Page 52 of Betrayal In Calusa Cove
“You say that like you get off on it,” Fletcher said.
“I kind of do.” Enzo nodded, tapping the paperwork. “The next payment is due before the town meeting regarding the Crab Shack. I would think they’d have someone in town watching. Maybe they’ll rely on Decker, but I’m guessing they’ll send someone else. My suggestion would be not to make the payment. Ignore any phone calls or notices. As a matter of fact, anything that comes regarding the loan, send it to me and let me handle it.”
“I can’t afford you,” Baily said.
Once again, Enzo got rid of the black-rimmed glasses. This time, he stood and leaned against the wooden railing and looked out toward the B&B. “I’m a really good lawyer. I don’t say that to be an arrogant asshole. I’m saying that because I have to assess cases based on a couple of different criteria.” He turned. “The first one, is it winnable? I always take those. They're no-brainers. Now.” He wiggled his finger. “Even those, sometimes, I lose. But in general, if a case is the kind that I can either make a good deal for my client or waltz into the courtroom like I own the place, I take it. However, I hate those cases.”
“Why?” Baily asked.
“Because they’re boring.” Enzo let out a dry laugh. “They pay my bills. They’ll put my girls through good colleges, and they’re the bread and butter of my law practice. But they don’t have meat.” He rubbed his neck. “The second criterion I look at is twofold. Do I believe my client, and do they have a case? Now, winnable and believable are always the perfect duo. But they don’t always go hand in hand. The law isn’t always about right or wrong. It’s about justice, and sometimes, that means I take a case where it’s not about my billable hours. It’s about making sure those who did a very bad thing…get what they deserve.”
“You can’t do this for free,” Baily said.
“I can.” Enzo nodded. “And I will.” He smiled. “I take on one pro bono case every year or so. I haven’t had one in eighteen months. Consider yourself having just won the lottery.”
Fletcher shifted beside her. “But now you’re suggesting she bait them. Give them time to act and respond.”
“I am.” Enzo nodded. “But they won’t be prepared for her to challenge them. For her to know they can’t take the marina. Not without a fight. And we’ll fight.” He pointed to Dawson, then Hayes. “Don’t forget they’ll also be looking at the Crab Shack property. They’ll think that’s in the bag, right?”
Dawson nodded. “I like this plan. Makes them play their next move, and we’ll see it coming.”
“She could get hurt, Dawson,” Fletcher said.
“She almost drowned yesterday. You think they’re going to stop if we play nice?” Hayes asked.
Baily looked down at her tea, and the ice had nearly melted. “How long before they do something?”
Enzo shrugged. “I bet they’ll come at you immediately after you miss the payment. They need to put the pressure on if they’re gonna invest in this town.”
“The Barbaros know we’re all here,” Fletcher said. “If she doesn’t pay, they know she’s got protection. Friends. Eyes everywhere.”
Dawson scratched his jaw. “Which is why we need to do this Decker’s way.”
Baily raised a brow. “You trust him now?”
“I trust he wants out of the Barbaros’ grip,” Dawson said. “And he’s useful. He’s still got family in Miami—cousins who’ve done time, some of them tied to loan enforcement ops. He knows how they handle things when borrowers push back.”
Chloe stood and grabbed her phone off the table. “He’s in his cabin. I saw the lights on earlier.”
“I’ll call him,” Dawson said, pulling his phone from his pocket and tapping the screen. He pressed the cell to his ear.
Everyone sat in silence for a moment.
“Yeah. He’s on his way over.” Dawson pointed, chuckling. “Look. Here he comes.”
“There’s a part of me that feels bad for that man,” Hayes said. “We all know I was the quiet loner of the group, but I’ve never been alone in this world. I kind of feel like that guy doesn’t have anyone. I did some research into his family and damn. He wasn’t kidding about all that.”
“Nope,” Fletcher said. “I want to trust him, but he doesn’t make it easy with those stupid, expensive boat shoes and that SUV. I hate those cars.” He sighed. “But the man is putting himself on the line for us. For Baily. That’s something.”
It sure was.
A few moments later, Decker crossed the yard with a loose jog, his ball cap turned backward, and a suspiciously amused expression on his face. She’d never seen him wearing an outfit like that, or even looking that relaxed, which was odd.
But it was as if a weight had been lifted.
“You rang?” he called, hopping onto the porch like he’d done it a hundred times.
Dawson waved him over. “Have a seat, you’re officially part of this circus.”
