Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Fionn
It’s been a few days since the shooting. We got the bullet proof glass into all the shops and got them reopened. Fiorella’s still in the hospital and giving Jér?me a hard time about being there. She wants to get back to her store.
Scrapper has met with Playboy and of course Playboy denied everything.
But he held to his word and took his cut and the other three that were with him.
Scrapper and his crew will be staying in Lake Renegade for about a month in case we have more trouble.
Which we all know is coming. Playboy was way too calm when they stripped him of his colors.
He didn’t put up a fight or argue he just smiled and handed over his cut. And that’s what worried me the most.
“Fiorella’s getting released today. I think it’s because Jér?me’s tired of her yelling at him.” I laugh.
Riley laughs. “I talked to her yesterday and she said she would win. I guess she did. Do you think Playboy has actually given up?”
I don’t want to lie to her, but I don’t want to scare her either. I walk over to her and hug her.
“No, mo fhíorghra, I don’t think he’s given up. I think he’s waiting for us to drop our guard.”
“Yeah.” She sighs. “That’s what I think too. I hate worrying all the time. The only thing that makes me feel safe is you. I don’t worry when we’re home together. I almost want to say let’s stay home and hide out. But then Playboy wins. And fuck that.”
I chuckle. “I know, love. I’ve thought of asking you to stay home too. But I know that Espresso Joy is your dream. And I refuse to take that away from you. So what I can do is protect you the best way I know how.”
“I appreciate everything you’re doing for me.”
“I wish I could tell you that it was over.” I say as I kiss her head.
“One day it will be, right? I mean it has to be.”
“It will. At this point, he has to leave the US soon so I have a feeling he’s going to do something before he leaves.”
“So what do we do?”
“We do what we’ve been doing. Living our lives and keeping our eyes open.”
I drop Riley and Daphne off at the coffee shop and wait while they get the morning coffees ready for me to take to the station.
Because of everything that’s going on, I thought that being a part of the sheriff’s department would help.
I can help look for Playboy and his crew.
Last we heard, he was in the city and staying away from Lake Renegade.
But in my gut I know he’s plotting and planning.
I always head to the coffee shop to have lunch with my girl. I love being able to see her at random times in the day.
“I’m heading out for lunch, you want me to bring you back something?” I ask Salvatore.
“Yeah, thanks. I’ll call in mine and Raven’s order. Maybe I’ll ask the others? You mind picking up lunch? That way Lila doesn’t have to.”
“Sure. Just call it in and I’ll pick it up when I’m done.”
Just as I’m cleaning up to leave, we hear dispatch over the radio.
“Fire at Espresso Joy. Need fire, police and ambulance.”
I jump up and we all start running out of the station. This can’t be fucking happening.
“Get in with me, you’re not driving.” Salvatore yells at me as I’m fumbling with my keys.
Hugh shoves me in the backseat then he climbs in with us.
“Call my Zio Enea and Giacomo. Tell them what we know, make sure you tell them we don’t know if it’s Playboy. But I think it is and we’re headed there now.” Salvatore tells Hugh.
We get to Espresso Joy and see people gathering. I see Oliver trying to get back inside. But a firefighter is holding him back. No. Where’s Riley? I don’t see her anywhere.
“I don’t see Riley. Let me out of this fucking car.” I yell at Sal and Hugh.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. You wait here and let us find out what’s going on.” Hugh says to me.
“NO. LET. ME. THE FUCK. OUT.”
“You’re on duty. I need you to stay here.” Salvatore says as he turns to look at me.
“It’s not like I have a feckin’ choice. I’m locked up back here like a feckin’ criminal.” I snap at him.
“Stay here and make sure he stays.” Salvatore sighs to Hugh.
I watch Salvatore walk over to Oliver. Oliver’s swinging his arms around and then he flips off some of the firefighters. Where the fuck is Riley?
“Come on Hugh, you need to let me out. I need to find Riley.”
“You know I can’t. Sal will be back.”
“Feckin’ bullshite.” I kick Hugh’s chair as he sighs.
Finally, Sal’s walking back towards the car. But I still don’t see Riley. Sal opens the back door and I launch myself at him.
“Seriously?” Sal snaps at me as he pins me against the car.
“Where’s Riley?” I ask as I try to control myself.
“You need to calm down first.”
I see the family showing up, they park surrounding us. I feel like they’re all keeping me from running into the coffee shop. From saving my Riley.
“Feck calming down. Tell me where she is. Is she dead?”
“We don’t know. Oliver said that there was a loud noise that came from upstairs. Daphne was up there using the bathroom, but when she didn’t come back down, Oliver was going to go up. Someone injected him with something and he passed out.”
“Is it Playboy?”
“If I had to guess? Yes. But I don’t know and Oliver didn’t see anyone’s face.”
“Why aren’t the firefighters going up? We need to get in there, Sal. Please.”
“They’re trying to get whoever’s in there to talk. If I let you go, will you calm down? You know we’re going to do everything we can to get Riley out of there.”
“Will she be alive when you do?” I snap at him.
“Fionn, I raised you better than that.” My da frowns at me.
“Da, they won’t let me in there to help Riley.” I frown back at him.
“Salvatore knows what he’s doing. And you need to trust him in order for Riley to be safe.”
I open my mouth to complain again, but shut it fast when I see the look on my da’s face.
This is bullshite. If it was my mam? He’d be running in there no matter what anyone says.
I look around at everyone. The police and some of the fire guys are holding onlookers away and the other firefighters are going inside to put the fire out.
From where I’m standing, it looks like it’s in the coffee shop.
But the apartment above doesn’t have any smoke coming out.
That has to be where he’s keeping them. I know that we fixed the fire escape window. But maybe if I can get to it…
Riley
This morning was going smoothly, we were really busy and Oliver was on high alert.
He said that things felt off and that he didn’t like it.
I knew Fionn would be coming back for lunch so I was getting our food order in with the mamas and then getting the shop stocked for Daphne.
Fionn had suggested we could eat in my office so we could have a little time alone.
“I’m going to go upstairs and use the bathroom. If we get a rush, text me.” She smiles.
I laugh and nod. We heard a noise like something heavy dropping and it sounded like it came from upstairs.
“Did Daphne fall off the toilet?” Oliver chuckles.
“Maybe. I mean she has been known to dance while she’s in there.”
After a few more minutes, Daphne still hasn’t come back down so I text her to make sure she’s okay.
Riley: Are you okay? We heard a weird noise
Daphne: Can you come up? Need help
Riley: Oliver wants to know if you fell off the toilet. Lol. Also, can I send Oliver?
It’s weird that she’s asking me to come up. She knows that I can’t leave the shop area. I call Oliver over and show him the text. And tell him what I’m thinking.
“Yeah, she knows that one of you has to be down here. Let me call one of the mamas’ bodyguards. I think we need help.”
Just as I’m about to agree, someone comes out of the back and injects Oliver with something. He tries to tell me to run. Before I can hop over my counter, I’m grabbed and something’s put over my nose and mouth. Everything goes hazy.