Chapter Fifteen
“One jar of the pickled okra, two of those jalapeno jellies I like, and please, please, please, don’t forget my bread.” Madalyn paused, then gasped. “And those pretzel things that are dipped in icing.”
Elodie weaved through the small crowd in line at the coffee truck, balancing her phone against her ear. The street was a madhouse. It always was at the Saturday Farmers Market, but it was usually quieter at this time of the day. She’d taken a later lunch to make the trip over, but time was limited with Charley’s shift ending in thirty minutes. If Madalyn tried to add one more thing to her list, Elodie was going to cut her off.
This was Madalyn’s thing, not hers. Elodie wasn’t a huge fan of the crowds. But being stuck at home meant the market was another thing her best friend had to give up. She hooked her bag over her arm and spotted the bakery tent. Thankfully, it was right next to the jelly stand. That would save her time.
“And…”
Oh hell no. She’d be there for the next hour if she stayed on the phone any longer.
“Gotta go, Madz. I’ll drop your stuff off on my way back from my uncle’s house tomorrow.”
“Wait, wait, I want to ask you something.”
“It better not be to add to your list ’cause I can only carry so much.”
Madalyn chuckled. “No, I wanted to invite you and Oz to dinner on Friday.”
Her friend had been asking to meet him for weeks. Elodie was more than willing, but Oz had a rough schedule, especially on nights the club was open.
“Fridays are hard with the club and everything.”
“Then ask him what day is good, and we’ll do it then,” Madalyn said.
“What about Chris’ schedule?” Elodie asked.
“I’ll make him take the night off.” Madalyn’s sharp response surprised her.
Elodie’s brows shot to her hairline. “I thought he wanted to get as much OT as possible and nights pays more, right?”
There was a long stretch of silence.
“Madz?”
“I want to meet Oz!” Madalyn snapped. “You’ve been with him for weeks, and I still haven’t met him. I already know how into him you are. What if I hate him? Then you’ll be forced to break things off.”
Elodie snickered at the joke. She had no doubt her friend would like Oz. Even if their personalities didn’t mesh perfectly, Madalyn had always fed off Elodie’s energy when she was happy. And I’m happy with him.
“I’m doing you a favor here, Elle.” Her voice softened. “I just really want to meet him.”
“I’ll talk to him tonight.”
“Okay. Have fun at the market.”
Elodie rolled her eyes, grabbing the phone and tucking it into her pocketbook. Why did she volunteer for this?
She walked up to the stand. Fortunately, there was only one other person in line. The woman was looking at the array of jellies. There had to have been at least fifty different kinds. It was a hard choice, but none of them ever disappointed.
“You can’t go wrong,” Elodie said.
The woman smiled. “I’m sorry?”
Elodie waved her hand over the table. “My best friend loves these jellies, and I’m pretty sure she’s tried all of them. She’d buy them in bulk if she could. She said she’s never tried one she didn’t like.”
The woman nodded, eyeing the jars. “Which is her favorite?”
Elodie leaned across the table and grabbed two jars of the jalapeno. There were only three left, proving they were a lot of people’s favorite. The woman immediately grabbed one for herself.
“Any tips on what to get at that stand?” The woman pointed to the bakery tent.
“Rosemary garlic bread.”
The woman laughed, turning to Elodie. “You’re like a tour guide. You must come here a lot.”
Elodie chuckled. “I try to avoid it, but my friend isn’t able to come, so I offered to grab her some stuff. Her list is long.” Elodie held up the bag. “And so is my uncle’s.”
The woman snickered, eyeing the large bag. Her Uncle Hank’s list wasn’t quite as long as Madalyn’s but not too far off. Both women paid and moved over to the line at the bakery tent.
“I hope they still have some left.”
Elodie smirked. “Tell you what? If they don’t, you can have one of mine. The owner always keeps two loaves aside for my friend.”
As the line moved, they stepped forward.
“There you are.” A loud boisterous shout came from behind, and the woman spun around, smiling.
“I was getting worried about you guys when you wandered off.” She said.
Elodie peered over but couldn’t see who she was talking to in the massive crowd, and she turned to face the line again.
