by Ali Vali
“I owe that crazy bitch a bunch of money unless you give me a map. If you don’t, who’s going to pay?”
“We’ll figure something out, but first we need to know what happened,” Shelby said.
“You know what you need to figure out? The quickest route to my house because I forgot my pants in there and I’m not going back. And once you drop me off, stay the hell away from me.” He got in and grabbed his stomach as soon as he was past Lionel. The momentum landed him in the middle of them. “Oh God,” he said in obvious pain.
After that, everyone but Jimmy dashed for the back and piled out into the street. Cain’s car stopped as it came through the gate and she rolled the window down.
“Problem?” Cain asked, smiling.
“You know damn well what our problem is,” Shelby said.
Cain craned her head to see in the van. “I really don’t know, but that,” she pointed to the van and the stains on their pants, “is the true meaning of listening to shit.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
A few cars were parked in front of Jarvis’s house when Cain got back, but she assumed Remi and her family were there. Emma was waiting at the front door and took her hand and led her into the kitchen.
“Giving cooking lessons?” Cain said as a joke as she kissed the side of Emma’s neck. “Not that I don’t want to be alone with you, lass, but don’t we have company?”
“If you weren’t so big I’d spank you. We have company, but not all of it is who you were expecting. Nunzio Luca’s here and Remi’s keeping him company.”
“Did she ask you to call Ramon and Mano?”
“Not yet, and she didn’t ask me to leave, so I’ve been making small talk to help her out. Honey,” she held both of Cain’s hands, “this guy’s a creep. I didn’t think anyone could be a bigger ass than Juan, but after spending an hour with Nunzio, I have to admit I was wrong.”
“He’s not only a creep, he doesn’t know how to take directions. Today isn’t Tuesday.” She kissed Emma and turned to join Remi.
“Hey,” Emma said, stopping her. “You were gone longer than I thought. How’d it go with Jimmy?”
“He owes us some money, and after our talk,” Cain couldn’t help but laugh, “I’m sure he had an ass full of me and all those bugs we found.”
“You didn’t.”
“You’re right, I didn’t, but Jimmy sure did. After he was done I suggested he return them to their rightful owners. I’m sure they can be used again, but I hope they disinfect them first.”
Emma was laughing so hard she was hanging on the counter. “Thanks for putting that image in my head, and thanks for taking care of it. I feel like an idiot that I didn’t post someone over there.”
“When we finish the sweep, go ahead and call Jimmy back. He can work off his debt while Lou or one of the guys follows him around.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.” Emma moved closer and Cain met her halfway. “After today’s meeting, I’m sure he doesn’t want to go through another negotiation session with me. Let me go see what Nunzio wants, then let’s take the kids out for something fun.”
Nunzio stood and extended his hand when Cain joined them in the sunroom. He and Remi were sitting across from each other so Cain took the sofa between them. Remi looked like her anger was simmering just below the surface.
“I didn’t expect to see you for a couple more days, Nunzio. Did something change that I don’t know about?”
“Remi and I started without you, and I was explaining that I’m willing to shave three percent from the final price, but I need your answer by today. I’ve got some business out of town, and today is as long as I can stretch it.”
“I see.” Cain crossed her legs and glanced at Remi. “Talk about anything else?”
“I was just telling Remi what a lucky bitch she is to be seeing Dallas Montgomery. I’m a fan and sure as hell wouldn’t mind tapping into that.”
“Remi?” Cain said her name, but kept her eyes on Nunzio. “Since you all started without me, what’s our answer?”
“No deal even if he cuts the price in half.”
“That’s why I waited for you, Cain. I thought you might be the levelheaded one here.” Nunzio clapped his hands and laughed. “If I insulted you by mentioning your new playmate, I’m sorry, Remi. This is business, though, tell her, Cain.”
“I believe you’ve got our answer. Is there anything else?”
“You and I both know you need this.” Nunzio’s face twisted into a snarl and he pointed at Cain.
