“I’ll try to keep that in mind, but bad habits are the worst to break.” Remi led her to the sofa in the office and offered her a seat while she put the cigar out. “The fact you’re here is a good sign you’ll renew your contract.”
“You had doubts about that?”
“After dealing with people in this business, I’m learning anything’s possible.”
“I want this part, so no worries from this talent. Bob might not be so easy on you, but I’m going to enjoy having you as one of my bosses.”
“It’s good to know someone likes me. I’ve made more enemies in the last week than I have since I started working for my father, and that’s going some. Let me walk you to the conference room and get you squared away on the paperwork, and we can take off early.” Remi kissed her forehead, then ran her thumb over Dallas’s lips. “Can I interest you in a quiet evening at home with me?”
“Best offer I’ve had all day.”
When Remi led Dallas into the conference room, all the occupants looked up. Dallas had never known Bob to appear so full of hatred, but it oozed off him as he watched Remi pull out a chair for her.
“Since you’re talking about her, I thought I’d let her come listen in.”
Bob forced a smile and held his hand out. “Hi, Remi, nice to see you again. I’m looking forward to working with you on the upcoming project.”
“We’re looking forward to having Dallas on this project,” Remi said.
He let his hand fall since Remi never accepted it. “I also wanted to apologize for any misunderstandings between us. This is a generous offer you’ve proposed for Dallas, and I don’t want any of my attempts at humor to stand in our way.”
“If you’ve been trying to be funny, your act needs work. Guys, take care of the paperwork and call me if you need anything. Once you’ve gone through all the fine points, we’ll arrange to have the contract delivered to Dallas for her signature, but unless you need us we’re taking the rest of the day off.” Remi held her hand out for Dallas, who readily accepted it.
“Self-righteous bitch,” Bob hissed under his breath, though loud enough for Dwayne and Steve to hear him.
“If you’d like any contract signed with this studio in the near future, you’ll keep your opinions to yourself. Do I make myself clear, Mr. Bennett?” Steve asked from his side of the table.
“Crystal.” Bob enunciated the word clearly, making it obvious how he felt about Remi. “As long as Remi understands that anything to do with Dallas comes through me.”
“I’m sure she has Dallas’s best interests at heart,” Steve said. “Maybe that’s something you can learn from her.”
“Is advice part of the contract?”
Steve shook his head and twirled his pen through his fingers.
“Then drop it. It’s not like you and your boss are lily white.”
“That might be true, but we’re worlds apart from you, Dickey.” Dwayne pushed the contract back in front of Bob and pointed to where they’d left off. “Do you have any questions so far?”
“How do we lose the big ape following Dallas around? She said she doesn’t like it, and I don’t think it’s necessary.”
“The studio hired him and he’s a reality, so learn to live with it,” Dwayne said. “Think of it this way. Dallas will have to get rid of you before she gets rid of Emil.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“There’s your answer then,” Steve said. “Everyone’s staying put for now.”
Chapter Forty
Muriel had been watching the monitors they had trained on the building where the feds were housed. She wasn’t surprised that Shelby came out right after Cain, but she was surprised that she still missed Shelby. “Learn anything at the café?”
“So much I could take the rest of the day off and still feel like I accomplished something,” Cain said in a joking tone. “But right now we need to get to the bat cave and go over a few things.”
“What, no hints?”
“Better yet, I’ll give you the whole story, but first, Lou.” She glanced back at him.
“Name it, boss.”
“I need Katlin in here.” They stepped into Cain’s office and she pointed Muriel into a chair. “Before she gets here, are you sure you want to be included? I won’t stop you from doing something you need to, but once you cross the line you can’t turn back.”
“I want to help, and I know what that means.”
“When we’re done, we can go back to the way things were, but in here,” she tapped over her heart, “and up here,” she tapped the side of her head, “you won’t be able to undo it.”
“I can handle it.”
“I’ve got to worry—you’re my family.”
“Boss,” Katlin said from the door.
“We’re done, come in,” Muriel said.
Cain nodded and told them what she’d just learned from Shelby. “I need a few things from you all. Katlin, I want one of Rodolfo’s guys that was outside the day we went to the Steak Knife, the one with a ponytail.”
“You want to talk to this clown?”
“I’m interested in a long, private conversation.”
“We’ll go tonight and take a look. If you’re in for the night, I’ll take Lou with me and maybe he’ll recognize him.” Katlin leaned her hip against the side of Cain’s desk, and Muriel saw how she didn’t hesitate to follow Cain’s orders.
“Muriel,” Cain said next. “I’m going to have some of the guys work with you.”
“I can handle it myself.”
“In law school did they teach you how to break into someone’s house and not have them notice you’ve been there?”
“Breaking and entering? Since when are we involved in petty crime?”
“Think of it this way,” Cain said, not sounding upset with Muriel’s question. “If we get caught, it’ll be much easier to defend me against that than tax evasion and bootlegging.”
“Who are we robbing and how do I fit in?”
“Anthony Curtis—”
“Agent Anthony Curtis.” Muriel was shocked that Cain would even consider such a move.
“Is it time for you to go up to your office?” Cain asked, not quite slamming her hand down, but getting Muriel’s attention.
“I’m not trying to piss you off, just keep you out of trouble. Don’t you think they’re waiting for you to go after Curtis?”
“I’m always thinking, and if something goes wrong, don’t worry. It’ll be my ass in the vise, not yours.”
The set of Cain’s mouth was proof that Muriel had pushed too far and shouldn’t have initiated this conversation with Katlin and Lou in the room, but she didn’t let up. “Don’t you think I know that? That night in the warehouse you were supposed to be the only one in the line of fire—Emma was a surprise. And look at what that almost cost us. If you want this family to survive intact, get used to the idea of me taking care of you.”
“I appreciate that, but if you want to get involved in all the business, remember there’s only one person in charge. And you have to trust I know what I’m doing.” Cain glanced up at Katlin. “Since what I’m asking is new to you, I’ll put Katlin with you. I want someone in Curtis’s house, but don’t go near him. I need information, not the satisfaction of driving his nose into his brain.”
Muriel locked eyes with Cain but realized she couldn’t win. “What do you need?” she asked as her way of conceding.
After Cain started her list, Muriel realized she would have to go because it was the only way she could be sure they’d get what Cain needed. She knew without any explanation why Cain was asking and what she planned to do with the information.
“Cain.” Cain’s assistant came over the intercom. “I hate to bother you, but Remi Jatibon’s on the phone.”
“Any questions?” Cain asked the group in her office. She didn’t pick up until she was alone. “Remi, where are you?”
“I’m helping Dallas gather a few things from her place. She’s staying with me for several days since she’s got a lot going on, including starting her contract negotiations today. It reminded me why I asked you for help with Bob.”