by Ali Vali
“Please, Cain, don’t do this. I didn’t do anything,” Blue pleaded.
“How do you like the new place?” Cain asked, as if Blue had never spoken. “We stock the bar, get some tables and bar stools, and we’re back in business.”
“It’s great. I can’t wait.” The tears were starting to fall down his face. He never figured he’d be in this position. Assurances had been made that he would never have to face Cain’s anger. “Is that why we’re here? To talk about the new club?” He tried to play the innocent again.
Lou and Katlin both took off their jackets, folded them, and placed them on the shell of the bar. Then Katlin found a chair one of the contractors had been using and brought it over for Cain.
Sitting, Cain balanced a folder on her lap and crossed her legs, the picture of relaxation. “No, Blue, that’s not why we’re here. I’m going to explain a few things to you before we get started, and if you’re a good boy, we’ll be out of here in no time.”
“Great! Like I said, I didn’t do nothing wrong, so I have no idea what this is about.”
“See,” Cain said, as she glanced up at Lou, who’d almost finished rolling up his sleeves and was shaking his head, “already you’re lying to me, and I haven’t even asked you anything. Lou, you want to show Blue what happens when I know he’s lying.”
When Lou’s fist connected with Blue’s side, it was strong enough to knock him face-first to the floor. Katlin helped him back to a kneeling position by yanking him up by the hair while he cried openly.
“See how we play the game now?” Cain asked.
Blue nodded vigorously.
“Good, very good. First, how much did it take to give up the men who worked for you? Two guys who were just looking to make a few extra bucks while they were in school. How much?”
“I don’t know—”
Blue never finished the statement as Cain waved her hand at Lou again.
The second blow caught him on the jaw, and he dropped as if he’d been axed. Again Katlin picked him up off the floor.
“You know, Lou, maybe you should hit me too. I deserve it for giving this dumb fuck a job in management.”
The two guards laughed as Cain said to Blue, “Since ‘how much’ was too difficult for you, how about who offered you the money?”
Blue just shook his head. “Please, Cain, you know me.”
She opened the folder and looked at a picture before holding it up for him to see. “I thought I knew you. I thought you were smart enough to know something like this wouldn’t stay a secret very long.” The picture was of Blue shaking hands with Stephano Bracato after Bracato had just handed him an envelope full of money. “Was the money so good that you forgot what I’d do when I found out?” Her booming voice echoed through the place. “Did you?”
“I didn’t mean nothing by it.”
Nothing else came out of his mouth when Lou hit him again.
“How much did it take to endanger the lives of my wife and children? Because let me tell you something, Blue. The only reason this isn’t going to take very long is that nothing happened to them. After Danny Baxter tried to rape Emma, he found relief in hell when I was through with him. It took hours for me to finally kill him, and he thanked me when I did.”
His tone tough and threatening, Blue took one last chance. “Did you have the balls to pull the trigger, or did you have your flunky do it? It was just money, Cain. I didn’t think Stephano or his family would be stupid enough to go after you.”
“You thought wrong, then, didn’t you? How typical of you. You gambled and, big shocker, you lost.” She leaned forward in the chair and looked into his eyes. “How much did it take, Blue?”
“Ten thousand.” He straightened his shoulders, starting to feel confident. “Ten grand, just to open up early and let some guy in the storeroom. Stephano told me he was acting as an intermediary for his brother Gino. Part of the payment was telling me what time the thing was supposed to go off.”
“You know what the problem is with people like Stephano, Gino, and the other two idiots Bracato brought into this world?” She held out her hand, and Katlin passed her the gun she’d just attached the silencer to. “As they go around playing gangster, they mess with people’s lives. They’re the ones who have flunkies do their dirty work because, as they say in the movies, they haven’t made their bones. It’s easy to kill someone when you aren’t there to see it, to see the bullet go in and splatter someone’s brains on the floor.”
“Cain, what are you talking about?” Blue couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw the gun.