“Had to show Tom those signs they’re making at the other end. Gonna have to grab one next time for the center. But I know time is of the essence today.”
“He’s only saying that because Cassanova over here has got a long-standing date with the new gal.”
Elodie muffled her chuckle. She had her back turned and couldn’t see the men, but from their voices and reference to the center, she assumed they were seniors. They definitely seemed to have spirit. And one has a date.
“I shouldn’t be much longer. I’m just grabbing the bread. My new friend” —she paused, turning to Elodie— “I’m sorry, I didn’t even introduce myself. I’m Karia.”
Elodie smiled. “I’m Elle.”
Karia looked at the men and waved her hand, “This is my father Tom.” As Elodie started to turn, Karia spoke again. “And our friend, Sal.”
Elodie locked eyes with Sal a few feet away, and she felt her smile fall and the blood drain from her face. She’d only encountered him once, and it had been months ago. Elodie had made the mistake of letting her anger get the best of her last time. Her parting words, though not rude, were meant in the form of a threat. She wasn’t sure why she’d done it. Maybe she’d wanted him uncomfortable, especially since he’d looked so happy and calm during their first meeting.
Sal smiled, showing no signs of recognition. Maybe there was a chance she could walk away without him remembering her. When Karia’s father offered his hand, she quickly shook it and then stared down at Sal’s when he reached out. Just shake his hand . She swallowed the lump in her throat, forced a smile, and clasped his hand.
Sal chuckled but didn’t release her. “It’s nice to see you again , Elle.”
Shit! Her heart raced, and she tugged at her hand. He let go immediately.
“You two know each other?” Karia asked.
“We do. I had the pleasure of meeting Elle a few months ago. She’s a friend of Quinn’s.” Sal smiled. “Small world.”
Too small.
Elodie mustered up a smile, cocking her head. “Yes, it is.”
“Oh, that’s great,” Tom said, inching closer. “We’re actually heading for lunch at the food truck. You’re welcome to join us.”
Sal beamed. “That’s a wonderful idea.”
It was as if he was taunting and challenging her.
“I can’t. I have to go back to work.”
“Right.” Sal nodded. “The boutique. The one down the street.”
She flattened her lips. It seemed Sal had been given quite a bit of information about her. It gave her an unsettling vibe. She swallowed the knot in her throat and nodded.
“I’m sorry, I have to be going.” Elodie’s abrupt departure may have come off rude but she didn’t care. She needed to put some distance between her and Sal Caruso.
Karia pointed to the line. “What about your bread?”
Madalyn was going to kill her. But she’d risk the wrath of her friend. This was proving too much for her mental health. Elodie waved her hand. “You take it. Just give him my name.” She looked over at Tom, “Enjoy your lunch.”
Elodie forced a smile when she met Sal’s stare and simply nodded as she circled the back of the line. She tried to remain calm but found herself rushing. She was just at the last tent when she glanced over her shoulder. The line had moved once again, and she scanned the people. Her eyes locked on Sal, who was staring back at her. Long gone was his smile. A chill ran down her spine, and her fear elevated.
For all outward appearances, Sal looked like a jovial grandpa with his kind smile and his warm nature. But I know better. Elodie knew the truth. Firsthand.
Elodie turned toward the parking lot, quickening her pace. It was as if she’d been transported back in time to a memory she wanted to forget.
****
Oz rolled his shoulders and swiveled his neck, staring down at the message from thirty minutes ago.
Elodie: I’m sorry, but I have to cancel tonight. I’ve got so much to do at the store. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.
He dropped the phone to his desk and drove his hand through his hair, grasping the back of his neck. Seeing her would’ve been the only bright part of his day. He’d been looking forward to it, especially since he’d been dealing with some unsettling news.
All leads for Karl had dried up, pointing his suspicions to Garner hiding his nephew. It wouldn’t be the first time someone tried to save one of their men. Oz had already decided on cutting all ties with Garner. As promised, he wouldn’t seek personal retribution considering his ties to Sal and Inez, but it was obvious Garner couldn’t be trusted.
The soft knock on his door caught his attention, and Nash walked in.
