by Ali Vali
Remi stared at her like she wanted more than air to ask for simply that—a bullet in Nunzio’s head. “You aren’t arguing or offering advice?” Remi leaned back and laughed, but she wasn’t a woman who was in any way amused. A bullet to the chest would do that to a person so Cain couldn’t blame her. “You’re a lot like my father when it comes to that, so I’m suspicious when you just give in.”
“You already know what I do, so you don’t need to rehash or pretend we both don’t know Nunzio is nothing but a snake.”
“Exactly,” Remi said, slapping her other hand down.
“Remi, you need to take a breath,” Emma said, as if she’d figured out where Cain was going with this. “You know Cain will always be loyal to you, but the assholes three tables down will never have your back.”
The storm had ravaged the selections of places to eat out, but Blanchard’s hadn’t missed a step; all their establishments were open for business and as good as ever. Even in this lunch crowd, though, their FBI shadows were hard to miss in the spot Emma had mentioned.
“I’m sorry, but this isn’t something I’m about to ignore,” Remi said softly.
“Let me tell you Cain’s secret to everything when I complain,” Muriel said as she gripped Remi’s shoulder. “Patience, my friend. There’s a time for everything, and I’m guessing our mutual problem isn’t ready for a solution.”
“Then when?” Remi said.
“Nunzio’s a snake, Remi, but let’s find out if in his time away he’s become a hydra. There’s too much at stake to start fighting mutual fronts if we don’t do a little research first.” Cain glanced at Shelby as she spoke, not worried about being overheard since the jamming equipment was in place and being controlled by Lou at the next table. “So how about tomorrow night we let Carmen fix dinner for us, and we’ll talk about it?”
“There’s more,” Muriel said and stopped when Cain looked at her.
“Not the time, cousin,” she said, wondering why Muriel would broach another subject now.
“Thank you for coming,” Keegan Blanchard, the restaurant’s chef and granddaughter of the owner, Della Blanchard, said when she walked over and kissed Emma’s cheek. “The staff told me you were here, and I figured I might not see you for a while,” Keegan said as she placed her hand over Emma’s large midsection. “You do good work, Cain.”
“I’ll call you if the craving for garlic bread and bread-pudding soufflé keeps up,” Cain said, naming the two things for which the restaurant was renowned. “Katlin mentioned a yard full of police this morning,” she said, glancing out the bank of second-floor windows to the courtyard below. “If you have a problem, you know you can call me. We love this place and your family too much to let anyone hassle you.”
“I promise I’ll call if it comes to that, but would you mind if we didn’t talk about it just yet?” Keegan’s eyes filled with tears so Cain didn’t push it. “Enjoy your lunch and let me know if you need anything. I’ll send some treats up for the table, and especially you, Emma.”
Cain’s eyes followed Keegan as she returned to the kitchen. “Make some calls, Muriel, and let me know. Della Blanchard was a close friend of Da’s so I don’t want anyone giving them a hard time.”
“I’ll get something to you by this afternoon or sooner.”
“So, Remi, is tomorrow night good for you and your family?” Cain asked.
“We should have something by then, so sure.”
The waiters came with a multitude of appetizers and a large platter of the restaurant’s famous garlic toast. The small wedges of French bread soaked in butter and garlic were one of Emma’s favorite things, and pregnancy ramped up her taste for them. That Keegan had delivered some to their house on more than one occasion to satisfy Emma’s craving when the restaurant was closed had made her a friend deserving of Cain’s loyalty.
Keegan wasn’t the only one with a problem, though, and another friend with a boulder to carry still appeared tired and miserable. Shelby seemed like a woman torn between who she was at the core and who she wanted to be. The special agent had planted her orchard but hadn’t found the part of herself that would revel in harvesting her crop. Considering that Shelby was obsessed over avenging the death of her parents, Cain had a hard time understanding her hesitancy.
Cain refocused her attention to Remi’s assurance that her family would be ready for a meeting tomorrow night. “Great. Then we’ll move on to whatever else Muriel has. It seems it’s always something.”
*
Nicolette Blanc glanced around Hector Delarosa’s office, admiring the pieces of Colombian artwork. Her father Michel had wanted her home once her lover Luce Fournier was released from the hospital after Cain’s cousin had beaten her into a bloody mess, but she’d refused. He knew as well as she did that they wouldn’t survive much longer without an infusion of cash and a partner that would take their business beyond wine.
She’d planned for it to be Cain Casey, and once their business partnership was established, her plan had included so much more. But Cain hadn’t given a damn. The deal they’d worked on for months had died because of Luce’s stupidity, so once she’d been discharged, Nic had sent her home. She didn’t need anyone to fight her battles or mark her as their property, and it was time Luce learned that lesson.
“Nicolette.” Marisol Delarosa made her name sound like a character in an old romance. “I must apologize for my father, but he left last night for home.”
“I hope it’s nothing serious, but that does allow us to perhaps get better acquainted.” She stood and combed her hair back with a smile she hoped was inviting. “I believe we have much in common.”
“Such as?” Marisol gave no hint as to what she was thinking. She reminded Nicolette of Hector in that he was guarded, but he’d perfected his charm much more than his daughter.
