by Ali Vali
“She’s been strangely quiet, which actually worries me more. The guy Muriel got to represent Daddy said she’d even stopped coming by his office to throw her weekly tantrum. Promise you’ll spank me if I ever get like that?”
“You have my word, but don’t worry, because you’re nothing like your mother.”
“Ready, boss?” Lou asked before he got out.
“That’s a loaded question if I’ve ever heard one,” she said, and Emma laughed. “I’m ready for something, but perhaps not this. Duty calls, though, so open the doors.”
Their people exited the other vehicle that had followed them there and joined the crews of the other families. These meetings didn’t take place often, but when the need arose it was good to have such good friends who shared views on so many levels.
“Cain.” Patty, Mook’s older brother and Vincent’s head man, held his hand out. “Miss Emma.” He took Emma’s hand next. “It’s good to see you both. I’ll make sure Mama knows what a good Catholic you’ve become, Cain,” he said with a large smile. “Though she’ll give me a lecture to be more like my buddy Cain and not practice birth control. Congratulations.” He kissed Emma’s cheek.
“I’m sure there’s a girl out there who’ll help you find religion. We haven’t given up on your little brother,” Emma said.
They followed Patty to the private room in the back, and Cain recognized two FBI agents sitting at a table toward the side of main dining room. Both had an iced tea and appetizer in front of them, but she didn’t believe this was a coincidence. Muriel shook her head from the door and waved her hand to get her walking again.
“They’re just trawling, cousin. Let it go because there’s nothing to fish here,” Muriel whispered in her ear when they were close enough.
“Maybe, and maybe not,” she said, but didn’t explain as she led Emma to her seat.
The only ones missing were Remi and Dallas, and Cain was interested in how Dallas would react to all this. They all trusted her being there after her past had been verified and taken care of, but still—she wondered how the reality of who Remi was would compare to what Dallas’s imagination had conjured up.
“Tell me again not to worry,” Marianna Jatibon said when she approached them. They’d talked about this more than once, so Cain knew Remi’s mother was happy she’d found love, but in their world that commitment and loyalty hadn’t been tested—not really.
She kissed Emma’s hand and pulled out the chair next to her for Marianna. “Do you need me to do it, or is this a job for Emma?”
“Go play. Your wife is who I need to talk to.” Marianna laughed as she spoke. “Maybe it is time for us to retire and let our children deal with things. Ramon and I have become nervous cats lately.”
“You’re no different from Therese Casey when we met,” Emma said. “Cain invited me to Sunday lunch, and Therese took pleasure in turning me inside out, even though I was the first girl this one had ever brought home,” she said as she tugged on Cain’s hand.
“My mother loved you and would’ve sainted you by now for the grandchildren who would’ve been the center of her existence.” Cain kissed Emma. Their conversation in the car had to have been responsible for the pain that flashed across Emma’s face, so she kissed her again. “I know Emma’s backing is important, but would you mind if I say something?”
“I’d appreciate it if you would,” Marianna said.
“It wasn’t that long ago that my life was adrift in every aspect except for my business.” Emma’s eyes became glassy as Cain spoke, but she didn’t interrupt. “I kept asking myself why someone who loved me would betray me and leave me alone. I never found an answer to make the pain go away until I finally figured it out. Emma came back, and in this woman I love lay the solution to everything I needed to be happy and complete.”
“I’m happy you found your way back to each other,” Marianna said.
“You’re a good friend who prayed for that more than once,” Emma said, emotion thick in her voice.
“I’m saying this because Dallas will never be perfect except for one thing. Her perfection in this life will be in how she loves your child. I can say that because I’ve found the same.” Cain scratched the back of Emma’s neck gently. “My mother would’ve told you the same had she been here,” she said directly to Emma. “Believe that, and, Marianna, give Dallas the chance to prove it to you. Considering where she and her sister came from, she’s going to cling to Remi closer than any of us will imagine. The freedom Remi’s given her and Kristen to live in peace is the cement that’ll bind her loyalty to your family.”
“You had something to do with that, my friend,” Ramon said from behind his wife.
“When we love, we feel the rest of the world should be so lucky. Right, Ramon?”
“We should form a lucky-bastard club,” Ramon said jokingly. “That these beautiful women found something in us makes us so.”
Remi came in, and with her first glance Cain could see how nervous Dallas was from the way she clutched Remi’s hand. “Take a seat, Dallas, and keep my girl company while I steal Remi.” She kissed Dallas on the cheek once she’d greeted Marianna and Emma the same way. “During dinner you can fill us in on how your new project is going.”
Once Dallas sat, Cain took Emma’s hand. The way she looked at Marianna made her think back to the day Emma had mentioned. They’d talked about it often and Emma had shared every bit of what she and her mother had talked about, but only after Therese Casey had passed and she’d asked. Only then did Emma feel she could share something she’d held so dear for so long.
Casey Home Fifteen Years Earlier
“Are you sure I look okay?” Emma asked Cain again as they followed Marie into the house. Cain’s sister had waited by the front door for them, excited to meet her new girlfriend.