“Rogue and Trey are here,” he said, and Oz furrowed his brows.
He wasn’t expecting either of his brothers. Yes, brothers. Only one by blood but connected to both for life.
Oz stood and rounded his desk, walking toward the door just as they walked in.
“This is unexpected.” Oz said.
Rogue spread out his arms. “You called us in.”
“No, I didn’t.” Oz turned to Nash, who immediately shook his head.
“I didn’t know anything about a meeting.”
There was a knock on the doorframe. Ridge stood at the threshold but didn’t enter.
“Sal’s here. Cy is bringing him up.”
“How the fuck did Sal get here?” Rogue asked the same question Oz was thinking.
They’d always sent a driver to pick up Sal from the center. Outside of the confines of the senior home, Oz had a crew specifically meant to protect Sal when he ventured out. For a long time after his retirement, Sal accepted the added protection without argument. But a few years ago, he’d refused, deeming it unnecessary. Oz, Rogue, and Trey disagreed. Arguing with Sal was an uphill battle. Oz resigned to let the matter rest to respect Sal’s wishes. Kind of. He was still assigned a crew, but they were never to approach Sal or let on that he was being watched. They took undercover to a new level.
“How’d he get here?” Rogue asked.
“Car service. Security called it in, and Cy has been waiting at the back entrance.”
Oz gave a curt nod, dismissing Ridge. The man turned and stepped back, staring down the hall.
A few moments later, Sal stepped through the door. He slapped Nash on the arm as he passed. It was a universal greeting from Sal.
“Good. You’re all here.”
Oz eyed the man as he made his way to the bar in the corner of his office and made himself a drink. Oz shared a look with Trey, but no one spoke a word. Even Rogue. It wasn’t unusual for Sal to call a meeting, but Oz always knew about it ahead of time.
Sal waved them over to the seating area at the opposite end of his office. Nash started to retreat to the door.
“Nash,” Sal called out and waved him forward. “Join us.”
Nash shifted his eyes to Oz. He wasn’t going to argue. If Sal wanted him to stay, Oz had no issue with it. Had there been a fourth spot in the ranking in the Underground, it would’ve belonged to Nash. Oz nodded and Nash walked to the door and closed it. He walked over to where they’d all gathered but Nash kept about ten feet away near the wall.
There wasn’t assigned seating, but everyone had their usual spot. Oz sat in the chair, glancing between the three men.
“So?” Rogue’s brows shot up to his hairline. “What the fuck is this all about, Sal?”
Sal smiled, taking a lingering look at each of the them. “The mind is an incredible muscle, isn’t it?”
Rogue snorted. “Ah, Jesus fucking Christ, are you losing your goddamn mind?”
Sal chuckled, glancing over to Rogue. “Have you ever thought about it? All the things you’ve done, places you’ve been, sights you’ve seen, and you don’t think about them after a while. Some you forget, but then something or someone comes along, and everything clicks in place. Something you couldn’t recall and suddenly you remember it all as if it happened just yesterday.”
Oz shared a look with his brother and then Trey. They were just as perplexed by the conversation as Oz. If he didn’t know better, he’d be concerned. It wasn’t far-fetched to think Rogue might’ve been onto something. Sal was getting older, and it was a natural progression for the mind not to work as well as it once did. Sal had been fairly healthy, but he’d had a car accident a few months back.
“What’s going on, Sal?” Trey asked, intently focused on the older man they all considered a father figure.
“Usually, I have a way with the ladies. Most like me.” Sal’s lips twitched as he stared down at the glass in his hand. He swirled the whiskey but didn’t take a sip. “But not all. Ran into Elodie again. You remember, from the restaurant?”
Just the sound of her name had Oz on high alert. He tensed, grasping tightly to his glass. He eyed Trey and Rogue seated across from him. Trey’s main focus was Sal, but Rogue was staring back at Oz. His brother was looking for some type of direction. Where the hell was this going? Most times, Oz had some insight on how Sal’s mind worked. He also had more intel. While Sal had taken all three of them in, there was no denying the stronger connection between him and Oz. A father-son bond built on trust and loyalty. Oz had never had that or any semblance of that kind of relationship. Until Sal.
