Page 23 of Stormy Knight

“We have things to discuss. Things that are long over do. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“You make it sound like there’s some big secret lingering between the three of us.”

Monroe walked in, dusting his clothes off. “I had no idea making pancakes was so messy.”

“Is that why you wanted me in the kitchen? To cook breakfast?”

“We hoped you’d lend a hand.”

Jackson chuckled. “No, we were hoping he’d lend two hands.” Watching Reeves carefully, he knew something was bothering him and had been since his Dallas trip.

“You didn’t spend a lot of time in Dallas on this last trip. And we haven’t had time to talk about it.”

Reeves stared at his hands thinking about how once upon a time he used them to write essays for his college classes. Now, when he looked at them, all he saw was blood. “Serrano is a clown. He had me meet him at a damn mob museum.”

“That’s different and maybe interesting,” Monroe said taking a seat near the windows where he could keep an eye on the workmen as they worked.

“Some of the same pictures we have of dad and the other bosses were on display. Lifesize.”

“We might have to go to Dallas and tour this museum,” Jackson joked as he watched Reeves intently staring at his hands. God only knew the amount of blood Reeves had spilled.

Knowing his brothers’ moods, Jackson got down to business so he could go give his wife a break with their daughter. “Tell us what happened with Mario.”

“He talked, and I listened. For fuck’s sake, there we were at the museum sitting in a speakeasy. Reeves used air quotes. And the ass talks about running their product through our territory. There’s surveillance everywhere recording us. I finally laughed, telling him I loved the way he spun a story and that as always it was nice catching up. Then I left.”

Monroe was shocked, laughing at how ridiculous the situation was. “Who does he think he is? John Gotti.”

“That’s not notorious enough for Mario Serrano. He thinks he’s Al Capone.”

“So, you got nowhere with him?”

“No. And I won’t.”

“But that isn’t all of it.”

“What do you mean?”

“He tried to have me taken out,” holding up his hands to stop his brothers from interrupting, Reeves finished speaking, “I went back to find him, but he was already gone.”

“What do you suggest we do?”

“I think it’s time to have a sit down with the families. All the families that fall under the Garduna. It’s my opinion if we don’t call out the Serranos other families will try us.”

“Let’s set it up. Two weeks at La Familia.” Jackson didn’t wait for a response; he got up and headed to find his wife.

When his brothers left him, Reeves looked around, wondering how they had figured out he was in their mother’s library. He thought he’d found a place where he could be alone. Glancing around the quiet room, he realized Stormy could use the small library as a makeshift office. Whiskey used the main library as hers, kicking them out whenever she had time to work on her manuscripts.

Shoving to his feet Reeves stepped over to the desk and took a seat behind it. His left hand felt along the underneath of the desk’s ledge until he felt the hidden latch and tugged it forward. Out popped a small slender drawer that unless you knew it was there, you’d never find it. Inside lay some of his mother’s handwritten notes, letters she had been writing, even a few cards yellow from age lay amongst the papers.

The smell of her perfume still lingered on some of them, bringing back memories of his childhood. As much as he wanted to sit there and ponder over what was, he had things to do.

“Reeves.”

Looking over, Reeves saw Jackson standing right inside the doorway. “Was there something else, Jackson?”

Jackson took a few steps inside the room. “Mom would be proud of the man you turned into. She would also want you happy.” Staring at his brother, he needed his brother to know no matter what he would support him. “If being the consigliere is becoming too much, we’d understand if you want to step down.”

Closing the small drawer, Reeves pushed back from the desk. Standing up, he stepped towards Jackson and for the first time in years he told his brother the truth. “I think sometimes I made a mistake not staying in school.”

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