by Ali Vali
“I’d love to, so let’s talk about our first shipment.”
They reviewed everything they’d agreed to and how it would make it across the border to the warehouses Cain had empty and waiting. After an hour she was satisfied with the logistics, and he was happy with the money.
“Do you mind me asking what happened with the Liams’ deal with you?” he asked as he packed all his paperwork away in the file he held and handed it over.
“Royce and Shawn, unlike you and Victor, never learned anything from their father. The last shipment was off in quantity and way overpriced, but Da didn’t want to throw away the years and friendship he’d shared with their father Roger right off.” She handed the file to Merrick so it could be placed in Muriel’s safe. “We met, but Shawn used the time to beat me over the head with the fact that he’s in charge instead of trying to convince me to do business with them.”
“Shawn has always been a bully but needed backing to threaten even small children. He’s an ass, but be careful. Royce is also a vindictive, sore loser, and losing your account will gut their business. Neither of them will take that lightly.”
“There’s that and Jake Kelly,” she said, scrubbing her face with her palms. She always had too many problems and couldn’t afford not to come up with some solutions.
“Who the hell is Jake Kelly?”
“He solicited my business, and he’s pretty persistent. He says he’s big in Atlanta and wants to expand into the South. Since he heard I’m the biggest buyer in this area, he’s developed a crush.”
“We’ve got business in Atlanta, and I’ve never heard of him. Of course all my buyers are like you in that we don’t sell unless we knew your grandparents. We don’t usually go after new and especially small stuff.”
“Good to know, and I’m still digging into that. You heading back today?”
“I just got here, so I plan to enjoy myself for a few days before it’s back to the grind. My lovely fiancée is with me, so how about a private dinner so you can meet her?”
“Do you mind if I make the arrangements and bring someone?”
Paul slapped the table before pointing at her. “Are you holding out on me?”
“I don’t see any rings and ceremony in my future, but I did meet someone recently.”
“Then I’d like to meet this woman. Please bring her, but dinner is on me after the obscene amount of money you just agreed to pay me.”
“You’ll have to arrive early so we can keep it private, but I’ll have Merrick call you with the details.”
Paul left with Lou, and she had a moment of doubt about having included Emma. It wasn’t a trust issue, but she was concerned about how the relationship would change if Emma came with her.
“Success isn’t built on cowardliness,” she said as she picked up her phone.
* * *
“Anything else?” Cain asked Merrick when she returned from walking Paul out.
“Danny’s here to see you.”
“Danny, as in my cousin Danny?” Everyone in her immediate family loved her mum more than life itself, but Therese’s family, the Baxters, were a different story.
Alex and Robert Baxter were her mum’s brothers, and Cain never could decide which of them was more useless. Her da held the same opinion but tolerated them because of his love for her mum. Dalton had even given them a monthly stipend and her cousin a job. Danny wasn’t part of the family business and never would be, but he still earned a good living off the Casey coffers.
“That’s the one. I left him out in the warehouse since your office is off-limits.”
She didn’t need to ask what he wanted since he always wanted the same thing. Danny had grown up watching mob movies, and considering his family connections, he wanted in the worst way to be a wise guy. However, he couldn’t keep his mouth shut, and he was dumber than a pile of twigs.
“Cain.” Danny stood and buttoned his too-tight stained jacket, then held his hand out to her. “Who was that guy? Is that something I could be helping you with?”
“That was no one important, and you already have a job.”
Danny had inherited the Baxter red hair but was especially short and freckled, which pissed him off more than his non-wise-guy job. “The gig at Emerald’s is way beneath me, and you know it. I’m ready to move up and carry a gun. We’re family, for God’s sake.”
“I gave you a job at Emerald’s keeping an eye on my customers because you’re my cousin. It’s a job you get way overpaid for, but like I said, you’re my cousin, so I do it to help you out. If you don’t want that job, then find your own, but it’s the only one I’ve got for you.” She moved closer to him and stared him down until he stepped back.
“Don’t you want someone that’s related to you watching your back?”
“What do you mean by that?” Merrick asked.
“Careful, Danny, before Merrick shoots your hands off,” she said and laughed, setting off his anger. “That’ll blow your sex life all to hell.”
He appeared mad enough to tell her to fuck off but seemed to think about it. “Uncle Dalton trusted me with stuff,” he said so loudly that spit flew out of his mouth, landing on her chest.
“That’s right. You drove Da for a few days, and the witnesses at the scene said you were hiding like a little bitch while my father was gunned down.” She grabbed him by the jaw to keep him quiet. “You finally got that gun you were so hot to get for a few days, but you never fired a shot and could give not even one clue as to who killed him.”
“That wasn’t my fault, and there was nothing I could do to stop it. Even the cops said it was an ambush.”
“Get out of here, Danny, and for once be happy with what you have. You keep bugging me, and I’m going to cut you out altogether, and you can take your father and uncle with you.”
“They’re your uncles too, Cain.”