“Why would you think that?” Cain asked.
“Because the Bracatos were a pack of idiots, but you’re playing in a whole different ballgame now. The enemies you’re making are smarter, stronger, and more widespread than Big Gino. With the casino, you and the Jatibons have a fighting chance to keep what you’ve got now.” He stood up but didn’t take a step toward them when Simon stood as well. “In the coming weeks, if you were hoping for backup from Vinny, I wouldn’t count on that. He doesn’t have his father’s savvy, and the competition will eat him alive.”
“Simon, would you be so kind,” Cain said. Simon bowed her head slightly and walked Nunzio out.
When they were alone Remi’s head fell back and her hands clenched into fists. “I’m sorry if you wanted this, but I’m not having anything to do with that guy.”
“We’ll deal with this soon enough. Let’s talk about the favor you wanted to ask me.”
“Are you sure? We put a lot of time and effort into this.”
Cain took a deep breath and released it slowly. “We did, but there’ll be others. We need time to think over our next step, but that’s for later—tell me what’s on your mind.”
“It’s Dallas.” Remi lifted her head and leaned forward. “I asked my father to investigate her past to see where her life intersected with her manager Bob’s. This guy’s a total dick, and there’s some reason she hasn’t dumped him.”
“What did Ramon find?” Cain accepted the cigar Remi offered her and led her outside.
“Nothing yet. The trail stops at the beginning of her career. That’s when Dallas Montgomery was born, and she effectively buried whoever she really is.”
Cain accepted Remi’s clippers and lighter to prepare her cigar. After she blew out her first stream of smoke, she sat in one of the chairs around the pool. It would be awhile before anyone used it, but Jarvis’s people kept it pristine. “Until you find out, what are you concerned about?”
“Think about what you were doing this morning.” Remi lit her own cigar. “Since I doubt you’ve taken a sudden interest in decorating, you met with your contractor for some other reason. You and I both know there’s more than one way for these bastards to get in.”
“And because you’re guessing she’s some sort of cop, you’re going to just let her go?”
“Please tell me this isn’t one of those keep-your-enemies-closer lectures?” Remi joked. “Isn’t that what you’d do?”
“Barney Kyle turned, even if it was temporarily, the one person in my life who should’ve been rock solid. Because he was successful I missed my wife, the birth of my daughter, and a very long time period that I’ll never get back.” Cain remembered vividly how she felt then. “I could’ve been sure that she wouldn’t betray me again by not letting her back into my life, but I would’ve missed out on what I need to make all this worthwhile.”
“This is different. Dallas isn’t Emma.”
“I’ll work on this personally, and if I find something, I won’t tell anybody but you. Until then if you don’t give a shit about her, don’t let this eat away at you, but if you do, then don’t be afraid to move forward.”
“And if she turns out to be a cop?”
Hannah came running across the yard, and Cain stood and grabbed her before she got within twenty feet of the pool. “I’ll give you the same advice I gave Muriel.” She tossed Hannah into the air, loving the squeal it always produced. “Don’t talk in your sl
eep.”
*
Muriel sat in the famous piano bar in Pat O’Brien’s on Bourbon Street, having a scotch and listening to the woman performing. It was a tourist destination, proved by the number of folks with a multitude of different accents sitting nearby, but the place filled up every night because the musicians were so good. Cain had told her to get away from everything, and this was as much of an escape as she was willing to agree to.
As she brought her glass up, one of Vincent Carlotti’s men joined her and put his beer down. Almost everyone in the room was singing the refrain from “American Pie” when he asked her to go outside to the patio.
“The boss is keeping an eye on Vinny and his business,” the guy said as a start.
“So are Cain and Remi. Does he have a problem with something?” Muriel leaned against the brick wall at the back of the open space.
“More like he wanted to give you guys a heads-up. Vincent’s been talking to Hector Delarosa.”
“The Columbian Hector Delarosa?” Muriel asked.
