Chapter Thirty

Quinn stretched her neck, looking over at the door of the restaurant. She’d been watching for the last fifteen minutes, which was the same time as their reservations.

She felt the tap on her arm and looked at the man seated next to her, smiling.

“Honey, they’re coming.” Sal took a sip of his wine.

Quinn had picked up Sal from the facility an hour earlier, and they’d run some errands before arriving at the restaurant. She’d actually eliminated one of the stops so they wouldn’t be late.

“But what if they give our table to someone else?”

It was a valid question, considering the crowd waiting by the door and the packed bar. They’d been lucky enough to walk in and be escorted to the only two remaining seats at the bar. It’d been perfect timing.

Sal chuckled. “They won’t.”

He said it with such confidence that she had a feeling she was missing something. That happened a lot.

Quinn swiveled in her seat to face Sal. Over the last month, they’d grown closer. He made a point of calling her every other day to check in, and on a few occasions when Rogue was working late, he’d come over to the house for dinner. It was an effortless dynamic between them.

Quinn grabbed her beer, took a sip, and licked her lips. “It’s too bad Dahlia and Oz couldn’t come.”

“She had some hen party to go to.”

Quinn snickered at the term. Sal was definitely showing his age. “It’s a bachelorette party for one of her friends.”

Sal snapped his fingers. “That’s it.”

Quinn took another sip of beer, eyeing Sal. “And Oz?”

Sal glanced around the room. “He’s not a huge fan of this place. Not quite up to his standards.”

Quinn widened her eyes. How high were his standards? This was most definitely the nicest place she’d been to in her life. Aside from the décor and the white linens, everyone was dressed as if they were attending a wedding rather than dinner.

She leaned close to Sal. “I’ve never eaten somewhere this fancy. Well, except for maybe Rogue’s house.”

Sal laughed. “Well, you’re in for a real treat when you see Oz’s.”

She had yet to be invited, but had no doubt it would be beautiful. Their interactions were very limited. In fact, she hadn’t seen him since the meeting in his club. There was a small part of her that wondered if his absence had something to do with her. It was impossible to get a read on him.

“How is he?”

Sal’s hand stilled on his glass and glanced at her, surprised by her inquiry. There was an odd stretch of silence. Then Sal smiled.

“He’s good.” Sal didn’t elaborate, and Quinn didn’t push. She sensed Oz’s privacy was important considering his role in the Underground.

“I’m looking forward to Sunday dinner at Trey and Dahlia’s.”

Sal’s gaze softened. “And we’re all looking forward to having you there.”

It was as if he was reading her mind, trying to put her mind at ease. Thanks, Sal.

Quinn looked down at her phone and immediately straightened, peering at the door once again. Rogue and Trey were now twenty-five minutes late. We’re definitely going to lose our table. She grabbed her phone and was about to call Rogue when she felt someone’s hand on her back. She glanced over her shoulder and immediately smiled.

“Not eating alone again, I hope,” Elle teased.

Quinn spun on her stool. “Hey.”

“I thought that was you.” Elle winked. “I recognized that gorgeous dress.”

Quinn snickered, glancing down at her dress. Given her new position working with Lil in the corporate office, she’d purchased a few new outfits at Elodie’s boutique. They were more than she’d ever spent on clothes, but they were beautiful. And? Supporting another woman made it all the more perfect.

“It’s my first time wearing it.”

Elle scanned her from head to toe. “It’s perfect on you.”

Quinn felt a flash of warmth spread over her face. She wasn’t accustomed to so many compliments.

“Are you waiting for a table?” Quinn asked.

“Just finishing up.” Elle hooked her thumb over her shoulder. “We were waiting on the check when I looked over at the bar and thought, ‘I think I know that girl,’ then I saw your beer among all the glasses of wine and knew it had to be you.”

Quinn chuckled. “I remembered my ID this time.”

Elle snickered, glancing to Quinn’s left. She realized she hadn’t made an introduction.

“Oh, Elle, this is Sal.”

Sal stood, took a step forward, and offered his hand. There was a brief hesitation, which seemed strange since Elle had been so friendly toward her. As if she caught herself, Elle blinked and chuckled softly before clasping Sal’s hand.

