Chapter 14 Casey
CASEY
I tap my steering wheel, waiting at a red light, when Dallas pulls into the parking spot in front of a fancy restaurant.
I know for a fact Clayton loves impressing his collab potentials, and it’s not like I’m jealous or anything.
I just want to make sure the people under my protection are, well, protected.
I contemplate going inside. There are a few wigs in the trunk of my car. I could disguise myself if I wanted. But that would probably make Dallas think I’m his stalker, and we can’t have that.
No, I decide I have something else I need to take care of Dallas and Hayden will be fine with Clayton. If not, Clayton’ll will be a special Friday night guest sometime. I’m sure Kendra would be thrilled.
I pull into Jim’s place and park right up front so I can have a clean get away. Cindy won’t meet my eyes when I stomp inside and head straight for Jim.
“Meet us in back, Cindy,” I call out. They’re both in for a very rude awakening.
Jim’s eyes light up when he sees me. “Hey, Kay, what’s—”
I grab him by his ponytail and yank his head down to me. “Why’d you lie to me, Jim?”
“Wh-what? What are you talking about?”
Cindy’s eyes go wide when she joins us. I grab the knife on the counter and use it to point toward Jim’s office.
“We need to have a little chat on lying to me.”
Cindy rushes to the office while I drag Jim by his ponytail. It’s hard for him to walk since I’m much shorter than him, but I don’t care.
I kick the door shut when we’re all inside. Jim glares at me and pulls his hair from the hair elastic, letting the waves tumble down his shoulders.
“I could be watching my beau right now, but instead I have to deal with you two.”
Cindy wrings her hands and sways from side to side in some kind of potty dance, it seems. “Why?”
I step right up to her and press the knife to her stomach. “You fucking lied to me and I hate liars.”
“No. No, we didn’t. I didn’t!” Cindy’s eyes dart to Jim and his face drops.
“One of you is going to tell me why you set me on the flower shop guys or I’m gonna start cutting off fingers by the knuckles to draw it out.”
Cindy yelps when I toss the knife in the air and catch it by the handle. She has no idea how many times I’ve practiced the trick.
“Talk.”
Cindy stops her jittering. “What’s there to talk about? The guys are a problem.”
“You say that, but I’ve observed them for long enough to know they aren’t a threat. I did all my research and I want an explanation.” I meet both of their gazes.
Finally, Cindy cracks. Her shoulders drop and she lets out a breath. “The one was hitting on my boy. Sam flirted back. He’s not like that.”
“Fucking hell, Cindy. That’s not what you told me.” Jim runs a hand through his hair and meets my gaze. “I never would have asked you to help had I known.” I believe him. He’s always been real with me, which is why I like him so much.
I turn to Cindy. “Sam’s like thirty something so the guys are age appropriate. What’s the problem?”
I’m going to make her say it out loud. In front of me.
“He’s not...” She makes a few hand gestures like waving her hands, but not quite pointing to me.
I hold up a hand. “You’re telling me you tried to put a hit out on a couple of guys running a flower shop inspired by their grandmother because your son might or might not lean towards men?”
Cindy sucks in a breath and shuts her eyes. “My boy is a good Christian and—”
Her screams echo in the room. Jim’s mouth hangs open and the first joint of Cindy’s pinky finger drops to the floor. Blood gushes from the digit as she holds it to her chest, soaking her shirt through.
The two stare at the fallen knuckle so long it’s a bit comical.
There’s a knock at the door. “Everything okay in there. We heard a scream.”
I look at Cindy and mouth, “Say everything’s fine.”
“Just dropped something on my toe. Everything’s fine. I’ll be right out.”
“Oh, okay. Get some ice for it.”
“Will do,” Cindy says, her voice barely above a whisper. She’s clutching her hand and pressing it to her shirt to try to stop the bleeding.
I listen for the customers to go back to their seats before talking again.
“I’m gay and you decided to try and use me to hurt the guys at the flower shop because your thirty-year-old man baby son flirted back.
No, honey. We’re done.” I turn to Jim. “Don’t call me again while you have this bitch working here.
