by Ali Vali
“Any bars in Hayward?”
“Just a diner, but they only serve beer at night.”
Cain winked at her before glancing over her shoulder at Josh. “Don’t mind me, Josh. I think this hayseed’s a keeper.”
“Thank you,” Emma said, wondering who this was. “I appreciate you not getting mad.”
“Don’t worry about it. This gives me a chance to go home early.” Cain plucked her wet shirt away from her abdomen. “Josh, send a round over on me before I head out, and, Emma, I don’t mean the on me literally.”
Emma and Josh watched Cain head to the table before she said anything. “Who is that?”
“That’s the owner, so remember that’s the boss. You want to take her order over?” He tapped his watch. “Then it’s time for you to head out.”
“I can stay later if you want.”
“We had a deal, so ten o’clock’s your witching hour.”
She made two trips but didn’t have any more accidents in the half hour she had left. Whoever Mano was, he handed over a hundred-dollar tip when she told them it was the end of her shift so she was getting one of the other girls to serve them. The total of her tips amazed her, because even if they were less than this every night, she wouldn’t have to work as many hours as she had been.
“Thanks, Josh.” She waved to get his attention before heading out. “Can I come back tomorrow?”
“You sure this is for you?”
“I’ll be able to afford school and my apartment without getting any deeper into debt, so if you don’t think I’m a total klutz, I’d like to stay.”
“See you tomorrow at the same time. We’ll work on your balance skills.” He handed over a ten. “Is that enough to get you home in a cab?”
“I’ll take the streetcar, so don’t worry about me. Thanks, though.” She accepted her purse and gave him his money back.
“I got it, Josh,” Cain said. “We’ll give you a ride home.”
“I appreciate you guys, but I’ll be okay.”
“You owe me one for bathing me in ale, so no arguing,” Cain said, pointing to the door. “See you, Josh.”
“Night, Boss.”
A big SUV was waiting outside, and an attractive woman opened the back door. “Cain, I thought we could have a drink,” the big guy on the street yelled when he spotted them.
“Jake, I thought you were coming by the office next week? Give me a call, but I don’t have time tonight.” Cain moved so Emma could get into the car.
“I’m starting to get the impression you’re avoiding me like I’m a fucking leper.”
“And you’re making me wonder why I’d want to do business with you. Is talking like this in open spaces a habit of yours?” Cain turned to her and smiled. “Sorry, Emma, but I don’t want to lead this guy to your door. Merrick and Lou will see you home.”
“What about you?” She didn’t know what was going on, but she thought Cain shouldn’t stay behind alone.
“I’ll be fine, and welcome to our little family. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Thanks, and thanks for the ride.”
“Call it an employment benefit.”
“That’ll be a first for me. This sounds like an interesting place to work.”
“That’s one way of putting it. I don’t know about interesting, but I can promise different. See you soon.”
The car pulled away and she glanced back. “That’s a promise you’ve already kept, because tonight has certainly been different.”
Chapter Four
The early class was the most boring on Emma’s schedule, so her mind wandered to her first day of her new job. She’d waited until she was in her apartment to count her tips and was still amazed that it was what she made in a week at the bookstore.
Beatrice Weller leaned over and whispered, “You want to grab a coffee after this?” She’d known Bea since the first day of school, when they’d bonded over their dislike of math. The short, energetic brunette was also on scholarship but had grown up in Chalmette, a smaller town right outside New Orleans.
“It’s the only way I’ll make it through the day.”
The professor had mercy on them and let them go fifteen minutes early. They walked to the student center, catching up on what they’d done during their break.
“Did you go home?” Bea asked, pouring what seemed like a pound of sugar into her cup.
“I spent a month helping my dad around the farm. That was the best part, but it’s like I don’t belong there anymore.” It was hot outside, but the hot coffee and milk tasted good. “I think I lost five pounds walking those fields to get away from my mother.”
“How is the pope?” Bea laughed, having heard all about Carol and reciprocating by sharing stories about her very Catholic mother and grandmother.
“Doing her job, she said, so she’s as disappointed and outraged by me as ever. I doubt she has enough hours in the day to pray for my soul now that it’s rotting by the minute in this den of iniquity.”
“You are a heathen, but so am I. At least we’ll have more fun.” The huge muffin Bea had gotten looked good, and she nodded when Bea offered her half. “When did you get back?”
“My dad gave me the rent money for the summer so I got to explore, beginning in early July. It was fun, but I was ready for classes to start.” They waved to some of their friends passing through but were glad to return to the conversation. “After that, I got notice that I was losing my job.”
“Jeez, I’m sorry, Emma. What are you going to do?”
She laughed, knowing Bea would freak when she told her about her new job. “I was thinking some job like at a coffee shop or something, but I ended up doing something crazy.”
“Wait, let me guess. You’re now a sex operator for one of those 900 numbers?”
“Okay, slightly less crazy than that.” She leaned over and slapped Bea’s arm. “I started working in a bar.”
“Now I know you’re going to hell, but I don’t mean that literally. It’s more like you’re going to be in hell when Saint Carol finds out.”
