Chapter 20
Imet Aislynn at a local brunch place near the wharf called Little Sal’s, with Cameron playing bodyguard. My cousin rarely took the role anymore, but I’d barely had to ask before he agreed. He knew as well as I did that things were changing, and if we weren’t careful, we’d be planning more funerals.
The host, a college freshman and cousin of the owner, Maya, hustled us to a private booth near the back. She left with a respectful nod just as quickly. No doubt running off to tell Sal Jr. himself that I’d arrived. I hadn’t given him notice I was coming, so I hoped he wasn’t too busy.
Antoni and I had been coming to Little Sal’s since we were kids, back when Big Sal was the actual owner. When he’d died and Sal Jr. took over, we’d still been their best customers. It was my brother’s favorite place to eat, and more than once, we’d come in after a booze-soaked night, hoping to cure the next day’s hangover with their world-class poutine. I felt Antoni in every piece of refinished leather in the booths and every bite of food on the seemingly random menu.
“What’s good?” Ash asked, looking around the table for a menu that would never come. You didn’t order at Little Sal’s. You ate what he sent you. At least, I always had.
Cameron leaned back, eyes sharp, though his posture was deceptively lazy. “Everything.”
“Don’t worry,” I told her. “Sal will hook us up.”
I tried to smile at my friend, but it didn’t feel right. Despite everything with Greyson, a tiny seed of jealousy curled in my stomach. In a different world, she would have had him. My Greyson. I hadn’t realized how protective of him I was, but just the thought had me seething.
It’s not her fault, I reminded myself. She didn’t ask to be a prize for her father.
Deep breaths were my friends while I tried to rein in my more extreme impulses. Unfortunately for me, both my companions noticed. While Cameron raised an eyebrow, Ash looked concerned.
“You’re quieter than normal. Something wrong?” she asked, and my guilt amplified. Maybe it was knowing that her father was trying to sell her off again, or maybe it was all the times I’d tortured myself picturing her with Grey, but I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t want to hurt her because of my own issues. Ash was one of the only friends I had, and I didn’t want that to change.
I should’ve brought Shara. My sister-in-law could’ve had the whole mess sorted in minutes.
“That depends on you, actually.”
Aislynn’s eyes widened, but before I could say anything else, our server came over for the drink order.
I ordered a few—including a Kahlua-and-coffee milkshake that I was near desperate for—and nodded to Ash and Cameron. “I suggest you get a real drink. You’re going to need it. Both of you.”
They each picked something, and the server left with a look of pity at them both that almost made me laugh, but I was too nervous. The feel of it curdling in my stomach was a reminder of something I’d only just realized.
I’d shut down after Rey died, letting myself fall headfirst into the grief. As a survival tactic, it made sense, but only when I didn’t have someone determined to take my territory. I couldn’t help but wonder, if I’d been a little more aware in those first few weeks after the shooting, would I have found Cash before things got out of hand? Could I have stopped this before we got to the point of offering marriage alliances to keep us alive? I didn’t know, but now that my feelings had turned back on, I was determined to keep them that way and make up for lost time.
Sad Mari was gone. The queen was back.
Ash’s hands shook as she laced them together on top of the table, but she didn’t look away. “What do you need?”
I swallowed a sip of the milkshake as soon as the server put it down with the rest of the drinks and a slew of appetizers. Bless his heart; Sal probably started cooking before I stepped out of the car. Popping a stuffed pepper into my mouth, I nearly groaned. I’d missed this place.
“A favor, actually.” Both Cameron’s and Ash’s heads snapped up. Loading my plate, I continued. “Your father’s been making moves to marry you off again, Ash. This time, to Greyson.”
Her face paled, and just the sight of it soothed the roiling jealousy that soured my stomach. “Don’t get me wrong. I adore Grey, but he’s my friend. Besides, he’s very much in love with you.”
“He is, which is why I’ll be keeping him.”
Ash’s mouth popped open, and I pushed a piece of mozzarella from the caprese salad into it. She bit down, closing her eyes happily before focusing back on me. “This is incredible. Also, I have so many questions, but I’ll save them for later when we aren’t in mixed company.”
“I appreciate it.” I turned to Cameron and watched the gears turn until he figured it out.
“You want to replace him with me.”
“My cousin, the genius,” I teased. “I want to give Sean what he wants, while getting what I want.”
“Greyson,” Ash guessed.
“And help for the cause, yes. Your father is my biggest ally, and I need his men to weed out the Aces before they become too big of a problem, but I’m not willing to sacrifice Greyson to do it.”
“But you’ll sacrifice us instead.” Cameron scoffed, laughing a little at the end. “Thanks, cuz.”
“It’s not a sacrifice for me.” Ash’s voice was barely noticeable over the din of the restaurant, but it was strong. “At least this way, I get the protection of being a Marcosa. If you knew the laundry list of men my father has tried to sell me to, you’d know how important that is.”
They stared at each other for a long time, a silent conversation passing before my eyes. Finally, Cameron looked away.
Digging into his sweet-and-sour pork nachos, he frowned. “I always thought I’d marry for love.”
“Who says that isn’t the case here?” They looked dubiously at each other, and I bit back a smile. “No matter what, you’ll be able to make your own arrangements. If love isn’t in the cards, feel free to live separately from each other. Have babies or don’t, I truly don’t care. I just need to give O’Bannon the chance to get in with the family before he decides he’d rather get even.”
Neither said anything until our plates were delivered and the server was gone again.
“I’m in.” Ash looked terrified, and I reached across the table to grab her hand.
“I know this is scary and the exact opposite of what you want, but I promise it’s the best option for everyone. I don’t want you at your father’s side while we deal with Cash.”