” I tap Cindy’s chest with the knife. “The world needs less homophobes and you’re lucky you’re just walking away missing part of your finger. ”
“I could tell,” Cindy threatens. She squares her shoulders and steps closer.
I snort. Jim’s eyes go wide and he shakes his head at her.
“I could go to the police and tell them what you did.” She holds up her hand.
I blink back and look to Jim then back to her. “You’re really threatening me?” I stomp right up to her. Toe to toe.
“I-I-I-I could.”
“You don’t have any small children. Your only son you probably despise if he really is into men. Does the world need someone like you?” I’m just trying to scare her. She doesn’t fit my profile for people acceptable to kill, though she’s tempting me.
“I-I-I” The scent of urine fills the air and I back off just a smidgen. “Please don’t kill me.” Finally, Cindy breaks down. Fat tears stream down her face and she slides to the floor in the puddle of her own piss.
I squat to meet her eyes. “Only if you promise to make a fuck ton of muffins and take it to Steven’s Flower Shop and introduce yourself and welcome them to the neighborhood.”
“What? No.” She shakes her head.
“You got two days or I’m coming back for more fingers.” I chomp my teeth and turn on my heel. “And Jim, I’m not lying. If she’s still here, don’t fucking call me. It’s going to take a lot more than delicious food to get me to trust you again. Got it?”
“Understood.”
I nod and toss the knife back on the kitchen counter. Whistling a soft tune, I stroll through the diner and hop back into my car. I give it a few minutes to see what Jim does. He doesn’t know I have the entire place bugged.
“Cindy, you fucking piece of shit,” Jim’s voice bellows through the app. “Why didn’t you say what the fuck actually happened? I can’t believe you’re homophobic. This breaks my fucking heart, but I can’t have you here anymore.”
“You’re choosing—”
“Bitch, I’m bi and you’re not going to shit all over the rainbow mafia because it makes you uncomfortable. Clear out your fucking locker and I’ll write up your last check, then you’re out of here.”
“Fuck you. I’ve given you a decade of my life. I’m the best—”
Jim snorts. “You’ve been mediocre at best. I can find someone better than you and without the homophobia.”
There’s the slamming of a door. I don’t need to hear anything else. I’m satisfied. As I’m pulling out of the parking lot, I watch Cindy through my rearview mirror walk to her car. Never would have guessed she was a piece of shit, but here we are. I hit Kendra’s contact.
“I just cut off a tiny bit of a woman’s finger and she might be out for revenge. Can you pretty please watch the police and hospitals to see if she retaliates?”
“Hello to you too, Casey. And yes, I’m on it. You gonna be home tonight?”
“Yeah, and Dallas is sleeping over for now. So be prepared for lots of loud fucking.”
“Lort, you were loud this morning.”
I grin as I take my exit. “He fingered me so well I saw heaven and you know I don’t even believe in it.”
She snorts. “I figured that’s what happened.”
“I still have no idea what romance is or the appeal, but I’m interested in seeing where things go.”
“I’m happy for you, Casey. You deserve something nice like this.”
“So do you. I always think you and Danielle hit it off.”
“So do I, but she’s never said anything about going exclusive and neither have I.”
“You’re allowed to, right?” I ask, not entirely sure how dating works.
“Yeah, anyone can ask. You could have asked Dallas, but he beat you to it.”
“I guess.” I shrug. “But I did ask him for the next fuckening.” Then again and again and again.
“Don’t call it that,” Kendra sighs. I’m sure she’s pinching the bridge of her nose, too. “Anyway, I got eyes on all the places. Danielle is coming over tonight too, so maybe we’ll be in competition to see who’s the loudest.”
“Oh! You know I always have fun with that!”
“I know. See ya later.”
“See ya.” I blow her a kiss and we end the call.
I’m only half surprised Cindy didn’t follow me, but she might not have seen me leave to begin with.
Now, I think I can make a surprise appearance at the restaurant. I gave Dallas and the others enough time to chat alone. Now I need to see my man.