by Jade Kuzma
“I wasn’t feeling well,” I said. “These past couple of weeks, I’ve just felt tired.”
“That’s what happens when you’re not used to the weather in Ivory.”
“That’s what I figured. Ended up on the toilet the other morning though. Dinner from the night before…”
“I remember,” he said, chuckling softly. “I could hear you.”
“I went to the hospital.”
“You went to the hospital without telling me?”
“Ezra, it’s not a big deal.”
“…Right,” he sighed. “What did the doctor tell you?”
“She said that there’s a reason I’ve been feeling strange. All of my symptoms…”
“Yeah?”
“…They’re early signs of…”
“Of what?”
“…Pregnancy.”
Ezra stared blankly at me. No expression on his face. He wasn’t moving. He didn’t even look like he was breathing.
“Ezra?”
He blinked his eyes to let me know that he was still with me then looked away for a second.
“Wait…”
He got up out of his seat.
“…Did you just say—”
“Yes. I’m… I’m pregnant.”
“And the father?”
I arched an eyebrow at him.
“Okay, okay,” he said as he put his hands up. “Thought maybe it was someone from the city before you got here.”
“No chance. You’re the only one…”
I got up and moved toward him.
“…Just you, Ezra…”
He looked down and put his palm on my stomach. There wasn’t much for him to grab at this point but it was still comforting to have his hand there. He leaned forward and kissed me softly.
“You’re having my baby…”
“I’m having your baby…”
The big grin on his face made it hard for me to hold back. I squealed as he picked me up from the ground and spun me around. Being in love had never felt this amazing before.
He set me back down on my feet and calmed himself down. His eyes locked on mine, Ezra had never looked so focused.
“I promise you… I’ll do whatever it takes for our child… I’ll make them proud… I’ll make you proud.”
“I know you will.”
We both turned the empty building next to us.
“This restaurant,” he said. “It’s everything. All of my hopes and dreams. It’ll be legitimate. Something that our family can be truly proud of.”
I wrapped my arm around his and leaned my head against his shoulder.
“All the things I did in the city,” I whispered. “I just want to forget about it.”
“It’s all in the past now. All that matters is what’s in front of us.”
I enjoyed the silence with Ezra then suddenly heard a car pull up next to us. We both turned around and saw the police cruiser parked on the curb.
An older officer stepped outside. Face wrinkled. White hair all but gone. His best years were behind him but he wore the uniform proudly.
“How can I help you, officer?” Ezra said.
“Sheriff,” the man said. “Sheriff Sutton. Ivory PD. At your service.”
“Sheriff Sutton. This is Lacey.”
I shook the sheriff’s hand and he turned his attention back to Ezra.
“Ezra Grant,” the old man said.
“That’s right. Something you need?”
The sheriff glanced at the patch on Ezra’s chest for a second. It was obvious he was thinking about something but I couldn’t tell if it was good or bad.
“I’m old enough to remember when the West Devils were riding up and down these streets,” he said. “Back in those days, the buildings around here were actually open. People had a reason to come to Old Town. That was a long time ago though.”
“Is there something you wanted to talk to me about?” Ezra asked.
“I was at Hades the other day. The Devils got a few new members. Figured I’d get acquainted with the newest one. They told me I’d find you here.”
Sutton narrowed his eyes at Ezra.
“You look just like him,” he said.
“Like who?” I said.
“His grandfather. Ruben Harper…”
Sutton was examining Ezra closely but he didn’t seem threatening. The old sheriff turned around and looked out into the streets.
“It looks like The Devils really are coming back,” he said. “First Hades and the club and then this. What are you planning on doing here?”
“It’s a restaurant,” he said. “Haven’t decided on the theme yet.”
“Restaurant… You stay honest and true and the folks in Ivory will give you good business. People around Ivory are loyal.”
“That why you came here? To give me advice?”
“That’s right. Ivory isn’t like it used to be but in some ways… It’s still the same. Things were exciting back then when your granddad and the West Devils were still around. I was caught right in the middle of it…”
He held his hand out and shook Ezra’s hand.
“…Harper’s grandson,” Sutton sighed. “Don’t do anything he wouldn’t do.”
Ezra gave him a nod before the old man headed back toward his car. Just before he got inside, Sutton looked at both of us.
“Good luck,” he said.
He bowed his head and got into his car. I watched him leave down the street until it was empty in Old Town once again.
“Can you imagine what he’s been through?” I said. “All of the things he’s seen.”
“I imagine Sutton has been here since the beginning.”
“What do you think he was getting at?”
“Murph told me that he got into a lot of shit with his old club…”
Ezra stared into the distance, lost in whatever thoughts he was having.
“It doesn’t matter though,” he said. “The past is the past. I’ll keep my promise to you. I’ll make you proud.”
“I know you will.”
