by Ali Vali
Merrick took a deep, explosive breath. “I’ve proved my loyalty. What’s changed to make you doubt me now?”
“I didn’t say doubt—I said concern.” Cain stopped tapping and let loose some of her own temper. “Don’t put words in my mouth.”
“Sorry. What are you concerned about?”
“When I changed your responsibilities you weren’t pleased. I’m concerned that your unhappiness, coupled with your new social life, isn’t in Emma’s best interests.”
Merrick gripped the armrests as if to keep from punching her. “First off, I know Emma didn’t tell you she had a problem, and next time talk to me before you assume anything about me.”
Their time together gave Merrick some latitude to talk like this, and Cain laughed. “Why do you think Emma didn’t say anything?”
“Because we’ve come to a truce, Emma and I. I know my job and I’m happy to do it. As for Katlin, you can approve or not, that’s up to you. I’m sorry for not bringing it up earlier, but I’d like your blessing.”
Cain stood and put her hand up to keep Merrick in her seat. “You don’t need my blessing, Merrick, but if you do, I’m happy you found someone you can confide in and be happy with.”
“Thank you.”
“Emma and I have started trying for another baby, though, and I’m trusting you to keep her safe. Don’t let me down.”
“You’re going to worry no matter what I say.” Merrick stood up and took Cain’s hand. “But you have my word. Emma’s fine with me.”
“Good, and as to Katlin, congratulations. My father always said love drives our fierceness, and Emma and our children make me realize just how right he was.” She let Merrick’s hand go and took a few steps toward the door before turning around. “I’ll have no mercy on whoever thinks to bring them harm,” Cain said, sure that Merrick didn’t need any further explanation. The statement encompassed everyone, including her, but Merrick nodded anyway.
Muriel was talking to Katlin when Cain came out. Even though they were all living in the same house, Cain hadn’t seen much of Muriel since she’d returned from Mexico. She needed to find out why and had ignored that conversation until now. She walked with Muriel and the others to the waiting car.
“Another late night?” Cain asked as soon as the car door closed and the surveillance jamming equipment was activated.
Muriel glanced up at her from the file she was reading and chuckled. “I have a parent, thank you.”
“Is it smart-off-to-Cain day and I didn’t get the announcement? It’s a simple question.”
Muriel closed the file and faced Cain. “Sorry, that was rude.”
“I’m just curious as to how things are going.”
Muriel laughed. “Don’t you mean you’re worried about how things are going?”
“I trust you.” Cain stared out the window. “So how’s it going?” She didn’t have to look to know that Muriel’s new social interest wasn’t too far behind them. Agent Shelby Philips was beautiful, smart, and outgoing—all the desirable characteristics in a woman. But Shelby’s employer, the FBI, wasn’t exactly a friend of the Casey family.
“We’re just friends.” Muriel put her hands up. “Before you give me any shit, I have been out late, but I’ve been working with Mano to get this contract done.” She waved the file at Cain. “We had to make sure your name and the Jatibon name don’t appear anywhere on this, but it still protects your interests.”
“Fucking feds.”
“True, but the Mississippi Gaming Authority won’t push this through with the name Casey or Jatibon on the deed. Not that you’ve been convicted, but…hell, you don’t need me to elaborate.”
“No, you don’t.” Cain did turn around then, curling her fingers into a fist when the ever-present van came into view. “These guys need to either shit or get off the pot. This constant sitting on top of us is getting old.”
“I’d get used to it, for awhile at least. They aren’t going anywhere after you caught them with their pants down again.”
If anyone but Muriel had said those exact words, Cain would’ve missed the meeting they were headed to and opted for a more private place to finish the talk. Of course the one-sided, short conversation would’ve ended badly for the person who sounded like they knew a little too much about the feds and their operations. But this was her cousin Muriel, and Cain trusted her wholeheartedly.
“Just a hunch or pillow talk?” Cain asked as they turned onto Ramon’s property.