Trey gave a curt nod. “I remember.”
“For the last few months, ever since I met her, I couldn’t shake this feeling that I knew her from somewhere.” Sal sighed. “I never forget a beautiful woman, but I couldn’t for the life of me place her face, though it was so familiar. I knew I’d seen those eyes before.”
Oz placed his glass on the table and clasped his hands. He wasn’t sure if the others had caught it, but Oz wasn’t letting it go.
“You knew , as in you now know?” Oz asked.
Sal stared at his glass, and the room was drowned in silence.
“This life has no room for regrets. Been telling you boys that since the day you started with me. You do what you have to do and make peace with it in time. Or don’t. But regrets and second-guessing have no place in the Underground,” Sal shook his head.
Oz watched as Trey and Rogue shared a look. Sal wasn’t saying anything they hadn’t heard on repeat since they joined the Underground. But Sal’s tone was different. It lacked the usual conviction and sternness.
“Sal, with all due respect, cut the fucking philosophical bullshit and tell us what fucking happened,” Rogue said.
While his brother’s delivery needed polishing, Oz shared the same thought. Sal’s connection to Elodie couldn’t be found in records or even their own memories. There was nothing tying her world and the Underground together. Yet, they were missing something.
“Do you know her?” Oz asked.
Sal smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes.
“She had this look in her eyes, a little hate, which I’ve known all too well in this life, but there was something else with her. Pain. I’ve seen it so many times. I thought I was immune, but hers was different. Raw. Like even she didn’t know what to make of it.” Sal cupped his mouth, staring at the table as if lost in a memory. “But above all that, fear is the worst coming from a woman. Any man who gets off on that isn’t worth anything.”
“Hold the fuck up,” Rogue snapped, straightening in his chair. “So, you do fucking know her?”
There was little that caught Oz off guard, but he hadn’t seen this admission coming. They’d looked into Elodie when Rogue and Trey expressed concerns. He’d put Nash on it a second time knowing he’d find anything and everything. Nash found nothing. There was no link between Sal, the Underground, and Elodie.
Oz looked over at Nash, who stood silently near the wall. He straightened and moved closer.
“I looked into everything, Sal. I didn’t find any connection,” Nash said, veering his gaze to Oz.
“You wouldn’t. It was before your time, Nash.” Sal looked at Rogue and Trey. “Yours too.” Sal swirled the liquid in his glass, turning to Oz. “But not before yours.”
Oz felt an unfamiliar rush through his body as his muscles tightened.
Oz, Rogue, and Trey began working for Sal at the same time. But the assignments were different. Trey and Rogue were younger, and given smaller tasks. Pickups, dropoffs, and occasionally, running interference. Sal used them to his advantage. Not many suspected a ten-year-old and thirteen-year-old would delve so deep into lawlessness. Trey and Rogue were the perfect cover for some lucrative deals.
Oz had been a different story. At eighteen, there hadn’t been any life jacket or training wheels. He was thrust into the Underground feet first. It had been his only chance for survival, and he’d knew it, even back then. Sal had offered him an opportunity for something better and a chance to truly make something of himself. It was unconventional, illegal, and not a life he would’ve chosen. But the life chose him, and he’d decided to get everything he could from it.
“At my age, it’s hard to remember everything. Done a lot of in my life. Some good, some bad. And some things I avoid thinking about. I’d almost forgotten about Elodie.” Sal pressed his lips together, peering across the room, almost in a daze. “Almost.”
Fuck. Oz cupped his mouth, watching Sal.
“How do you know her?” Trey asked.
“Long time ago. You all had just started with me full time, not even a year in. Had the boys” —he lifted his chin to Rogue and Trey— “doing some cash transfers. Small shit, testing them out.” Sal laughed without an ounce of humor. “A better man would’ve made better choices for you boys.”
“Yeah, well, no one else fucking stepped up for us, Sal. Just you,” Rogue snapped.
It was true. Sal owed them nothing and took a risk taking them in. Maybe not up to society’s standards, but he had been the only one willing to take a chance on three misfits.
“Could’ve done better, son.”
