Chapter 36
(T)
Dean
My least favorite part of my job duties has always been enforcing these dues and collecting.
Today, I hate them even more now that Brandon and I have a babysitter— Jessica.
She means well, and I respect her for what she’s capable of, but it is insulting that Max thinks we need an extra line of defense doing such basic tasks.
Sure, there is a bigger threat than normal but if anything, Jessica should have tagged along with Max and Zoe for the sake of Zoe’s protection.
Not that she needs protection, she has made that extremely clear, but it wouldn’t hurt to have an additional shield for her.
After all, she is who this K.H. is after.
“Let me.” Jessica demands as she slips out of the car.
I have rushed to scope the areas each time we have arrived at the different businesses today, but I suppose I can let her take this one on.
I don’t mean to be an asshole when I scoff, but I’m sure it comes out that way.
My frustrations aren’t meant for her, they are meant for Max.
Brandon just smiles and nods as usual and smacks my shoulder as a subtle scolding.
“Sure thing, Jessica. Thanks!” Brandon says as he sits back in his seat and waits for her to exit.
The door shuts softly behind her, and I study her as she glances at each rooftop surrounding us as well as the alleyways in between each building.
She carries her pistol like a seasoned professional when she walks the perimeter of the vehicle before peeking her head into the café we are about to shake for dues.
“You can try being a little nicer, she’s just doing what she’s paid to do.” Brandon whispers.
“I know. I just don’t enjoy being babysat. We don’t need it.”
Rolling his eyes with a dramatic sigh he adds, “None of us need to be babysat. Max did this just as a safety net. It does not hurt us to have extra support with such a high threat.”
I choose to ignore him and fix my eyes back on Jessica.
“Really,” Brandon says in a softer tone.
“You are more than capable of protecting us. I know that, Max knows that, we all know that. And we appreciate you.” He reaches towards me and pats me on the shoulder.
“We just can’t risk losing you, especially to these seedy sex trafficking assholes.
You’re too important to us, too important to Zoe. ”
His final words strike me in the chest. We don’t always have these heart to hearts, but Brandon is the best when it comes to helping you realize that you’re valued.
“Just give Jessica a chance. It’s her job, and we can trust her.
She’s not here as an insult or to replace you.
She’s here to help. If you’re busy protecting all of us, who is going to protect you?
” Brandon’s hand robs circles on my shoulder, effectively soothing the building anger that was holding me back all day.
“You’re right.” I whisper.
“What’s that?” He shouts. “Did the Dean Karma just admit to being wrong?”
“Shut it.”
“No, no.” He laughs taking out his phone, “Can you say it one more time? The guys won’t ever believe me.”
I roll my eyes and begin to unbuckle my seat while Jessica makes her way back to us. She stops outside my door and gives me a subtle nod while she continues to keep her head on a swivel and her eyes roaming. “Let’s get this over with so we can go get our lunch. I’m starving.”
Brandon lets out a sound of defeat but obliges.
Entering the café there is a quiet hum of pop music coming from the corner speakers and the seating area is empty except for one woman sitting at a table with her apron on. She jumps to her feet and rushes over back behind the counter, “Hey loves, what can I get started for you?” She asks.
Before answering I look around the wide room.
The café is new, and this is the first time we’ve been here to introduce ourselves.
It’s cozy, in a sense that I think Zoe might like it here.
There are rows upon rows of books covering the walls, chairs and couches and bean bags littering the layout making it look like some sort of living room.
It smells fantastic, with a scent of dark roast and earl gray tea filling the air, and it’s paired with the smell of fresh pastries.
The lighting is low, but the lamps scattered about make it easy to still read in here.
“We are the Karma’s. Your neighbors may have warned you about our appearance.” Brandon chimes in, and I realize I have taken concerningly long to answer the young woman’s question.
“Oh yes.” She gulps. “The Darcy’s next door told me you might be stopping by. I thought I’d have a little longer to prepare.”
“No worries! We are not here to collect today, just to make an introduction.” Brandon holds his hands up in a surrendering motion with his normal ‘panty-dropper’ smirk. At least, that’s what Zoe calls it.