“We are daughters of powerful men, and despite everyone around them, both our fathers have chosen a woman to succeed them. That tells me that we have what it takes to not only take the reins but to remove anything that stands in our way.” With Luce gone she missed having someone in her bed, but not the baggage that came from letting someone in. Marisol didn’t appear to be the clingy, needy type.
“Do you have something in mind?”
“I have rooms at the Piquant, or we can stay here if the house is empty enough for some privacy.”
Marisol’s smile softened her face a little, but not enough to dull the confidence she radiated. “Don’t worry. Your secrets will be safe within my father’s walls. It’s a good idea for us to get together since we will be partners, no?”
She wanted to laugh at her luck. Hector was charming, but this was the future of the Delarosa family, and her people had done plenty of research on Marisol. The main things she’d taken away from the information they’d given her was that Marisol was spoiled, had a quick temper, and was impetuous in her actions. Hector’s lovely fruit probably hadn’t fallen too far from the tree, but Hector had insulated himself with enough security to be as rash as he wanted with no fear of consequence. If she cultivated from the inside, though, any castle could be breached.
“Then lead the way,” she said, placing her hand on Marisol’s shoulder and smoothing it down her arm. “There’s something I wanted to talk to you about, or really someone.”
“Who?” Marisol asked, taking her hand.
“Do you know Cain Casey?”
Marisol’s back stiffened ramrod straight. “I know her, but she’s dead to me. I’m not talking about it, so don’t bother to ask.”
She wanted to let out a celebratory cheer at the reaction. The way to Cain might be easier than she thought if she’d screwed Marisol over. All she had to do now was soften Marisol up enough to get the story out of her. According to her father, one of her greatest talents was pitting adversaries against each other. With skillful maneuvering two enemies could completely destroy each other, which cleared the field for the smartest player. In this case, it would be her and her father.
“See? We already have something in common,” she said, kissing Marisol’s cheek. “I wouldn’t mind eliminating Cain.”
“I thought you were ready to do business with her.”
“Until she proved unworthy of our business and loyalty. Now I’m glad it didn’t work out since you seem a much better partner.”
Marisol’s eyes glinted at the suggestion. Oh yes, this would be really easy. Either Cain came back willingly or she’d wind Marisol up enough to take out her greatest mistake.
“A much better partner.” This time her kiss found Marisol’s lips.
*
“Sorry about earlier,” Muriel said when they got back to the house. Both Casey kids as well as little Lucy were home, so plenty of noise was coming from upstairs.
“Remi will be fine once we agree to rip Nunzio’s head off, but we need to postpone that for a while.” She walked to the sunroom at the back of the house, not wanting to be locked away in the office just yet. Emma had gone up to try to sleep. “I’m curious as to why he’d come back here and what he’s been up to.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing you’re going to like.”
“I realize it makes me look like a psychotic asshole when I clean house, but I’ve got to stop leaving these problems alive to fester and grow.”
“Remember why Nunzio’s still alive,” Muriel said to her as she reached over and touched the top of Cain’s hand. “Except for what happened with Emma and Merrick, Nunzio would probably be dead, but family comes first. That’s a lesson neither of us has to relearn. Your family needed you, and you answered that call, so stop blaming yourself for loose ends, as you think of them.”
“How would you put it then?”
“Unfinished business, and since he’s so eager to come back to town he might be making it that much easier for us.” Muriel stood and headed to the windows to look out at Hannah’s play equipment. “Maybe I can cheer you up a little. Finley called and needs a favor.”
“Really?” she said with a smile for the cousin she rarely saw. “It must be serious if she’s willing to take the chance. Did she say why?”
“She didn’t go into anything, but she wants a face-to-face.”
“Call her back and set something up that’ll leave our friends outside in the dark. When you get her, tell her to keep her head down. The city doesn’t have that many people, so our ticks and us are the only crowd around.”
“Do you want me to take anything off your plate?”
“Give me another week or so, and you can have it all. I missed so much when Hannah was born, but that’s my own fault, so don’t repeat that since Emma would never believe me. I don’t want to make the same mistakes this time around, so you and Katlin can take over for a couple of weeks until Emma’s tired of having me underfoot.” She moved closer and put her arm around Muriel’s shoulders. “How you holding up? Just because I don’t constantly ask doesn’t mean I’m not interested or care. I’m trying my best not to hover.”
“I’m keeping busy and getting stuff done—nothing for you to have to worry about. There’s no way I’m going to crack up on you.”
She squeezed Muriel’s shoulder before giving her some space. “The secret to life, cousin, is to find someone to hold your hand when you have no choice but to stare into the abyss.”
“Cain, I love you, but if you’re talking about Shelby again I’m going to punch you in the nose,” Muriel said, holding up her fist but smiling.
“I’m not talking about anyone in particular. It’s a simple bit of advice.”
“You’re as subtle as an AK-47 with a hair trigger,” Muriel said as she gently slapped Cain in the stomach. “Don’t think I want to be a hermit. I really do want to find someone, but I doubt that someone’s going to be Shelby.”
“The romantic in me wants whoever it will be to hurry up.”
