27. June #2
“Because that pretty much wipes out anyone lower level than you, right? You guys mentioned you thought the person who took me in the first place was your rival, but what if it wasn’t? I mean, not in the way you think it was. What if you’re thinking about this all wrong?”
Simon places a cup of coffee in front of me. “One ice cube, how you like it.”
“Thanks.” I smile up at him.
“And that’s a solid point,” he tells me before returning to Magnus.
“Because this seems a lot less about claiming the throne and more about sabotaging both sides. Is this an enemy? Someone you crossed somewhere along the line. Maybe someone who worked for both sides at one point? Johnny used to be a runner for Franklin, now he’s leading the east coast. It doesn’t seem completely unheard of that someone would have access to both. ”
Dominic runs his hand over his beard and considers my theory. “But Johnny was an errand boy. He didn’t have access to the inner workings. Although…”
“What? You can’t leave me hanging like that.” I take a cautious sip of my coffee and wait for Dom to finish.
“Do you guys remember that big dude that used to work for Frank? What the fuck was his name?” Dom wracks his brain trying to remember.
“You’re going to have to be more specific than that, boss,” Magnus tells him.
“He was alley muscle over on Brantley.”
“Josey,” Coen announces.
Dom snaps his fingers and points to Coen. “That’s right, Josey.” He bobs his head up and down. “He worked for Franklin for a while until the restructuring. Now he’s with Johnny.”
Simon speaks up. "A lot of people switched sides once they realized they wouldn't be killed for it.
You know how many people were displaced from their families but found their way back once Franklin was dead?
The list is too long to track." He sets a cup of coffee in front of Dom.
"Plus, Josey is Johnny's right hand. He wouldn't do that.
That would be like accusing me of doing it. "
Dom glares up at him. “Did you?”
Simon sighs and moves away. “Clearly.”
“What about the group you thought was responsible? Is there anyone you can question?” I try to think of any possible angle we could take to figure this out. There has to be something they haven't thought of. That's why I insisted on being here—to be in the loop and to help solve this mystery.
Coen doesn’t look at me when he says, “We killed everyone.”
“Okay, well, there goes that lead.”
“The Santorini’s were always doing shady shit, but that never sat right with me,” Magnus says.
“Who benefited from getting rid of them?” I ask the guys.
"Us," Dominic answers. "They were flight risks and abused our pull with the police. Countless offenses were thrown out between the lot of them. I was glad when they were gone."
“So, the organization benefited. Who else knew about what they were up to?” I continue following every thread that might lead me to answers.
“Everyone.” Dominic sips his coffee and turns to Magnus. “Anything stronger in there?”
Magnus grins and reaches into a cabinet to pull out a bottle of bourbon.
"I knew it was five o’clock somewhere." He grabs a handful of glasses off the top shelf and pulls the cork out of the bottle with his teeth, spitting it onto the counter.
He pours some into each glass and distributes it around the table. First to Dom, then to Coen, then to me.
Simon puts his hand up. “I’m good.”
“You sure?” Magnus presses.
“I’m more of a tequila guy, anyway.” Simon glances at me briefly.
“They’re here,” Coen mutters as he stands from his seat.
A knock sounds on the door and a second later, it opens, Johnny Jones stepping through, very much alive and well. He’s not exactly what I remember. He seemed more depressed back then, like the life had been sucked out of him.
His dark chocolate hair falls onto his forehead and a pair of bright green eyes flit across the room, scanning each of us. Not a second later, Claire, his wife, follows him in.
I rise to my feet and greet her halfway, both of our arms outstretched toward each other.
“J!” Claire calls out.
“Claire.” I wrap her in a hug and ignore the shooting pain in my arm at the embrace.
We may not have spent a ton of time together before everything went down, but being in this life together makes you appreciate those friendships even more. I don’t have another girl, other than Gwyneth, that I can talk to. And she isn’t exactly my first, or last, pick.
Having someone my age, and who understands what it’s like to be newly introduced into this world has a way of making you feel not so alone. If only Claire was on the west coast more, then maybe I wouldn’t struggle with this situation as much as I do.