Epilogue 1
EZRA
Two months later…
I didn’t need to spend any more time around Hunter to try and figure him out. The guy was a hustler. A fast-talker who always had to get the last word to make sure that he ended up on top. It might’ve been annoying if I wasn’t cool with him. Wearing the same patch as him just made it that much more amusing to me.
“I got an idea,” he said.
“Terrible,” Aden responded.
Aden, on the other hand, was just the opposite of the man sitting across from him. He was quiet. Always brooding like there was some shit on his mind. That’s just the way he was though. With Hunter always rambling, Aden had to be quiet.
“You haven’t even heard the idea yet,” Hunter said.
“It’s still terrible.”
Hunter kept rambling. Aden had no choice but to listen to him.
“You’re a fighter,” Hunter said.
“I was a fighter—”
“You can still fight. I’ve seen it for myself. You don’t care too much about actually stepping into a ring though. I can respect that. But what if… you came back.”
“They couldn’t pay me enough money to step back in the ring. It’s over, Joker. Let it go.”
“I’m not talking about you. I’m talking about me. Think about it. Mercy makes his return. Everybody beats the house on you. The odds swing in the other guy’s favor. Then you take a dive. Easiest money I’ll ever make.”
Hunter was smiling. I was, too, but not for the same reasons.
Aden looked at me like he was trying his best not to roll his eyes.
“Soul,” Aden said to me. “You’re gonna give this guy a job here when the place opens up.”
“I don’t need any handouts,” Hunter said. “I’m just trying to pitch some good ideas to you and the rest of the MC. Making ends meet is nice but some big bucks would be even better.”
“Big b
ucks,” I said. “I like the sound of that.”
“When’s the place gonna open anyway?” Aden said.
“Soon. Just have to get some things squared away. Don’t wanna open up until everything is perfect.”
“Shit looks perfect to me.”
“Close. But still not perfect…”
I got up from the table and patted Aden on the back. Hunter and Aden went back to enjoying their drinks.
The restaurant wasn’t open but it was a lot closer to it than a few months ago. Most of the construction was done. The furniture was set. The paint was dry.
I took a step near the entrance and looked over the place. Sebastian walked up next to me.
“You’re really doing it, huh?” he said.
“I’m really doing it.”
“It’ll be nice to have another business in Old Town. Business picks up here, business picks up at Hades. Hopefully your clientele is more than just Joker and Mercy.”
“They’ll come around. I know they will. With Lacey in the kitchen, I don’t see how things can go wrong. She’s the reason I gave my fortune away to the Rebels…”
“How are things with her?”
It’d been a few months and Lacey was adjusting to her pregnancy. It was a new experience for both me and her but we were ready to face it together.
“She’s resting,” I said. “ She works too hard. If there’s anything she needs to do, she can do it at home. The building itself is set.”
“And how is she adjusting to life as an old lady?”
“She knows it won’t be easy,” I sighed. “But nothing in her life has been easy. The only difference now is that she has a reason. We both do. I won’t let her down…”
I reached up and put a hand on Sebastian’s shoulder.
“…I won’t let you down, brother.”
“I know you won’t.”
We stepped outside of the restaurant and looked out into the streets. They were just as barren as always but at night, there was a peacefulness you couldn’t find anywhere else. I almost regretted that it would be busy around here once the place opened up.
“I was waiting for you,” he said.
“What do you mean?”
“I talked to Murph. He wanted to bring the MC back. It failed the first time because… We were just a bunch of cursed souls. Roman and I made it though. You’ll make it, too. You’re the grandson of a Devil. You’ve got that blood in you.”
“Life is Hell before you get to Heaven… I heard it before. Don’t remember where exactly. Makes sense though.”
“We’ve all been through some shit, Ezra. But you’ve got it.”
“I’ve got what?”
He poked his index finger into the patch on my chest.
“Soul… Wear it with pride.”
“No doubt.”
I gave him a nod.
“Come on,” he said as he put a hand on my shoulder. “Can’t leave Joker and Mercy alone while they’re drinking. It’s a volatile combination.”
Just before we headed back inside of the restaurant, I heard something in the distance. We both turned around and saw someone coming down the road. Even though it wasn’t very far, I could already tell what it was. Some overpriced luxury sedan. I’d lived in the city long enough and did business with the right people to have seen it before.
It pulled up right to us.
“Expecting someone?” Sebastian said to me.
I raised an eyebrow then turned back to the car, curious as to who it could be.
The driver opened the backseat up and a man in a suit stepped outside. Dark hair slick and combed perfectly on his head. Not a wrinkle on his suit or on his face. This was the kind of motherfucker who looked like he spent way too much time in front of a mirror.
He walked up on the curb and greeted us with a smile that showed off his pearly white teeth.
“Sebastian Cain,” the man said.
“…Emerson?” Sebastian replied.
“You know this guy?” I said.
“We’re… acquainted.”
“James Emerson,” the man said as he held his hand out to me.
“Ezra. Grant.”
I thought twice about shaking his hand but did it anyway.
