice. She could see why Suki found these men so attractive. They dressed sharply, they had elegant manners, and they were protective of their women. She didn't feel like a commodity, something to be owned. She was here because she wanted to be, no pressure.
“Who's the dame?” a man asked Rocco.
He reached for her with one hand, placed it on her back, and urged her forward. “Mr. Capone, this is Bethany Robinson.”
“She's too young.” A frown crossed Mr. Capone's face.
Oh, no. They'll send me away. Bethany met his eyes. “I'll be eighteen on Sunday.”
“Make sure you know what you're doing.” Mr. Capone shook his head as if shaking off something he didn't want to look at, then pinned Rocco with a piercing glance. “No foul ups.”
“Yes, sir.” Rocco nodded. “I have it under control.”
“You'd better.” Mr. Capone walked away, and everyone else followed in his wake.
Wait. Mr. Capone? Was he the man Paul had warned her about? The man Paul had said was so dangerous? He must be. Bethany could sense it now. The element of danger. She sensed it on all of them. Every one of these men was dangerous, but that danger wasn't directed at her. If anything, she was safe here in their presence. And even though she was young, Mr. Capone had just accepted her into his circle. Rocco seemed pleased, and everything was under control.
He guided her along, silent and strong, just as he had before. She'd like to see Richard Rivalde try to put his hands all over her now. Rocco would never allow that. He'd made it clear simply by his presence that she was under his protection.
She finally felt safe again.
*****
PAUL COULDN'T BELIEVE his eyes. He'd gone to the racetrack to wait for the gang members and watched them as usual with little emotion, the detached observation of a detective, when Bethany Robinson stepped out of one of the cars holding on to Rocco's hand.
Then Bethany, the sweet little blonde with the beautiful blue eyes, turned all of that sweetness toward Rocco. Wanting to smash something, Paul curled his hands into fists.
What the hell is she doing here? With Rocco? What the hell is she thinking?
She appeared to be here by choice and was apparently having a good time, even though she'd directed that sweet, innocent smile at a dirty criminal who could gun down a man at any second without blinking an eye. The idea made Paul sick to his stomach.
Bethany had no idea what she'd gotten herself mixed up in. What the hell was Rocco doing with her anyway? Innocent young girls weren't his style, although he did like them blonde and pretty. He also liked to have them frequently. Rocco was a man of large appetites. He not only liked to have women frequently, he also liked to have his blondes more than one at a time.
Innocent Bethany was in way over her head.
The question was, what was Paul going to do about it? He couldn't blow his cover, so for now; he had to resign himself to watching them.
They reached a private area of the racetrack and knowing Bethany was inside where he could no longer see her turned his guts. He couldn't see what Rocco was doing to her.
He needed a cigarette, and he didn't have one. He'd given up the habit over a year ago.
*****
WHILE BETHANY WATCHED the races, Rocco explained how they worked and how to place a bet. Though he didn't invite her to place one. He bet big money and won, too. The men all knew the names of the horses and the jockeys, and all of them placed bets. They betted quietly, and Bethany got the impression all of the bets involved big money.
They enjoyed juicy steaks, baked potatoes, and salads, and the waiters served everyone cocktails. Bethany had no idea what to order to drink.
Rocco said, “Bring her a gin fizz, and I'll take a rye whiskey.”
Her gin fizz turned out to be a sweet, fizzy drink with a kick. Bethany sipped it as she ate, and by the time she was full, she'd finished the drink and felt warm and relaxed, with a tendency to giggle.
Rocco smiled at her every time she did, and the corners of his eyes crinkled up.
“The horses are so beautiful. Wish I had a horse,” Bethany said.
Rocco winked at her. “Stick with me, doll, and I just might buy you one.”
“I have a birthday coming up soon. This week.”
“And you'll be eighteen. I know. You already told me.”
“Oh, I did?”
“Yes, you did. Aren't you gonna finish your steak? You didn't eat much.”
“Oh, I'm full. I never eat much. My aunt doesn't allow it.” She hiccupped.
The waitress came over with a steaming cup of java and placed it in front of Bethany.
“Coffee? I don't drink coffee.”
Rocco looked at Mr. Capone, who nodded at him.
“Tonight, doll, you're gonna learn. That drink went to your head a little too fast.”
