Cole called her a few minutes before she needed to leave.
"Miranda, I'm pretty busy the rest of the night. I got word about the drug lord being on the move, and I need to see what he is up to. I just wanted to call and wish you goodnight, and to get some good sleep."
"Why?" she asked.
"Knowing you, you will be out doing something tomorrow you shouldn't be," he chuckled.
She laughed. "Probably. Will I see you tomorrow?"
"I hope so," he said. "At the very least I will call you."
"Okay, be safe."
"I will tell the same thing to you," he laughed.
"Goodnight Cole."
"Goodnight Miranda."
She hung up, then grabbing her purse, minus the gun, she headed out the door and outside. She then said, "Okay men, I'm ready to go, hope you are listening."
She shook her head no at the valet and walked down the street to the antique shop.
A dark sedan across the street flashed their lights at her, and she knew it was the agents.
"Good, I don't want to go into this all alone, in case Tyrone gets out of hand."
Exactly at eight, a limo pulled up and the chauffeur climbed out. He was huge, black and muscular. He looked more like a bodyguard. He handed her a bandanna. "You have to be blindfolded. Tyrone does not want anyone to know where he lives."
She nodded and turned so he could blindfold her. Then helped her into the car.
When she was inside she heard him say from the driver's seat, "You have to leave that on until we get there, or both of us will be in trouble."
"Okay, I have no problem with that," she said.
"Good," he replied and started to drive. He was silent the whole time, which was fine, she had some things to think about, like where were her and Cole's relationship going to go from there? Did she really want to stay and work with him when it came right down to it? Yes, she supposed she did.
Minutes later they stopped and her door opened. "You can take that off now," the chauffeur told her. She did as told, letting her eyes adjust, as he helped her out, and led her to the front door of a very large mansion. Miranda was impressed at the grandness of the home as she went inside. Two men met her at the door and searched her and her purse before letting her go any further.
They nodded that she was okay and then she watched as a handsome man walked down the stairs. He was over six feet and nicely built. He had charcoal black hair, tanned skin, and a thin mustache. He was dressed in a gray suit. "Lara?" he asked as he headed to her.
She nodded at him.
"You are very beautiful. I did not expect such a beauty. When you took out my men I figured you had to be around their size, not a petite princess."
"Looks can be deceiving," she stated calmly.
"Yes, they can be," he nodded. He turned to his two guards. "Did she check out?"
"Yes, she's clean," one of them said.
"Good, we wouldn't want any surprises. I don't trust anyone."
"Neither do I," Miranda told him.
"Good, we shall get along then," he told her taking her hands in his.
"So, have you eaten?" he asked her.
"I did."
"Well, perhaps something light then," he told her and led her into a very large dining room.
He took her purse from her and handed it to a maid, then they sat down. He nodded at a staff member and said to her, "Bring us some soup and bread, a salad then dessert."
She nodded and disappeared through two large doors.
"I don't know if I can eat all of that," she protested.
"Just eat what you like," he smiled at her, showing perfect white teeth.
They did not have to wait long before the soup was brought to them. Miranda savored it, it was very good.
"Tell me, Lara, what brings you here to San Francisco?" Tyrone asked her.
"Well, I came looking for work actually," Miranda said.
"Are you a car thief by trade?" he asked her, amused.
"No, not really. I work as a child psychologist, but that is a little side venture."
Tyrone laughed. "What got you into stealing cars?"
"I don't know. A dare as a teen I guess. My friends liked to lift cars, and one of them dared me to do so one day. It was pretty easy, and so I guess I just went from there."
"And you haven't been caught?"
"Not yet," she shrugged.
"Do you know you stole the mayor's car the other day?" he smirked.
She shrugged. "So?"
"He was pretty ticked."
"I don't care. It was just another car. Jack told me to steal it, so I did. I didn't know at the time."
"I see. You know if you come and work for me that you won't have to steal cars anymore."
"That's fine."
"You could also quit your other job."
"I'm okay with that too," she shrugged.
"Good. Then you won't be distracted. So, tell me a bit about yourself, besides your work?"
"I'm an only child, my parents don't like me because I wasn't born a boy, and that's about it."
Tyrone chuckled. "Sounds interesting."
The maid came back out and took Miranda's bowl then, replacing it with a salad.
Miranda thanked her and she walked away after having given Tyrone his salad.
"Tell me about yourself," Miranda asked Tyrone.
