Chapter 28 #3
“Ghost said Tommy broke into Rett’s apartment and trashed the place. And he caught Tommy trying to beat him up,” Haz explained. “Apparently, Rett got two pills from him one time, and now Tommy’s trying to make him deal for him.”
“So Rett is an addict?” Enzo concluded.
“If one more person says that, I’m going to light them on fire,” I intoned. “And then I’ll light a cigarette with the body, enjoy my smoke, and watch it burn.”
“Rett isn’t an addict. He has rheumatoid arthritis and can’t afford to see a doctor,” Haz said.
“You aren’t a very good husband,” Enzo said to me. Then to Haz, he said, “Bring your friend to see me. I’ll get him a doctor.”
I had the knife to his throat again before Kieran could stop me. “Look at that,” I spat. “You’re standing in the exact spot my patience goes to die.”
“I know he isn’t stealing from me,” Enzo said.
“Go on,” I allowed.
A gun appeared between us, the stubby nozzle shoved into my chest.
Kieran appeared, his gun going against Enzo’s temple. “Not in my house.”
“You saw that off yourself?” I asked, eyes not bothering to look down at the weapon Enzo was brandishing.
“With my teeth,” Enzo deadpanned.
I laughed and pushed away. “Fine. Let’s talk.”
Enzo straightened and walked farther into the room. “This isn’t the first time product has disappeared out from under me. But this is the largest amount so far.”
“It’s obviously Tommy,” I pointed out.
“Yes, but I haven’t been able to prove it.”
“So? Kill him anyway,” Kieran added.
“Don’t mistake my self-control with mercy,” Enzo told him. “One and a half million dollars is more loss than I’m willing to overlook. I want to know where he’s keeping my product and who thinks they can buy it without giving the Salvatores a cut.”
“Tommy must know you’re suspicious,” Haz hypothesized. “So when Rett refused to deal for him and Ghost made him leap out a window like a crybaby, he decided he would blame Rett and get you to take care of his problems for him.”
“You’re more like my brother than I first imagined,” Enzo said, eyes shining with pride.
Haz was flattered. I wasn’t so sure that was a compliment, but okay.
“He’s not getting tangled up in the Salvatore business,” Kieran stated.
“Of course not. I have a fish store to oversee.” Haz looked at Enzo. “Kieran bought me the Neon Reef.”
“I’ll send over my best contractors to make the place look good.”
“Really?” Haz exclaimed.
“Of course.”
I glanced at Kieran who was glowering so hard it was practically raining over his head.
He should have let me stab Enzo when I had the chance. His loss.
“So if you know Tommy’s a bag of flaming crap, why did you come here looking for Rett?” I wanted to know.
“Because I wanted to hear his version of the story.”
“You mean the truth.” I corrected him.
“I’m not sure the truth even exists,” Enzo remarked. Sounded like some old Chinese saying that you’d get on a bag of tea.
Stupid.
“But Rett is innocent,” Haz insisted. “What if he sends people after him like people came after me?”
“I’ll kill them,” I stated. To Enzo, I said, “I don’t care who they are. You send your people, and I’ll kill them. He’s off-limits.”
“Actually, I was hoping Rett could help me,” he replied.
“No.” And that was final.
“Help you how?” Kieran asked.
I gave him a WTF look.
“I was hoping he might accept the job so I could find out where Tommy’s keeping the stolen product and who he’s selling it to. I plan to make an example of him so everyone will know what happens when you betray a Salvatore.”
“Rett is not some cheese in a trap,” I told the room. “You aren’t using him as bait. He’s been through enough.”
“I agree,” Kieran added.
“Oh. There he is,” I quipped. “I was wondering where my bestie was.”
He rolled his eyes.
“Look, we’re sympathetic to your position,” Kieran said even though he wasn’t sympathetic at all.
The man didn’t even know what sympathy was.
He was just being pragmatic for half-pint’s sake, which I could respect.
“But I told you I’m not getting involved in your mob business. And neither is the rest of my family.”
“I guess I’m only family when it’s convenient for you.” Enzo’s words could have frozen the tits off a cat. Good thing there weren’t any cats here.
“That’s not true, Uncle Enzo!” Haz moved forward to hug the gangster. For a little guy, he had a lot of balls.
Kieran got his gun out. Again.
Enzo stood stock still while Haz hugged him, until he relented and patted his back. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll handle Tommy myself. He won’t bother you or your friend again.”