“More like observation.” Muriel put her hand on the door to prevent Lou from opening it once they stopped. “This is no time to start questioning my place in your life and in this family. You do and they’ll win.” She tilted her head in the direction of the van parked on the street.
“I’ve just got a lot on my mind, so maybe that didn’t come out right. But you have to admit things are different now. The people I count on have new priorities it seems.”
Muriel nodded. “You can’t blame us for wanting what you have, but just because that’s true, we haven’t forgotten what’s important.” She let go of the door and placed her hand on Cain’s knee. “I’m a Casey. Don’t think anything or anyone’s blinded me to that fact and what it means.”
Chapter Five
The plane taxied to a stop at the lakefront airport near New Orleans under a hangar belonging to the Jatibon family. After their bags were in the limo, Remi shook hands with Dallas.
“It was a pleasure meeting you, and I’m sure we’ll see each other soon. I understand you have an apartment in the city, but I thought you’d enjoy a few nights at the Piquant.”
“Thank you. It’ll be convenient since that’s where the reception is tonight. I didn’t think there’d be an available room, with all the studio brass in town.”
Remi laughed and bent her head to whisper something to Dallas, fully aware that Bob’s eyes were trying to bore a hole in her skull. “I wouldn’t want to give you the impression that all Gemini employees are slackers,” she teased.
“I’m sorry again,” Dallas said. “I know you said not to apologize, but the name-calling and Bob in general got out of hand. I don’t want you to think I agree with him.”
“I’m sure Dick will learn the error of his ways sooner than you think, Ms. Montgomery. That’s an oath I’ll personally keep in the near future,” Remi said while still holding her hand.
Dallas stared at her, obviously just noticing the unique color combination of her eyes. “Will I really see you again? I’d like to treat you to dinner to make it up to you. Please call me Dallas, and thank you…”
Remi ignored the way Dallas had dragged out the word you, as if hoping for her to fill in the blank of her name. “You will and thank you. It really has been a pleasure, but if you’ll excuse me, I have people waiting.”
Remi let Dallas go, heading for the three waiting Suburbans and getting into the lead vehicle. She could figure out the mystery that was Dallas Montgomery and her traveling companion later. There was definitely a story there, and she was dying to hear it.
*
“Mano,” Remi called from the open window. Ramon, Remi’s twin brother, stood in front of their parents’ home waiting for the vehicles to roll to a stop. From the time they had started talking, Remi had called him Mano, an abbreviation of hermano, meaning brother in Spanish.
“Remi, you’re looking good. Vacation agrees with you.”
After getting out of the truck Remi hugged and kissed Mano hello, then turned to the rest of the group exiting the remaining vehicles and pointed to the house in a silent request for time alone with Mano.
Remi was involved in, and usually responsible for, the daily operations of the family business not mentioned in their annual reports. She also controlled the muscle that kept those operations running smoothly. She did the job well, and Mano readily followed her lead, but that side of the business was seldom discussed outside the family.
Mano put his arm around Remi’s shoulders and led her into the hous
e. Their mother would have to wait for her kiss hello.
As they entered the large study reminiscent of an old Cuban plantation with its muted and tasteful mahogany furniture, Remi was reminded of the tradition that had been an important part of her upbringing. The tall, imposing man behind the desk, who stood when his children entered, embodied the lessons of who she was and what her family stood for.
“Papi, como estas? Papi, how are you?”
“Muy bien, hija. Very well, daughter. You look good. Dwayne and Steve aren’t with you?” Ramon asked while wrapping her in a hug.
“In a minute. I have a favor to ask before we turn our attention to the Biloxi business.”
The three took a seat, and Remi described the trip home and the unexpected guests. “Mano, dig until you find something, but I know Dallas Montgomery doesn’t stay with that dickhead out of love and devotion. There’s a reason, and I want to know what it is.”
After she finished, Ramon and Mano glanced at each other. “This is new. Why do you care?” Mano asked.
