by Ali Vali
“You’re Jonas Belson’s son, so I’m going to throw you out of here without breaking all your fingers. If you’re smart, you’ll leave Daddy out of your problems, but you aren’t the type, are you, Jonsie?”
“Cain,” Emma said, taking her free hand. “The police are here.”
“Thanks.” Cain squeezed Emma’s hand before letting it go. “Get behind the bar with Josh, and I’ll take care of this.”
“She attacked our friend for no reason, so I want her arrested,” Jonsie Belson said, pointing at her but keeping one hand on his crotch.
“Cain, you okay here?” one of the beat cops asked.
“The trouble is over whether these guys decide not to come back. Thanks for stopping by, guys. Tell Josh to give you some coffee or soda, whatever you want.”
“You’re leaving?” Jonsie screamed. “What the hell is this?”
The police left as Cain motioned to her security team to take out Jonsie’s two sidekicks that were still standing. Cain grabbed Jonsie by the hair and pulled him into the storeroom where his friend was still bleeding. She pushed Jonsie to his knees and handed him her cell phone.
“You wanted to call your father, so do it. And don’t forget to leave anything out.” He didn’t take the phone, so she shoved it into his hand and squeezed until he grimaced. “Call or you’re going to have trouble punching in the three numbers that’ll save you from me.”
He watched her as he dialed and seemed surprised when he heard his father’s voice. “Jonas, your son needs to talk to you.”
“You know my father?” Jonsie took the phone, and his hand fell limply to his side.
“Have a talk and then tell him our deal is off.”
Jonsie put the phone to his ear and listened as she watched him. She doubted the esteemed state senator would tell him about being addicted to prostitutes and beating the crap out of them after he screwed them. She knew his whole repertoire since she had five of his encounters on DVD. In exchange for some favors, she’d given him her word his little secret would stay in her vault.
“I’m sorry,” Jonsie said as he handed the phone back to her. “He’ll send a check for the damage, and I promise never to come back.”
“You think it’s that easy, Jonsie? You waltz in here like some little tough guy, throwing your daddy’s name around, and you’re going to walk out of here with an ‘I’m sorry’? You’re wasting your daddy’s money on that expensive Tulane education if you think that, you little piece of shit.”
“Please. My dad will pay. He said so.” Jonsie was crying now, pressing his hands together as if he were praying. “We really were just having fun.”
“Maybe I should have a little more fun with you before I send you back to your mama. How about it? It’ll all be in good fun.” She took a step toward him and he cried harder, but he calmed a little when she grabbed him by the jaw. “You’re never going to know, little man, when I’m going to make you pay for your disrespect. You’ll never know, but you will pay, and your daddy doesn’t have enough money to save you from me.”
“Cain,” Merrick said, and when Cain glanced up she saw Merrick had Emma with her.
“Get out of my sight,” she said to Jonsie, unmoved when he stopped and apologized to Emma. “Merrick, get this guy somewhere he’s not bleeding on my floor.”
“Are you okay?” Emma asked her.
“That’s something I should be asking you.” She opened her arms, and Emma immediately moved into them. “I’m sorry that happened again after I told you it wouldn’t. Are you all right?”
“I’m disgusted that guy put his hands on me again, but you took care of it. Thank you, and that’s exactly the second time someone has ever defended my honor. The first was when he touched me before, and you took care of that too.” Emma pressed the side of her face to Cain’s chest. “As an English major, I’ve read about that sort of thing plenty of times, but it’s good to know it can really happen in everyday life. Dashing knights really do exist.”
“That’s putting a good romantic spin on it,” she said, holding Emma tight. “Maybe it’s time to take off the rose-colored glasses and take a long look at my world.”
“You keep trying to get rid of me but follow that by beating up a bunch of guys for disrespecting me. Make up your mind because you can’t have it both ways.” Emma lifted herself up on her toes and kissed her. “And if you’re thinking of going, know that I’d rather you stayed.”
“Come on. This has been enough excitement for one day. Let me take you home.” The idea was almost humorous, but looking at Emma this closely, she thought of a few romance stories herself. Emma made her want to prove herself a worthy partner, even if the smarter move was to let go.
“Not before you tell me you’re not going to disappear on me.” Emma reached up and held her face so she couldn’t glance away.
“Cain,” she heard Billy say.
“I promise.” She gave Emma her answer as well as her word. “Now turn around so you can meet my brother. Billy, this is Emma,” she said, smiling in his direction.
“Pleasure to meet you.” Billy took Emma’s hand and held it. “I’m sorry I missed all the fun, but Josh tells me my sister took the trash out with no problem.”
“She did great, and it’s nice meeting you too.” Emma peered back at her and closed her eyes for a moment. “I’ll just get my things.”
“Take your time, and don’t forget I’ve got some of your tips.” Emma nodded and waved at Billy before she left. “Expect a call from Jonas Belson,” she said to Billy. “That little pipsqueak you probably saw leaving with Merrick is his son Jonsie.”
“How do you want me to handle that?” Billy took her hand and looked at her knuckles. They were starting to bruise, but she felt good.