“That’s the one. He called tonight so Mr. Carlotti would be watching for a particular plane soon.”
Muriel put her hand up to keep the waitress away. “Before you go on, tell me why you’re not talking to Cain.”
“I did. Cain told me where I could probably find you. You can call her if you want, but she said for you to take care of it.”
She closed her eyes and shook her head. The guy standing before her represented Cain’s way of giving her what she’d asked for. If she said no, that would’ve been acceptable too. Her role had been defined for so long, not only with her family but with the others as well, that no one would’ve thought less of her for keeping to her place.
“That’s okay. Just tell me,” Muriel said.
“When people like Hector need something taken care of, especially in the States, they use one guy. Hector said his name is Jorge Cristo, and according to Hector, he’s a killing machine.”
“When’s he get here?” Muriel asked. The couple sitting closest to them left and Muriel sat down.
“That’s the easy part—this Friday, AeroMexico’s last flight is coming in from Mexico City.” He cocked his bottle back and drained the last of his drink. “What we need to figure out before then is who his target is and who hired him.”
“That we do, since it sounds like he sure as hell isn’t coming for the seafood. Tell Vincent thanks for the information.” The guy stood up and shook hands with her. “Did Delarosa describe him?”
“Mr. Cristo likes to fly AeroMexico out of Mexico City because usually only about ten Americans are on the flight.”
Muriel put her hands up and shrugged. “And?”
“The rest of the deplaning passengers are Mexican and other South Americans. It’s a good way to blend in.”
“I take it Hector didn’t give him up completely.”
“Hector sees potential in dealing with Vinny because of his father and his friends, but no, he didn’t give us what you’re asking. Down the line he might have a problem or two he needs solved. He burns Jorge, and who’s he going to call to fix it?”
“Nothing’s ever easy, is it?”
Chapter Thirty
The sun was creeping along the floor, slowly making its way toward the sofa where Dallas had been lying since the night before. She didn’t feel like this very often any more, because she refused to let things she couldn’t change drag her down, but on mornings like this she didn’t have the strength to try.
Her tears started again, but she was so exhausted she didn’t move to wipe them away. When the phone rang she ignored that as well until the machine picked up in the kitchen. She’d never recorded her own message so a robotic-sounding voice asked the caller to leave their name and number.
The sound of Kristen’s voice got her on her feet and to the phone before her little sister hung up. “Hey, just wait for the stupid thing to click off,” she said.
“Out late? You usually pick up by the second ring.”
Kristen always sounded light, as if her essence was sunlight. They’d started in a horrible place, but Dallas had taken the weight of that darkness so Kristen’s memories would be easier to bear. She was the one person who knew all of Dallas’s secrets and still loved her without reservations.
“I was sleeping in.” Dallas headed for the kitchen and the coffee pot. “We went out last night, but my date was a perfect gentlewoman and deposited me on my doorstep at a decent hour.”
“She didn’t stay for coffee?”
Dallas heard people shouting and having a good time in the background, so she figured Kristen was sitting outside somewhere on campus. “She had a busy morning, she said.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong,” Dallas said quietly. She pinched the bridge of her nose and placed the coffee pot under the faucet to fill it. “Nothing’s wrong,” she repeated when Kristen stayed quiet.
“Are you finished hiding your feelings? I recognize that tone. Something’s wrong, and it’ll be easier in the long run if you go ahead and tell me what it is.”
“I’m disappointed Remi didn’t stay.”
“And?” Kristen prompted.
“Bob was here last night—waiting for me.” She opened the canister of coffee and inhaled the aroma before scooping out a couple of spoonfuls. She’d started the ritual the first time she could afford to buy good beans. “He was in one of his moods, but he said the studio called, and I’ve got an appointment this week.”
“Remi saw that asshole there and left anyway?”
“She never saw him. She’s not like that.”
