Read Gina Takes Bangkok (The Femme Vendettas) for Free Online

years? For a decade she’d done nothing, not been there for him. He never ever smoked in her presence, a promise he’d made to her mother and kept even after she’d died. If she’d been around more, he would’ve smoked less, maybe he would’ve even stopped.
    There were footsteps behind her. She turned her head enough to see Darae’s gladiatorial sandals, Tasanee’s flip-flops and a pair of black polished shoes. She stood.
    “Give them to me.” She stuck out her hand. “Your cigarettes.”
    Kannon’s face got very neutral. Just as she was certain he’d refuse her, he relinquished them. She sent the pack like a Frisbee over the railing.
    Zaffini’s organization was made up entirely of females and transsexuals, their turf the city’s gentlemen’s clubs, massage parlors and upscale bordellos, of which they owned the lion’s share. Known as The Pink Stilettos, they dealt in sex and secrets, with more than one of them turning a blade in the back of her father’s enemies. They regularly mingled with the fringes of society, yet every one of them was staring at her as if she were a lit stick of dynamite.
    She was aware of the futility of what she was doing, that it was all too late. Then again, when had she ever accepted any authority, even that of fate?
    Kannon tore his gaze from the railing. “That was my last pack.”
    “Don’t care. I don’t want anyone smoking on this ship.”
    “Does that apply to me, too?” Vincenzo Zaffini rasped.
    She ignored his question and sailed on. “Daddy, I’d like you to meet my good friend, Kannon Takahama. We go back years.”
    If her father wondered how that was possible, he didn’t let on and instead bestowed on Kannon his blazing wide smile, the smile everyone said she’d inherited. In his emaciated state, it looked ghoulish, though he spoke steadily enough. “Your reputation precedes you, Kannon. Your boss spoke very highly of how you took care of Erawan Boontan.”
    “I owe Mr. Montri a great deal. I’d appreciate any assistance you can give.”
    Vincenzo Zaffini folded his thin hands over the jade head of his cane. “There’s a reason he chose me to be Tasanee’s godfather. Alak Montri and I have been friends for twenty years. My organization prides itself on discretion and information. My best girls are already on the job, and I have associates who’ll help, too.”
    Kannon bowed, and Vincenzo’s attention turned to Tasanee. “Your father is a great man, Tas. No matter what happens, I want you to know that you still have a family. And you will have vengeance no matter what the cost. You understand?”
    Tasanee pressed her hands together at her forehead and bowed deeply. “My father has always called you friend, Mr. Zaffini. Thank you for helping me.”
    Good grief, Gina thought, all this kowtowing. It really was like a scene from The Godfather .
    Kannon spoke. “My assistant and I have business to attend to below. Please excuse me.”
    “That a nice way of saying you’re going to break out the thumbscrews?” Gina said.
    Kannon addressed her father. “The sooner we do, the sooner we can learn what Wakai’s done with Mr. Montri.”
    With an approving nod from her father, Kannon turned to walk away.
    Gina stood. “Fine then. I’ll go with you.”
    Kannon stopped, and looked to Vincenzo.
    “Bambina,” her father said. “Let the man do his work. We both know you’re not tough enough for this.”
    “Tough enough? I used to hang out in the worst parts of Bangkok!”
    Vincenzo shrugged. “Sure. Under my protection.”
    “I took care of the guys that were after Tasanee!”
    “Must have been amateurs.”
    Gina now remembered why she used to have the hugest fights with her old man. “Oh, is that so? What do I have to do to prove I’m as tough as you ever were?”
    Vincenzo rolled his eyes. “Girl, you’re not as tough as I am now.”
    That was ludicrous. Darae stepped forward. “How about we give Gina a chance, Vinny? Let her go down and help