“That their price was ten thousand. Mine’s a lot cheaper.”
“I’ll take whatever you’re offering for the information,” Blue said eagerly. “Better yet, just consider it a favor, to repay any ill will between us.”
“You’re right, boss,” Lou said. “I should slap you for hiring this idiot.”
“I’m not offering money. I want to give you a bullet. If you can take it and walk out of here, then we’re even.” Cain stood up and pressed the pistol to his forehead. “You can tell Gino and his brothers when you see them in hell that he shouldn’t have fucked with me. And to answer your question, I never get someone to do the dirty work for me when it’s personal. Unlike the wannabe you dealt with, I made my bones a long time ago.”
Blue’s response died in his throat when she pulled the trigger.
“What do you want us to do with him, boss?” Katlin asked. She took her gun back and put it in the holster strapped to her chest.
“Find a way to have him delivered to Bracato. I say we give him a little preview of what’s coming.”
*
The glass elevators stopped on the second floor in the Canal Place shopping center, and Emma and her two shadows stepped off. A large portion of the floor was taken up by Saks Fifth Avenue and the little designer shops within the store. It had been an old haunt of hers when she lived with Cain, a place to either pick up some things for herself or items like her lover’s custom-made shirts. During her time in New Orleans, Emma had been one of their best customers.
“Mrs. Casey, it’s so good to see you again. We’ve missed you.”
The middle-aged man was wearing the best tailored suit Emma had ever seen, other than those Cain owned, and he seemed very familiar, but for the life of her she couldn’t remember his name. The disadvantage to frequenting Saks was that their employees didn’t wear name tags; they just wore small pins with the establishment’s initials.
“It’s good to be back,” she tried, searching her mind for a name.
“Kevin, ma’am, at your service.” There was no judgment in his voice and no hint he minded her lapse in memory. “Is there something special you’re looking for today?”
“Of course, Kevin. How’s Ralph doing? That’s your partner’s name, isn’t it?” She looped her arm through his when he offered it, a little angry at herself for not remembering him. Kevin had been the best guide she could have hoped for to help her fit into Cain’s life—well, as far as clothes had been concerned. When they’d first met, she’d joked that you could still smell the hay in her hair.
He led her to a comfortable space at the center of three boutiques within the store. A quick call to his assistant meant hot Earl Grey tea and peanut butter cookies were on their way out.
“Ralph’s doing fabulous, thank you for asking. Just between us, the business you gave me helped me finish putting him through culinary school. After he graduated and paid his dues at one of the downtown hotel kitchens, he got a position at Eleven 79. Not to brag, but it’s one of the hardest places to get a reservation these days.” Kevin took a seat next to her and put his hand over hers.
“Well, I hope Cain still has some influence around town, then. That’s where she’s taking me to dinner tonight and why I need something to wear. Living on a farm for years hasn’t exactly chicced up my wardrobe.”
“No problem. Enjoy the cookies and tea, and we’ll put some selections together
for you. I’m sure Ms. Casey will want to take you to some other places as well, and it’ll save you some return trips. May I be the first to say it’s good to have you back, Mrs. Casey.”
“Thank you, it’s good to be home.” Emma leaned back and waved to the two chairs across from her. “You two might as well sit. We’re going to be here for a while.”
Merrick unbuttoned her jacket and grabbed a cookie before taking a seat. “Sit, eat, Walt. You heard the lady. We might be here awhile.”
*
Standing at the sale rack, Shelby couldn’t believe her eyes. They’d used all the means at their disposal to find the Caseys, and here, sitting like a leading lady of New Orleans having afternoon tea, was half of the equation. Since two of Cain’s people were positioned so close and looked so relaxed, Emma had obviously gotten through the door Cain had locked four years ago. It never hurt to see, though, and perhaps exploit the brief encounter they’d shared at the hospital. Surely Emma wouldn’t forget that she’d cried on Shelby’s shoulder after Cain had been shot.