“I forget that sometimes, since I don’t ever see or hear from them unless they need something. Hell, the only reason any of you came to my da’s funeral was to make sure the tap of endless money you don’t do anything for wasn’t turned off at his death.” She moved her hand down to his shoulder and squeezed hard. “The best thing you can do is to keep your head down and do your job. Stop trying to be something you’re not, and stay as far from me as you can. Do we understand each other?”
Danny obviously tried his best not to appear intimidated, but the sweat beading on his upper lip gave him away. “Yeah. I understand.”
“Good. Now get out of my sight and get ready for work.”
She headed home and planned to spend the afternoon with Marie, since she hadn’t had an extra few free hours in a few days. Therese was out playing bridge with her friends, so she found Marie on the back patio playing checkers with Billy.
“You’d better not have bet money, brother. She’s really good,” she said, kissing the tops of their heads.
“I already lost ten bucks,” Billy said as Marie took two more of his pieces off the table.
“Look, Cain. I’m going to win again.” Marie clapped her hands and jumped in her seat.
“You’re a checkers shark,” she said, sitting with them.
“What’s a checkers shark?” Marie asked.
“It means you’re really good at it,” Billy said. “You all finished?” he asked Cain while he rubbed his jaw as if thinking hard about his next move.
“We’re back in business, and I’m having dinner with him and his fiancée tonight.” She groaned when Billy moved, opening a chain for Marie to take four more pieces. “You’re going to lose another five dollars.”
“Why?” he asked, then slapped his forehead when Marie didn’t hesitate to go in for the kill. “Man. I didn’t see that.”
“It’s ’cause I’m a checkers shark, brother,” Marie said, and laughed when Cain did.
“You sure are, and you’re taking all my money.” Billy handed over another five dollars. “You want me to go with you tonight?” he asked as Marie set up the board agai
n.
“You’re welcome, but I have a date.”
“Are you taking your friend Emma?” Marie asked, clapping again after making her first move.
“That’s who’s going with me.” She winked at Billy. “Do you have enough for the doll you wanted?”
“I got this much.” Marie held up her money.
“You need a little more than that, so you know what that means?” she said, holding up two fingers.
“Double or nothing, brother,” Marie yelled. They’d both taught Marie that phrase years before, and she’d never forgotten it. Gambling on checkers was how she got most of the toys and art supplies she wanted, and it made her happy to win and have her own spending money.
“You’re killing me, but I’m winning this one,” Billy said, moving the first piece he was about to sacrifice.
“Not against the shark,” Marie said, holding up his black checker.
“Let’s hope we all score this big tonight,” Billy said with a big smile.
“If that’s your goal, then stay away from nice girls from Wisconsin.”
Chapter Fourteen
“Wow,” Cain said when Emma opened her door. She’d been a wreck wondering what to wear until Bea showed up with a few choices from her closet. She’d gone with the simple black dress that stopped right above her knee but was tight enough to make her look good.
“Are you sure this is okay?” She smoothed the dress down for the hundredth time. Her heels were new too, but she didn’t think Cain would mind if she hung on to her all night.
“You’re beautiful,” Cain said, holding her hands out and staring intently at her. “I mean really beautiful.”
“Thank you. If this is a business thing, I didn’t want to look like a dork.” She picked up her lipstick and held it up. “Would you mind putting this in your jacket pocket? I don’t have a purse that matches this outfit.”
“I’d be happy to, and don’t worry so much. Paul is an old college friend and is in town with his fiancée. Billy might join us as well, so be prepared for whoever his date is. I’ll make it up to you later.” Cain locked her door and pocketed her keys.
“What’s that mean?” She held on to Cain’s arm, glad she was taking the stairs slowly.
“I love my brother, but he doesn’t exactly love a challenge when it comes to dating.” Cain got the door for her and opened the umbrella she’d left right outside. The weather had been rough for the last hour, but the rain was starting to slack off.
“And do you like a challenge, Ms. Casey?” she asked right before Cain shut the car door.
“I’m beginning to see the merits of the long-term dating plan. You’re a good convincer, Ms. Verde.”
“I’m not sure about that. You didn’t even kiss me hello.” She sat in the circle of Cain’s arms, enjoying the flirting and the fact that Cain didn’t mind their pace.
Cain kissed right below her ear and took her hand. “I didn’t want to mess up that perfect makeup job. Later on, though, if you let me, all bets are off.”
“I believe I handed you my lipstick, so you should’ve taken the chance.” Emma scratched Cain’s stomach through her shirt, but before she could kiss her, the car stopped. “You missed your shot.”
Cain kissed the side of her neck again and raised her hand so she could kiss her palm. When she glanced outside, they were at a traffic light and hadn’t reached their destination yet, so their fun wasn’t over. “I don’t think anyone has ever said that about me, but it’s early. I’m sure I’ll get another opportunity.” Cain moved to her lips but kept the kiss light.
“I think you’re right.”
The restaurant Cain had taken her to before was fairly near work, and when they stepped out, the van right behind them slowed and parked across the street. “Friends of yours?” She figured it was simply some of the people Cain usually traveled with.
“Remember the guy in the courtyard at the B and B?” She nodded, thinking of who Cain had said the guy was with. “It’s more friends of his than mine. We’re just having dinner so nothing to worry about. The last time I checked that wasn’t illegal.”
