24. Jonah

24

JONAH

My heart beats a hundred miles and hour as me and Manny speed across town to get to Muso’s.

Pipes said there was an incident with Mateo Judice and the fucking Arizona mob was after Lace. I’m so mad I could hit something. It’s my job to protect Lace. Cash made it mine.

I went to watch Eli at the school assembly and then stopped in at the club before taking over Pipe’s and Gigg’s shift. Now the fucking mob shows up? What the hell?

When we park, I shove my helmet under the seat. “Did you know anythin’ about Lace and the goddamn mafia?” I point at Manny.

He shakes his head. “Nope, not a thing. She did brush over why she was waiting tables instead of working as an accountant, and I thought it was fishy at the time but didn’t want to pry.”

“Looks like she’s been keepin’ secrets,” I mutter. We head to the entrance and the closed sign is on the door. Nobody is in the cafe except Pipes, Hustler, Giggs, and two huge looking bodyguards with the man, I assume, is the mafia don. Good, he’s still fucking here. If he laid one finger on Lace, he’s a dead man.

I rap on the door and Giggs comes to open it. Two other men in suits I don’t recognize stand by the door. Busting through, I nearly take Giggs out as Hustler, and the guy who must be Mateo, argue. I search around for Lace, but I don’t see her. I don’t care that the two behind me have their guns drawn and this looks like it could get pretty ugly fast.

“Where is she?” I hear Manny before I can get the words out.

Giggs thumbs toward the kitchen. “In the back with Audrina.”

Manny looks at me. “Go check on her.” I give him a chin lift.

Mateo is a tall, lean, slick looking fucker who looks more like a pen pusher than a mafia don. He’s younger than I thought, maybe mid thirties, wearing an expensive looking suit.

“What’s goin’ on?” I bark.

Hustler doesn’t look happy, and the two goons by the door look like they’re ready to pounce.

“Cash is on his way with Ryder and Riot,” Pipes whispers out the side of his mouth.

“Well, it seems our little baby doll has caused quite an upset.” Mateo tugs on the lapels of his suit jacket like the smug son of a bitch that he is. Baby doll?

“Start talkin!” I grunt.

“Looks like the cavalry have certainly arrived.” He smirks. “Like I was just explaining to Hustler over here, I came to question Lace about why she left in such a hurry from my casino and shortly thereafter, twenty million dollars just happened to disappear.”

I point at him. “Leave Lace out of this, she didn’t do anything. A simple phone call would have cleared this up. I’m sure you’re not really serious in thinkin’ she’d steal twenty million dollars and come back to New Orleans?”

“And I told Mr. Judice over here that he needs to leave before things get really ugly.” Hustler looks like he’s ready to smack some heads together, and when I see one of the goons with a bloody nose, I wonder if he’s already had a swing. I mean, I know Hustler is old and all, but Priest said his fights in prison were legendary. What he went to prison for, I don’t know. The man is almost twice my age, but I wouldn’t pick a fight with him.

“While my Underboss is currently indisposed, I’m afraid that isn’t possible.” He gestures over to the men by the door. “I also have plenty more men at my disposal if needed, though I’m sure it won’t come to that. In a show of good faith, I came to talk to Lace because, while I had my suspicions, all the evidence led to her and I want to know why. If someone set her up, I need to find out who it was.”

“She told you, she didn’t do it,” Hustler maintains. “I hardly think a twenty-five-year-old would steal that much money and be working in a coffee shop, or come back to New Orleans like Bandit said.”

“Of course you’re her family, you’re gonna say that.” Mateo doesn’t seem one bit fazed. “But someone has my money, and they did a pretty good job of hiding it and tryin’ to pin it on her.”

Manny comes back out of the kitchen and for the first time in all the time I’ve known him, he looks mad.

“Is she okay?” I demand.

His eyes meet mine, and he gives me a nod. “She’s fine. She’s just shaken up.”

Hustler eyes the two of us, but doesn’t say anything. Shit. Trust him to be so observant.