“You’re crazy if you think I’m admitting that to my mother, but I made as much in one night as I did in a week at the bookstore. If that keeps up, I’ll be set for the semester without a problem.”
“Wow, that’s pretty good. Where’s the gold mine?”
“It’s the Erin Go Braugh in the Quarter.” She dusted her hands of crumbs and couldn’t guess what Bea was thinking when she lost her smile.
“The place Cain Casey owns?” The way Bea asked made her even more curious. Bea didn’t go out enough to know who owned every bar in New Orleans.
“Yeah, that’s the place. I actually met her last night.” The memory of Cain soaking wet made her smile. “I smashed a ton of glasses of ale into her chest, and she was pretty nice about it.”
Bea took her hand and squeezed it. “Please tell me you know who she is.”
“She owns a bar, didn’t fire me for soaking her, and gave me a ride home. Well, her staff gave me a ride home and walked me to the door of the building. That’s my rundown of facts as they happened, Counselor.”
“I’m sure she was all that, but there’s plenty more, so don’t go getting real cozy in that job.” Bea moved closer so she could speak in a much lower tone. “She’s also the head of one of the city’s mob families.”
She laughed loudly and shook her head. “No way that’s true. She was really nice.”
“You’re not from here, so listen to me, and be careful. Maybe you should keep looking and go with your original plan. A coffee-shop job might not be as lucrative, but you’ll be better off.”
“I’m telling you, she’s like a big teddy bear.” A big, really good-looking teddy bear with beautiful blue eyes and a great ass. Cain Casey was the first person that had made her notice something like that.
She’d never had the urge to date in high school and had gone out only a few times here, but that kind of lightning-quick attraction had never happene
d to her until last night. She didn’t want to admit it, but she wasn’t about to let Bea bad-talk Cain. That didn’t make sense to her either.
“A big teddy bear with a reputation. I’m only saying it because I’m your friend and I don’t want you to get hurt.” Bea let her go and smiled. “That’s my two cents, and now I have to run. I have a meeting with one of my professors about the project he’s assigning.”
“Thanks, and call me. Maybe we can get dinner this week.”
“It’s a date.”
Emma waved and decided to stop at her campus job and give them her notice. She had only two weeks left, but she’d go now if they really didn’t need her. Someone else could train her replacement, because she wasn’t wasting her time. Her boss appeared relieved she didn’t make a big thing about it, so she headed home to finish her homework.
Tomorrow she had a full day of classes, so she read and finished all her assignments to save time. When she was done she decided to read for fun, then took a nap. The story Bea had told her made her think, but she wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to work for Cain.
“Maybe it’s time to take a few chances,” she said as she headed for the shower after she woke up. “Playing by the rules hasn’t taken me very far when it comes to getting what I want.”
* * *
Ramon Jatibon had run a casino in Cuba before the revolution and had whisked his young family off the island right as Castro entered Havana to claim victory. He’d arrived in New Orleans with enough cash to rent a house and buy food for a month.
He met Dalton before that month was up, and it had been the beginning of a friendship lasting until Dalton’s death. Dalton’s money had seeded much more than his business, including a bond between the two men and their children. His twins Remi and Mano had grown up with the Casey children, and they were as close as family.
They had no debts between them anymore, but Ramon had helped Cain and Billy keep the peace and what was rightfully theirs at Dalton’s death. Cain knew he would’ve done it without complaint for years if that’s what she needed.
“Cain,” Ramon said when Remi showed her into his office. “It’s good to see you again.” He stood and pulled her into a bear hug, letting her enjoy the scent of good cigars that always seemed to permeate his clothes.
“Thanks, my friend. I finally climbed to the top of the deep hole I got dumped into, so I’m ready for whatever comes next.”
“No matter what you have in mind, you know you’ve got good friends to count on. Dalton was my brother, so you simply have to ask if you need something.”
“It might come to that, but for now I plan to start the hunt for every single person responsible for Da’s murder. I want to strengthen my family’s territory and assure you and your family that the ties between us will be honored.”
She held her hand out. She should’ve made the move before now, but she thought Ramon would forgive the timing. Dalton, as if he wanted to cover all his bases, had tried to guide her in case something happened to him. He’d told her to sit with Ramon and with Vincent if something ever happened to him, so that their friendship would be cemented for the next generation. Not that Dalton doubted that possibility, but he wanted Cain to show his two old friends the respect they were due.
She had grieved so long because he’d even thought of that scenario. Some might’ve considered her father a tyrant, but he’d been a guiding force so strong it had devastated her peace of mind when he suddenly wasn’t there.
Ramon took her hand and nodded. “The future will allow you to avenge your father, and you’ll do that with friends standing with you. We’re beside you, as always.”
“Thanks, Ramon. I have a lot of work ahead, so I’ll let you know if I need anything.”
“Remi mentioned a few things.” He steepled his fingers and glanced at Remi. “I haven’t found anyone in particular taking credit for Dalton, but I have enough money on the street that I’m starting to hear some rumors. Nothing I’ve verified, but at least something’s starting to shake loose.”
“Anything you want to share yet?”