“I just want to know.” She didn’t often get upset with her family, but this was no time for Mano’s teasing. “In case you forgot, she hasn’t signed on for the sequel that starts production in two months. Call that my motivating factor.”
“Mano, I’ll help you with this one. Consider it done,” Ramon said, which stopped the discussion. “It’ll be good to get out again before your mother finds something else for me to do. Speaking of which, go tell her hello.”
“I’d appreciate it, Papi.”
The three walked out to the large balcony that overlooked the pool and immaculate gardens. “Mami, the good-looking one has returned,” Remi said as she picked Marianna up off the ground and kissed her.
Marianna held Remi for a moment before squeezing her face between her hands. “Any luck on your trip? I’m not getting any younger and I want more grandchildren.”
“You could ask how I am first, you know.”
“I can see by looking at you that you’re fine, but I can’t so easily detect if there’s a woman in your heart. Now answer me.” Marianna tapped her foot and waited.
“I’m still in the sampling phase, but don’t worry. I’m ticking them off as fast as I can.”
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say your father carried you for nine months, you’re so much like him,” Marianna said, dripping sarcasm. Behind her, Steve, Dwayne, and their wives were laughing at the expression on Marianna’s face.
“Hopefully that’s true.” Remi kissed her mother’s forehead. “After all, he kept at it until he got it right, didn’t he?” She knew what was coming, but didn’t duck the cuff to the head her mother delivered.
“One day you won’t have your poor mother’s arm to pull, Remi. Then what will you do?”
“That’ll be a sad day indeed, but remember one thing. It’s leg, Mami, leg.” This time Remi did dodge the little hand flying toward her head, seeing Marianna had swung with more intent.
The Jatibons’ maid escorted Cain and Muriel out to the balcony while they were still laughing. “Still giving your mother a hard time?” Cain asked.
“You’re crazy if you think you’re immune, so watch your step,” Remi said as she embraced Cain and kissed both her cheeks. “You look content, my friend.”
“Thanks, and you should take your mother’s advice. Children and a beautiful wife would look good on you.”
“You tell her, Cain,” Marianna said before Cain bent and kissed her hello.
“How about business first, then all of you can work on my love life?” Remi pointed in the direction of her father’s study.
Steve and Dwayne followed and closed the doors. Ramon’s man Emil had just swept the room for listening devices, and Remi felt comfortable discussing business even though the watchers weren’t that far away.
“Muriel, you want to start?” Remi asked as she sat close to her father’s desk.
“Katlin, along with some of our men, spent some time in Luca’s casino, the Capri, last month. Only a few days, but enough to see that Stephano Bracato’s network is still in place. She didn’t want to dig too much and arouse attention, but she’s guessing the dealers have either found a new patron, or they’re working directly for Rodolfo and Juan Luis, since they were Stephano’s main suppliers.” She glanced at Cain, who nodded. “We’ve made Rodolfo’s business difficult here recently, so he seems to have doubled his efforts on the Gulf Coast.”
“Rodolfo made money here, though, so it’s only a matter of time before he finds a willing partner,” Ramon said. He opened the humidor on his desk and offered everyone a Cuban cigar. He and Remi were the only two who went through the ritual of preparing the Cohibas to smoke. “We all know drugs are part of our reality. We may choose to make our living elsewhere, but we can’t keep them completely away from our businesses.”
“That’s why Remi and I agreed to give Vinny Carlotti our protection. We might not be able to keep drugs out, but we can try to control them,” Cain said. “If he does business with the Luis family, though, I will no longer honor that understanding. I don’t need to remind you all that Juan approached Emma twice the last time he and his uncle were in town. The idiot either has a high opinion of himself, or he doesn’t respect women.”