I turn back to the suit. “Just so you’re aware, the NOLA Rebels own this town, and most of them are on their way.” I glance over his shoulder. “What I wanna know is why you barely have any men here. Does the don of wherever the fuck you’re from usually travel with so little security?”

Mateo snickers. “Arizona. I’ve done some, uh, rearranging in the family, shall we say? It was a big fucking mess. I took out the trash, and I’m restructuring. Hence why I’m here; my Capo and soldiers couldn’t be trusted. You know the old saying where if you have a job to do, do it yourself? Or wipe everyone out and then start again.”

He’s being awfully cavalier, and for a moment I think he may have lost his mind.

Hustler points at him. “You know the New Orleans mafia were run out of town. It’s Irish territory now,” he says. “Not like you wanna be overstayin’ your welcome, if you get my drift.”

We hear the sound of straight pipes in the distance, and this Mateo fuckface has to know his time is up. Mafia don or not, he’s nobody in this town.

“Not going anywhere until I talk to Lace. She’s the only one who can help me.” He folds his arms over his chest. While he’s not exactly small, he knows he’s outmatched, and that tells me how desperate he must be.

“We’ll move it to the clubhouse,” Hustler says. “No business is gonna happen here, and I’ve got a coffee shop to run. Last thing we want is police arrivin’ and findin’ all of us here.”

“You expect me to walk right into the lion’s den?” Mateo smirks.

I’ll take my hat off to Hustler, he doesn’t bat an eye. “Don’t see how you’ve got much choice. Lace is a part of this club, and we’re not letting her go anywhere with you, or be questioned without the club present.”

He nods slowly. “I like this structure you have going on. It’s so rare to find loyalty these days. Maybe I need to shift operations down to New Orleans?” He gets more than one pointed look before he makes prayer hands. “I’m kidding. But what I do need are men like you who fight for not only the women in their club, but each other. Looks like my trip wasn’t in vain after all.”

“Don’t be so sure,” Manny cuts in. “Terrorizing Lace wasn’t the smartest thing to do.”

“Why do you think I came here, instead of our usual modus operandi?” He draws out the last couple of words. “I could’ve kidnapped her off the street when she arrived at work, or last weekend when she was with the two of you. If I wanted her dead, she would be.”

My eyes go wide. I think quickly, trying to deflect. “We had a lot to celebrate.” I don’t want to tell him that Lace is protected and why, because frankly, what goes on at our clubhouse is none of his goddamn business. He’s got a lot of balls, I’ll give him that.

I can feel Manny’s eyes on me, and I know he’s thinking the same thing that I am; what the fuck is going on?

The whole thing is making me uneasy, and I’m scratching my head trying to think of why Lace wouldn’t tell us something like this. The fucking mob?

I grind my teeth, trying hard not to see red. She put herself in immediate danger and said nothing.

We turn at the kerfuffle in the doorway. Four more men in dark suits arrive behind Cash, Ryder, Riot, Jett, Rock, Harlem, Tag, Bronco, Hawk and Nevada. Cash looks furious as our eyes meet through the glass.

“This oughta be good,” Hustler mumbles, moving over towards the door. The goons don’t try to stop him, but the two by the door have their guns drawn. Cash is already on top of it, following suit as Hustler raises both hands toward Cash when the door opens. “We’re on top of it. No need for things to get ugly, boss.”

“What the fuck is goin’ on?” He looks between all of us waiting for an answer, Riot pushing past everyone as he points at me.

“Where is Lace?”

I thumb behind me. “In the kitchen with Audrina and the other staff.”

“My mom’s back there?” Nevada strides across the cafe, not waiting for an answer.

“She’s good,” Hustler calls after him as he takes off.

Riot moves closer, pulling me by the lapels of my cut. “You were supposed to be lookin’ out for her, asshole! The fuckin’ mob, you didn’t see them comin’?”

“I didn’t know she was involved with the mob,” I grit back. “And she had a prospect on her. Pipes arrived just after she got to work.” It feels lame even saying it.

He turns to glare at Pipes. “Clearly you were too fuckin’ late if he got into the cafe and slid into a booth with my fuckin’ sister!” His bellow is so loud it can probably be heard at the other end of New Orleans, but nobody moves.