“If you like, you may step into the dressing room, Mrs. Casey,” Kevin suggested.
His appearance made Shelby hang back.
“If any of the sizes or colors don’t work for you, just ring. I’ll run downstairs a minute and pick up some shoes to go with these selections. My assistant will be right outside the door. If you like, we could also pull your card at the cosmetic counter and put together a kit for you.”
“Thank you, Kevin. That would be great. Could you add a bottle of Dolce and Gabbana? It’s Cain’s favorite.”
“Of course, ma’am. I’ll have all that delivered wherever you like within the hour so you don’t have to worry about toting it out of here.”
“Thanks again.” Emma stood up and laughed as Merrick snagged another cookie before following her toward the large dressing room. “Do you think Bracato’s got a hit man in there ready to plug me full of holes?” she asked, pointing to the large room she was headed toward.
Merrick pulled out her phone and held it up. “You want to call her and tell her you want me to sit about a mile away from you?”
“I’m beginning to see the downside to this arrangement,” Emma said, and pointed her finger at Merrick before taking another step. “No critiquing my choices.”
“The one thing I can admit to without hesitation, Emma, is that you always looked like a million bucks no matter what you were wearing. Money or no money, you, lady, have style to spare. Though, if you ever tell anyone I said so, I’ll deny it.”
Emma merely nodded and closed the door between them. Kevin had done a good job. The little black dress on the hook by the mirror caught her eye first. If she wanted to take Cain’s mind off business for even a minute tonight, this was the way to go.
She held it to her. It took everything in her not to flinch or make a sound when she looked past her reflection in the mirror and found someone else in the dressing room. She was standing at the back out of sight with her arms folded, looking like she was sizing Emma up.
The blue jeans, sweater, and loose flowing hair made Shelby appear years younger. “Agent, are you here to help me shop?” With a surprisingly steady hand, Emma put the dress back and leaned against the mirror with her arms folded, copying the trespasser’s pose.
“I’m here because I’m worried about you.” Shelby moved closer. “I lost contact with you and have been wondering if you’re all right.”
“I’ve never been better. If you don’t mind, though, I’m in the middle of something.”
“Do you want to be dragged down the same road as before?” Shelby unwittingly started on the path Kyle had tried to walk long before. “You have to know this is going to end badly, right?”
Emma let her arms drop and put some space between her and the agent. Something about how Shelby had gone about trying to get close to her made her angry. She and Cain were under enough pressure without having to deal with someone who only months earlier had been interested in her wife.
Knowing that Shelby would react as a professional and what side of the law it would put her on, Emma opened the door and waved Merrick in. Doing so would put her squarely on Cain’s side. “Could you call Cain and ask about those reservations? We wouldn’t want to be late because of any unforeseen nuisances.”
Merrick glanced from one woman to the other and walked out to do Emma’s bidding, leaving the door open. Emma knew she’d inform Cain just who Emma was stuck in the dressing room with. When Kevin returned to see how Emma was doing, Merrick waved him off.
“We’ll talk about how she got in there and past you later,” Cain said once Merrick was through explaining. “Did she try to talk her away from the dark side?” Cain asked. She was on her way back to the house, and the fact that a Bracato had so easily turned someone in her employ for so little money was starting to make her madder than when Blue had repeatedly tried to lie to her.
From the time Cain had taken over after her father had been killed, she’d tried to stay out of the way of the other families. She didn’t agree with some of the things they were involved with, but she’d looked the other way because it wasn’t any of her business. What irritated her was the fact that Bracato had come to her doorstep offering money to her employees to help him harm her family. He had crossed the line that all the family heads had honored until now.
“I guess that’s what’s happening while I’m out here talking to you,” Merrick said. “But I have to admit Emma looks cool and collected.”
“Not that I don’t trust her, but let me talk to her and see if she needs any backup.”
Cain gazed out at the passing houses as she waited. “Hey, lass, I hear you’ve acquired a new shadow. You’re moving up in the world.”