“We’ll back you on that, Cain. Rodolfo is powerful but he’s a pig, and his nephew isn’t any better,” Remi said. “But even if Vinny thinks about doing business with them, Vincent will most likely interfere much sooner than we will. Making a quick buck isn’t worth breaking the friendship with both our families. With this deal we’re about to close, and what we’ve done already, we’ll have the capital to keep the peace, if it comes to that, or crush anyone who decides to break it.”
“I agree,” Cain said as she accepted the glass of Anejo dark rum Ramon had poured. “So before we move forward, do we agree with the recommendations Katlin and the others made?”
“We agree. Dwayne and Steve will represent us at the sale, and Ross Verde will sign for you,” Ramon said, then held up his glass. He offered the toast that had christened all the good fortunes in his life. “To love, family, health, happiness, and money. And the time to enjoy them.”
“Salud,” the rest of them answered.
Chapter Six
Cozumel, Mexico
“We lost another five kilos this week,” Santos Esvillar said. He was in charge of the Luis family’s Louisiana distribution chain, and so far it had been three months since he’d had good news. “Someone gunned down another six street vendors, so now no one wants to touch our business.”
“What happened to the product?” Rodolfo Luis asked. He and his nephew Juan had returned to his estate in the hills right outside of Cozumel after Cain had declared war on Giovanni Bracato. It was a battle he’d wanted no part of, since he had no loyalties to Giovanni.
“The police arrived at the scene before we had a chance to retrieve anything, señor. After the last couple of hits, I had some backup at each location, but it was like somebody called the cops before it all went down.”
“It’s that fucking bitch,” Juan said, almost spitting the words out. He stroked his chest, his fingers gliding with the help of the tanning oil one of the house girls had slathered on him when he’d come down to the pool. He had yet to grow one hair on his chest, but he figured that wasn’t what made a man. However, he seldom let anyone outside his family see him with his shirt off. “It’s always that fucking bitch trying to be a man.”
“We tried to make the connection to Cain Casey, but we haven’t had any luck,” Santos said.
“It’s her, and this has to fucking stop.”
Rodolfo stood and moved his chair farther under the shade of the large umbrella close to the water. “Is this business or something else?” he asked Juan.
Juan’s back came off the chaise lounge, but that’s as much as he was willing to physically challenge his uncle. “Business before anything else, Papa. You know Cain’s behind this. Let it go unpunished and i
t’ll get worse.”
“Word on the street is that Nunzio Luca has the Capri up for sale,” Santos said, sounding like a man covering his ass.
Juan came fully erect at the news, leaving the sun for a seat in the shade next to Rodolfo. Most of their southeastern product arrived and was shipped out for distribution at the Biloxi casino. With the help of the New York-based Luca family, they were building a network that would stretch through the gaming industry from Mississippi to Nevada.
The plan was perfect, since the drop-off points were so close to major distribution areas in Florida and California. While the DEA was busy trying to bust mules coming over the border full of balloons of cocaine, no one bothered to check the fresh fish and beef being flown into the casinos for their cheap buffets. All it had taken was chump change to the customs’ agent in both locations. If the new owner of the Capri was uncooperative, its sale would seriously hurt the operation Juan had worked hard to put into place.
“What do you know?” Juan asked.
“I don’t know the particulars yet, but that’s the rumor running through the casino.”
“Then find out, moron. What in the hell are we paying you for?” Juan lifted his drink, ready to throw it at Santos, but just as quickly put it down. Giving in to the satisfaction wouldn’t be a good way to prove to Rodolfo that he was fit to handle the situation. “The son of a bitch Nunzio hasn’t told us anything about it.”
“We’re working on it, since if it’s true, we’ll need some cooperation to continue our business.”
“Fly back to Biloxi and do some more digging, and we’ll be there in a week,” Rodolfo said. He took a sip of his lemonade and wiped the edges of his mustache. “If you find something before then, let me know.” He lifted his glass again but waited for Santos to leave. “That’s all,” he said when Santos didn’t get the message.
“If you want—” Juan said as soon as Santos was out of earshot.