Page 128 of Cartel King

“It’s Elodie. Goodbye, Salvatore.”

I hang up since neither Luis nor I care enough to play his game. I look at Ellie and find her already watching me.

“Why’d you invite him to use your first name?”

“He’s never used my last name out of deference. It was to put me in my place—at arm’s reach. He wanted me to know he’d see me as nothing more than an employee if ever I worked for him. If I’m going to be his wife’s equal, then he’s going to give me the respect that position comes with.”

“Not ‘if,’chiquita.When.”

It’s been three weeks since our conversation with Salvatore. My family’s watched Jesus’s in NYC since both of his children arrived. We haven’t struck yet, but we will. I’ll let Jesus think he’s gotten away with things for a while. He might not have succeeded, but I’m certain he doesn’t think he failed. I’ll wait for the complacency to set in. That’s when I’ll strike.

In the meantime, I’m having lunch with all three of Ellie’s sons today. She knows I’m in the city for a meeting. She just doesn’t know who with. Pablo’s with me, andTres J’sdiscreetly spread out throughout the restaurant. I spot Will easily. The brothers resemble each other strongly, and it reminds me of a photo I saw while Ellie and I packed up her house last week.

They rise when Pablo and I approach the table. Will and I shake hands first, the pecking order very real, before the others greet us.

“Thank you for coming down here. I would have been happy to go up to Boston.”

Three identical expressions tell me I’m not welcome up there. Not surprising.

We wait to start our conversation until after we order, making small talk until then. I survey them, and they’re watching me like I’m a snake they expect to attack at the slightest movement.

“If I’d seen any woman on a ladder looking like she was about to fall off, I would’ve offered my help. But something about your mother struck me the moment I saw her. When she looked down at me from that ladder, I expected her to refuse and order me off her property. I know she was tempted. Her common sense and pragmatism won out, and I respected that about her from the start. She’s easy to talk to, and I enjoyed her company immediately. It didn’t take long to realize we had enough in common to chat when we saw each other. Your mother isn’t an open book by any stretch. She’s a book tucked away in a chained and locked cabinet. But she let me in. I couldn’t help but fall in love with her.”

“She said you were bossy but sweet.” Hunt grins at me, and I know where he got that smile from.

Pablo clears his throat, his water going down the wrong pipe.

“Sweet?”

I elbow my nephew. “I can be when I want.”

“That’s what Mom says, too.” Steve’s more skeptical than his younger brother.

“I’ve met no woman like your mother. I don’t think there’s anyone else like her. I know you know how lucky you are. I can tell just from the way you look right now. I can tell from how suspicious you are of me. I don’t know everything about your parents, and I probably never will. It’s not my place to know. But I know our relationship will never be like theirs because our situation is far different. I can promise I’ll always love, respect, cherish, and protect your mother. She means more to me than anyone else in the world.”

“You know she’ll never say the same about you.” Will doesn’t say that to be hurtful, so it doesn’t bother me.

“And I shouldn’t be. I’m not a parent, so I don’t know first-hand the depth of her feelings toward all of you. I have no interest in coming between you and her. I’d like to be in your lives as much as you’ll let me, but I won’t push my way in.”

All three sit back, putting their knives and forks down in unison.

“I’m certain you know why I asked to see you.”

Three chins rise in the same mannerism Ellie’s given me so many times. I wonder if it’s natural or if it somehow imprinted on them from seeing her do it so much over the course of their lives.

“I’d like to marry your mom. May I?”

There’s a protracted silence while they assess me. Pablo’s discreetly observing the conversation while he eats. I’m certain he’s loving every minute of this. He knows how important this is to me and how anxious this prolonged standoff is making me. It’s an emotion I’m unused to.

I watch all three as they speak together.

“Yes.”

I didn’t see any of them signal it was time to answer. I think it’s intuitive. These are men trained, just like my nephews. Ones who can communicate silently because their lives depend upon it. They trust each other as brothers who’ll do anything to protect each other. Do anything to protect their family.

I swallow my relieved sigh.

“Thank you. I know this relationship puts you in a tough position, and that’s something that weighs heavily on Ellie. She knows I’ll never ask you to do anything but protect her. I don’t expect your loyalty or anything like that. You’re all too old to need a stepdad, but I hope we can be friends.”

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