“I think I just had a food coma moment.” Elle’s smile brightened. “Sal, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Pleasure is mine, Elle. Beautiful name for a beautiful woman.”

“It’s actually Elodie,” Quinn piped in.

Sal raised his brows. “Another beautiful name. Very unique.”

Elle smiled, though there was something off in her tone. “It keeps me memorable.”

Maybe Quinn was reading into it, but there was a distinct tension coming from Elle, though she was masking it with her smile. When Quinn glanced at Sal, she noticed him slowly nod, eyeing Elle as if inspecting. Something in the air had shifted. It was strange to say the least.

“If you’ll excuse me, the boys just arrived.” Sal stood, smiled, and walked toward the front of the restaurant.

“I got the introduction but not the relation. Is Sal your father?”

“Oh no, he’s um…” How was she supposed to answer that? Technically, Sal wasn’t Rogue’s dad, but by all accounts, he played the role. “He’s kind of like a surrogate dad to my boyfriend.”

There was a long stretch of silence.

“How nice.” Elle cocked her brow. “Well, I should get back to my date before he thinks I abandoned him. It was great seeing you again, Quinn.”

“Yeah, you too. Maybe I’ll come by the boutique soon. Do some more shopping.”

“I hope you do.” Elle reached out and rubbed her hand over Quinn’s arm with a smile. “Enjoy your night.”

Elle turned and walked through the room. Quinn couldn’t help but watch her much like a few men in the room. There was something so warm and genuine about Elle that went beyond her obvious beauty. Just as she rounded the corner, at the very last second, Elle glanced over her shoulder toward the front of the restaurant, furrowed her brows, and gaze hardened. Quinn followed her stare. Elle could’ve been looking at anyone in the crowd, but she seemed focused on the three men closest to the door.

Rogue, Trey, and Sal.

****

Motherfucking Killcreek. The bane of my fucking existence.

As if it wasn’t bad enough, he’d entered into a deal with the MC. Now there was a conflict with the territory negotiations for the poker houses. It seemed they were dishing their own sense of payback for the Cleo stunt. Or maybe it was yet another layer of retribution against Quinn through him. Or maybe they’re just fucking degenerate, lowlife assholes.

Rogue had gone on an hour-long rant since they’d left the property. Greedy motherfuckers! He should’ve gotten it all out during the ride to the restaurant. He hadn’t. He ripped open the door, walked in, and immediately turned to Trey.

“Those motherfuckers are not getting a fucking penny more than the original offer.”

Trey sighed, glancing around the immediate area. Rogue was well aware of the crowd at the entrance. But unlike Trey, Rogue didn’t give a fuck. From the corner of his eye, he caught a couple staring. He immediately zoned in on the man with a harsh glare.

“Did I invite you into my fucking conversation?”

“Christ, Rogue,” Trey muttered.

The man’s mouth fell open, and his woman gripped his forearm. But they hadn’t moved. They probably weren’t expecting a confrontation in this type of establishment. Surprise, motherfucker.

When the couple didn’t answer or move, Rogue straightened and turned toward them.

“I suggest you walk the fuck away.”

The man cleared his throat. “We were—”

“Shut the fuck up and walk the fuck away unless you want me embarrassing you more in front of your woman.” Rogue took one step forward, and the man quickly turned, grabbed the woman’s hand, and disappeared into the crowd.

“Was that necessary?” Trey asked.

“Yeah, it was.” Rogue folded his arms, getting back to the original conversation. “There’s gotta be a way of going around Killcreek to make this happen.”

“There isn’t. It’s their territory, and while I understand you want to negotiate, we don’t have room for it.”

It wasn’t the answer Rogue wanted to hear. He clenched his fists and ground his teeth. “They should be fucking thanking me for wanting to bring any business their way in that godforsaken shithole they call home.”

Trey scowled, and his gaze shifted over Rogue’s shoulder. He lifted his chin, and Rogue turned to find Sal two feet away. The man didn’t look happy.

“Thirty minutes late? Do better, boys.”