It was strange to be such a center of attention, but all that mattered to her was that she was on Cain’s arm. Cain introduced her to everyone who stopped to talk to her, and she smiled when Billy gave her a hug as he said hello. Like Cain had said, his date seemed somewhat bored and aloof, but her dress didn’t leave much to guess as to what was underneath.
“Cain…Billy,” an older man said as he put an arm around them. “Welcome. Especially when you come with such beautiful company.”
“Vincent, the good thing about you is you never change,” Cain said, kissing his cheek. “Emma, you remember Vincent Carlotti, even if I was remiss in introducing him before. He’s one of our oldest family friends.” She smiled when Vincent kissed both Emma’s cheeks.
“Good to have you come by again, Emma, and hopefully you’ll become a regular,” Vincent said.
“Maybe you should put in a good word for me then, Mr. Carlotti.”
“Please, call me Vincent. Let me pretend to be a young man for a little while longer.” Vincent led them to a private room where a big man stood by the door as if guarding it. She’d never seen him with Cain, so she figured he worked for Vincent. Old family friend probably also meant old business acquaintance as well. The couple inside broke their kiss when they walked in, and Emma felt almost like an intruder. Cain’s old college friend and his girlfriend were a lovely couple.
“Paul, this is Emma Verde,” Cain said, holding her hand. It was the last formal thing that happened that night, and Emma enjoyed some of the stories Paul told of his time at Tulane with Cain.
His fiancée seemed to hang on his every word, but she didn’t appear to be a pushover. Daphne Sinclair was the heir to a whiskey empire she was helping her father run, but she also seemed to be very much in love.
“What brought you to Tulane from Canada, Paul?” Emma asked as the waiters cleared their entre dishes.
“My mother’s from here, and after a lifetime of stories about New Orleans, I wanted to come experience the place she loves so much for myself. It was a good decision since I made some lifetime friends along the way. Cain and Billy are old classmates I might not see often, but they’re like family.”
“She’s easy to like. You have my total agreement on that,” she said as Cain kissed her hand.
“Before Vincent’s wonderful dessert, Daphne has a gift for you, Cain,” Paul said.
“Paul told me how much you love a good whiskey every so often, so I brought you and Billy a case of our reserve. It’s not your beloved Irish brew, but we’re pretty proud of it.” Daphne handed over a bottle from the wooden crate with her family’s crest burned into the side.
“It’s bad luck not to share,” Cain said, cracking the seal. The waiter immediately brought everyone a glass. “To good friends and new beginnings.”
They left first after dessert with Billy and his date, but like Cain had promised, they drove off alone to a lounge in the large hotel by the river. The band played soft jazz, and the hostess gave them a secluded table in the corner. Once they were by themselves, Cain ordered a bottle of wine and took her hand.
“I think you’re a closet romantic,” she said, tracing Cain’s eyebrows with her fingertips and enjoying the way Cain closed her eyes, seeming completely relaxed. “You may not show it to many people, but I’m sure enjoying the attention.”
“I probably have a reputation, but it isn’t for being a romantic,” Cain said after she’d dropped her hand. “Are you sure none of this bothers you even a little?”
“It sounds like you want it to.” She leaned in and kissed Cain on the lips, then on each eyelid. “All I want is to spend time with you. The rest of it, like these people following you around, isn’t any different than all that crap I come with.”
“You should give lessons in optimism. I don’t think our situations are anything alike, but thanks for trying.” Cain didn’t
seem to be able to help herself as she kissed her again.
“Is it a matter of trust? Do you think I’m trying to put something over on you?” She moved slightly away, never really considering that possibility, but then Cain probably wouldn’t think of anything but that with any new person in her life.
“I usually live by the rule that anyone who asks me that is trying to get something on me.”
Emma moved a little farther away, but Cain held her so she couldn’t go too far. “You really think that of me?”
“Concentrate on the word ‘usual’ and the fact that every rule has an exception. I don’t think you’re trying to get anything on me, but I don’t want to pull you into anything you’re not ready for.”
She shook her head and smiled. “Remember when I said how romantic you were?” Cain nodded and chuckled. “You’re losing points fast.”
“Then let me try to make it up to you.” Cain stood up and extended her hand to her. “Dance with me.”
She put her hands on Cain’s shoulders and moved with her, willing to go wherever Cain led.
They ended up dancing more than once, and Emma enjoyed every moment of their night. Since dating had never been part of her life back home, she was glad Cain didn’t mind indulging this particular part of what she’d dreamed a relationship should be. She’d never understood her mother’s thoughts on the subject, because without the freedom to see someone she might eventually come to love, she wouldn’t have a chance to marry and settle down. Then again, her mother probably had planned to pick someone for her who was as Christian and devoted as she was.
“You okay?” Cain asked as they made their way back to her apartment.
“I’m fine. Just thinking of how I can talk you into something tomorrow.”
“So all that quiet was you plotting, huh?” Cain turned in her seat slightly, so Emma moved closer to her and put her hand on her abdomen. “That shouldn’t be a difficult sell, and since I dragged you out tonight, it’ll be just us tomorrow night.”