“I haven’t decided yet, but this’ll cost him more than he’s willing to pay because I’d like to skin little Jonsie and make a wallet out of him before I send him back to that pompous ass for his disrespectful behavior.”
Billy nodded before releasing her hand. “If it’s any consolation, I’d have busted my knuckles over her too. She’s pretty.”
“She is, but I don’t think she’s completely realized what she’s getting into here.” She stared at the small pool of blood the asshole had left on her floor and sighed. “I’m almost at a point where I don’t really care.”
“Good.” Billy hugged her and kissed her cheek. “You deserve to be happy and loved. If she feels the same way, there’s no harm in it. She might know exactly what she’s getting into if that entails you.”
“It’s that simple, huh?”
He laughed and hugged her tighter. “Hell no, but you deserve only good things, and that girl seems like a really good thing.”
“We’ll see, but I agree that she is something.”
Chapter Twelve
Emma was glad Cain chose not to drive and was sitting in the back with her. Josh had hugged her before they’d left and told her to take a few days off. The last thing she wanted was to act like a weak female, but the night was so far out of her norm that the solidness of Cain comforted her.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Cain’s voice seemed to touch something deep in her that made her think of home. She’d never experienced that sensation. While she was growing up, she’d dreamed of nothing but leaving and going somewhere else. Her childhood felt like it’d lasted three lifetimes.
“The stuff that happened tonight should freak me out, but knowing you weren’t that far away made it okay. We’ve known each other only a few days, but I was certain of it.” She pressed closer and put her arm around Cain’s middle. “Me saying that doesn’t freak you out, does it?”
“No, and I’m glad you have that kind of faith in me.” Cain kissed right under her ear, making her shiver.
“No one without honor would spend their time trying to talk me out of being with them. Having faith in you is the easiest part of this.”
The car stopped, and Cain carried her bag up for her and kis
sed her. It took all her willpower not to invite Cain in, but this situation was moving too fast. If Cain was serious, then waiting wasn’t a problem.
“Have a good night, and call me if you need anything. No matter what, you call me, okay?” Cain pressed a card into her hand before kissing her knuckles. “Tonight someone might’ve noticed you, so I need you to know that I’ll take care of you.”
“I just want to get to know you better. You don’t owe me anything.” She circled her finger around the button on Cain’s shirt at eye level.
“Please, Emma. You haven’t really taken me seriously, but a certain danger comes from being with me.” Cain lifted her head by gently putting her fingers under her chin and kissed her again. “I don’t want anything to happen to you because of me, so no arguments.”
“Josh wants me to take some time off, but does that mean I won’t see you?”
“You can’t think that,” Cain said, hugging her. “Get some sleep, and don’t worry about things you don’t have to.”
“Thanks, for dinner, too.”
“Remember one thing,” Cain said, and she nodded. “If anyone in a boring suit shows up, don’t give them my phone number.” She pointed at the card in Emma’s hand.
* * *
Cain went downstairs and studied the cars on the street. The panel van parked three cars up from where Merrick was had also been outside of the bar when they left. The surveillance was heavy handed, but the feds didn’t seem to mind showing that it was more than blatant. Instead of taking the car, she walked to the sidewalk and headed toward Audubon Park, since it wasn’t too far from Emma’s place.
The guys watching her would either have to leave their little haven or drive slowly behind her. She smiled, taking her time as the van crept up to new spots as she made her way. That wouldn’t work once she entered the dark park.
She heard a door open as she made it past the big pillars by the entrance. The guy behind her didn’t bother her, so she kept up the same pace until she was halfway in. She walked through a gate in the middle of the brick wall along a stretch of the park that led to the grand homes on the other side and locked it.
Billy was waiting in the second driveway, and unless the agent scaled the wall, he couldn’t see them leave. “Thanks, brother.”
“You’re so popular, I’m shocked you have time for me,” Billy said, laughing.
“Did you find Big Chief, funny guy?” She sat back as he made his way back toward St. Charles Avenue, parking before he got there. Billy left the old car he’d picked her up in and moved them to a newer one with tinted windows.
The intersection where he’d turned would take them right by where she’d last seen the panel van, but that’s the route she’d asked him to take. Billy drove by and glanced in the rearview mirror without moving his head. The van stayed parked, and no other tail took its place.
“Merrick stopped by his place today, but he was in the wind. He must’ve gotten nervous after Mendel’s store got blown to shit.”
“So he’s gone?” she asked with her eyes closed.
“Mr. Know-It-All needs lessons on how to hide, if that’s what he’s trying to do.” Billy patted her knee. “He’s bunking in his storeroom.”
“Anyone we don’t know watching him?”
“He’s only got a bottle of Jack for company. From what Merrick said, the destruction at Mendel’s scared the crap out of him because he knew it’d piss you off.” Billy drove and parked about four blocks from Big Chief’s place. They made their way through the backyards of a couple of homes and could hear the blare of the television as they neared the idiot’s store.
“Maybe someone should also give him some pointers on not making this much noise while hiding out,” she said as Billy picked the lock and quietly slipped into the storeroom. They didn’t have any reason for all the stealth, since the television was so loud they could’ve driven through the wall.
