“There’s even a guy watching the door just like at Capone’s,” Zoe muttered as she shut off her GT4 and sized up the guy standing at the door. She shook her head and tightened her ponytail after noticing it was a little loose. The doorman was watching her, so Zoe dismounted and walked up to him. “Hi.”

“We’re not open yet nor are we hiring dames,” the big man said. He was almost as large as Terr. He made a show of checking her out. “Though, if you’re willing to wait a few minutes I could give you a try out and possible recommendation.”

Zoe glared at the man and felt her right hand move towards the small of her back where her P750 was. She stopped herself and fought down the desire to shoot him.

“I’ll pass. I’m not here for any of those things,” Zoe replied. “I have a delivery for Mr Luciano from Mr Capone.”

Zoe figured name dropping the two bosses would help her out with the lug guarding the door. She tossed him her credentials. Zoe grinned as the thought struck her that she had been using a little MR ever since she started working as a courier but hadn’t realized it.

“What’s your name?” the man asked.

“I just gave you my credentials,” Zoe replied. She scanned him and almost whistled. She searched past his false profile and discovered Mark Zappala was wanted in connection with several crimes by the police.

“Name?”

“Zoe Blanco and I work for Cartier Transport,” Zoe answered. “Why don’t I just give you the envelope?”

“Just a moment,” Mark said. The door opened and a man just as large as Mark Zappala glanced at him and turned to Zoe.

“I’m Russell. Come with me and take you to Mr Luciano,” the man said.

“Alright,” Zoe replied. She followed Russell inside.

Zoe was hit with the place’s menu immediately. Luciano’s menu not only showed Italian food, but a lot of seafood and sandwiches. The restaurant’s décor was filled with pictures of fish and famous mafia types.

“Some place, huh?” Russell asked after noticing Zoe looking around.

“Yeah. You guys are really going in for the mafia thing,” Zoe replied. She laughed. “There’s even a sandwich named the Godfather.”

“And one named the Goodfella as well as NY’s Finest. They are excellent if I do say so myself,” Russell said. “All three are available as wraps too.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Zoe replied as they walked to a corner booth.

“Donnie, this is Zoe Blanco. She’s a courier and has something for you,” Russell said by way of introduction. “Zoe, this is Donnie Luciano, the owner of this fine establishment.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Mr Luciano,” Zoe said as the man eyed her up and down. His eyes lingered on her legs and made Zoe once again wish she had worn baggy jeans instead of the skort even if it reached a little over midthigh.

“The pleasure is mine,” Donnie said. “What did Nucky give you?”

“An envelope,” Zoe said as she pulled her backpack around and got the envelope out. She handed it to Luciano.

“Sit while I read this,” Donnie said gesturing to his booth. “Russell, get the lady whatever she wants from the bar or kitchen.”

“Sure Donnie,” Russell said. He looked at Zoe expectedly.

“Thanks, but no thanks. I’m fine. I had a big breakfast and don’t want anything,” Zoe said. She lifted the camelback’s straw and said,” I’m not thirsty either and I should really be going. I have other runs to do.”

“Suit yourself,” Russell said sitting at a neighboring table.

“Sit. This won’t take me long to read and reply to. Then you can take the reply to Nucky,” Donnie said. “We’ll pay you extra for your time.”

“Ok,” Zoe replied sitting in the booth right by the aisleway.”

“Russell, go get me the good stationery from my office and a fountain pen,” Donnie instructed his subordinate. Russell nodded and walked toward the kitchen double doors at the back of the dining room. Donnie turned his attention to Zoe. “You’re sitting far away.”

“I uh…I just don’t like being too close to others,” Zoe said. “My ICE is set very sensitively.”

“You can change that setting,” Donnie replied. Zoe shook her head and smiled. “Alright. I tried.”

Zoe laughed making Luciano smile. Russell returned and handed the requested items to his boss as well as an envelope.

“Are you related to the famous Lucky Luciano?” Zoe asked Donnie as he started writing. The two mobsters laughed.

“Yes,” Donnie answered. “Lucky was my great, great uncle or something along those lines. Might not be enough greats there.”

“That’s neat!” Zoe exclaimed making the men laugh again. She sheepishly said, “I was just wondering.”

“Donnie gets that a lot,” Russell said giving Zoe a smile.

“Zoe, what would it take to get you to come work for me?” Donnie suddenly asked. “I could use a courier of my own.”

“No thank you. I’m not looking to change companies,” Zoe replied. “I’m happy working for Cartier Transport.”

“We could go up to the office and negotiate. I understand you owe Nucky quite a lot,” Donnie said.

“Again, no thank you. I’m paying Mr Capone back and am ahead of schedule on payments,” Zoe replied giving the man another smile. He shrugged.

“If you change your mind, you know where to find me,” Donnie said stopping his writing and folding up the page. He put it in the envelope Russell had brought and sealed it. He handed it to Zoe, who put it in her backpack. Donnie sent her a credit transfer. “Here’s your payment.”

“Mr Luciano that is too much!” Zoe exclaimed after seeing he gave her 1000 credits.

“Consider it a gift and an example of my appreciation,” Donnie replied. “I’m serious about wanting you to work for me.”

“I’ll…I’ll think about it,” Zoe said standing up. “I should get going.”

“Alright. Russell will see you out,” Donnie replied as he watched her walk away.

*

“Boss, was it wise to pay the girl that much?” Russell asked Luciano.

“I think so,” Donnie replied. “Did you see that girl’s legs and ass?”

“I’m not blind. But still…”

“She knows she’s in debt and seems smart enough to know that paydays like I just gave her will get her out of it quicker,” Donnie replied. “That is a lot more than she’ll see working as a courier for Cartier.”

“True, but a couple hundred would have sufficed,” Russell said.

“Maybe. But if she is working for Nucky in addition to Cartier, my generosity might make her decide she owes me.”

“Ah. And that could get her to betray Nucky in some way or just let you in her pants,” Russell concluded.

“Exactly.”