“Oh, thank goodness. I just opened three days ago, and I’ve only sold seven items. There is just no customer flow on this side of town, and I am struggling.
” She admits, it is a bit more honest than we expected but I know the flow has been slow because word probably got around that we haven’t made our stop by yet.
“I’m Brandon,” he introduces himself with an extension of his hand. “The refrigerator behind me is Dean.” His insult makes me grumble, “and this young woman is Jessica.”
“Nice to meet you all.” She nods to each of us, with a surprisingly warm smile. Pestering this woman for dues seems so wrong, but I think that Zoe has just softened me. If we don’t collect from her, then word might get around that we have gone soft. “My name is Brandi.”
We all stand silently for a moment before Brandi asks, “Are you the… Sparrow?” Motioning towards Jessica.
“Hell no.” Brandon and I answer at synchronized timing, as if the thought was offensive in itself.
“Jeez, thanks guys.” Jessica snorts. “No ma’am. I’m just an employee. However, if I were you, I’d be relieved you got me instead of the Sparrow.”
“Why is that?”
Jessica smirks before answering, “She’s much scarier. And a hell of a lot more ruthless.”
Brandi just hums and makes her hands busy wiping down the register.
“Can we get three coffees to go?” I finally speak.
The smile that takes over Brandi’s face is delightful. She’s young, mid-twenties maybe? It definitely isn’t easy starting up a business in this current economic climate, much less on this side of Seattle.
“Can I also have one of those blueberry lemon scones?” Jessica adds, “Since he’s buying.” She shrugs.
There’s an obvious relief in Brandi’s features, you can see it in the way her shoulders relax, and her smile softens, “Absolutely. Can I get you anything else?”
Brandon walks to the display case a few feet away and takes his time observing the items available before I turn back to Brandi. “What made you want to open on this side of town?” I ask.
With a sigh she shakes her head, and I can see her blink away the tears welling in her eyes.
“Um, I used to have family out here. This building specifically actually.” She laughs uncomfortably before shaking away the nervous energy.
“This place was a bait shop that my grandfather owned, and he was killed by a few thugs a couple years ago during a robbery. Luckily the place was paid off and he left it to me in his will. I guess it’s risky to be running a business on my own this side of town, but…
” She trails off so I finish the sentence for her.
“It’s home.”
“It’s home.” She agrees with a watery smile.
I feel a kinship with her, a likeness that could be familial.
For some reason asking her for dues feels so wrong that I at once want to send a message to Max to let him know.
Brandi’s cafe will get protection whether she pays the fee or not.
I will make sure that there are no thugs, or other rival families trying to cause her harm.
“We’ll also take a dozen of the cranberry muffins, and a chocolate croissant.” Brandon chimes.
I roll my eyes and take my card from my wallet as she begins to pack the items. The muffins are massive and fragrant and my stomach rumbles at the reminder that we might be running behind for our lunch appointment at Angelo’s.
After paying and leaving a tip at the counter we all bid our goodbyes to Rissa and leave with more than enough pastries and three fresh coffees.
“I like that place.” Jessica adds as we pull onto the highway.
“Yeah, me too.” I agree. “I think Zoe would enjoy it there too, we’ll have to be sure she sees it.” Brandon hums his agreement and begins picking at his chocolate croissant.
I go to speed up when Brandon mumbles, “Holy shit.”
“What?” I glance back towards him, croissant completely forgotten.
“Max texted; he has some more information on the cambions. A time and place for the next big pick up, and K.H. is supposed to be there.” He explains.
“Say’s that he got the information from some guy named Travis Ritter.
” Before I can add anything, I can see him shift into research mode, pulling his laptop from his backpack in front of him then slipping on his glasses.
“He seems clean, he’s been with us since… Well since before there was an us.” He shrugs. “Born and raised here in Seattle, child of the system, no issues with stealing or disrespect in our files. He seems like a good enough guy.”
“But how did he get the information?” I ask.
“Max says Travis overheard it from a few guys at a bar the other night. He also wants us to send a few guys to keep an eye on him. For protection and to make sure he isn’t trying to set us up.” Says Brandon.
I look at Jessica in the rearview mirror and she nods, pulling out her phone to make the call. “Four guys on Travis Ritter immediately.” She says into her phone, then rambles out his last known location.