Rogue snorted. “Take it up with Killcreek. It was those fuckers who showed up late.”

Sal narrowed his gaze. “I’m taking it up with you. Your beautiful lady has been on edge for the last half hour, concerned we’ll lose the table since it’s past the reservation.”

Trey grinned while Rogue scoffed. That would never happen. The reservation was a mere courtesy on Trey’s part. When they showed up, they always got seated immediately.

“Where is she?” Rogue asked, scanning the room.

“The bar.”

Rogue shifted his gaze down the line of guests at the bar. There was only one open seat and a gorgeous blonde next to it. When he locked eyes on her in that dress, he was tempted to cancel dinner and take her home. She’d shown it to him last week, but it was nothing compared to her wearing it. The dark green, strapped dress hugged her curves like it was made for her.

Quinn looked around the room with a soft smile before turning. He lifted his chin, and she lifted her hand, waving.

“Sal?” Trey said, and Rogue looked over at him.

Rogue’s mentor was staring off, his brows tightened, and a small smile emerged when he looked between him and Trey.

“You feeling alright?” Trey asked.

They’d all taken his accident very seriously and kept on top of his healing. All three men took turns going to his checkup appointments, knowing Sal wouldn’t divulge what he deemed unnecessary concerns. The man was stubborn. Rogue scanned his face. He was a little paler than usual, and he’d lost some weight since the accident. However, he was given a clean bill of health.

“What the fuck is wrong?”

Sal shook his head. “Save it for another time. Quinn’s waiting, and our table is ready.”

Trey furrowed his brows, sharing a look with Rogue. Something was off with Sal. Rogue was about to push for more when a woman slipped passed them with her eyes locked on Sal. He must have sensed it, because Sal turned, making direct eye contact.

Sal smiled and arched his brow. “Heading home?”

The woman stared for a brief second, then smiled. “I am.”

Rogue eyed the woman and the man behind her. Neither of them were familiar. Nor did either of them look comfortable.

“Well, enjoy the rest of your night, Elodie.” Sal paused and raised his brows. “You’re right, it is memorable.”

Elodie’s smile faltered, and her gaze narrowed for a brief second. Had Rogue not been watching the interaction so intently, he might’ve missed it. She seemed to have caught herself and smiled. A little too bright, which sent up red flags for Rogue. He glanced at Trey, who was watching the woman.

She chuckled and leaned past Rogue and Trey, only a foot away from Sal. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Caruso .”

Rogue watched the woman walk out the door and pass in front of the window. Just as she walked past the building, she looked over. Not at Rogue. Not at Trey. She was looking directly at Sal with no sign of earlier pleasantries.

What the fuck?

Rogue spun around to Sal, who was staring out the window with a small smile.

“Who is she?” Trey asked before Rogue had the chance.

Sal smirked with a shrug. “Come on, Quinn’s waiting.”

No.

“Hold up.” Rogue grabbed Sal’s shoulder and stepped in front of him. He pointed to the window. “Who the fuck was that?”

Sal sighed. “I don’t know who she is, but apparently, she knows who I am.”

“Sal, you know her fucking name, and she knows yours, so stop with the bullshit and tell us who she is.”

Sal sighed as if weighing his options of keeping it quiet or elaborating.

Not a fucking option, Sal.

“You either fucking tell me, or I’ll find out myself.”

“I met her tonight through Quinn. Apparently, she owns the boutique where Quinn bought her dress. She came up and made small talk. Seemed very friendly with Quinn, who introduced us. Then you two showed up, and I excused myself.”

Rogue shared a look with Trey. It made sense, and Rogue recalled Quinn mentioning the store owner, though the name wasn’t familiar. But it didn’t explain the obvious tension or Sal’s comment about her knowing who he was. Rogue wasn’t the only one confused by it.

“What did you mean by ‘she knows who I am?’” Trey asked.

“Quinn introduced me as Sal.” He paused, glancing out the window again, then looked between both men. “Quinn never mentioned my last name as Caruso. But it seems Elodie already knew.”

Rogue shared a look with Trey, knowing they were on the same page. He wouldn’t push the issue anymore tonight, but they’d be looking into Elodie.