Shelby didn’t back away from her, as if anxious to hear Emma’s side of the conversation. “How does a black dress sound to you?”
“Still not alone, are we?”
“What do you think?” Emma looked at Shelby and shook her head.
“Buy it. You want to look good, considering how many eyes will be on us.” The car came to a stop in front of her uncle’s house. “Do you need me to come over, baby?”
“I’m just interested in what two blue eyes think about what I’m wearing and how I look in it. But the most important thing now, I guess, is what time I have to be ready. I think I can handle the rest.” Emma left the statement hanging, wanting to see if Cain really did trust her.
“I’m sure you can. Give my best to the friendly agent, but make sure she leaves the room before you take off any clothes. I prefer to be the only one besides Victoria to have a look at all your secrets.”
“Will do, love. See you at home.” Emma folded the phone and handed it back to Merrick at the door. “If there isn’t anything else, Agent, I’m sure you heard we have reservations for tonight, and I don’t want to be late.”
Shelby graciously conceded and started for the door.
“Oh, and don’t ever try that game with me again. Kyle tried and even succeeded, for a while at least. Having you play the same old tired game makes me think the supposed bad guys have a new flunky.”
“There’s no way in hell I’d work for someone like Bracato.”
“Accosting someone in a dressing room doesn’t do much to make me believe you. I suggest you get going since I’m sure there’s some van you have to outfit with surveillance equipment, but trust me, that’s as close to Cain as you’re going to get.”
“Is that a threat, Mrs. Casey?”
“No, I believe that’s what’s called a promise. It can’t have slipped your mind that one of your own tried to kill Cain less than two months ago.”
“He wasn’t one of ours,” Shelby said.
“Then we really are in trouble when the FBI starts bringing criminals to a bust to do their work for them.”
Emma slammed the door in Shelby’s face before she could respond.
Chapter Twenty-Six
“I’m going to take a shower, Uncle Ja
rvis. Just send someone up if Emma calls.”
“Cain, I’m sure she’s fine. She has Merrick and Walt both with her.”
“Did I say I was worried?” Cain asked as she left the room feeling like she was about to jump out of her skin.
The hot water felt good against her skin, and she stood there with her head down and her hands pressed on the side of the tiled wall, letting it hit her shoulders and the back of her neck. Thinking about the coming night, she didn’t hear the glass door open. As she felt two arms slide around her waist, she smiled.
“Miss me?” Emma asked. She had almost started stripping on the stairs when Jarvis had told her to hurry before Cain rattled apart.
Cain pressed Emma to the opposite wall. “Just a little. Did everything go all right?”
“I got a dress and some other things the salesman talked me into, but Merrick gave me the thumbs-up, so I’m sure you won’t mind. As for our friendly agent, I’m sure she’s off somewhere thinking of ways to take you away from me.”
Moaning when Cain’s lips started up the side of her neck, Emma let her head fall back farther.
“No one’s going to take me away from you.” Cain pulled back as she got to the curve of Emma’s shoulder. “God, you taste good.”
“I’m the best appetizer going, honey. I don’t care what everyone says about the restaurant we’re headed to tonight. Let’s go lie down for a little while.” Emma’s knees felt weak, and the lower Cain’s hands slid along her body, the harder it was to calm her breathing.
When Cain accepted the invitation and led them out of the shower and to the bed, Emma’s nipples instantly became stone hard in the cool air. But the feel of Cain’s body covering hers as soon as her wet body hit the bed added the mix of excitement she’d been craving all day. The exhilaration of all that skin coming into contact with hers made her wrap her legs around Cain’s hips and pull all of her weight on top of her.
“I want to feel you,” Emma said when Cain tried to roll off. It was hard to find words with the muscles of Cain’s abdomen pressing against her sex. Adding to that, the muscles in Cain’s shoulders were flexed and looked even sexier with the droplets of water from the shower beading on her skin.
