Aunt Anne messaged Zoe stating she was already inside Gabriel’s when Zoe arrived. She had gotten lucky and found a parking spot near the door in the place’s parking lot. The older doorman eyed her with… Zoe wasn’t sure, disdain maybe, as she dismounted her GT4 and took off her helmet. She placed it on the tank and took off her backpack.

Zoe pulled out a long skirt and pulled it on over her jeans. She took off her jacket, folded it, and placed it inside her backpack. Zoe extended her NanoHair and pulled it up into a high ponytail. She used the GT4’s rearview cameras to make sure she looked presentable and noticed the doorman watching her with amusement clear on his face. Zoe activated the bike’s security system.

“Hi. I had to make sure I looked presentable,” she told him when walked up to the door. My aunt told me this place was a little on the upscale side.

“That is an understatement,” the doorman snorted. “You’re a little underdressed but look fine considering your age.”

“Thanks!” Zoe replied as she entered after he let her in. Her eyes widened as she saw all the people dressed in what she would call fancy and expensive clothing. “A little underdressed he said.”

*

A different guy was working as the doorman at Capones this time. He barely acknowledged Zoe’s presence as she dismounted and activated the GT4’s security system.

“Hi…” Zoe greeted the unknown man. She had expected him to supply his name, but he just nodded and opened the door for her. Zoe shrugged instead of scanning him and entered the restaurant.

She was in a great mood still because the steak had been the best she had ever eaten and actual real beef! It had been amazing and melted in her mouth. Plus, the steakhouse’s patrons had barely paid her any attention.

The only downside was the price. Three hundred credits for one meal for two people were way too much and much more than Zoe could ever justify spending no matter how good the meal had been. Still, you only live once and what’s done, is done.

“Hey Tony,” Zoe said to the underboss as she walked over to his table in the main dining room.

“Hi Zoe. Can I do something for you?” Tony replied.

“No. I’m here to pay off my debt,” Zoe answered and giving the older man a huge smile.

“Oh?”

“Yep!” Zoe replied happily with the smile still plastered on her face.

“You have 47000 credits?” Tony asked gesturing to the chair across from him. “Take a seat.”

“I do indeed,” Zoe answered sitting in the indicated chair. Her smile became a frown. “Wait. What do you mean 47000 credits?”

“Interest kid,” Tony answered. “The family always makes more off of loans just like a normal bank does.”

“Yes, I have that much,” Zoe replied. Having to pay another 5000 was robbery and hurt, but she could do it. It just meant she wouldn’t have as much as she hoped.

“And just how did you happen across that much money?” Tony inquired.

“Let’s just say I hit the jackpot,” Zoe replied giving him another smile.

“You played numbers with another outfit?” Tony asked in a low tone.

“Something like that,” Zoe answered giving the man another big smile.

“Next time play with us,” Tony replied. Zoe just nodded her head in understanding. “Are you trying to butter me up or something?”

“Who me?” Zoe innocently asked.

“Yeah, you,” Tony replied.

“Why would I ever need to butter up such a big, lovable, teddy bear?” Zoe asked batting her eyes at him. Tony laughed and laughed until he had tears in his eyes. The Capone Family underboss shocked Zoe as he almost fell out of his chair because he was laughing so hard. “I guess I laid it on a little too thick?”

Tony nodded as he wiped his eyes. “Oh yeah. Kid, not even my kids have called me that.”

“You’re married and have children?”

“Yeah, and don’t you get any ideas in that pretty little head of yours about digging into my life,” Tony warned shaking a finger at her.

“I won’t,” Zoe promised holding her hands up in surrender.

“Good,” Tony replied and took a sip from his glass. “Now, let’s get down to business.”

“Right. I’d like a receipt showing I’ve paid my debt in full,” Zoe said.

“What? Don’t trust us?” Tony asked giving her a questioning and disapproving look. She wasn’t sure how he did both at once like that.

“It’s not that,” Zoe quickly said. “But I’ve heard stories and want to make sure both sides know we’re square.”

“I can respect that. That’s showing wisdom too. This will take just a moment,” Tony said. The underboss filled out a receipt, signed it, and had two of the staff come in and sign the receipt as witnesses. “Just a little something extra for your peace of mind.”

“Thank you,” Zoe said as she scanned and accepted the receipt. She signed it and sent a copy to Tony before saving the receipt in a file in her financial data. She sighed as she sent the 47000 credits to the Capone Family’s accounts. “Easy come, easy go.”

“Ain’t that the truth?” Tony laughed. “I’ll admit we hadn’t planned on you paying your debt back nowhere near this fast.”

“Me either,” Zoe admitted. “But things worked out in my favor, so, here we are.”

“Eh, Nucky might not be thrilled with this since he was planning on using you as a bagman for quite a while, but he’ll get over it since he’ll have another 5 grand to play with,” Tony said.

“Bagman?”

“Someone who transports money for us.”

“Ah. The bank runs,” Zoe replied. Tony nodded in agreement. Zoe gave it some thought. “I’m open to still doing those sorts of runs, but I’ll want to be paid more.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah,” Zoe replied and explained about her situation with Cartier Transport and the possibility of moving over to Hayabusa Transportation.

“Want some advice?” Tony asked.

“Sure.”

“Go independent if you leave Cartier. I’m not sure how much the courier license is, but we’ll gladly give you another loan,” Tony said.

“Ah… I’ll think about it,” Zoe replied standing up. They shook hands and she left.