That big smile still on his face, Emerson looked at the restaurant behind me and his grin grew even wider.
“I heard rumors,” he said. “Someone was opening up a restaurant in Old Town.”
“Rumors made it all the way to Golden Hills, eh?” Sebastian said.
“Every rumor gets to me. But this one… This was one I had to see for myself.”
Emerson nodded in approval as he examined the restaurant.
“This is a good spot,” he said. “Nice and clean. No competition. Give people a good reason to come out and they will. Even if the food is sub-par, the experience alone will be enough to get them to come back.”
“You didn’t come all the way out here to admire the scenery,” Sebastian said.
“No. No, I didn’t. I was actually wondering if you were looking for an investor.”
“An investor?” I said.
“Sure. A little more money in this place and it can be something really special.”
“No thanks,” I said without hesitating. “I’m the only investor I need.”
“That’s what I thought you’d say. I suppose there’s enough room in Old Town for another restaurant. Nothing wrong with a little healthy competition, don’t you think?”
Emerson looked at me with a coy smile on his lips. Rich motherfuckers like him were all the same. Cocky. Arrogant. Walking around like you could have anything you want. You didn’t get to be a rich motherfucker by being any other way.
“This place is an inspiration,” Emerson said. “Old Town did always hold a special place in the hearts of the people of Ivory.”
“Come by when we open up,” I said. “I’ll get you a good table.”
“…Looking forward to it.”
Emerson got back into his car without so much as a glance at us. The luxury car headed back down the road.
“What the fuck was that?” I said.
“Emerson is like all of the other rich folks in Ivory. Most of them live in Golden Hills, so they’ve got better shit to do than fuck around in the common parts.”
“Sounds like he’s coming to Old Town.”
“Emerson’s got a hand in everything around here. And I mean everything.”
Sebastian raised his eyebrows at me. I didn’t have to think long to know what he was getting at.
“It doesn’t matter,” I said. “This place will make a ton of money.”
“And if you ever need any help, you know the club has got your back. This will all be legitimate. Just like the first five were trying to do. At least, that’s what Murph told me…”
I didn’t give Emerson much thought.
The restaurant. The MC. Lacey and my unborn child. Those were the only things that mattered to me now. I had them with me, here in Ivory.
“Come on,” Sebastian said as he patted me on the back. “Roman should be showing up soon. Let’s have a few drinks and start dealing the cards.”
“You sure you wanna play cards with a guy like Hunter?”
“Playing with guys like Joker is the only way we’ll ever get any better. Besides, he never cheats when he’s playing the club.”
“Likely story…”
Sebastian and I shared a laugh as we headed back into the restaurant.
It was a quiet night in Old Town. I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Epilogue 2
LACEY
Three months later…
The people in the kitchen hustled back and forth. All of the burners were being used. The ovens were full. Waiters and waitresses moved in and out to check on their tickets.
It was hot. It was noisy. It was tiring. But there wasn’t anywhere else in the world I would rather be.
“Let’s get moving, people! Come on! Food can be good and fas
t! Let’s show ‘em.”
The chefs on the line gave me the approval I needed from them. Everybody working in the restaurant treated me with respect. It didn’t matter how sweaty I was. It didn’t matter that my feet were sore. I needed this.
“Let’s go!”
Before I could encourage the staff any further, I felt a hand on my shoulder.
“Take a break,” Ezra said.
“I’m not tired—”
“You’re tired. And you shouldn’t be working in the condition you’re in.”
“My condition is just fine.”
“Lacey…”
“Ezra…”
He put a hand on my stomach. He always knew just how to calm me down. Even with the craziness of the kitchen all around us, I was always at peace with his palm was on my swelling belly.
“The doctor said that you shouldn’t be working too hard,” he said.
“The doctor also said that I should stay active.”
“I don’t think this is what the doctor had in mind. The kitchen staff has everything under control. Look…”
The view was chaotic. But everybody in the kitchen was working hard.
“Nobody’s panicking. Nobody’s stressed out. The kitchen is running itself, Lacey.”
“I know. I just…”
“Stop being you for one second. Just do this for me.”
I looked up into his eyes and sighed. Even though he didn’t wear the suits I was used to seeing, Ezra was still as dreamy as ever in just jeans and a t-shirt.
“Fine…”
“There’s someone who wants to talk to you.”
“Oh? Somebody like the BLT?”
“I think they like it a lot.”
I laughed softly as I walked with Ezra out of the kitchen.
The restaurant was crowded. Not a single table was empty and there was a group of people just waiting to be seated. Even I was surprised at how busy it was. I would never be ungrateful at the kind of success I was seeing now.
Ezra led me to a table in the corner of the restaurant. An older man with disheveled clothing sat there. I didn’t think much of him outside of the fact that he didn’t look like he was well off. But he still had a smile on his face when Ezra and I approached him.
“Lacey, this is Ryan. He spends most of his time at the homeless shelter.”