Page 27 of The Devil's Detail
“You don’t have to ask me that twice. I’m on it.” Bucky punches the air. He loves a show. He’s worse than Dad and Papa.
“We’re going to use the press that Gary’s brought. Do you know how many are outside and how many are inside?” I ask Jackson, knowing he’ll already have people inside and out, all bases covered.
“Two inside with Gary, with a handheld camera. A crowd outside, paps and cameras. Sounds like they were tipped off Carter would create a scene. That’s why there’s been so many turn up. It’s like an awards night ceremony out there. I even saw stepladders.” He’s shaking his head at the press.
“We’ll ramp up the entertainment. I reckon this restaurant could do with some live music. Bucky, what do you think?” I grin at my brother. If I’d have said it needed to be done naked, he wouldn’t have batted an eyelash.
“I agree. Let’s get someone to do a request. I can do the drum solo. Make sure you stand on the table, James. I love it when you do that. Or no, putthemon the table—that kills them—and you get on your knees.” He gives me some cheeky prayer hands, little beggar, then turns to Jackson.
His demeanor changes in a flash. Joking and happy Bucky is replaced by someone much darker. “Are you going to drag Gary out? Please do. The man is a pain. He had a pop at my favourite drumming T-shirt. Said I was ‘not on point.’ For what? I’m fucking drumming. It’s hot and hard work. Maybe I ought to wear that shitty PVC leather-look top he had on whilst he pulled B4d Intel to pieces.”
Oh dear, Bucky really is pissed at him. No one disses his drumming outfits and lives.
I grin at him. “Let’s make it a good one, Bucky. Go for it,” I urge him on, shoving out a pulse of energy.
“You got it, brother. Go big or go home. Let me at ‘em.”
Uncle Jackson is looking like he may change his mind at asking us, but then he grins. “So like your mother. Theatrical. It must be in your blood, boys.” We both grin at him.
“It would take a lot to get on my mother’s level, but we are definitely going to give it a go. Does Carter know we’re coming?” I ask as I remove my cap and rake my hand through my hair, giving it the just-fucked look everyone loves.
“No, I want him fully surprised so no one can look at the film and say he was in on it. He talks enough about your mum and visiting her in Devon, so everyone will put two and two together when you go over and sit with them.” We nod at Jackson as we pull to a halt out front.
“Ready boys?” he asks, checking us over, grinning maniacally. I see the army guy, the steel beneath the smile. He’s a formidable man.
He nods to the other passengers in the vehicle, more of his men. They jump out of the front seats and pull open the back door for me. Jackson opens his side for Bucky to exit.
The screaming starts straight away. Damn, that didn’t take long. So much for Bucky’s disguise and zany wig. We both knew it was a red herring, but once my brother gets something in his mind, there’s really no stopping him, so why bother.
The whirring of cameras starts along with the flashes. Game on.
The look on Carter’s face when he spots Bucky and me heading over to him is priceless. The expression on it when he spots Jackson behind me is fascinating. I clocked it straight away. Well, well, well. This little rescue attempt just became very intriguing.
I can see Uncle Jackson's face reflected in the mirrors around the restaurant. It’s impassive, not a flicker of emotion on it. Jackson flicks his eyes to Ash, his guy with Carter, and their private conversation in looks and nods commences.
Bucky is revving things up nicely, calling out to people like he knows them. They’re nearly fainting at their dinner tables. Bouncing over to Carter’s table, we’re dragging every eye and camera with us. If anyone was in any doubt if it was Carter Maywood having dinner at the same restaurant as them, they are not left in any doubt now. Carter's cover is blown wide open.
“Carter,” Bucky shouts at the top of his lungs, his arms flung open wide for a huge hug. Bucky bypasses the open palm for the handshake, and pulls Carter into the biggest hug ever, kissing his cheeks for good measure. I’m grinning like a madman behind him.
Bucky finally releases him and moves onto Kasey and his female companion. Carter pulls me into a hug and whispers, “He’s lost it, sugar,” in my ear. I can see Carter’s face reflected in the multitude of mirrors around the room. He’s eyeing Jackson behind us.
Jackson just nods professionally at him, then turns away, checking out the room and the ‘target area.’ Carter’s face drops infinitesimally. Blink, and you would have missed it.
“What are you two doing here?” Carter finally asks when we park our arses in his booth, bantering, pushing, and shoving each other the whole way. In other words, making sure every person in that place has their eyes on us.
“Uncle Jackson said you have a rodent crisis.” I smile sweetly at him.
He’s looking at me as if I’m an alien, trying to figure out what I’m talking about. “Is that a TikTok reference?”
I laugh, and shake my head. “No, it’s a pest reference. I understand you have an infestation. You need pest control. And we’re your Pied Pipers.”
I gesture to Bucky, who is now ignoring Carter in favour of making the most of his introduction to Kasey’s friend. Said friend looks like she might consider dumping Kasey for a younger model. Or, to be fair, someone her own age. I roll my eyes at Kasey as he tries to extricate Bucky from chatting up his friend. Good luck with that.
“Jackson said you need a distraction so he can do his work. Not sure I know anyone more distracting than me and Bucky.”
Carter is genuinely moved. He clasps his hands to his chest theatrically, and gives us a grateful little pout. And while it’ll look great if the cameras catch it, I’ve also been around him enough to know he’s being genuine with it.
“Mum said Rio was in love with you, so we had to look after you for her. So here we are.” I point to myself and my brother,who is now being unceremoniously manhandled by Kasey, but being clung to by his companion.