“You’re beautiful, so relax,” she said, and followed Emma’s line of sight to the portrait of her father in the foyer and the vase of flowers under it. Her mother touched it as if to straighten it, even though it was perfect. “Mum, this is Emma Verde.”
“It’s a pleasure, ma’am,” Emma had said in a voice so high she thought she’d pass out.
“I’m glad you’re here,” Therese Casey said with her hand out. When Emma took it she led her toward the kitchen. Cain had come as well after Emma gazed back at her with a panicked expression. “Tell me about your family.”
Emma’s story was stilted and hesitant, but her mother had nodded through it, already having heard Cain’s take on the situation. The strain of telling it again had worn on Emma, so by the time the end came, she was leaning heavily against Cain. She straightened immediately when Cain finished, as if realizing then who her audience was.
“Go tend to your sister,” Therese said, and the dismissal was only for her. “Emma, would you mind helping me finish?” she asked, in case her first directive wasn’t clear enough.
“Sure.” Emma sounded anything but sure of herself.
“Give us a minute, okay?” Cain took Emma’s hand and led her out. “She deserves a tour before you put her to work.”
The house was grander than any Emma had ever seen, but every room was comfortable and unpretentious except for the front parlor with its multitude of family photos, Irish lace, and a bar with the most beautiful crystal glasses and decanters she’d ever seen. She ran her finger along the etching on the one closest to her and wondered if she’d ever fit somewhere like this.
“Those have been in my family for generations,” Cain said as she hugged her from behind. “They were purchased by my great-great-great-grandmother Rosin Casey after she established the family business in America.”
“They’re beautiful,” she said, and dropped her hand to her side. “I’d be afraid to use them, considering how special they are to your family.”
“Beautiful things are meant to be enjoyed, child,” Therese said. When Emma turned, Marie was standing close to Cain’s mother, smiling at her. “When Dalton was alive, we sat in here at
least twice a week and shared a drink. Those are the moments I miss the most.” Therese sighed and motioned her to a chair. “Cain, take Marie and yourself and wash your hands. Lunch is in thirty minutes or so.”
Cain appeared to hesitate for the same reason she’d followed her to the kitchen. If Emma wanted to prove she was strong enough to defend what she wanted, she had to start now. If she folded and had to have Cain fight every battle for her, they’d never have a future together.
“Go on,” she said to Cain. “We’ll be right behind you.”
“This is a first,” Therese said as she sat across from her.
“What do you mean?” She sat and placed her hands on her thighs and tried not to move them. Rubbing them against the material of her dress would be a dead giveaway of the nerves threatening to run amok.
“My Derby bringing someone home.” Therese smiled, and while she was an attractive woman, Emma found no resemblance to Cain in her face. “It’s a development I really like.”
“But you know nothing about this hick, right?” she asked, and Therese laughed. “I grew up with traditions too, Mrs. Casey, only we don’t have any beautiful glasses to show for them. My father is a farmer, and he shared those things you need to run a successful dairy business with me.”
“Only you don’t want a future milking cows, do you?”
“Not until Cain becomes interested in cheese and butter.”
“Even if your father’s cows can spit whiskey out of their teats, I still can’t picture Derby doing that,” Therese said, and laughed again. “The Caseys are a rowdy bunch, but they love fiercely and are loyal to the end.”
“It’ll take time for you to understand and believe what a gift Cain is to me. I love her, and she’ll be safe with me. You have my word on both those things.”
Therese looked at the crystal, then her. “If that’s true, then Rosin’s glasses will be in good hands.” Emma nodded at the small approval. “Remember your pretty words, Emma, because if they have no foundation, you’ll have to pay a price that might be too steep for you, and one you might not recover from. Do we understand each other?”
“Yes, ma’am,” she said, and hesitated. “It’s crystal clear.”
*
“Are you okay?” Emma asked after Dallas tightened her grip on her fingers. Marianna had volunteered to get their drinks, so they were alone for a few moments.
“Just nervous, I guess. Every time we come to something like this, I expect someone to tell me I didn’t get the part and I should leave. She really doesn’t like me, does she?” Dallas asked about Marianna.
“I like you, so let me share something with you. The women we love both come from strong families that everyone thinks are headed by powerful men.” She put her finger up when Dallas started to interrupt. “For us that used to be Dalton Casey, and for you, Ramon, but I figured out fast after I moved in with Cain that’s only partially true.”
“Of course, since Cain’s in charge now.”
“I never met Dalton, but I did meet Cain’s mother, Therese. Marianna actually reminds me a lot of her. Cain learned to be strong not only from her father. Her mother was like a lioness at the gate when it came to her family and who she’d allow near them. Marianna is the same way with Remi and Mano, but be patient. She’ll see what we all do when you look at Remi.”
“Why did you believe me from the beginning? I could’ve been a cleverly hidden agent sent to take you all down.”
Dallas Montgomery was a beautiful woman with a figure Emma was jealous of, if she was honest, for a moment every time they saw each other. Not that she was fixated on her looks, but Dallas was stunning. She was also successful and had Remi’s love and devotion, but despite all that, Dallas had very little confidence. No one was able to fake that kind of all-consuming vulnerability and low self-esteem.