“Give me some more time, but you’ll be my first call when I have something solid. Believe me. Everyone who matters in this town is looking for what you want. Dalton wasn’t only a great father, but a good friend to so many people.”
“Da was one of a kind, for sure,” she said, then pressed her lips together.
“I’d never pretend to take Dalton’s place, but allow me to give you some advice if that’s okay. Once we have the answers we’re looking for, we’ll stand with you to get that job done. Until then, though, you need to be careful, especially with the scum FBI. I’ve heard from a few people that they’ve brought in someone new, who has all of us in his crosshairs.”
“You’re right, and I’m planning a few things that’ll move us forward and flush out the watchers. Between me and you, Da’s death was close to paralyzing. If anyone sees that as weakness, I want to prove them wrong.” Her father had said that at times honesty was the way to go, even if it made you sound weak.
“If something like that happened to Papi, I don’t think a year would be enough. In my opinion, the time you took is a testament of your love and respect for him. He deserved no less because, like Papi, Dalton was a great man. We were both really lucky when it came to our parents.”
“Thanks, Remi, and you’re right. I’m fortunate in so many areas, and I’m grateful I have you on my side.”
“Never forget that,” Ramon said, standing when she did.
“No worries there. Thank you both for seeing me, and I don’t mean to run, but I have another meeting.”
“Need company?” Remi asked.
“Eventually what I’ll need is snake eyes, but let me figure out a few things first.” Snake eyes was the nickname Remi and Mano had on the streets when they got together to solve special problems—the kind of problems that, at times, needed a permanent solution.
Her next planned stop was the Ninth Ward neighborhood and one of the convenience stores that was part of their network. The little mom-and-pop places didn’t seem like much, but they were profitable in their totality and overlooked because they were indeed so small. The FBI always thought people like her only raked in profits from big operations, so places that were the lifeblood of their neighborhoods never hit their radar, it seemed.
“Lou, stop at the office. I want to make sure we don’t have company for the rest of the day.”
“You got it, Boss.”
“Do you want Billy to come with us?” Merrick asked.
“Depends on what he’s up to. I’ll take care of it.” She entered Billy’s office and waved Merrick off. Until she had a solution for the bugs in her office, she’d use Billy’s space and the conference room. “Lou, come in.”
“You need something, Boss?”
“Did you take the new waitress home last night?” Lou’s expression never seemed to change much, but he did crack a bit of a smile when he nodded. “Good. You know where she lives. Get over there and give her a ride to work.”
“That’s not going to scare the hell out of her?”
“Let’s see if it does, but she made me curious as to where she comes from.” The door opened again, and Billy walked in with a jacket on to hide the harness with the two pistols he was partial to. Merrick liked the same kind of rig, and between the two of them, they could take out any threat stupid enough to make a move.
“I’ll give you a call when I’m done,” Lou said as he left.
“What have you been up to?” She sat and ignored the ringing phone.
“I took Mum and Marie back to the cemetery. Hopefully Da forgives me for being a day late.” He sat and fiddled with the ring as if he wasn’t used to it being on his finger yet.
“Thanks for doing that. You made Mum happy, if I have to guess. I went by and saw Ramon and Remi, but we need to get down to the Ninth Ward for a visit.”
He tapped the bottom of his heel as if he was ready to go. “S
omething up?”
“The guy wouldn’t say on the phone, but someone is muscling into the neighborhood and causing some problems.”
He stood and paced back and forth in front of his desk a few times. “Who would be stupid enough to do that?”
“That’s what I’m going to find out, but I have got a clue. Someone’s trying to squeeze us out. We need to pay attention to anything or anyone new in our life.” She got up and walked over to him. “We need to be stronger than Da. You with me?”
“Come on, Boss. Let’s go hunting.”
* * *
Jake Kelly opened the door to his right after putting his pants on. They’d stayed out late the night before, hoping to make at least one deal. One, even if it was small, would line up the big fish, but so far they had nothing.
“Atlanta called,” Bradley Draper said, even before the door closed. “Hey, man, sorry.”
The woman walking out of the bedroom paused before getting her shoes off the floor of the small living room.
“Don’t worry about it. She was leaving. We’re done,” Jake said, heading to the kitchen and the bottle of whiskey already open on the small tile table. “What did Atlanta want?”
“You’re starting a little early, aren’t you?” Bradley said, waving off Jake’s offer to join him.
“It was a late fucking night with nothing to show for it. My head feels like someone’s pounding on it.” He poured another two fingers and downed them in a gulp. “Tell me already.”
“Maxwell said nothing’s happening there either, but he’s ready to go whenever you give him the word. He did say all hell broke loose at the club of one of our biggest buyers. The place will be closed until they can put it back together.”
“Who’s responsible for that?” He washed his face in the sink with cold water, trying to make his head stop hurting. “Does he need anything from us?”
“Nothing we can do but wait until he’s back up and running. As for who did it, none of his people recognized anyone.”
“We need to force Casey to the table then. There isn’t any reason for her not to deal with us, so I don’t get it. After somebody killed the old man, her operation is on life support. Going cheaper for the same thing is the smart move.”