“Stop with this fucking bullshit.” Rogue said.
Oz needed them all to get back on track.
“Elodie,” Oz said, gaining the attention of every man in the room.
Sal lifted his glass, and took a small sip.
“Not one gentleman in the Underground. Never has been. But we had a code. There were certain things we never dipped into, and certain people we shielded from all our endeavors.” Sal shrugged. “We’d never be considered good guys, but we had our boundaries. Well, most of us did.” Sal’s lips twisted in disgust. “Women and children were off limits.”
It was a cardinal rule Oz abided by. There were exceptions for those who chose life in the Underground. They were held to the same standards as all the men. Anyone who’d been part of the organization knew they had to put in the time, the blood, sweat, and tears. They had to take the risks, do the jobs. The choice wasn’t theirs. This was the life they’d chosen or been indoctrinated into, and they had to live it.
“Eddie Burns. Small time bookie, dabbled in a few drug transfers, but never amounted to much. Had some connections but wasn’t liked. A hustler not willing to put in the time to work his way up. Always looking for the next big bullshit scheme. That’s not how I built the Underground. He worked under Jimmy for a while.” Sal snorted. “My brother never vetted the way I did. Every once in a while, he’d let the garbage in.”
Oz clasped his hands, giving no reaction. He shared the same sentiment about Sal’s brother but had never vocalized it. He didn’t have to. Sal didn’t need anyone reminding him of his ultimate betrayal by his own blood brother.
“You gotta know the people you got working under you. Always telling you boys that, right?” Sal asked, looking at Oz.
“Yes,” Oz said with a sharp nod. He needed to shift the conversation back to the subject at hand. “Elodie.”
Sal slowly nodded, tearing his gaze away from Oz. His throat bobbed, and his lips pursed.
“Jimmy had his crew, Artie being one of them. Jimmy wanted his own Oz.” Sal scoffed and shook his head. “Anyway, one night we got word from Artie that his sister had been raped. She said she didn’t know the guy who did it, but he looked familiar. That was all she could give him. The day before she was supposed to go to the police station to fill out the report, she was dropping off her mother at a friend’s house and saw the guy. Told her brother, and the next night me, Jimmy, Artie, and his sister took a ride past the man’s house. This motherfucker was watering his lawn without a goddamn care in the world. Meanwhile, Artie’s sister starts shaking and crying and said he was the guy.” Sal settled in his seat. “Got the accusation, so we head back to get the proof. Jimmy never thought things through, shoot first ask questions later. So I personally looked into it. Everyone I talked to put Eddie in the same area as Artie’s sister that night. A local bar downtown. Had enough guys saying Eddie had been bragging about getting laid. It was him. We all knew it.”
“And she was sure it was this Eddie guy?” Trey asked.
Sal nodded. “Yeah. You don’t have that kind of reaction without having lived through the trauma. So, the next night, we go back. It was getting dark, not many people on the street. It was after eight on a Wednesday, most people were in for the night. And again, that motherfucker is outside on his front porch, smoking a cigarette and drinking a beer watching his wife unload groceries from her trunk. He never even lifted a finger to help her. Once she was inside, we made the decision to take him out there. We had a perfect shot. But couldn’t take it.”
“Why?” Trey asked.
“Because aside from him, there was a little girl riding her bike. She went from one end of the street to the other. Back and forth.”
“His kid?” Rogue asked.
Sal nodded. “Jimmy and Artie wanted to do it that night, but that girl didn’t need to see that. Eddie was a fucking piece of shit, but for her, he was her dad. I wouldn’t let them take the shot. Not with her there. Made the call to go back the next day and take care of him.” Sal glanced over at Oz. “You, me, Jimmy, and Artie.”
I remember. The background hadn’t jogged his memory until the end of Sal’s recollection. Oz recalled Jimmy being furious that Sal refused to let him take out Eddie that night. It was one of many fights the brothers had. Sal always won.
Oz drew in a breath. Rogue and Trey were too young and too new to remember. But Oz did. How could he forget? You never forget your first.
