A Plain-Dealing Villain Read Online Free

ticked them off on his fingers. “One, release my client at once, and we can pretend this never happened. Two, you can proceed with this travesty, I’ll have the case dismissed before you can say ‘wrongful arrest,’ and my next call will be to your deputy assistant director to discuss a lawsuit against you, her, and the entire Federal Bureau of Investigation.”
    Harmony leaned against the table with one hand. Her shoulders sagged.
    “You want him?” she said. “Fine. Take him and leave.”
    Perkins opened the door, ushering me toward it with a grand sweep of his arm like he was rolling out a red carpet.
    “Faust,” she said, “one last thing.”
    I stopped and looked back at Harmony. Her body language said defeat, but the fire in her eyes told a whole different story. The lioness was still in there. Hungry. Pacing. Ready to break loose.
    “Tonight was just an appetizer,” she said. “If you even think about pulling another heist, I’ll be there. If you rob a bank, I’ll be in the vault waiting for you. If you so much as shoplift a candy bar, I’ll be standing right behind you in the convenience store. Remember this room, because you
will
be back here. Soon.”
    “Admission of the intent to harass my client,” Perkins said archly.
    “Go fuck yourself,” Harmony told him. Then she swung her gaze back my way. “You want to fight with brass knuckles, Faust? Fine. I’ve got a pair of my own. I’ve seen all your little tricks, all your fancy moves. You’ve got nothing left. But as for me? I haven’t even broken a sweat.”
    Perkins steered me out of the room, double-time, but I couldn’t shake the fear that turned my palms clammy.
    I was afraid she might be right.

3.
    Perkins had a present for me: my keys, my wallet and my personal phone, all the things I’d left in his hands for safe keeping while I tried – and failed – to make a little cash that night. He’s a full-service lawyer. I had a text waiting on my phone.
Meet me at the usual place
, it read.
Have something for you
.
    Perkins leaned over my shoulder, not bothering to be subtle as he read the screen. A cool night wind ruffled my hair. He clicked his tongue and shook his head.
    “Communications from Nicky Agnelli? As your attorney, I advise keeping your distance. Why, unlike yourself, that man’s a notorious criminal. Allegedly, of course.”
    More than a criminal, Nicky was the biggest racket boss in Las Vegas. The feds and the corporate-owned casinos might have chased the old mob out of town decades ago, but there was still plenty of crime to go around, and Nicky had his claws in almost all of it.
    I used to work for Nicky as his “hired wand,” greasing the wheels and helping his crews out with a little black magic. Then things went south in the worst way, and I cut ties. Later he tried to hire me back. When I said no, he tossed me to a pack of feral halfblood demons. Not long after that, he helped take down Lauren Carmichael, saving the world in the process.
    What I’m saying is Nicky and I had a complicated relationship.
    “Whatever he’s got for me,” I told Perkins, “I’m pretty sure I don’t want it. Just like I’m pretty sure I’d better go find out what it is.”
    “Have it your way, but remember: the attorney-client bond is a partnership.
I
can’t help you if
you
don’t help you.”
    “Thanks. Any other advice?”
    Perkins looked up at the sky and took a deep breath. The air glowed from the lights of the Strip, and a great white beam shot straight up over the city to brush its finger against the face of the moon.
    “Yes,” he said. “Leave town. Mr. Agnelli is the target Agent Black’s task force is here to snare. You’re the target she
wants
. It’s personal now. May I suggest Bora Bora? It’s quite nice this time of year. Waterfront cabanas, coconut drinks…”
    Sure
, I thought.
I can just blow town and fly overseas with all the money I don’t have
.
    Winslow and his biker buddies weren’t going to