“What the hell?” Big Chief screamed, spilling some of his drink over his naked stomach when Billy tapped him on the top of his head with his gun.
“Not yet on the hell part, but tonight might not be a good time to try my patience.” She sat and had a hard time looking at the almost-naked, disgusting little man. “I was telling Billy about wars and picking sides. Some brave souls in every conflict pick a side before the battles begin. Is that how you see yourself, Big Chief?”
“Cain, come on. Anyone would’ve taken the opportunity to make more money. You would’ve done it if you were in my place.”
“From where I’m standing, your place doesn’t look all that great.” She picked up the whiskey bottle and poured what was left over his head before holding it by the neck and smashing it against the table next to him. It had broken in jagged edges, and she pressed one sharp piece to the bottom of his eye. “You’re going to tell me all about Callie Richard and her brother, and you better start praying I believe you. If I don’t, I’m going to carve out every round thing in your body with this.” She held up the bottle right in front of his eyes. “Stop and think of all four things in your body that are round.”
“Please. I don’t deserve this.” Big Chief tried to lean back away from her, but it was no use. Cain was in front of him and Billy behind him.
“You’re already a disgusting piece of humanity, so spare me what you don’t deserve.” She cut slightly into this cheek, then pressed her fingers against his lips to keep him quiet. “Remember. Make me believe you.”
“They came to see me and the deal sounded really good, so I listened. There was no crime in that, but then they threatened me. They said they’d tell you about it and that you’d kill me.” He blinked rapidly as he heard Billy cock the hammer on his gun. “I tried to tell them to forget it, but then I was in too deep.”
“See, Billy, this is one of those brave souls.”
“You’re right. I told them you were the one I was doing business with, and only you. You have to know that.”
“So what about the great deal makers? Do they magically appear and offer all this wonderful stuff?”
“They call me when they need something, and that’s all I know.”
She cut deeper and waited for him to stop screaming. “I don’t believe you.”
“Wait. One of the guys with them said they’re new to town.”
“Let me explain the next part. I already know everything you’ve just said, so with or without you, I’m going to get the information I need. You really ought to concentrate on that without you part.”
“I’m telling you, they’re crazy about their privacy, so I don’t have a way of calling them. The big guy Boone shows up when they need something from me.” Big Chief put his hand over his cut, but it was still bleeding.
“Like I said, Carl, because only you would pick Big Chief as your nickname, I don’t believe you. The Richards aren’t taking over my territory by having limited contact with bastards like you.” She cut into the other side of his face but didn’t make it too deep. “They’ve kept you close so you’ll go out and get other dumb bastards like you to buy into what they’re doing.”
“Goddamn.” His other hand went up and he put his head down. “A guy comes by every day to collect and talk. He’s usually here by two, but I only know his nickname. He goes by JJ.”
“And what does JJ look like?”
Big Chief gave her what she wanted and raised his head to look at her. “You didn’t have to do this shit, Cain. I’ve been loyal to you from the beginning.”
“How did JJ know to send his goons to Mendel’s place?”
“Shit, man, they offered commissions, and I thought the old man would appreciate the extra money.”
“Who else was on your list, Carl?” she said before sighing. He told her the names of five more places, three of which weren’t hers. “I somewhat believe you, but how you got in with these people is total bullshit.”
“I swear, that’s all of it.”
“No, Carl, it’s not,” Billy said, as if he’d lost patience
with the whole conversation.
“You sold me and my family out for a few bucks, and you’re hiding back here because you knew what I’d do to you,” Cain said.
“Callie said they’re watching you all the time, so you can’t kill me. You gonna go down for killing some low-on-the-totem-pole peon like me? You know you can’t touch me.”
“Want to make a bet?” Billy pressed his gun right to Big Chief’s forehead.
“Wait, just fucking wait.” Carl screamed, but he had to know no one was coming. He frantically searched next to him in the cushions, but Billy drove his head back as Cain grabbed Carl’s hand.
“Thanks for saving us the trouble of finding it,” she said, yanking out the .357 he was going for. “You know what sucks more than anything in life?”
“Your mother?” Carl said sarcastically.
“Reverting to your childhood in this situation isn’t perhaps your smartest move, little man.” Cain pulled the trigger, hitting Carl square in the chest for his non-funny response. “My answer is getting killed with your own gun, so you were way off,” she said as Carl gurgled as if he had a mouthful of blood. Billy moved and she fired again, opening his head like a melon. “The only thing worse than that is getting killed in some ratty underwear while having all your shit go up in flames.”
They opened a few of the bottles of booze in the boxes close to him and doused the area around Carl’s chair and the boxes of paper products he had stockpiled for the store. Billy started a few fires around the room as she wiped the gun and dropped it on Carl’s chest after she poured a bottle of bleach on it as well.
They were almost back to their car when they heard the first sirens in the distance. The fire seemed so big and hot that Big Chief’s place would be a total loss, so all the firemen could do now was salvage the places next door.
“See who Merrick sent to Baton Rouge, and join them to shake some trees. Have more of our guys sent into the neighborhoods to keep an eye on things, and put enough money on the street to flush out JJ. If he exists, I’d like to talk to him.”