She nodded over and over, her fingers squeezing mine until she got control of herself again. Only when she let go of my hand did I turn to Cameron.
“You can take your time to think about it.”
“What’s there to think about? You’ve never asked me for anything, and it’s not like marrying Aislynn is a hardship. She’s a good person.” He looked over at my friend then, his eyes a little soft. “I’m not a good man, but I’ll try to be a decent husband.”
For some reason, that made Ash smile. “I can’t promise I’ll be a good wife. In fact, I’m sure I’ll be terrible at it, but maybe I can at least be a good friend.”
Cameron held out his hand, and they shook above the plates of uneaten food. “Friends.”
I raised my glass. “To new beginnings and new family. Cheers.”
“Cheers.” We clinked our glasses together and got to work on lunch.
There was barely any talking after that as we devoured the food like it was going to run away if we didn’t. Mac and cheese balls, green goddess noodles, stir-fry with vegetables every color of the rainbow. A mix of healthier options and comfort food that we passed and shared until it was nearly all gone. Except the poutine. That was mine.
By the time Sal Jr. stopped by the table, we all looked like we were seconds away from a food coma.
Middle-aged and happily so, Sal Jr. was the picture of enjoying life. He had a mountain of smile lines that made him more approachable than I could ever hope to be. The T-shirt stretched across his beer belly was one of the original ones his father had designed and was so faded it was nearly translucent in places. His apron was one of about a dozen I’d gifted to him over the years. Each one with his father’s photo printed on a patch sewn above his heart, so Sal would always have him close.
“That good, huh?” Sal grinned, propping himself against the wall closest to Aislynn, who looked seconds away from curling up on the bench seat.
“Perfect, as usual,” I assured him. Cameron’s eyes narrowed on the short distance between them, and I knew I’d picked the right choice for Ash. He was already looking at her like his future wife. Protective asshole.
Sal snorted, dropping a brown paper bag on the table before stepping back. This time, he kept more space between himself and Ash. Cameron settled, and Sal rolled his eyes, making me laugh. I dragged the bag farther, and my mouth watered, despite my already being stuffed.
Homemade enchiladas, another order of poutine, and sweet-and-sour pork nachos. Dominic’s, Greyson’s, and my favorites. I didn’t ask how he knew Dominic was back in town; Sal had ears everywhere.
“You’re spoiling us,” I told him.
“Good. Someone should. You work too hard.”
“I have to if I want to keep this place running,” I joked. “Truly, you’re a saint. Now I won’t have to hear them whine about missing out.”
“Bring them next time.”
The thought of a little three-way date was exciting, but it was the thought of an actual three-way after that made my skin flush. “Sure. Everything okay on your end?”
Little Sal’s was a Marcosa institution, so it had my protection. Its sentimental value meant I was willing to do nearly anything to keep it and its owner alive.
“We’re good. Rumblings of that new gang, but no sign of them over here.”
I wasn’t surprised, but I hated to think how far the Aces had spread. “Let me know if that changes. Otherwise, I might think about shutting down and going on a long vacation.”
Sal laughed and slipped an arm around me when I stood from the table. “Nah, I think we’ll stay. Never know when the princess needs her poutine, you know?”
I patted his belly, remembering all the times I’d hugged his dad the same way. “You’re always the first stop when I get the craving.”
“I better be the only one.”
Grinning, I slipped out of his hold to help Aislynn out of the sunken booth and watched my cousin rush in front of us to hold the door. With the bag in one arm and Ash close by, we headed out.
Waiting until we were nearly outside, I called back to my old friend. “Send me the tab, and we’ll sort it out.”
Big Sal had sent our tab to my father at the end of every month. Sal Jr. refused to let me pay a cent since I didn’t make him pay protection. Fair’s fair was what he always said. I figured I could eventually get him to take my money, but for now, I kept a tally of what I owed.
Sal’s bark of laughter followed me out the door. “Not on your life or mine. Be safe.”
Outside Little Sal’s, the sun was shining despite a chilly breeze from the water whipping our hair around.
Ash wrung her hands as we made our way to where Geneva had the SUV idling. “So, what happens now?”
“I’ll call Sean for a meeting and give him the new terms. Either he accepts and we move on or…”
“Or you go to war.”
I made a noise of disagreement. “Not necessarily. Your father’s not a moron, Ash. He won’t want another war on top of the one we’re already looking at. It’ll affect his bottom line too much. He’ll make the right call.”
“You say that like he makes good decisions all the time.”
“Fair enough.” Chuckling under my breath, I moved past her. “Whatever happens, you know I’ve got your back.”
“I know.” She took a breath that looked a lot like it was releasing something then reached for my hand. “I’m sorry he went after Grey. I can’t imagine that was easy for you.”
“It wasn’t, but it’s also not your fault. Sean thought he could manipulate my feelings to get the upper hand while I was grieving. He’s about to learn just how wrong he was.” Tipping my head toward the car, I urged her in. “Come on. We’ll drop you off at home. I don’t want you taking a car.”
She didn’t argue, so I stepped back and let her climb in with my cousin’s help. Those two would make a good pair, whether they knew it or not. When she was settled, I reached for the handle myself, only to stop at the last minute.
The glint of something to the right drew my attention. A flash of reflection that shouldn’t have been there on an empty street. Turning, I scoured the space until I caught it.
A man five cars down with a camera in one hand, a phone in the other, and a very clear tattoo of a playing card on his neck. As soon as I made him, he was gone and so was I.
Palming a knife from my pocket, I called out orders as I sprinted behind him. “Geneva, call Greyson, and get Ash home. Do not leave her alone. Cameron, you’re with me.”
With slamming doors and a groaning engine I could barely hear over the noise of my own footsteps, they were gone, and the race was on.
Time to go hunting.