We sit in a comfortable and thoughtful silence until we reach Angelo’s. As expected, the restaurant is completely empty, and we take our normal seats at a booth towards the back. Jessica takes her post at the front door keeping an eye on the parking lot. I might like her after all.
We wait for a few minutes and Angelo makes his way to our table with a knowing grin stretched across his old face. “My boys!” He calls. “Where’s the little spitfire?” He asks, knowing he is talking about Zoe.
“They are two minutes and forty-three seconds out.” Brandon calls as he stares at the tracker on his phone. I should have known he put it on there before Max gave her that phone.
“I can’t believe you.” Angelo shakes his head in disbelief.
“What?” Brandon finally looks up from his phone and up towards Angelo.
“You’re sleeping with her, aren’t you?” He asks, dumbfounded.
“Yes.” Brandon gulps, “And?”
“And if you hurt that girl like you’ve done the others, you know damn well you won't live long enough to feel guilty.”
I chuckle at the implication and that's when Angelo shoots me a stern look, “And you are too, aren’t you?” he accuses.
I can feel myself pale and my eyes shift back to Brandon who is not smirking around his glass of water. “How can you tell?” I ask.
“You never laugh. Ever. Especially when it comes to women. And not to mention, the permanent scowl is missing.” Angelo chastises and shakes his head.
“I like that one, so help me god if you hurt her in any way…” His sentence ends when the front door dings open and the very topic of our conversation waltzes in with Max and Drake on her heels.
“I told you not to enter until Drake checked the place out, Harpy. Are you trying to get killed?” Max yells, completely red in the face.
“Surely the people trying to kill me wouldn’t be stupid enough to try it here.” She rolls her eyes and her eyes narrow on Brandon. Not an angry narrow, but hungry. Seeing her take him in with such need makes my own jeans grow tight and uncomfortable.
I shift in my seat and her eyes bounce to me, a smile creeping over her features.
“I can’t believe it, you’re sleeping with her too?” Angelo yells at Max.
“Pfft, he wishes.” Drake snarks and everyone's eyes lock onto him, you can hear the silence take over as we all narrow our gazes on him. “Sheesh, sorry.” He holds up his hands in mock surrender and backs away, joining Jessica at the front door.
“He’s right though.” Zoe laughs and shrugs her shoulders as she takes her seat. “How are you, Angelo?” She asks in such a soft voice that I barely recognize it. I’ve never heard her speak to someone with such kindness and the flutter in my chest can be confused with both jealousy and pride.
“I’m okay little spitfire. How are you?” Angelo leans against the booth while passing her a glass of water.
“I’d be better if I had some pasta in my belly.
” She says with all the seriousness in the world.
I observe their brief interaction; how natural their conversation is, and I can’t help but let the happiness swell in my chest. She really is part of this family now, almost officially.
It’s time we put her through the ritual, mark her as officially ours.
When my eyes move to Max, I can see it in his features too, as if the gears in his head are real, I hear them click at the same time mine do.
“Soon.” Max says to me directly, “Just not yet.”
“Why not tonight?” I ask, upset that we can’t lock her in officially.
“I need her all to myself first. It’s only right.
” I can’t help but agree. If she really is going to be ours, she needs to be wholly ours.
And I know what Max needs, he needs to break her.
He needs to mark her on his own before he can call her his.
And after he does that, she can officially be ours. Mind, body, and soul.
Angelo takes everyone’s orders before heading back to the kitchen and we all settle into our seats.
“Has anyone heard from Teddy?” Max asks the table.
Brandon and I both shake our heads and Zoe just giggles to herself. “Harpy?” Max asks.
“He’s doing just fine…” She trails off as she stares intently at her phone. “He just told me he’s going to do the ‘dog thing’. What does that mean?” She furrows her brows and looks to us for answers. Just the mention of it sends chills down my spine.
“That means he got all the answers he needed.” Max says simply, and he shifts uncomfortably in his chair too.
Zoe scoffs at the vague answer, “Okay, but what is the ‘dog thing’?”
Brandon is the one to answer, “You really don’t want to know, princess.”