Angel - Chapter 9

The weekend had taken an ugly turn in Baltimore when Josh spotted Angel leaving the car of some dirty old man. At the time Josh didn’t want to confront her, although he wanted to strangle her for not telling him in the first place. The week she was visiting at home was nothing but sweet memories for him, but now he thought she was only playing him, or worse, getting back at him for being a shitty guy to her all those years ago. 

Josh was so confused and angry that by the time he made his way back into the hotel room he didn’t even have a desire to fuck the stripper Amber again, even though most of his friends were on their 2nd or 3rd go round with her. He sulked off into the corner of the kitchen and poured a drink of scotch and shot it down easily. 

While watching the romp in the other room, it came to Josh where he heard the name Romeo before. The name that Owen had said was the guy who gave them Amber for the night. Romeo. The name Angel said was her boss and who said she could only have a week off. Romeo, the guy who she made reference to as the prince. Romeo, the fucker who had suckered a sweet innocent girl like Angel into a world of dark night walking.

Josh slammed the glass on the counter and swore under his breath. If Romeo was in charge of Angel, and of Amber, then Amber surely knew Angel. Josh knew that he had to talk to Amber as soon as she was finished in the living room. He had to find out where she was and he was going drag her ass out of Baltimore if it killed him.

Thinking quickly, he picked up his cell phone from the microwave and went into one of the far bedrooms and flipped it open. The blushish light was bright in the dark room as he scrolled through the address book for a number. He glanced at his watch and even though it was going on midnight, he knew Brian would still be up. He hit send and the call was connected. After several rings, Brian picked up.

“Hello?” 

“Brain, man, you awake?” Josh asked as he sat on the edge of the bed.

“Hey Josh. What's up?”

“Listen, I'm in Baltimore with Max and some friends.”

“Ah, right, right. Bachelor party.”

“Yeah, listen man, I need some help.”

“Help? With what? Run outta ones?” Brian laughed on the other end of the phone.

“No dumb ass, I saw something down here.”

“I hope so.” 

“Listen, for the last time Bri,” Josh said becoming irritated. “I saw Angel.”

“Wow! That’s, like, a one in a million deal, especially since my mom doesn’t know where she is.”

“That’s the thing, I saw her by accident.”

“So? What's the problem then?”

“She’s a hooker, man.” Josh said this in almost a whisper, although he didn’t think his friends would hear over the music and screams of pleasure from Amber. Brian was silent.

“Brian? You there?”

“Yeah dude, but are you sure? I mean - “

“Trust me, it was her.”

“Well, what do you need me for then?”

“I need you to come down here and help me find her. And Johanna.”

Brian let out a long breath. It hadn’t occurred to him until that second that if Angel was hooker, it was possible the Johanna was too. It also explained why his sister and Johanna were close enough to do those oh so wonderful things to each other.

“Josh, I am getting dressed as we speak, okay? I’ll be there in like, 3 hours.”

“You can wait until morning you know.” Josh said.

“Nah, I’m coming now. I’m gonna take your car though, cool?”

“Whatever man, just get here. I can’t do this by myself.”

“I’ll call when I get into the city.”

Josh snapped the phone shut and then stretched out on the bed. He was tired and his buzz was gone, even though the scotch made him feel warm all over. When it sounded as if the boys finally calming down, he poked his head out into the living room and took in the scene. Owen was sprawled on the carpet, a pillow under his head. Nic and Max had each taken a couch and Trey and Evan occupied the chairs. Amber was counting cash on the table in the kitchen, drinking a beer. She smiled when Josh walked in.

“Hey baby. Did you enjoy yourself? I missed you.” She took a sip of beer and stacked the cash.

“Sorry about that, wanted to get some fresh air and I think I just drank too much last night.”

“I understand, trust me. However, you do need to pay up for the time you did spend with me.” She smiled sweetly and held out her hand. “Each of the boys kicked in 150.00 including a tip.”

Josh removed himself from the kitchen and came back with a stack of 20s. In total it was 300 bucks but he wanted to get some information from Amber first. He held half the money in one hand and half in the other. He sat again across from her.

“Here is what I owe you.” Josh said tossing the neat bills in her direction. “And here is another 150 if you can do something for me.” Amber’s eyes lit up at the extra money.

“What do you want to do baby?” She asked, slipping back into moneymaker mode.

“I want to ask some questions. About Romeo.” Instantly, Amber froze, a cold look passing over her face.

“I don’t know who your talking about.” Amber said stubbornly.

“Yes you do. He is your boss, or pimp if you want to call him that. But I know you know him.” Amber sighed as Josh waved the bills in her face. 

“What do you want to know?”

“I want to know about some of his other girls. Girls like you.”

“What, you don’t like me?” she said poutily.

“I think you’re a doll, but I am looking for a specific girl. Actually two.”

“What do you like? Blondes, red heads? Bondage? I know Romeo has girls like that.”

“That’s not exactly what I meant. I think I know 2 girls that work for him.” Josh tossed a bill to Amber and she greedily snatched it off the table and stacked it with the others. “For each answer I like I’ll give you another bill okay?” Amber nodded her head.

“Well, okay. But Romeo doesn’t like it when we become buddies with the customers.”

“Deal.” Josh said. “Now, lets get down to business.”

Amber answered all of Josh’s questions and then some. He learned that Romeo owned several clubs and was overall a real sleaze ball. Owen was probably right when he said he was an ass, because the way Amber was talking, he knew snakes that were better off than he was. Near the end of the conversation he got what he had wanted to hear; Johanna and Angel were in fact hookers. For an extra 20 bucks, Amber even gave him their address.