“Oh, I don't think I want it. I really am full.”
“Mr. Capone sent it to you. Just sip it.” He pushed a bowl and small pitcher toward her. “Here's some cream and sugar. Try adding a little of each until it tastes good to you.”
Obviously bemused, he smiled as she dropped sugar cube after sugar cube into her coffee, stirred it and took a sip and tried again.
When she finally managed to drink half of it, Rocco pushed his chair back and stood. The others all did the same. “Time to go. Have you ever been to The Southern Club?”
“No. Are we going there now? Is there dancing?”
“Yes. You like to dance?”
“Suki promised to teach me.”
“You know Suki?”
“Yes.”
“You're gonna fit right in.” He slipped his arm around her and moved toward the door.
They all got back into their shiny black cars and headed to The Southern Club. Just as they had last time, everyone moved in the same routine, with a few men getting out of the cars, looking about, and then giving the others the go ahead.
Rocco opened the door and reached in for Bethany. She placed her hand in his and stepped out. Ever vigilant, he didn't stop surveying their surroundings even as he placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her into the club.
Music poured out of the place as flappers and their dates made their way inside. All the ladies wore pretty summer dresses with dropped waists and beads and long ropes of pearls.
Inside the club, white tablecloths covered the round tables and crystal candleholders holding lit candles sat in the middle of each one. Everyone had some form of drink, and the crystal glasses and wine goblets caught the light of the flickering candles.
Large chandeliers lit up the dance floor in front of the band. The musicians played the Charleston as dancers stepped high. Bethany couldn't wait to learn that dance.
Rocco led her to a table near the front of the dance floor marked by a reserved sign. One of the waiters plucked the sign off the table and then held out a chair for her.
Suki came over to her. “Bethany, you're here. I see you've met Rocco. That's Frank.”
The man Suki pointed out, who must have been Frank, walked over to whisper in Mr. Capone's ear. Mr. Capone nodded, and Frank went over to the bar to talk to the bartender.
“They've got some business to discuss,” Suki said. “Do you want some champagne?”
“None for her tonight, Suki,” Rocco said. “She was spiffilcated before we even left the track. Can't send my little baby home in that condition so soon.”
“Yours, Rocco?”
“Mine.”
“Want her all to yourself, do you?”
“As I said, mine.”
“That was fast. Over the Canton twins so soon?”
“Leave it, Suki.”
“Come on, doll face,” Suki turned to Bethany, who was bewildered by their whole conversation. “You ready to dance?”
“Oh, yes.” Bethany had been tapping her toes. “I can't wait to learn the Charleston.”
“Oh that's not even the newest dance.” Suki sipped her champagne, and then set her glass on the table. “It's the Black Bottom. Come on. I'll teach you.”
Bethany enjoyed learning all the new dances while Rocco watched from his table. A few minutes passed, and then someone tapped her on the shoulder. She turned to see who it was.
A policeman.
She stopped dancing and froze on the dance floor. The dancers around her moved away as if she had the plague. Oh, this isn't good. I'm in big trouble.
“Miss Robinson, this isn't the place for a woman your age.” He gestured at the tables where Mr. Capone and his men sat. Mr. Capone leaned toward Rocco and said something as they both watched her with the policeman. “Have you been keeping company with those men?”
Rocco who'd been half out of his seat, leaned back, restrained by whatever Mr. Capone had said to him.
“No, daddy, she's with me.” Suki interrupted the policeman and threaded her arm through Bethany's and winked at him. “She just wants to learn the new dances. See?”
“That's right,” Bethany said. “Suki promised to teach me the dances.”
“So she's been a good little doll this evening,” Suki said. “In a couple of days, she'll be eighteen, and then she can do whatever she wants.”
“Be that as it may, she's not eighteen yet. I'm sure Mr. Capone doesn't want to have to deal with this kind of situation while he's on vacation trying to relax.” He nodded at Suki and then addressed Bethany again. “Your aunt and uncle are worried. They filed a missing persons report. You'll have to come with me.”
“Yes, sir.” Cheeks blazing, Bethany walked toward the door with the policeman. Rocco's steady gaze stayed upon her as she turned toward Suki and mouthed, “Thank you.”
Suki blew her a kiss and winked.