“You look amazing,” I tell her and touch her hair. “Did you go lighter?”
She grins and nods. “Thought I’d change things up.” She steadies my shoulders. “And look at you, wearing designer everything.” Claire narrows her gaze at the men behind me. “I see you’re taking care of my girl.”
Magnus puts his arm around my waist. “Your girl, I thought she was mine.” He kisses my cheek and then releases me to hug her. “Claire. How are you?”
“I’m well, Maggie.” She nudges his shoulder. “Still causing trouble?”
He grins and nods. “You know it.” Magnus holds his arm out to Johnny. “Mr. Jones.”
Johnny and Magnus shake hands.
I feel the weighted presence of the rest of the room as we exchange our causal formalities.
Dominic clears his throat a bit too aggressively. “Shall we commence?”
Claire weaves her arm around mine and walks us over to the table. She leans in close and whispers into my ear, “We need to get together soon and catch up.” She eyes Simon and winks at me before patting my hand and claiming a seat of her own next to my bodyguard.
“Do you two want coffee? Bourbon?” I glance at the kitchen area where I have no idea what other options are available.
“What are you having?” Claire rises up on her elbows to look into my two cups. “Are you having coffee and bourbon? My kind of girl.”
Johnny strolls over and kisses the top of Claire’s head. “I’ll get you something, babe.”
Claire grips Johnny's hand, and the two of them hold on until he's no longer within reach. Pure fucking love radiates off of them and makes me so envious of being that close to someone. I wonder what it's like not to have secrets. To love unconditionally, and fully, without restraint.
They've been through so much together and it's like nothing can tear them apart. The issues that arise only seem to bring them closer together, forging an unbreakable bond.
“I’ll show you around,” Magnus tells Johnny on their way over to get drinks.
“Hey, sorry I’m late.” Miller walks into the room carrying a large paper bag with a logo that can only be from one place. “But I come with donuts.”
At least I'm not the only one who loves Bram's Diner.
My heart aches a little at knowing I won't be back there until things settle down, but I'm grateful he's holding my place for me.
I don't need to work, and the guys would rather I didn't, but I love being at the diner.
I'm not exactly a people person, that much is certain, but there's just something about Bram's that feels like home.
He was the first person to be kind to me without expecting a damn thing in return, and for that, I will forever be indebted to him.
“I hear you’re running a café back east?” I say to Claire.
She smiles and nods. “Yep. Coffee isn’t quite as good as Bram’s but I’m working on it.” Claire takes the cup that Johnny gives her. “It’s like he makes it with love or something.”
Johnny slides into the seat next to her and opens up the bag that Miller brought in. “Thanks, buddy.”
I sit at the head of the table, glancing around the room, and wonder if this is what it’s like to have friends.
Like a group of people who know things about you that you cannot share elsewhere.
A forbidden secret that we keep because sharing it would only put us all in danger.
It’s not that no one knows the truth about these men and their criminal doings, but it’s not exactly common knowledge.
I bite the inside of my lip as I watch Miller pass around donuts.
I lied to Cora and told her that Miller was off-limits.
But what if she could be here too, experiencing a level of comradery that is unmatched?
Is it fair of me to keep this from her when knowing the truth might be what brings us even closer and gives her a chance at love?
But what if Miller tore her apart? What if she had more issues with him than I've had with my guys?
What if he has enemies? What if she faces similar shit like I have and isn't strong enough to escape it the way I did?
But who am I to question whether Cora is capable enough or not?
Is it my place to put limitations on her life when she's the one who wants to take those risks?
Claire did it and made it through hell to be with the man she loves.
And here I am, living proof that it’s possible to overcome this dark and dangerous world.
But with my life still on the line, perhaps I shouldn’t speak so soon on whether I have what it takes or not.
“Claire is an incredible detective.” Johnny reaches out to brush the hair from her cheek. “She’s helped me solve more mysteries than I can count. If anyone can figure out who’s responsible for what’s going on, it’s her.”