Felix gave her a curious look but said, “As you know, Five by Five is a minor presence in the city now, and I’m taking over. I’m not interested in invading your territory as long as you don’t make waves for me.”
“I could care less about your enterprises, Felix,” Alexi said evenly. “I wish you’d continue to make this one of your less important stops.”
“I’ve been interested in this city since the Cell occupied it. Now, that no strong presence is here, I think it’s time I took it over.”
“Then, keep the violence in check and don’t sell at the schools, or you and I will have issues.”
“I don’t want problems with you,” he said. “We’ve known each other long enough to know that we both play rough when necessary, and there will be nothing but a shitload of trouble if we go to war.”
“Then, why’d you want to meet? To let me know you were expanding?” Her tone was cool with hints of mild interest.
“Partially and to get some information.”
“About what?”
“Charles Rayne, an associate of mine, said his grandson Trevor Rayne was a regular at your establishment, Frolic,” he said. “I’ve used the place myself a time or two when I was in town as you know.”
“And?” Alexi looked up to see the waitress returning with a cup into which she poured her coffee. The cup was damp as if it had come right from the dishwasher.
“Are you two ready to order?” she asked, her gaze on Felix.
“Not just yet,” he said. “I’ll let you know when.”
She gave him a smile and hurried away to another table.
“You were saying?” Alexi asked, adding cream and sugar to her coffee.
“Some unfortunate events occurred the last time he was there, and you threatened him.”
She took a sip of her coffee. “So, Rayne wants you to find out if I made good?” She took another sip.
“He knew he wouldn’t get a straight answer out of you, and I had rather meet with you than have you two at each other’s throats.”
“My girls expect to be protected just like workers in any other job. Rayne violated that trust. I had every right to exact payment.”
“And you did?”
“What I did was demand restitution for the girl’s family.”
Charles was obviously a valued employee for Felix to be here on the man’s behalf.
“I asked him to pay half the funeral costs and half a modest life insurance policy to be split between him and the man with him.”
“Beals,” he said.
“Beals paid up. He said he didn’t want issues with me. In fact, he paid all of his debt.”
“That only partially wiped the debt clean,” Felix replied.
“Well, I decided if he didn’t pay, I would bar him from my clubs.” She took another sip of her coffee. “I also decided to make the girl’s death public knowledge. I figured the police would find his prints all over her.” She shrugged.
Felix studied her, his expression one of interest. “Have you?”
“I won’t now that he’s dead. There’s no need. I sent her home to the funeral home of her parents’ choice and told them to send the bill to me.”
“You didn’t order a hit on him?” he asked.
“Me?”
“Don’t be coy, Alexi,” he said with a little laugh. “I know you don’t mind shedding blood. The Cell had many problems with you though they could never prove enough to give them a reason to kill you.”
She gave him a smile. The Cell had been a notorious cartel run by a corrupt policeman and politician. She had been planning to execute them for their penchant for peddling their dope near schools to school children.
Mojo had beat her to it though.
“Did you or did you not?”
“I gave him two days,” she answered. “Tomorrow would be the day I paid him a visit to find out if he’d changed his mind and to make other arrangements had he not.”
Felix nodded. “You would have, had he not paid.”
“Yes.” She shrugged. The last thing she needed was for him to think she was weak. Her cat had sensed the predator in him the first time they’d met.
He was a cat, too, a lion shifter.
Felix nodded. “Do you know who might have killed him?”
“I wouldn’t care,” she replied. “And if I do find out, I’ll buy him a drink and take his secret to my grave. The boy got what he deserved. The girl he killed wasn’t the first, but I’m sure you know that.”
He sighed. “I don’t hold with abusing women, which is why I don’t deal in the trade,” Felix told her. “I’d appreciate any information you might get on the matter.”
“Why would I share?” Alexi demanded. “The Feds are breathing down my neck over Rayne’s shit.”
“I’d owe you.”
“In that case, sure.” Not even on a cold day in hell and if Felix pushed this, she’d make sure he pulled out of this city before the year was over.
Chapter Seventeen
She normally went to the country club for brunch with her mother on Sundays, but today, they were having the meal at home. The table was set, and her mother had the envelope at Trevor’s place.
Her grandmother looked tired, as did her grandfather. Her father was cool as was her mother, while her cousin was quietly eating. Tatiana imagined nothing had yet been said about Trevor because they weren’t fighting.
She poured herself a cup of coffee after taking her seat. Tatiana was adding cream when her grandmother spoke.
“Have fun last night, sis?” April asked.
She smiled. “I did.” And she wished she was with Alexi right now instead of here where tension was bound to seep into her as soon as the fight erupted.
Her mother had definite ideas and would never back down, no matter how things looked on the outside.
“Well, it wasn’t with Ewan,” April said. “He thinks you’re cheating on him.”
“Where is Ewan, Tatiana? He’s such a nice young man,” her grandmother asked in an almost accusatory tone.
“I don’t know. I broke up with him.”
“Why?” her grandfather thundered. “You think some other man of inconsequence is going to make you happy?”
“Ewan’s not going to make me happy.”