“This isn’t his fault,” I say. “I should’ve been here. It’s not on him.”

Riot pulls his arm back and punches me in the face. I take the brunt as I see Tag and Harlem move towards us in my periphery, but it’s Manny who steps in front, pushing Riot back as he stumbles.

“What the fuck?” Riot balks.

“Don’t.” Manny holds him away with both hands planted on his shoulders, keeping him off me. “Let’s just talk about this rationally before anyone else gets hurt.”

“You think because you’ve got a patch on you that makes you some kind of fuckin’ hero?” Riot barks.

Manny shakes his head. “No, but it’s a cheap shot and you know it.”

“Everyone calm the fuck down!” Cash roars. “I want to know exactly what the fuck is goin’ on and why Lace is caught up in all of this.” He turns to look at Mateo. “Now!”

“We need to move outta here sooner rather than later,” Hustler’s voice is firm but low. “Had customers in here when shit went down, surprised the cops are not already here. He’s agreed to meet at the clubhouse, right, Mr. Judice?”

All eyes are on Mateo as my fingers itch to see Lace. Like an apparition, she comes out of the kitchen door, staying behind the counter.

“I’ll help you with anything you want,” Lace says. “Just don’t bring the club into this.”

Riot turns, pointing at her. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you were working for the mob!”

Her mouth opens, and she pales a little. I want to run over there and stand in front of her, protecting her from anyone who’s shouting, even her own brother. She looks terrified. All guns are drawn, and I know this won’t do well with her anxiety.

“Stop it,” Manny says again, releasing Riot. “Raising your voice at Lace won’t help matters. I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation.”

Riot does a double take. “Who the fuck are you to tell me how I can and can’t talk to my own sister?”

I see Lace cringe and fuck it, I push past Manny and Riot and move toward her. “You okay?”

She looks up at me, nodding. “I’m sorry.”

“Why are you saying sorry to him?” Riot stomps over and I brace myself. My face stings, but the bastard ain’t gonna get another punch in, that much is for sure. Manny follows behind and Riot is so mad he looks like he’s gonna explode.

“We’re friends,” Manny says. “And sometimes when your sibling is in trouble, you fly a little off the handle, so we’re here to mediate and make sure club business isn’t spread across the rest of the French Quarter.”

“Could’ve fooled me.” Riot shakes his head. “Lace, I need to talk to you. Alone.”

Cash says something to Mateo, but I can’t work out what, because they’re too far away.

“Anything you say to me you can say in front of them,” Lace says, her spine straightening. “We’ve nothing to hide.”

Riot narrows his eyes, then points at me. “You fuckin’ him?” He turns to me, eyes blazing. “Are you really messin’ with my sister?”

Manny steps between us before Riot can hit me again and I hear Harlem curse as he moves toward us. He’s a lot bigger than Manny, and forms more of a brick wall between me and Riot.

“Just calm the fuck down, Riot,” Harlem pleads. “None of this is gonna get solved with you throwin’ your weight around. Like Hustler said, we need to leave before the cops arrive.”

“He was supposed to protect her, not slide into her bed like she’s some sweet butt.” Riot tries to reach me again, but I shove him in the shoulder.

“Don’t ever call her that! It’s not like that,” I grit, ready to punch him. “We… I… the three of us didn’t mean it to happen.”

Oh, fuck. The words are out before I can stop them.

“ The three of us ?” Riot doesn’t miss that. He’s the sharpest tool in the shed. “What the fuck are you talkin’ about?”

“Me, Manny and Bandit,” Lace whispers. “We may as well get it all out on the table. We’ve been… um, dating each other.”

Riot’s eyes go wide and he balks, temporarily stunned. “I don’t fuckin’ believe this.”

“Holy shit,” I hear someone mutter behind us, Tag maybe, but I can’t be sure. There’s too much going on. At least Cash and Mateo aren’t holding guns at each other’s heads.

“Is this why you wanted Lace movin’ into your condo?” Riot shoves at Manny. “To get her into your bed as well as his!”

