“Ace set you up, didn’t he?”
“Yes. He requested my services since we were here in town. Deal with a traitor, but he knows I’ll do it my way.”
“No wonder Caesar was so short with us all this past week,” Dominic said, leaning back in his seat. One arm went above the backrest, his fingers touching my shoulder.
“Probably so.”
“What do you we got to do, then?”
“Play along. You’re my buddy and his girl,” Zevon winked at me. “Don’t worry princess, I’ll keep his eyes on me.”
I squinted my eyes at Zevon, trying to figure him out. He seemed way too calm when my blood was twisting in my veins. “This feels wrong.”
Zevon cocked his head at me, searching for something. When he seemed to find it, he nodded and scooted out of the booth.
“Where are you going?” I asked, panicking.
“Dealing with thewrongin here.”
“What does he mean by that?” I asked, my eyes following him as he made his way to someone at the bar.
“Zevon’s not the type to know when something isn’t right in a situation. It’s gotten him into trouble before. If I told him this wasn’t right, he’d flat out ignore me. That’s why I hadn’t said anything. But if you don’t feel safe, then something is definitely up. Your words and instinct are stronger than even mine.”
“I don’t think I understand.”
“This café is used for many things. Mostly for making deals under the table. A lot of what goes on in here is never spoken about anywhere else outside these walls.”
Well, that certainly explained why I felt so on edge here.
“A lot of drug deals go on outside, but in here, this is where the details are laid out. Contracts are made up between seller and dealer. Weapons are sold to people who shouldn’t have a gun. Services are trades. Among a lot of other stuff.”
Did they think I’d be safe here? I was sure Alan had a price on my head by now, since someone had already tried to end it.
“There is a no killing or drawing weapons in this café. Whoever does can be sure to meet their end instantly. So, despite the dealings, you’re safe here. For the most part.”
“That doesn’t help make any of this right. Or me to feel better.”
“Good, because it shouldn’t. There are a number of these places all over. Most are a bit cleaner and have a better atmosphere, but none of it is right. Neither one of us has any say over any of it, though. I try to stay away from these places. Zevon, not so much.”
“He sells drugs.”
“Yes. His best buyers are in places like these.”
“I don’t like it.”
“Sorry to tell you, hon. You’re going to have to get used to it. It’s who we are. This family…it’s filled with a lot of shit you aren’t gonna like.”
I was afraid of that.
Zevon came strolling back right as the door opened once more. Harvey Banks glanced around the place with a hard look before spotting me. He stopped and did a double take for a moment when he saw who sat beside me.
“Told the lovely waitress that we didn’t need anything to be ordered,” Zevon said, scooting all the way into the booth.
“Afternoon, Scarlett. Men,” Harvey said, sliding into the booth and setting a briefcase on the table. “Glad to see you well, Miss.” He pushed his reading glasses back up his nose. The first time I’d seen this man, I hadn’t taken the time to really pay attention to what he looked like. Now, I could see he was just as uncomfortable being here as I was.
“Can we make this fast?” Dominic asked, his eyes bouncing from the man to around the room.
“Sure thing,” Harvey said, opening the briefcase and pulling out a folder of papers. “Here is the bank card for you with the amount Lisa left you. Mr. Vicci already had an account set up for you, so I transferred the money to that.”