“You really are family. All the time,” Haz told him. “Kieran just doesn’t like to sleep where he shits.”
Kieran made a choked sound, and Enzo grinned over his head.
“We aren’t getting involved in your low-level drug issues. Just nab Tommy and beat it out of him,” Kieran said, going to the door to pull it open and look at Enzo pointedly.
“I suppose that would be the easiest.” Enzo agreed, stepping back from Haz.
I thought about interjecting to claim slaying rights to Tommy, but I decided it didn’t really matter who killed him as long as he was dead.
“Let us know when it’s done,” I said as Enzo reached the door.
Enzo glanced back at me. “And what courtesy will you extend to me for such a favor?”
“I won’t slit your throat.”
“You sure you won’t come work for me?” Enzo asked with a chuckle. “I could use a bloodhound like you.”
As if I’d let anyone strap another leash on me. Except maybe Rett. “I’m already employed,” I deadpanned.
And we both knew it would behoove him not to piss on whatever tenuous relationship he had going with the government.
On his way out the door, Enzo stopped beside Kieran. “Take care of my nephew, or the next time we meet will be at your funeral.”
Kieran shut the door in his face.
“You two could be nicer,” Haz scolded the second the lock engaged.
“If you want nice, adopt a golden retriever,” Kieran retorted.
Haz gasped.
“No dogs!” Kieran announced.
“That reminds me. I need to go measure for the fish tank we’re installing for our babies!” Haz pulled a tape measure out of his pocket and headed toward the living room.
“Where the hell did he get that?” I wondered.
“God only knows,” Kieran muttered.
“Thanks for having my back earlier,” I said even though he could have done a better job. Still, I was a fan of positive reinforcement.
“You should probably keep Rett under lock and key until Enzo handles Tommy.”
If by under lock and key he meant naked in my bed, then we were totally on the same page. “Will do,” I said and headed to the door.
Kieran’s voice stopped me. “Ghost.”
I turned back.
“You tell Rett about this life?”
Aww, look at him caring. “I told him.”
Kieran crossed his arms over his chest. “And?”
“He said he’s walking into it for me.”
Kieran’s arms dropped to his sides. “Call me if you need me.”
“You’re a better bestie than all the restie.”
“Get out of my house. Never say that again.”
I cackled.
Out in the hall, someone was coming out of the unit across from Kieran’s. He was dressed in a suit and carrying some flyers.
“All good in the neighborhood?” I asked.
“Gentlemen,” the man said, stopping a few feet away.
I glanced around to see Kieran glowering from the doorway.
“That’s just his face.” I assured the man.
“Right. I’m Mason McVale. I represent McVale & Ivers Premiere Property Group in Buffalo. This property has been newly listed for sale, and I was just finalizing the details.”
“Well, consider my interest piqued,” I said, glancing down the hall at the front door. “This unit is for sale, you say?”
“No,” Kieran said, coming out into the hall.
The man in the suit stepped back like Kieran was a pitbull. “Ah, yes. Yes, it is.”
“Do you mind letting me have a look around?” I asked.
I mean, wasn’t I just deciding my loft was completely unacceptable for my husband and kids?
Was that fate coming to the rescue?
“You are interested in purchasing this property?” The realtor seemed surprised.
“I have to see it first.”
“Ghost,” Kieran warned.
I turned to my bestie to sing, “Won’t you be my neighbor?”
“I will literally kill you.”
I turned back to the real estate dude. “He’s a kidder.”
“That didn’t sound like a joke,” he murmured.
“Just makes it funnier, don’t you think?” I mused and stepped forward. “So you got a minute to show me around?”
“Well, yes.” He glanced back at Kieran warily.
“Don’t worry about him. I got enough money to pay cash tomorrow.”
That put the pep in his step and Kieran in the rearview. As he was unlocking the front door, I turned around to wave at Kieran.
“You can’t be serious,” he intoned.
“You’ve seen my place. Would you let Haz live there?”
He snorted.
“Exactly.”
Horror dawned in his eyes when he realized I was entirely serious.
“Just think of all the slumber parties we can have!” I exclaimed.
The look on his face said he was pretty much reliving and regretting every decision he ever made that had led him here.
“Right this way, Mr. …” the relator called from inside.
“Ghost.” I supplied.
“Mr. Ghost.”
I made sure to wink at Kieran before disappearing inside.