“Would you stop yelling!” Lace shouts. “I’m trying to have a conversion and explain, but you just want to scream over the top of everyone and not let me speak. I was seeing Bandit first, and then things with Manny kinda just… happened. We didn’t plan it, and no, Manny didn’t get me to move in just to get into my panties. He has a lot more substance than that.”

“You’re seein’ both of them?” Riot screws his nose up. “For real, Lace?”

“Leave her alone,” Manny interjects. “She’s clearly upset and doesn’t need you barking at her.”

“Wait, are you and Bandit…” He points to me and Manny. Somehow, that’s even worse news.

“No,” Manny says at the same time I say, “Yes.” I appreciate that Manny is trying to protect my honor or whatever, but frankly, I’m done with lies and hiding. I’m so fuckin’ done.

“Take it easy,” Harlem warns. “Just calm the fuck down or none of us will be gettin’ outta here alive.”

“I’m not hearin’ this.” Riot is shaking his head. “I’m not, it’s not happenin’.”

“Now probably isn’t the time to bring all this shit up,” I mutter. They’ll hear soon enough, but I don’t want it broadcast across the cafe. “But I’m bi, okay. It’s all very recent, and I’m still workin’ my way through shit.”

Riot stares at me like I have two heads. “Since when are you bi? And into… Manny ?”

“Hey, what’s wrong with me?” Manny looks positively put out. It would be funny save for the dilemma unfolding in front of us.

“I meant as well as my sister, asshole,” Riot barks. He turns to Lace. “We’ll talk about this later, but this is not happenin’.”

“No, we won’t.” Lace stands her ground. “I love you, Myles. I’ll always love you, but I’m a grown woman now, and I can make my own decisions. I love them, both of them. What we have is special, and I don’t care what you or anyone else thinks.”

I stare at her, dumbfounded by her words. She loves us?

“What the fuck?” Riot pinches the bridge of his nose. I can’t tell if he’s gonna pull the gun out and shoot us, so when Tag pushes between us, I let him. “Lace, what the hell has gotten into you?”

“So not ready for this conversation,” Tag grunts. “And we’ve got bigger fish to fuckin’ fry than workin’ out what sexcapades the three of you have been up to.”

Harlem cocks a brow. “Sexcapades? Have you been watchin’ Jersey Shore repeats again, brother?”

Tag flips him the bird.

“Need to get movin’,” Cash calls out. “Sort out the family drama later. Club business takes precedence over whatever the fuck is goin’ on over there. Mateo has agreed to come to the clubhouse so we can talk there.”

Riot gives Manny and me filthy looks, and I know this is far from over. He stomps past us toward Cash. Tag and Harlem follow behind. I don’t miss the confused look Harlem gives me.

I touch Lace on the arm and whisper. “You love both of us?” The words somehow feel like they’re lodged in the back of my throat.

She looks down at her feet. “You caught that, huh?”

I push her chin up with my two fingers so her eyes meet mine. “I think I heard it right.”

“What if I did?”

Manny looks between us. “Then I’d be the happiest man alive.” Trust Manny to beam like the sun shines from his asshole.

She bites her bottom lip. “So you’re not mad at me?”

“Didn’t say that,” I say. “We gotta discuss some boundaries later, but for now, we need to get to the clubhouse.”

“Yeah, I think Riot is gonna blow a gasket if we have any more declarations right now,” Manny agrees.

A smile forms on her delicate face, then she sobers. “He’s going to kill us.”

Strangely, I’m not even worried about the words that came out of my mouth. I didn’t expect that I’d be telling Riot, Harlem, and anyone else who heard that I’m bisexual today, but I guess the cat’s gotta be let out of the bag at some stage.

“We’ll deal with that later.” My voice is low so the others can’t hear. “He won’t kill you, us maybe, but not you.”

“This isn’t funny,” she whisper-shouts.

“Wait, you’re mad at us yet you didn’t tell us you worked for the mob?” Manny looks incredulous.

Warmth spreads through me and I know that whatever happens from here on in, we’ll be able to get through it, but only if Lace decides to be perfectly honest with the both of us.