Page 6 of Ma Belle Marguerite
“Be there in a second. Keep your damn shirt on.” You’d think he’d be used to this by now. I run on my own time, not other people’s. If I’m going to be the boss, I need to act that way.
Shit, I’m really distracted tonight. Maybe a night out drinking will help me clear my head and take my mind off all this bullshit with my father. I look through my drawers to find something suitable for the bar.
Black jeans and a black T-shirt—easy and inconspicuous, just what I prefer. I like to be in the back watching rather than being watched. Old habits die hard.
I walk out to an empty living room. Of course, he’s already waiting in the car. So impatient. Running out the door, I remember to turn on the security system at the last minute.
The bar isn’t far away, and with Josh’s driving we make it there in record time. It is already packed. There are so many women here wanting their chance to snag me or one of my top men. They are like puck bunnies, but mafia style. In this town, we are important, like royalty, and they all want the prestige and money that comes with our names.
The loud music and dimmed lights create the ambiance in this bar, perfect for dancing and whatever else may happen in the dark booths at the back.
Ignoring everyone I pass, I make my way over to Darryl who is sitting in our usual spot. “Happy birthday, D!” I clap him on the back as I step up beside him. As usual, he has another random girl on his lap. I thought he had a thing going on with Giselle for a while, an old friend of mine from high school.
He stops kissing her long enough to answer me. “Thanks, boss. I wasn’t sure you would make it.” He looks at me with a smirk on his face. “Josh must have dragged you out the door to get you here on time.”
“Something like that,” I tell him as I sit across from him.
Before I even ask, the bartender sets my usual beer down in front of me. I nod my thanks and turn to the girl sitting on Darryl's lap. I tilt my head to the side, signaling her to scram before they are all over each other again, but instead of getting up, she turns to D with a pouty look on her face. I guess she’s hoping he’ll ask her to stay.
“Sorry beautiful, business first, fun later.” D gives her a kiss and a wink, then a slap on the ass as she climbs off his lap reluctantly. “What’s going on, boss?”
I lean closer so D can hear me over the music. “There’s a shipment coming in tomorrow night. I had them sneak a few extra in there for my stash. Can you and Josh handle it for me?” I look around to make sure nobody is listening. Call me paranoid, but you can never be too careful in this world. “I hate to ask today, but I don’t think I will have another chance to talk to you alone before then.” I try not to bring up business when we are at the bar, but duty calls.
Shrugging, he says, “Sure boss, just send me the place and time, and we’ll take care of it.” He signals to the bartender that he needs another drink although it looks like he’s already had one too many. I’ll have to make sure I text him so he doesn’t forget what we talked about.
“D, I told you to stop calling me boss. I’m notCaïdyet, and hopefully not ever.” I take a sip from my beer. “Now, it’s your birthday; go enjoy yourself. That girl is pouting over at the bar.”
“Thank you, bossman. Maybe you’ll find a lady tonight.” He gives me a look as he gets up and walks away quickly before I can answer him.
I never should have told him my father was pushing me to find someone. He isn't going to let this go.
I look around to find Josh already sweet-talking a couple of girls by the bar. He didn’t waste any time tonight, as usual. I also notice my brother is here with a few people I don’t recognize. They’re sitting in a booth on the opposite side of the bar. They must be contacts he made when he went out of town this past winter on a job for our father.
After an hour of watching Josh and Darryl dance like idiots and make fools of themselves, I decide to call it a night. As usual, I would just rather be alone at home. I catch Josh’s eye and wavehim over. I’m sure he will have one of his usual comments about me leaving alone.
“What’s up, boss?” Josh looks concerned.
“I think I’m going to head out; it's a busy day tomorrow. Are you good to make it home, or stay here?” I ask, knowing he’ll be leaving with one or both of the girls he’s been with all night. I’d rather not be around for that.
“Yeah, I’ll be good. Here are the keys to my Vette. Take care of her.” He winks at me and turns to take my unfinished beer to the dance floor. At least I know there are rooms here that my guys crash in when they are too drunk to drive. Benefits of your family owning the bar.
“Behave. I need you tomorrow night,” I call after him.
He turns back to me with a roll of his eyes. “Yeah, yeah, I’ll be good to go. Don’t worry.” I’m sure he means it to be reassuring. We’ll see how he feels when I call him bright and early.
I pick his keys up off the table and head to the back door. There is no way I’m going to try to make it through the crowd of people dancing here.
The engine roars as the Corvette comes to life, and I pull out onto the main road. I press the button to lower the top down to let the wind hit my face and take a deep breath. I love driving Josh’s Corvette with the top down. There has always been something relaxing and tranquil about it.
I find myself driving past my road and towards the bluff where Bella and I often used to park and watch the northern lights together. There was just something about sitting on the edge of a small cliff over the river that was peaceful. But then, add in the danger of being so close to falling to your death, it gives just the right amount of exhilaration, enough to make your stomach flip.
I get ready to turn out that way, but I notice bright lights flying up behind me.What is this guy's problem?I start pulling over to the side to let him pass, but the lights aren’t slowing down.“FUCK!” I yell, stepping on the gas and swerving back onto the road to try to outrun whoever this is.
The lights speed up and pull alongside me, and I’m met with the end of a gun coming from the passenger window of a truck. I slam on the brakes in an attempt to avoid the gunshots. The next thing I know, I feel like I’m on a roller coaster as I lose control of the car. I see the truck's tail lights take off in the dark right before the Corvette comes to a stop at the bottom of a ditch.
Dazed and confused from smacking my head on the steering wheel, I fumble around the center console for my phone to call for help. I try to call Josh, hoping he can hear his phone over the music in the bar. All I can think is that I never got to see my Bella one more time before everything goes black.
Chapter 3
