Maude’s Kitchen stood at the end of the drive. Jasper’s aunt was the chef and served from a large pot of whatever she felt like cooking. The front was jammed with cars, and Remi and Cain shook hands with the guys hanging out near the door.
As soon as they stepped inside, Maude said, “I been waitin’ on you all morning.” Cain had been enjoying Maude’s cooking since she was a teenager and tagged along with Dalton when he came down to talk business with Jasper.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, sugar.” Cain kissed both her cheeks and laughed at the strength of Maude’s embrace. “Miss me?”
“I’m waitin’ for you to leave that skinny blonde and take me out of that hot kitchen.”
Cain hugged her again and kissed her forehead. “We’re trying for number three, so she won’t be skinny for long.”
“Just don’t forget me if you’re looking for a change. Now get your butt to that table and let me feed y’all.”
Remi reached the table first and accepted Jasper’s hug. Neither she nor Cain could be considered small, but standing next to Jasper, Cain felt like a child. He was tall and built like a solid wall of muscle, topped with a completely shaven head so shiny it looked polished.
“Tell your dad I’m pissed I haven’t seen him in awhile,” Jasper said to Remi.
“You know how he is when he’s got something going on. He did say there’s a pair of dice waiting for you at the club.”
As Jasper gave Cain a similar hug, Vinny Carlotti stepped out of the restroom. The four sat down and smiled at Maude when she carried out four bowls of chicken stew, ruffling Cain’s hair when she got to her.
“What’s on your mind, Cain?” Jasper asked. He emptied half a bottle of hot sauce into his portion.
“We’ve got a problem, but this time around it’s not just our problem.”
“Something I can help you with?” Jasper asked.
After a few bites of the spicy stew, Cain sipped her beer. “I’m sure Vinny’s already clued you in on some of the stuff he’s got in the works. He’s going into business on his own, with backing from Remi and me. That’ll help some, but he needs a network to deal with the competition. That’s not something Vincent, Remi, or I am equipped to provide.”
“Stephano’s let his business go to crap, and his father’s never took off,” Jasper said. “Some say they’re coming back and others say they’re not. But some young punks looking to make a name are stepping in.” He dipped a piece of French bread into the bowl and put it in his mouth. “Makes no difference to me. Been a lot of killing down here, though, because they’re not taking care of things.”
“It’s time to rein it in, Jasper, if you’re interested,” Remi said. “We all agree nobody can fully control this business, but it’ll destroy us all if we don’t try.”
“You want my boys working with you?” Jasper asked Vinny.
“It’s the only way to make sure you’re not answering to Rodolfo Luis in a few years.”
“What’s yours and Remi’s cut?” Jasper asked Cain.
Cain lifted her spoon and finished her meal. “I’m just here making introductions, my man. What you and Vinny work out is up to you two. Remi and my interest lie elsewhere. We did agree on a price for our unique form of protection, but that’s coming out of Vinny’s part.”
“You’re not interested in Juan Luis then?” Jasper laughed when Cain bent her spoon using just her thumb. “Thought so. Little shit was here earlier asking to make the same deal.”
Remi pushed her plate away and put her hand on Vinny’s forearm when he pulled his chair out. “Are we wasting our time?” she asked Jasper.
“I let him down the street because I was more interested in the company he’s keeping. First time that white boy been in this neighborhood, if I had to guess. Five-O was quiet, but he’s a guppy swimming by hisself in a pool of angry alligators.” Jasper stood and led them to his office upstairs.
“You let Curtis in here?” Cain asked.
“He was too busy making sure nobody got behind him to get a good look. Butt head who brought him had to figure I wasn’t doing business with someone who’s setting a trap for me.”
Cain almost cracked up at the thought of Anthony trying desperately to fit in. “What’d you tell Juan?”
“Told him to fuck off and the donkey he rode in on. We’ll work the particulars out, Vinny, so stick around. And, Cain, keep an eye on Emma. Our boy’s got a crush and he’s looking to prove his manhood. He mentioned your lady more than once.”
“Thanks, and remember I owe you one. Call if you need anything.”
Remi and Cain left after a stop in the kitchen. When they got to the car they had a message that Nunzio Luca wanted a sit-down.
“How long do you want to keep him waiting?” Remi asked.
“Couple of days should leave him in a mood to talk business. Right now I’ve got snakes to flush out of their holes.”
“Need help?”
“Are you sure? Mano sounded gun-shy this morning.”
“My brother is the cautious one, but he’ll learn you can’t always be too careful. Do that and it makes you seem weak. None of us can afford that.”
“What are your plans for tonight?”
When the car stopped in front of Remi’s building she put her hand on the door handle. It was the only complex in the downtown area built on the river. “I don’t have any yet,” she said, chuckling. “Will I need a date?”
“Have anyone in mind?”
“I’ll think about it. Where’d you want to go?”
Cain pointed at the van behind them. “Someplace fun where I can forget I’m an exotic pet worthy of observation.”
“Emma does tell tales of some impressive feather rustling when you do your mating dance.”
“Get out,” she said, teasing, “and we’ll meet you at eight. Feel like steak?”
“Eight at the Steak Knife. Better make sure you bring cash for some fun later. If you want to attract attention I have a good way to go about it that involves a set of dice.”
Cain nodded and waved as Remi got out and shut the door. As they started moving again Cain let out the air in her lungs, tired from the large lunch they’d had. “Lou, if anyone calls at the office asking about what we’re up to, give them what they want.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m not losing my mind.” Cain let her head fall back and closed her eyes. “I’m just helping Juan make his first move. If he’s going to make one, I want to see him coming.”
*
“Need a ride?” Shelby asked through the open window of her car.
“My office isn’t that far. I’ll walk since I wouldn’t want you to go out of your way.”
“How about a ten-minute truce?” She rested her head on the seat back and closed her eyes briefly. “Try to conjure up how you felt about me the last time you were in my house.”
Muriel opened the door and got in. Shelby turned in the opposite direction of her office. They headed back into the French Quarter and pulled over behind the French Market.
“What’s on your mind? Or did you have a sudden craving for Loretta’s Pralines?” Muriel asked. She turned in her seat and pressed her back into the door.
“I want to know what happened.” Shelby took Muriel’s hand. “I can’t stop thinking about you, and I can’t concentrate on anything.”
“You know what happened. Last night when you stepped into that restaurant should’ve been explanation enough, if I didn’t do a thorough job. Something happened, and with no proof that my family was involved, we were your first stop anyway.” She put her other hand over Shelby’s, squeezed, then pulled away. “Your world doesn’t fit into mine, and no matter how much we want to pretend, it never will.”
“You want to just give up?”
When Shelby’s lip trembled slightly Muriel couldn’t resist holding her. “I care too much about you to lie to you. Do you really want to share your life with someone you’d have to censor yourself around? All that’s left is the physical aspect, and you aren’t that kind of girl.”