Carlotta and the Krius Scepter (Carlotta Series Book 1) by John Booth Page A

silver cuffs.
    That was all very well, but surely they must have wanted me to get my memories back by now. Something had gone wrong. It was clear I wasn’t a vampire, though I had certainly been one a few hours ago. I must be something else entirely. The trouble was, I had no idea what.
    “Open the door.”
    The voice was Vinnie’s and I didn’t think the instruction was meant for me. I ran to my bed and hid the key under the mattress. That was about as original as hiding it under a flowerpot, but I was in a hurry and besides, there were no flowerpots conveniently to hand.

9.    Indentured
     
    I sat on my bed trying to look as innocent as I could. Vinnie came in with his gun held two-handed at arm’s length, pointing straight between my eyes. Another man slipped into the room behind him.
    “Search her, Mario.”
    Mario looked uncomfortable as I stood up and assumed the position languidly, bending over so I could put my hands on the mattress. “I hope you’ve warmed your hands,” I said as he swiftly and expertly checked me over. Under other circumstances I might have enjoyed it.
    “It ain’t on her, Vinnie. Unless she’s put it in somewhere I can’t reach.”
    I opened my mouth wide to show it was empty and then stuck my tongue out at Vinnie. It wasn’t a particularly wise move as Vinnie’s hands were shaking and he could have pulled the trigger by accident; but if I can’t get some laughs along the way, what’s the point in living?
    “Search the room,” Vinnie demanded and I casually sat on the bed, sitting on the object of Vinnie’s desires, which was under the mattress on that very same spot.
    Mario searched surfaces and opened drawers to no avail while Vinnie fumed. I couldn’t help noticing that he was shifting his weight from one leg to the other as if in discomfort. I decided that conversation was needed to distract Mario from searching the bed.
    “Vinnie and I had a ball up here last night. Well, to tell you the truth I had two of them and Vinnie’s barely got any left.”
    Mario didn’t quite suppress a snigger and for a moment Vinnie shifted his aim to Mario. I could have taken him then. Snatched the gun from him and killed him with a single blow to the neck. Vermin like him should be disposed of quickly and efficiently. I don’t know why I didn’t, but the moment was gone as quickly as it came and Vinnie’s gun pointed at me again, albeit a little shakily.
    “Where is…”
    “Vinnie,” Mike’s voice at the door nearly caused him to pull the trigger. I was already on the floor trying to avoid the bullet. I looked up into Mike’s face.
    Mike noticed my position and the bastard grinned.
    “The boss said we were to bring them straight down, not play hunt the cherry with them.”
    “My key…”
    “Is lost kid, get used to it. The Don wants us in the den with the prisoners and I don’t remember him mentionin’ that we should stop to find your key. You want I should tell him how it came to be missin’?”
    Vinnie snarled and motioned me to go to the door.
    That was when I noticed Brian, he was being held on his feet by some other goon I’d never met. I wondered if The Don bought them in job lots. Maybe there was a training school that turned out dead-eyed guys in smart Italian suits. America is one of those countries that have a supplier ready to step in for every need. A mob school seemed likely; after all, McDonald’s has its own university.
    Mario helped me to my feet. A gun barrel pressed into my back reminded me that the days of chivalry were long dead, and I was hurried out of the room.
    “How you doing, kid?” I asked Brian in the elevator. Not well, if the paleness of his skin was anything to go by. He didn’t answer, just gave me a look. If we’re ever going to be friends he’s going to have to stop it with those looks. A girl has her pride.
    Surprise, surprise, we ended up in the Library/Card/Pool room that was apparently referred to by the holstered staff as the