The gambling house was illegal. Maybe the owners paid off the cops or whatever, but every Friday and Saturday night at 1106 Gardner, in a sleepy suburb, it was on. Blackjack and spades for money on the first floor, a roulette wheel in the basement, and Texas hold 'em, a strictly big money game that was for high rollers only in the upstairs bedroom. The host, Randy, was a six foot, three inch black man with a genial manner, always dressed pin-sharp in a black suit with a brightly colored tie and a shirt that looked expensive. A large plain gold band was on his right ring finger, a huge diamond solitaire on his left pinky. He rolled from floor to floor, making sure that folks' drinks were filled, and that they had a snack if they wanted. On his way back to the first floor, he spotted Steve. Steve and his wife Helen were regulars, but Steve had been on a low streak. He was into the house for about $6K, and Randy has word from above that if he got any deeper, Randy would have to start collection proceedings. He didn't want to do that. But, it was his job, and he had to make a living.
Steve looked like he was losing, and his wife looked like she didn't care. Drinking, laughing with the other women at the blackjack table, flirting with some of the men. Helen was about 5"4", with long brunette hair and a wide hipped, big bust, hourglass figure stuffed into a half-hour glass. She was hot, despite her weight. Maybe even because of it. Dressed in a see-through dress with a black underlayer, Randy thought she was the best looking woman in the room, even though there were plenty of leggy blondes, brunettes, black women, and Latinas in the house that night. Most of the other young women in the house that night were working hard on their cold, good luck charm looks, silent and pouty and beautiful, Helen was loud, cheerful, and seemed to be having a great time. Randy liked watching her.
"Blackjack!" the dealer said, and scooped the rest of Steve's chips from him. Steve put his head in his hands and sighed. He said something to his wife, who looked extremely disappointed, and grabbed her wrap in a huff, and pushed her way out the door. Steve followed.
At around 3AM, Randy asked the head dealer/bookkeeper what Steve's total was.
Shanice looked up from her work, and then clicked through a window on her laptop. "Steve Plumb? After tonight, he's into us for an even $10K. He's been flagged. He cannot come back until we receive some payment."
At that moment, Randy's cell phone buzzed. He lifted it, looked at the message, and replaced it in his pocket. "Thanks Shanice. Let me know when you're ready to go to the bank, OK?"
Shanice said "The count is done. I'm just entering figures. 5 minutes."
"Good enough." Randy walked around, making sure that the gaming implements had been put away, and that the house was clean. When he returned to the study, Shanice had a zippered bank bag bulging with cash, and was wearing her coat.
Steve woke up with a pounding hangover, wondering how he had gotten here. The realization that he owed an illegal casino ten thousand dollars didn't set in until he was halfway through his first cup of coffee.
Helen was in the kitchen, wearing a shorty robe and eating toast.
"Make me some breakfast, honey?"
Helen looked at him blankly, long enough to make him swallow.
Steve sat and didn't say anything.
Helen said "What the FUCK are you going to do?"
Steve said "Well, maybe we could ask your dad-"
Helen threw the last piece of buttered toast at him, hitting him square in the forehead. "You fucking IDIOT. My father is not going to pay your gambling debts. And I'm not going to ask him."
"Well, don't you have some-"
Helen tossed what was left of her orange juice at him, soaking his t-shirt and bouncing the glass off of his chest. "I am not going to pay either!!! YOU got yourself into this. I told you we didn't have to gamble. Now, I find out you're into them for ten thousand? How did this happen?"
"I made some sports bets that didn't work out." Steve said limply.
"Steve, who do you think runs that place? The state? No, idiot, gangsters own that joint. And now you owe them money."
Helen's rant was interrupted by the door bell.
"Who the hell is coming by at 10 am on a Saturday morning?" Helen stomped to the door and opened it to reveal Randy, dressed weekend cool in a tight white tank that sharply contrasted his dark brown skin, and cuffed, gray sweats that stretched tight around his firm backside and fit his thighs closely. No jewelry, save a thin gold chain around his neck. Helen could see muscles that she didn't know the name of in his shoulders and chest.
"Good Morning Mrs. Plumb. Mind if I come in?" Randy didn't wait for an answer, and walked on as if Helen couldn't stop him. Which she couldn't.
"H-Hello Mr. Simmons. C-can I offer you some coffee?"
"That would be nice, Mrs. Plumb. I have some things to discuss with you and the mister." Randy stretched his large frame and yawned. Helen couldn't resist noticing the muscles tighten and slacken in his back and ass as he did so. The morning light on his deep brown skin kept Helen's attention. She had noticed him the first time they went to the casino, his broad shoulders and sharp dressed attitude were intoxicating to her.
And the fear...yeah, he scared her.
Everybody knew that Randy, in addition to being the man at the casino, also handled all the collection work. He was always genial, generous, even solicitous. But there were many rumors floating around, about how he held a man's hand over a running garbage disposal, or how he threatened a man with an electric charcoal starter, holding the 600 degree heating element centimeters from the man's face. Helen didn't want to admit it, even to herself, but the thought of him committing these violent acts turned her on.
Helen went to the kitchen and told her husband, "Get your ass out there. Randy is here."
Steve paled, and ran to the first floor bathroom, where she could hear him retching.
Helen poured coffee, and grabbed the creamer out of the fridge, and balanced the sugar bowl on top of it, and served Randy. "He'll be out in a minute." She said, as if you couldn't hear the sounds of sickness throughout the first floor.