Page 78 of Mimosa

It took him a while, but he got in the seat and Sonny was on the phone with Taran. “Is everything set?”

“It’s set. The Golden PD is allowing us access, though they weren’t thrilled, but a federal judge signing off on the search, well, that held water.”

“Good. And the doc?”

“I’ll pin you the coordinates. Get there soon, Sonny, and then get yourself to the pub. Cosmo and the others have it set up for you.”

“I don’t want to involve them!”

“Too late. They’re involved, and they’re right. We don’t know who all is in with this cartel. It’s safer to stay away from all things law enforcement.”

“Fine. Whatever,” he said as he hung up the phone. Sure, he would be close to Mims, but he didn’t want to put them in danger, but it was too late for that. Just showing up at the barbeque with Mims had put a target on his back.

As soon as he got to the doctor’s office, he pulled into the alley in back and called Taran to have them open the door for him to get Chad inside. Once Chad was in good hands, Sonny got back in the van and drove it to a residential neighborhood, parked it and started walking while he called a ride share.

Chapter Twenty-One

Sonnyshowedupjustbefore eight that night. Mims flew into his arms, and Sonny hugged him, though Mims felt his stiff body. “What happened?”

“What I said. I’m out.”

Mims got into gear. There were no patrons except for Mick and his buddy, Joe, so Mims pulled him through to the back and got Haze on the phone. “Get everyone that’s home and get them to the basement.”

“Sure. Be right there.”

Mims pulled him along to the basement stairs and the whole way down, Sonny asked, “If they come looking, Mims, hiding me in some closet isn’t going to work.”

“Not a closet, Sonny. Trust me, will ya?”

“I trust you, Mims, but this is serious shit.”

Mims wanted to punch him, but there wasn’t time for that.

In the basement, Mims pulled him into the workout room. It was actually the main part of the basement, but Goldie and Cosmo had filled it with workout machines and weights. He pointed to the right, through the open archway, “If you ever needa drink, that is the storage for the bar. There are pretzels and stuff too.”

Sonny looked confused. “Okay…why do I need to know that?”

Mims smiled and let go of his hand, walking to the bookcase. “There are a lot of books in here too, if you are in the mood to read.”

“Nice. Same question, though. Why do I need to know that?”

Mims moved the book, The Fall of the House of Usher from the case and watched Sonny’s face as the case swung open to reveal the hidden room.

He went from annoyed to laughing in the space of a second. “What the hell?”

“You know we’re a criminal enterprise. We have to do that somewhere.”

He walked into the secret room and laughed more. “Well, I’ll be damned.”

Mims followed him and explained, “And this isn’t in the plans for the place. No permit, either, Officer.”

“I’ll cite you all later. This is fucking amazing.”

“But long term, it will get old. Cabin fever and all that, but we’re working on the rest.”

“What is the rest?”

“That, you’ll have to wait and see,” he said as he went to Sonny and kissed him. “It’s about time you let someone take care of you.”

---