“He’s perfect for you,” Charles growled. “He has a law degree, he’s intelligent, hardworking, and he and I have a business together.”
“That’s no reason,” Melissa said. “I admit the union is a good idea but perhaps not ideal at the moment.”
“He’ll take you back,” Charles told her. “Call him and talk to him. I’m sure whoever you were cheating on him with means nothing.”
“I’m seeing someone else,” Tatiana replied, and her fingers trembled on her lap.
“Who?” Her father asked curiously. “One of the Dunn girls?”
The entire table lapsed into silence, and April smirked.
She knew April knew about a few of her encounters with girls when she was in high school. April had blackmailed her a few times to protect secrets of her own.
“They’re both nice,” Daryl said. “Probably a far better choice than Ewan. Catherine is on the fast-track at the hospital.”
Catherine Dunn. She’d dated her briefly, but Catherine’s job was more important than a relationship. Cath hadn’t wanted her to come out because she wasn’t fully out either.
“Cath is nice,” Melissa exclaimed. “You two have a few things in common.”
“I know,” Tatiana said with a nervous smile.
“No damn way are you going to go around town on a woman’s arm,” Charles thundered. “Women marry men, not fool around with each other.”
“Dad, you might as well face it. We all may as well,” Daryl said blandly. “She’s gay.”
“How long have you known?” Tatiana exclaimed in confusion.
Her father snorted. “Years. Your mother and I considered it when you were in college and again recently. Ewan
made a crack about his sex life a few months ago. I assumed the only reason he wasn’t getting any was either you weren’t interested in him or you were gay.”
“There is nothing wrong with her,” Charles growled. “This is just some phase. You’ll get back together with him today.”
“No, she won’t,” Melissa snapped. “I’d rather see her with Cath and be happy than with Ewan and miserable.”
Wow, she hadn’t expected that.
“Daryl, you have no idea what the girl needs. She needs a firm hand and a man who knows how to keep her in line,” Charles said angrily.
“I need my own life, not one you give me,” Tatiana snapped.
Charles slammed his fist on the table. “You won’t talk back to me, silly girl,” he barked. “If you want your inheritance, you’ll do as I say.”
“I don’t want it,” she retorted.
“Tatiana,” April exclaimed.
“Was that what you kept telling Trevor?” Melissa asked.
“What are you talking about?” Charles asked irritably.
“I know what he did in the last few months,” she said. “He killed two women.”
“What?” Daryl demanded. “Dad, you told me those women were just like all the others. They just wanted money and you’d make sure they were taken care of.”
“Oh, my goddess,” Melissa burst out. “You didn’t. Charles, don’t tell me—that girl Judy was going to press charges. Now, she’s dead.”
“What?” Daryl gasped.
“She is dead. Died in the hospital.” Melissa got up and went to Trevor’s place and grabbed the envelope and threw it at her father-in-law. “You paid for this, didn’t you? Who did you pay to cover up the other girl’s rape and murder?”
“Dear God,” her grandmother said. “This is a mistake. Charles would never do such a thing.”
“I can’t prove it, and I’m not going to try because Trevor is gone. This whole mess can be over,” Melissa cried. “And I don’t have to wake up one morning to find that I’ll have to visit my stupid son in jail for the next twenty-five years.”
“If Dad had the girl killed, it was to protect Trevor,” Daryl said defensively. “Trevor was stressed and having some anger management issues.”
“Justify it however you want, Daryl, but he’s dead because your father covered up for him one time too many.” She threw the other envelope at her husband. “This is what kind of monster your son was, and we all knew it. He won’t be getting away with it anymore!” Melissa headed for the door.
“Dad. You could have handled this differently,” Daryl muttered. “I know you’re going to try to find his killer, but don’t take us all down just to make them pay your way.”
“I’ll do what I have to,” he snarled. “And you, Tatiana, will marry Ewan.”
“No, I won’t,” she snapped.
“Don’t be stupid,” April said. “Ewan’s a good guy.”
“Then, you marry him,” Tatiana muttered. “I know you probably slept with him last night while he was crying on your shoulder.”
“Tatiana, come on,” Melissa called, sticking her head back inside.
“Melissa, I’m not going to allow you to derail our plans. You’ll order that girl back to Ewan.”
“No, I won’t, Charles,” she growled. “You and Daryl decided how Trevor would be raised, and you agreed to leave my daughters to me.”
“Do not push me on this, Melissa,” Charles said, getting to his feet. “You can pretend you don’t know what’s going on all you want, but you know as well as Daryl. Tatiana will join the families as planned with or without your blessing.”
“What?” Tatiana demanded.
“Not unless you want to,” Melissa said.
“Interfere with my plans, and it might be over your dead body, Melissa.”
“Dad,” Daryl snapped.
“Ewan is about to embark on a very profitable life and become a very powerful man. He and Trevor were the next generation of this family’s power. The two girls will be going along for the ride, marrying men of my choice.”
“April might agree with that because she cares about your opinion, about social status, and her inheritance just like her father did. But I’m not your child. I don’t have to live by your rules anymore,” Tatiana growled, getting to her feet.