“It doesn’t matter what’s she’s like. You need to be more careful. One of these days Bob’s going to really hurt you trying to prove how far he can push you, and then he’ll just move on to the next person he can exploit.”
“We don’t have a choice, Kristen. If Bob makes good on his promises, what happens to you?” She poured a cup of coffee and sat on a stool at the counter.
“I don’t care about me. I want you to walk away. We have enough to live normal lives and don’t need something glamorous. That’s not who we are.”
“Honey, it’s not that simple. I’ve done a lot I’m not proud of, but humiliation never killed anyone. If I’m serving twenty to life and have to leave you all alone, that would kill me, but the jail time wouldn’t bother me. I’ve hidden you as much as I can, but I can’t guarantee that someone like Bob won’t find you.” The buzzer for the gate cut her off and she came close to ignoring it. “Hold on, somebody’s here.”
“If it’s Bob, tell him to go to hell.”
Dallas laughed as she reached the intercom by the back door. “Can I help you?” she asked.
“I wanted to see if you were free for breakfast,” Remi said as a greeting.
She’d been depressed because Remi had left, but now a sense of panic seized her. Last night’s wrinkled outfit and running makeup spelled a troubled woman, and Remi wouldn’t be attracted to that kind of person.
“Dallas?” Remi’s voice came through again.
“Go open the door and say yes,” Kristen said.
“I’m not looking too good,” Dallas said, feeling disgusted with herself.
Kristen said jokingly, “Even if you slept in pig slop, you’re beautiful. It’s your curse, so learn to deal with it. I’m hanging up so let her in, make her wait while you shower, and go out for pancakes. And call me when you get back.”
“I love you.” Dallas gripped the phone, wanting to hang on as long as she could.
“I love you too, and it’s time you took a chance on being happy. Whether it’s Remi or not, you need to open your heart to someone other than me.”
“Thanks, and I’ll call you later.” She took another sip of coffee, more as a delay tactic than needing the caffeine, before she walked outside to the gate. “Good morning,” she said, opening the gate a little.
“Good—” was the only word Remi got out before she st
epped forward and put her arms around Dallas.
“I wasn’t expecting you,” Dallas said. She kept her arms tense, like she didn’t want to get too comfortable against Remi’s chest.
“My meeting wasn’t as long as I thought.” Remi held her a little apart from her so she could see Dallas’s face. Most of her makeup had been wiped away during what looked like a bout of crying. The blue eyes were rimmed in red and Dallas appeared tired. “Is everything okay?” She ran her thumbs along Dallas’s cheeks and stopped breathing for a moment when Dallas started crying. “Hey, it’s going to be all right.”
Remi held her, hoping Dallas would calm down, but when she only cried harder Remi picked her up and carried her to the chair Dallas used to sit in and read. With Dallas sitting on her lap, Remi held her until the outburst burned itself out.
“You must think I’m a nutcase,” Dallas said, her voice raw.
“I deal with nutcases all the time, and you’re not even close.” Remi leaned back when Dallas snuggled closer. “Want to tell me what’s wrong?” She wiped away the wetness on Dallas’s face.
“Just fighting old demons,” Dallas said, then shook her head as if anything else she was thinking of saying died in her throat.
“It’s okay. You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, but I’ve probably faced worse nightmares than whatever haunts you. We haven’t known each other long, but if you need me, I’ll be happy to help you carry that heavy load.”
“I know you would.” Dallas put her hand behind Remi’s neck and kissed her cheek. “But this is something I…I have to deal with myself.”
“Like I said, no pressure, but let me at least try to take your mind off it by treating you to breakfast.”
“Just the two of us?”
“I gave Simon the rest of the day off, so it’s just you and me.” Dallas finally smiled at her fully and started to move off her. When Dallas stood in front of her with the sun shining above her, Remi noticed her arm—a complete set of fingers outlined in a vivid bruise on Dallas’s right bicep. “Who did that?” Remi asked, consumed with tempered rage.