“I’ve told you before that I was glad you found Remi, since it was a chance for me to have a good friend who understood me and my life. This isn’t the choice everyone would or can make.”
“But how did you know you could trust me?”
“Because you don’t strike me as a woman who prostitutes herself for a job, and sharing Remi’s bed only to learn her secrets for the government would be that.”
“But I have in the past, to make sure my sister had something to eat.”
“I know, and I know you realize there’s a difference in what we do for an employer and what we’d do for our families.”
Marianna came back with a glass of juice and two wineglasses. Dallas accepted hers with a thank-you, but appeared disappointed they hadn’t finished their talk. For Emma, it didn’t matter how many lunches it took. She’d get Dallas to relax around Marianna and vice versa.
“How are Mano’s children?” Emma asked, to get the conversation on firmer ground.
“Both of them are at our home with colds, and Mano and Sylvia are going crazy since he had to fly to Vegas for the week. I keep telling them I raised two children without a problem, so Ramon and I can handle a case of the sniffles.”
“Can I come by and help tomorrow?” Dallas asked. “They’re setting up shots out of town, so we’ll only be on set for half a day.”
“I’m sure they’d appreciate it,” Marianna said without hesitation. Because she did, Emma thought she might be closer to accepting Dallas than she thought.
Both Remi and Cain came back and sat down after Marianna moved to be close to Ramon. The waiters had come in with the crab salads Vincent’s was known for, but she’d have to pass. Her nausea had lessened, but it still hadn’t disappeared, and the thought of vinaigrette dressing, no matter how wonderful, made her queasy.
“You ready to change diapers again, Cain?” Vincent asked.
“It’s one of my favorite jobs, and I can’t wait.”
Emma smiled at Cain as she ripped the middle of the French bread Cain had passed her. Vincent actually had brought a date this time, and the much-younger woman had an elegance about her that made her seem above them all. It wasn’t the kind of woman she’d have pictured him with, and from Vinny’s expression he agreed with her.
The conversation stayed on safe topics, and Cain and the other family heads kidded in a way they could only do with each other. After the appetizers were cleared away, Vincent unlocked the door in the corner and followed the others inside. Vincent’s date didn’t say anything, but stood and headed into the main dining room after the others had left.
“Was it something we said?” she asked, and the others laughed, but Lou followed the woman out when Emma raised her eyebrows and cocked her head toward the door.
*
“You’re asking me to commit to a lot,” Vincent said for the third time.
Cain could hear the anger starting to creep into his voice, but she wasn’t backing down. Vincent wasn’t much different from her father—they were both old-school. Her father, though, had learned the importance of building partnerships. Because he had expanded beyond Vincent and his family, she’d been able to keep what was rightfully hers when he’d been killed.
“Papa, listen to what she’s saying,” Vinny said. “Delarosa and these other fuckers are ready to come in here and cut our balls off. I’ve been working with Jasper, and he doesn’t want to try for more than what we agreed to.”
“You give up that much power to someone outside this room and you’ve already given up your balls,” Vincent said, with a slam to the table in the center of the room.
“The world is changing again,” she said in a low voice, to force them to calm down and listen. “These people—people like Hector—they don’t believe in a handshake and our word. Money and power have replaced honor in their life, and they’ll never have enough of both. If you don’t understand that right now, you’ve already lost.”
“The three families rule this city, Cain. That’s what you don’t understand,” Vincent said, his temper still on hyperdrive.
“I plan to keep it that way, and if you listen to your son we might have a chance
to guarantee it for generations to come.”
Vincent slammed his hand down on the table again, in apparent frustration. He was a man used to getting his way and, more importantly, not being defied. “These drugs are in the hands of the thugs in the East and the housing projects right now. They don’t bother me because I watch the news every night. All those murders they report are those animals knocking each other off when one of them gets too big. Nothing about that’s changed in years.”
Cain nodded and glanced around the room to gauge the reactions to Vincent’s comments. “Right now Hector has three of the five largest crews working for him on the streets. That means the guys standing on the corners in each of our territories are his. Jasper Luke, with Vinny’s help, still runs the largest crew, but when Hector feels ready, he’s going to flex his muscle and crush whoever’s in his way in less than a week.” Remi and Ramon stared at her, but by their expressions they knew the reality of what she hadn’t said yet. “Once he owns every section of the city, we and our businesses will become irrelevant. There’ll be nothing left to pass to our children—we’ll be the last.”
Vincent laughed, but he was the only one. “You aren’t serious?” He kept laughing. “No one is going to take me out, especially some slick fuck from south of the border.”
“Then this meeting is over, and we enjoy the rest of dinner,” Cain said as she stood and buttoned her jacket. “We’ll talk again once we’re retired in a way that’ll not be on our terms. The one good thing about that will be finally shaking the FBI presence outside my door. They’ll have much bigger problems than an Irish bitch with a taste for good whiskey.”
“Wait, goddammit,” Vincent said. “You’re not shitting me, are you?”