“Melissa,” Daryl said calmly. “The marriage won’t be a disaster. She can have her affairs.”
Melissa snorted. “Go to hell, both of you. We’re going out.”
“We’ll finish this discussion later,” Charles said. “I want you both at the house for dinner tonight.”
Melissa grabbed Tatiana’s arm and pulled her from the room. Once in the hallway, she stopped short. “Tatiana, your grandfather is a very dangerous man. I don’t think he’ll hurt you, but nine times out of ten if he’s pushing this thing with Ewan, it’s because Ewan has graduated from spectator to participant.”
“Mom, what are you talking about?” she asked puzzled.
“Your grandfather is connected to the mob.”
Chapter Eighteen
“Alexi?”
“What is it, Zoe?” Alexi had come here after leaving Frolic. The agent had tried to get a warrant, but absent of proof the girl had died there, he hadn’t succeeded, thanks to Alexi’s lawyer.
This evening she was doing her books as she did on occasion just to make sure her accountant wasn’t cheating her. She’d killed the last one for embezzlement.
She liked this one and didn’t want to have to hurt her.
“Miss Rayne is here,” she said. “She didn’t ask for you, but she’s having a drink alone.”
“I’ll be right out,” she said.
Zoe closed the door, leaving her to finish up. Alexi did just that and went in search of Tatiana, finding her at a table alone with a goblet of wine before her.
“Hello, beautiful.”
Tatiana looked up, and the sadness on her face vanished. “Hi. I didn’t know if you were here or out.”
“Why would I be out? I was waiting for your call.”
She frowned. “Were you?”
Alexi sat down across from her. “Is everything okay?”
“No. My family is being torn apart over my brother. My mother’s certain he raped two women and killed one recently.”
“How do you feel about that?” Alexi asked.
“Hurt for them,” she said. “My father and grandfather just made excuses every time he did something like that.”
“But not your mother?”
“No. She was bordering on despising him, and so was I. I mean, I loved him, but I didn’t like him.”
“He was still your brother.” Alexi covered Tatiana’s hand with hers.
Tatiana nodded, the anguish in her eyes eating at Alexi.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” she said softly.
Tatiana gave her a weak smile. “I saw pictures of two women he raped.” She covered her mouth with her free hand as tears clouded her eyes.
Alexi used the thumb of her other hand to wipe away a tear. “Baby, I’m sorry you had to see that. How did you anyway?”
“My mother. She was furious, and she’s checked somethings out. My brother was going to be arrested the day one of the girls died, but she died. No witness, no crime. Ewan made sure the charges went away.”
“The ex?”
“Yes. My grandfather expects me to go crawling back to him, but I’d sooner slit my wrists.” She wiped at a tear and more fell. “I can’t believe what I’m finding out about my family.”
Alexi leaned forward and pulled a pale blue handkerchief from her back pocket and handed it to Tatiana.
If she was going to pieces over this, Alexi doubted she’d be able to look at her when she found out what she did for a living.
“Do you need to stay the night, or should I call someone?”
“I don’t want to be alone,” Tatiana said and cleaned her nose. “I can’t. I need you to hold me. Can you do that?”
; “Yeah.” Alexi got to her feet and rounded the table as Tatiana stood. She put an arm around her and led her from the room.
Tatiana put her head on Alexi’s shoulder, and Alexi knew then she’d protect Tatiana from her family if it came to that, no matter what didn’t happen between the two of them.
****
Charles took a sip of his scotch and stared across the table at the other man. The detective had surprised him with the call. Cruse was in his pocket and wouldn’t have called just to shoot the shit. So, he’d come to the out of the way hole-in-the-wall to find out what he wanted.
The cop glanced around and then back at him. “I just found this out an hour ago,” he said. “The death of the girl your grandson was arrested for raping, is being reopened. The lead detective got something on it last night.”
“What do you mean, got something?” Charles asked carefully.
“He’s looking into the girl’s death. That’s not all I found out though.”
“What else?” Charles demanded wondering what the hell was going on, but he wasn’t worried about exposure. He was concerned about who had the gall to go after him so subtly.
“Five by Five’s moving a shipment through here tomorrow night under the guise of an alcohol delivery. It’ll be transferred and shipped into Arkansas.”
“Who else knows?”
“I didn’t tell anyone,” he said. “What do you want me to do?”
“I’ll take care of it. You just be ready to have someone stop the driver when I say,” Charles told him. There was no way Five by Five would be moving back in. This was his city now.
“I found your granddaughter,” he said.
“Where is she?”
“Her car was spotted in the parking lot of a club called No Dice.”
“Who owns it?” Charles demanded, wondering what that little twit was doing there instead of dining with Ewan and trying to beg his forgiveness.
“Alexandra Russo, better known as Alexi,” he said, giving Charles a pointed look. “The club is a lesbian hangout and dining spot.”
“Go get her.”
“I can’t,” he said. “Alexi has her own eyes in the department. I don’t know who they are, but I do know without probable cause, I can’t go in there. She’s over twenty-one.”
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