Chapter Two

I'm young, I know, but even so
I know a thing or two
And I learned from you
I really learned a lot, really learned a lot
Love is like a flame
It burns you when it's hot
Love hurts......ooh,ooh love hurts
Love Hurts
Nazareth

Soon after that Andrew Fucking Hartley didn’t just take her out into the gallery and back to the crowd, he bid everyone a fond good night and took her out of the building. David followed them outside with the rest of the crowd, watched them climb into a stretch limo with a young blonde woman and an even young dark haired male. Andrew Fucking Hartley did not look like a happy man.

David climbed into his own rented car and followed them down the narrow dark Venice streets.

Davy, do you know what you’re doing?

No.

Then shut up and go along for the ride, baby bruther.

She was surprised to see us, huh? She didn’t look so good.

Me either. Do you think she believed you, Davy?

Even Hartley had to buy his drugs somewhere although both David and Daniel would have said he had a peon to run that errand for him. Twenty minutes went by and they didn’t come out. Half an hour and still no sign of them. Most drugs buys didn’t take that long, well, not in David’s vast experience anyway. Turning around in the seat and looking back toward where the limo was parked he saw a lot of nice cars parked on the side streets around but not in front of this house. The windows over there weren’t any help, all the shades were pulled down and the rooms looked dimly lit to begin with. He couldn’t even see any shadows moving around in there.

David opened the car door and got out into the chilling raining night.

Where are you going?

I hate to break it to you but we don’t belong over there. Whatever’s going on they’re not going to let us in.

Mab-be not. David crossed the street, pushed open the little gate between the sidewalk and front walk and then closed it behind him. We’ll jus’ git us a peek at the inside.

David knocked on the door and a young woman opened it.

“Buona sera Signor.”

“Buona sera Signora. Parla inglese? “ (Good evening Miss. Do you speak English?)

“No.”

“La mia macchina non va” (My car has broken down.) Daniel smiled shyly for the pretty girl at the door. “Vorrei fare una telefonata.” (Can you help me? I’d like to make a telephone call.)

“Si.” She stepped aside to let him in. The woman brought him through a rather ordinary looking living room to where a telephone was sitting.

David and Daniel looked out through the same set of eyes seeing the same things and breathing in the same strong scent of booze and sex. Lots of sex. If he listened he could hear people off in the distance of the house somewhere. He couldn’t make out what they were saying but there was a lot of moaning and groaning going on. It didn’t look like a sex club and that was probably part of its appeal.

Leave? You’re not just gonna leave her in here!

Yep, we are. On the other end of the line an automated Italian voice was telling him the time. Better say somethin’.

Daniel told the automated voice to send a tow truck to the address and then hung up the phone. “Grazie,” he said again to the pretty girl and walked out the door.

And just why are we leaving her here?

It’s her choice, Danny. Yew gotta let her make it. David climbed into the car and drove off back to the hotel they were staying at. She’ll come home, Danny. Aft’a ta’nite, dun yew worry, she’ll come home.

Nope, she dun’t. David agreed easily. Hopefully dat’s wot she realizes ta’nite, Danny. We opened the door it’s up to ‘er whetter or not she gone walk tru it.

End of Chapter Two
Tarnished Heroes: Love Hurts
Continue to
Chapter Three