Muriel moved so she could hug her. “A beautiful partner and a new baby sure bring out the mush ball in you, and I love seeing it.”
“Enjoy it while it lasts. My gut says that Nunzio will never repeat those words,” she said and laughed. “You want to warn Carmen about the Jatibons coming to dinner tomorrow night? I’m going up and check on my beautiful wife and baby.”
Chapter Six
“Can I go with you?” Kristen Montgomery asked as Remi placed a stack of folders in her briefcase. Remi was getting ready to head to the airport to fly out to meet Dallas. “I know you guys want time alone, but I miss my sister.”
“It was supposed to be a surprise for both of you, but the crew’s coming back next week so you’ll have Dallas around again. We’ll be back tonight, and she’ll be here for at least a month.” Remi closed her bag and grabbed her suit jacket. Everything that’d happened that day had put her on edge, and she was ready to spend the flight home alone with Dallas.
“I’ll see you both tonight then, and if you had anything to do with the move back home—thank you. We’ve already spent so much time away from each other, I hate doing it now.” Kristen was still in her early twenties, but she seemed to possess an old wisdom few ever achieved even with a pile of years behind them.
“The future’s going to be different for both of you. No more living in the shadows—I promise.” She dropped everything and hugged Kristen. “So do you mind me not sharing today if she’s all yours tomorrow?”
“Have fun and call me if you need anything or you get delayed, if you don’t mind.”
The different ring on the phone meant someone downstairs was requesting the private elevator. “You expecting anyone?”
“No. I was going to grab something to eat and stay in.”
“Ms. Jatibon, Muriel Casey’s here for you,” the doorman said. “Should I send her up?”
“Yes, please,” she said, putting the phone down. “Good thing the plane has to wait for me.”
Kristen laughed and followed her out to the foyer.
“I know you’re trying to get out of here, but Cain wanted me to give you a heads up. Finley called and is asking for a meeting,” Muriel said after shaking her hand.
“She’s coming here or she wants us to come to her?” Finley wasn’t a stranger to her or her family, but none of them, including Cain, ever acknowledged her in public.
“She’ll be here tonight, and she asked if you could come. This is only an information-seeking thing so it shouldn’t be too long.” Muriel smiled, and Remi noticed Kristen smiling back.
“Considering who’s asking for information, that’s interesting. I should be back no later than nine, so let me know.”
“Go ahead and take off. I can let myself out,” Muriel said.
“Sure, but maybe you can take Kristen out for dinner so she’s not out alone,” she said, and Kristen moaned.
“Remi, I’m sure Muriel has better things to do than babysit me.”
“So you wouldn’t want to go if I asked?” Muriel said with a smile. “Come on. I know a great place.”
“She’s got a curfew, so break it and I’ll snap you in half,’ Remi said, and Kristen moaned again.
“Don’t worry—you know me,” Muriel said.
Kristen figured it was some part of the code Remi and her friends lived by.
Muriel gave a little wave as Remi headed out. “I’ll see you later.”
Kristen studied Muriel like she had on numerous occasions. All she knew for sure was that she was Cain’s slightly younger cousin, an attorney, and incredibly attractive. That Muriel even knew she was alive was a pleasant surprise.
“So what are you in the mood for?” Muriel asked, slipping her hands into her pants pockets.
“You mentioned you know a place. What about that?” She found Muriel’s sudden shy demeanor even more interesting. It was quite a contrast to both Remi’s and Cain’s alpha personalities. When she first met Remi, she was jealous. Then she’d come to realize she’d never be happy with the same things Dallas had. She had to be her own woman, and that included the type of person she needed to fit with her.
She pressed her index finger to her lips—maybe Muriel wasn’t as shy as she’d thought. “Is that a well-used line, Ms. Casey?”
“I haven’t kept much company lately, so I might be a little rusty,” Muriel said, her hands going deeper in her pockets.
“I’m sure I can find a way to oil the squeaks and knock off the rust. Do you mind giving me a few minutes,” she asked, spreading her arms out and letting them drop. “I need to change so I don’t look like some charity case you picked up along the way.”
“Take all the time you want. I’ve found rushing isn’t the way to go in situations like this.”
*
Remi put the file she was working on away when the wheels hit the tarmac. She wanted to forget work until she got home, and even Finley’s call for a meeting wasn’t upsetting her mood. Hopefully, Kristen and Dallas would use the time it took to catch up, leaving the rest of the night for the two of them to reconnect.
“And if I get my way that’ll happen with very little talking,” she said under her breath, glad when they came to a stop and she saw a car waiting. “Thanks, everyone,” she said when the crew opened the door for her. “Quick turnaround, so I’ll see you in a few hours.”
The last shoot of the day was in the middle of a cornfield, and she was amused at the crew posing someone to appear dead. Once she’d trained her and Mano’s children to take over the business, she was thinking of becoming a consultant for projects like this. The quickest way to get caught was to leave someone lying around where they’d be so easily discovered.
She found the formula used by Hollywood types comical, but set that thought aside when Dallas spotted her and came running to treat her to the greeting only Dallas had ever delivered. Dallas jumped into her arms and wrapped her legs around her for a human-octopus type of hug.