Part 22 (1/2)
And once you drop me off, stay the h.e.l.l 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 G.o.d,” 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 d.a.m.n 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 s.h.i.+t.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine.
A few cars were parked in front of Jarvis's house when Cain got back, but she a.s.sumed 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, la.s.s, 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 andRemi'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 a.s.s than Juan, but after spending an hour with Nunzio, I have to admit I was wrong.”
”He's not only acreep, 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 a.s.s 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 todayis 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 b.i.t.c.h she is to be seeing Dallas Montgomery. I'm a fan and sure as h.e.l.l 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 compet.i.tion 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 latertell 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 d.i.c.k, 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 b.a.s.t.a.r.ds to get in.”