"Well, I was born and raised in Chile."
"I have always wanted to visit there."
"Yes, it is beautiful."
"I can imagine. Do you have family there still?"
"I, like you am an only child."
"Are your parents still alive?" she asked.
"No, they passed on a few years ago."
"Did your father know what you did for a living?" she asked, a smile on her face.
He chuckled. "I took the family business over from him."
"Oh, that makes sense."
He nodded. "Tell me, Lara. What brought you to Bo?"
"Oh," she flushed. "I know a guy that knows Bo, and I needed a car, something better than the one I had, so he sent me to Bo's."
"Interesting, who was this man?"
"I'm sorry, I won't say because I don't want his life in danger."
"Smart woman," Tyrone nodded, "saving your friends. You do know that I can find out."
"I am sure you could," she shrugged, making him chuckle.
"How is your salad?" he asked her then.
"It is very good. I love this dressing, is it homemade?"
Tyrone nodded. "Yes, I have very good chefs here. I only want the best."
"I am sure you do," Miranda replied, hoping that Tyler and Chad weren't getting bored with their conversation.
"So, Tyrone, why did you bring me here?" Miranda asked him.
"Well, I wanted to see the woman who took out my men, and I am pleased. If you do well enough, I just might keep you."
"I see."
"Would you like that?"
"Let me think about it. I did just meet you, you know."
He smiled. "Yes, you did."
He held out a hand to her. "We can eat dessert later I want to show you around my place."
She took his hand. "Okay, I would like that."
He led her into another room adjoining the dining room. It looked like a large ballroom. Big plate windows surrounded three walls. "Do you dance?" he asked her.
"I suppose. It has been a while though," she admitted.
"That is all right," he assured, and walking to the wall, he hit a button on a small panel and soft music began to play through speakers in the ceiling.
Miranda followed his lead as he took her hand in his and placed his other hand around her waist. "You do dance well," he complimented her, as they danced around the floor.
"Thanks, but don't you want to get down to business?" she asked him.
He chuckled. "My, we are an impatient one, don't worry my dear, we shall, but I am enjoying spending my time with you. You are such a beautiful young lady."
"Thanks?" she questioned. He was making her rather uncomfortable, and she hoped he didn't try anything. She would hate to have to kill him before they had even made a deal.
After a few dances, he then led her through glass doors and outside. The moonlight bounced off marble statues and benches throughout a beautiful garden. He led her to a bench and sat down beside her. She glanced around taking in what she could see. "It is beautiful, even in the dark," she told him.
"Not as beautiful as you," he told her, taking her hand in his. "Come, I shall take you on a tour, and you can decide what room you want to stay in."
"A room?"
"Yes, while you work for me, you shall live here."
She took her hand out of his. "No, that was not part of the deal."
"It is now," he told her.
"No, I won't stay here. I want my freedom. If you don't like it then I won't work for you."
He stepped towards her threateningly until they were only an inch apart. "If you leave then you shall die."
"Then you die also, Tyrone," she told him.
"You could not kill me. I have too many guards."
"So? I have escaped places and taken out men bigger than your guards."
"You would not dare. I have too many connections, someone would take you down."
"We will see about that," she said, and in a swift movement had his gun out of his holster and pointed at his head. She then heard several guns cocking. She knew that she was surrounded, but that did not deter her.
Tyrone smiled snidely at her. "You kill me, you die also."
"So? My life is worth nothing compared to yours. You are worth a whole lot more than I am. Who would be missed more, you or me?"
Tyrone started to smile, and then threw back his head and laughed a deep hearty laugh. Miranda glared at him, but she lowered the gun and handed it back to him, hoping he wouldn't use it on her. The men put away their guns also. Tyrone took Miranda's hands. "Lara, I like you, and I admire your spunk. I'll give in to you," he chuckled, "but I want some of my men to follow you, make sure you are safe."
"No, I do not want to be followed, if I find out I am being followed, I will take them down, I mean it, Tyrone. I don't need to be babysat."
Tyrone rose an eyebrow at her. "Do you think you can stay alive working for me?"
"Yes, that is what disguises are for, and if I think I am in trouble I will let you know, besides, who is going to know I am working for you? No one. I have no one to tell, so let me be," she said angrily. She hoped she wasn't pushing him too far, but there was no way she could stay there, especially since Cole didn't know she was going to work for him.
