Fuck. I knew she had been crying. I didn’t know she’d been sick.
“It had to be done,” I tell him.
“There a reason you’re going after pageant judges?” he asks.
I tilt my head to the side. He doesn’t know. “There is always a reason I do anything.” I lower myself down onto one of the chairs across from him.
“Want to share that reason?”
“It’s not mine to share.” No fucking way am I telling anyone Evie’s business. My men have educated guesses. They know better than to question why I’m doing something, though.
“This whole thing with Evie, it’s not going to end up with her disappearing, is it?” Louie presses.
“You know, I don’t recall you being her father,” I retort. “Or mine.”
“She’s my wife’s best friend. If anything happensto her, it would make my wife extremely upset. I won’t allow that to happen,” Louie says.
“Good. Remember that while she’s choosing to stay at your house and not mine,” I grunt.
Louie, the fucking smart-ass that he is, smirks. “I never thought I’d see the day a woman could resist your charms, E.”
“Fuck off. She just wants to spend time with her friends. She lost her shop. She needs the distraction,” I mutter.
“Sure, that’s it.” He laughs.
“Speaking of stores, I want you to offer her a spot at Royal’s mall. I want the rent to be controlled and half of what the going rate is,” I tell him.
“And why would I do that?” Louie asks.
“Because if you don’t, I’ll make sure no one wants to rent a space in your mall,” I threaten.
“You do know we are friends, right? You don’t threaten your friends, E.”
“You are my oldest friend, Louie, but don’t mistake friendship for weakness. Make it happen for her. She needs this. I also prefer her here, where you and the guys can keep an eye on her when I can’t.”
Louie quirks a brow at me. “You planning on moving back stateside?”
“No, but I can’t take her home yet. I need to make sure shit is sorted outthere first.”
“I’ll draw up a lease. I’ll get Charlotte to make it seem like her idea. She’d love to have Evie around more permanently.”
“Her and me both,” I grunt. I down the rest of the contents in my glass before I slam it on the table. “We have another drop coming up in two weeks.”
“I’m aware,” Louie says.
“Good, make sure you’re there for it. I won’t be collecting my own shit again,” I tell him.
“Wouldn’t miss it,” he says with a smile. “Pleasure doing business with you, E.”
“Always.” I push to my feet and walk towards the door.
“Where are you going?” Louie asks.
“To say goodbye to my girl and then go visit my niece,” I tell him.
“You’re going to Carlo’s? I’ll come with you.”
“Why?”
