Page 78 of Absinthe Dreams
The look she gave each and every man was as cold and sharp as winter’s razor edge in one of the northern states.
It left me breathless and speechless. LaCroix nodded. His dark, tattooed eyes flicked to Axeman, and he said, “You’re off leash.” My throat tightened as his gaze landed on Chainsaw and me. “You know what to do,” he said. “Go with him.”
I looked up to Chainsaw, who nodded. He looked down at me, and a silent apology slid behind his bright blue eyes when he said, “The Marchesi’s made this personal using me as a conduit. Retribution needs to come from me.”
I nodded my understanding, but I didn’t have to be happy about it.
“Go,” LaCroix said, and Axe stood up.
I moved so Chainsaw could stand, and Hex declared, “No worries, we’ll get your lady home safe and sound.”
I swallowed hard and felt some unease, but I knew I hadn’t done anything wrong. I wasn’t in poor standing, andshouldn’tbe afraid, and yet still…
“I love you,” I murmured up at Chainsaw, and he dipped, pressing a quick, chaste press of his lips against my sore ones.
“I loveyou,” he grated, and then he and Axeman left. He caught a ride from Axe, whose bike was nearby, over to where we’d left his only blocks away.
I swallowed hard and turned back to the table.
“I meant it. We owe you,” LaCroix said, and though I was sure he meant it to be comforting, all it really did was come across even more chilling.
I nodded carefully and said, “Begging everyone’s pardon, but I have to ask… is it wise to begin so soon?”
“We waited for a while after Louie,” Hex said. “There’s no waiting now. Gotta strike while the iron is hot and when they least expect it.”
I nodded and took in a deep, deep breath and let it out slowly.
“What can I do?” I asked softly. “I know I’m new, but if there’sanythingI can do?—”
“My brother had enough life insurance to cover his funeral and had it all written down what he wanted done. Momma an’ Daddy is beside themselves an’ Tater?” Jessie-Lou shook her head. She breathed in hard and tried to keep it together while Collier rubbed her back. More than a couple of the guys at the table had red-rimmed eyes, and that killed me.
“We could probably use some help planning, making sure that Cypress’s wishes are adhered to,” Corliss said quietly, and I nodded.
“Anything you need, and I do meananything.”
There were silent nods around the table, and all I felt was a sense of defeat and the need for a mighty strong drink.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Chainsaw…
Axe and I rode for Marchesi’s and parked down the block. It was a restaurant with a bar that tended to stay open late, but our beef wasn’t with any of the servers or back of house. Just management.
I smoked more than usual when we were on this kind of a mission, and this was no exception. I smoked and ground out the butts against the bottom of my boot, but I wasn’t stupid. I policed my butts and put them in the pocket of my jacket, beneath my cut, until I could dispose of them properly in a trash can well away from any potential crime scene.
The hours wore on until the wee hours, and Axe and I remained. As soon as we saw the last young waitress released from her duties, we made our move, walking our way to the front door and testing it with a gloved hand.
Unlocked, lucky us. We pulled bandannas up around our noses and mouths. Our cuts were stowed carefully in our locked saddlebags away from any blood splatter or trouble.
We slipped into the closed establishment, Giancarlo Marchesi counting the till at the front of the joint, calling out, “Yo, we’re sorry. We’re closed.”
“Not for us, you aren’t, you fucking traitor.” I grabbed him by his lapels and dragged him bodily over the counter surrounding the place’s register and front safe.
Once I had him over and fetched up against it, I had my weapon out and pointed, covering the back while Axe did his thing. I was covering us, but Axe? He was the true artist when it came to pain, and when he wasn’t fingerpainting with a man’s blood? He used broad strokes to paint them up one side and down the other in their own fear and despair.
“You got one chance to make this right, Marchesi,” Axe breathed into the man’s ear, a straight razor held to the side of his neck.
“What’s it gonna be?” I demanded.