He chuckled. "Fine. You drive a hard bargain, but you have a deal." He shook her hand. "Come back inside, I have something for you."
He led her back inside the ballroom, as a woman appeared at their side. She handed Tyrone a small velvet box, which he in turn handed to Miranda. She looked at him curiously.
"Go ahead, open it. It is a gift to welcome you to my side of the world."
She opened the box and gasped as she saw diamond earrings nestled in velvet. He smiled at her reaction.
"Do you like them?" he asked her.
"They are so beautiful."
"Put them on," he insisted.
"Okay," she said. She knew she would lose contact with Chad and Tyler, but she really didn't have a choice.
She took out the pearls which the woman took. "I will put these in your purse," she said and walked away. Miranda put the diamonds in.
"Beautiful, they match your lovely look so much better," he told her.
"Would you like the rest of the tour now?" Tyrone asked Miranda.
"Perhaps another time? It is very late."
"Okay, but let us discuss business, I want you to know what is expected of you."
"Okay," she agreed and followed him into his office which was behind the spiral stairs. Miranda was impressed as she walked in. The walls were lined in books, an oak desk sat in the middle, a couch sat off to the side, along with a minibar. He sat behind his desk, motioning her to sit across from him.
"Drink?" he asked.
"No thanks."
"Fine, but if you don't mind I will."
He stood and poured himself a drink, then sat back down. He took a swallow then looked across his desk to her.
"Now down to business." He tapped his fingers on the desk then said, "Lara, I am going to test you. I want to make sure I can trust you before I let you in on my big deals. I know you can steal cars, but can you kill a cop?"
Miranda frowned. "What do you mean?"
"You heard me. You know us, drug lords, we hate cops. I want to make sure you hate them too, and if you want to be a part of my team, you have to kill one."
"Is that how others got in?" she asked.
"Some of them."
"So why are you asking this of me?"
"Because you are special. I want you to be with me on all of my deals, but I want to make sure you are on my side. You aren't a cop lover, are you Lara?"
"I don't hate them, but only because I have never been caught."
"Never?"
"Nope, I wear too many disguises for them ever to find me."
"Are you wearing one now Lara?"
"What do you think?" she asked him.
He leaned over the desk and looked at her closely. "Nope, I think that is the real you."
She just shrugged, not telling him if she was or not.
"So here is what we are going to do tomorrow," he said, "I am setting up a fake drug deal. The other side will get fake drugs, I get the real money. We tip off the cops, you kill one, you are in."
"What if I refuse?"
"Then I will kill you instead," he warned.
Miranda nodded. "Fine, I will do it, but murder raises my price."
"Fine, name it."
"100 grand a week, if I deal with your drugs."
"How about you get a portion of the drug money instead, you will make a lot more."
"Fair enough," she agreed.
"Good. We have a deal then?" he asked her, standing.
"Deal," she said, shaking his hand.
"I'll have someone take you home, then I will see you tomorrow. I will tell them not to blindfold you because I am trusting you will not give me away."
"Who would I tell? I am here on vacation, I don't know anyone," she said.
"True, shall we?" he held out his hand and they headed to the door. He led her outside where she was given back her purse, and then helped into the limo. He leaned in and kissed her cheek.
"Thank you for the evening, Tyrone," she said, "it was most entertaining."
"Thank you for coming, and I agree, it was entertaining," he chuckled.
Tyrone nodded at the chauffeur and he got in and pulled out to take Miranda home.
She told him to stop at the antique shop like before.
Miranda sighed deeply as she laid her head against the headrest. She had been lucky.
"That was some gutsy moves back there," the chauffeur stated.
"Yes, I know, but I can't have people pushing me around, even if they are a crime boss."
The chauffeur chuckled. "I'm Alex by the way."
"Nice to meet you, Alex," Miranda replied.
"He likes you. You are the first one to stand up to him and not be shot."
"I'm glad I wasn't. I knew I was taking a risk, but I want him to know how serious I am about my privacy."
"He knows now," Alex chuckled, pulling up to the antique shop. He got out and opened her door for her. "Have a goodnight, Lara," he said, emphasizing her name. She didn't ask why he did, she only nodded at him. He watched her walk away, then climbing into the limo, he drove away. She knew that Tyler and Chad would not be happy with her, especially when she told them the things she needed to do. She was especially glad that Cole didn't know. He would surely blow a gasket.