“Made arrangements to ambush him at his house. Make it look like a random home invasion. At that time, the neighborhood had a string of break-ins. It was an easy coverup. No one would question it. We had it all set up. As predicted, he was alone, and it was going to work out.” Sal sighed. “But that’s the beauty and tragedy of it. Some plans don’t work out as one would hope.”
“Sal, I—” Trey paused, sharing a look with Oz. They were on the same page. Sal was veering off course again. “What does this have to do with Elodie?”
Sal’s lips pulled down in a frown. “Eddie was supposed to be alone in the house. His wife left for work at eight thirty, and their daughter was in school.” Sal paused, shaking his head, whispering, “She wasn’t supposed to be there.”
Who?
Oz had been there that day. He didn’t remember all his jobs through the years. There’d been too many. But he remembered this one. As he could recall, it went down according to plan. Oz himself had taken the final shot at Eddie Burns.
“Sal?” Trey urged.
It was as if Sal was caught in a memory he couldn’t quite shake. “We’d roughed him up and flipped the house. There was only one thing left to do. No witnesses, boys. Jimmy took the first shot.” Sal angled his head, looking at Oz. “You took the second.”
Oz gave a curt nod, remembering the details.
“As we were leaving, I noticed a small movement, like a flash. Looked around and didn’t see anything until I was halfway across the room. Right past the doorway to the kitchen. Her light hair blending into the cream-colored wallpaper. She was so little. And she never moved. Just stared.” Sal’s voice hitched, repeating himself. “She was just so small.”
Oz’s chest tightened, and he turned in his seat, staring at Sal.
“Wide eyes, frozen in fear. I’m going to remember that look until the day that I die.”
“His kid?” Trey asked.
Sal nodded.
There was a long stretch of silence as everyone tried to piece it all together. But how did this link to Elodie? Before anyone could inquire, Sal straightened in his seat and looked over at Oz.
“Why didn’t you say anything?” Oz asked.
Sal flattened his lips and sighed. “You know why.”
Oz cupped his mouth and sat back in the chair. There was a certain code even for the worst of them. Children were never on the table. But not everyone lived by the rules. Jimmy would’ve been a liability seeing Eddie’s child as a witness.
“You’re still fucking here, Sal, so obviously the kid didn’t say anything,” Rogue said. “Probably doesn’t even remember from back then.”
“She remembers.” Sal cleared his throat. “Elodie Martin is on her birth certificate. It’s her mother’s maiden name. Had she been given her father’s last name?” Sal paused, angling his head, looking directly at Oz. “She’d be Elodie Burns.”
Oz’s muscles tightened, blood rushing through his veins and a strangling hold tightening over his chest. No one made a sound. He stared across the room, gathering all his control, refusing to react.
“How’d you know she wouldn’t go to the police?” Trey asked.
“I didn’t.” Sal shook his head. “But I knew that if I could get to her mom fast enough, she’d do the right thing. Silence Elodie.”
“You threatened her?” The accusation came out harsher than Oz intended.
Sal drew in a breath. “Her mother denied Elodie seeing anything. Refused to admit what I knew as fact. Elodie saw us. Her mom was protecting her. I respected that. But I had to protect the Underground. Told her as long as her daughter kept quiet, they’d be safe and offered her cash. Paid her out over the years. She took Elodie and moved across town to a nicer section of Lawry. Her mom stayed silent.” Sal sighed. “And so did Elodie.”
Oz cupped his mouth, keeping his gaze trained on Sal but feeling Nash’s eyes on him. He was waiting for some type of reaction, knowing his connection to Elodie. Oz wouldn’t give anything away.
“You never fucking said anything?” Rogue asked.
“No.”
Trey cleared his throat, inching to the edge of his chair. “To anyone?”
Sal shook his head. “We don’t leave witnesses, Trey. If I’d told anyone, Elodie and her mother would no longer be breathing. A true silence courtesy of the Underground.”
“And Elodie never said anything?” Trey asked.
“As far as I know, no. Her mother passed away two years ago. Death changes people. Maybe she’s seeking me out, or…” Sal turned to Oz. “It was just coincidence we ran into one another. But one thing is for sure. And if I had any doubt before, our encounter today confirmed the truth. She knows who I am.”
Fuck!