Page 11 of Crave
“Mon.” Jude called, giving her a hug.
She hugged him back then more, before touching Theo’s arm and ruffling Gabe’s hair. But for me she just nodded. I followed my brothers inside to our table and at the rear of the expansive diner and took a seat.
“Whatever you want is yours.” She said, “Juan’s even got your special pepper poppers you love so much Theo.”
He just nodded and leaned back.
“Thanks Mon.” Jude started. “Maybe give us a minute?”
“Of course.” She smiled. “I’ll send Stacey over when you’re ready.”
Theo was already looking at Stacey, his ravenous gaze undressing her where she stood serving other customers. Disgusted, I looked away staring at words that were a blur. Mythoughts raced through my head. The reading of the wills was not what I expected.
I prepared myself for Silas to take over their holdings and to run the business whatever they were. I expected to be given a modest sum of money, nothing extravagant. A hundred thousand would’ve been more than enough before they sent me on my way and asked me to never come back here again.
I would’ve.
Without a glance over my shoulder.
“So we all have to live in the house. None of us can leave?” Gabe asked.
“Looks like it.” Theo muttered under his breath.
Gabe glanced my way as though somehow he knew what I had planned. But he couldn’t possibly have any idea, because I never told him.
Beep.
My cell vibrated. I lifted it, staring at the message.
Penn: are you rich now?
I focused on typing:Not anywhere near it.
“Something funny?” Theo snapped.
I lifted my gaze. “You meanapartfrom your face?”
“Jesus.” Jude rolled his eyes.
I just looked away, replying to Penn instead:I’ll tell you later.
Beep.
Penn:good, cause I’m coming to yours.
I stared at the message as the waitress neared. I pretended not to hear the sleezy tone from Theo as he ordered his stuffed peppers. Jude was next, then Gabe.
“I’ll just have a shake, vanilla. Thank you.”
She gave me a sympathetic smile, glared at Theo and walked away. The food came out fast as it always did. I once heard Jude say that the Ares Holdings owned Monica’s Diner. Dante revived it when the money ran dry and the place closed down. He sank a lot of money into it, rebuilding the place and with a fresh wave of advertising, he built it to where it was now.
Apparently he did a lot of that. Spent more and more and more from Casino’s to car washes, diners and a thousand other places I didn’t care enough about to listen to. Because the only question that remained was…where was he getting the money?
It never ran dry, that’s for sure…no matter how much of it Theo shoved up his nose. I lifted my gaze watching him shove forkfuls of bacon wrapped chicken into his mouth and chew. He saw me and grinned.
“I think I’ll head home.” I said, rising.
“What?” Theo called, his mouth open full of food. “You’re not gonna stay for dessert?”
