Page 14 of Jack of Hearts
“I’m just tired of Ramon’s shit. He dangles a carrot, hinting that he’s got a big score in the works, but he’s cagey. I told him we were looking to expand our money-laundering operation, and that we had the means to do that through Aces and Eights, along with a few other places we owned. He’s interested, but I don’t think he trusts me yet.”
“If he’s hinting, then he’s starting to trust you,” Court said.
Nate nodded. “True, but maybe you need to push a little harder. Possibly imply that you have some other big dealer in mind if Ramon doesn’t get off his ass and bring you in?”
“Might work.” Alex drummed his fingers on the table. “I’m supposed to drop by his place later tonight. Said he wants me to meet his father, who, strangely enough, I’ve never seen when I’ve been over there.”
“That’s a good sign,” Nate said.
“I guess so.” Alex checked his watch. “About time to head over to Aces and Eights.”
Nate leaned his chair back on two legs. “Not so fast, baby brother. Now tell us what’s really got you moping around like a lovesick girl.”
Damn. He didn’t want to talk about Madison, still feeling an inexplicable need to protect her from this bad business he and his brothers were involved in. Not only was it bad, but it was going to get worse before it was over.
Two pairs of eyes identical to his pinned him to his seat. There was no getting out of telling them about her, but he didn’t have to like it. “There’s this girl—”
“Name?”
As soon as he heard it, Nate would connect the dots, since they knew everything there was to know about Ramon Alonzo. “Madison Parker.”
Alex could almost see his older brother scroll through the list of names stored in his brain. Nate was sharp; he had to be to raise two hell-raising brothers. Not that Nate hadn’t raised his own hell—but, whatever.
“First cousin to Ramon.” Nate dropped his chair down on all four feet. “What the hell, bro? You’ve been hiding a prime link to Ramon and his father?” His gaze zeroed in on Alex’s. “Questions. Does she know what her cousin and uncle are into? I’m thinking how could she not. That wasn’t a question, but I have three more. Why aren’t we using her for intel? Is she Spooky Man? Last one, you’re not soft on her, right?” He leaned across the table and wrapped his fingers around Alex’s wrist in a tight grip. “Tell me I’m right, Alex.”
Alex had never been able to lie to either of his brothers. “No, I don’t think she knows, and yes, she’s Spooky Man, and I wish I could tell you I’m not soft on her. That answer your questions?” And that was his reason for being miserable. He glanced at Court to see sympathy in his middle brother’s eyes. When Nate had you in his sights, it didn’t end pretty.
“Dammit.” Nate stood, kicking his chair away. He flattened his hands on the table and lowered his face until it was only inches from Alex’s. “From this point on, Madison Parker is off-limits to you. I’ll decide how best to use her.”
Alex reared, pushing Nate away. “Like hell you will. You go near her,brother, and I swear, I’ll ...” He’d do what? Kill his brother? Beat the shit out of him? He walked out of Nate’s kitchen before he really lost it. If he had to choose, it would be Nate who owned his loyalty, but he wasn’t sure he could handle throwing Madison to the big bad wolf that was Nate. As he reached the door to leave, he was grabbed from behind.
“Does she mean that much to you?”
Alex pressed his forehead to the door. “I don’t want her to, but yeah, she does.”
Nate heaved a sigh. “Not good, baby brother. Not good.”
Like he didn’t know that.
Alex parked his car behind several others in the driveway of Ramon’s house. Looked like either Ramon or his father had company. Since there were security cameras watching him, he held his phone down by his leg, out of sight. As he walked by the cars, he snapped photos of each license plate.
At the door, he rang the bell after discreetly sliding his phone back into his pocket. “Mrs.Gutierrez,” he greeted the housekeeper when she answered. “Ramon’s expecting me.”
“Si, señor. Come with me.”
He followed her through the house and out to the backyard. “Everyone is up there,” she said, pointing to a set of stairs that led to the roof.
“Thank you.” She returned inside, and Alex took a moment to look around. It was the first time in his six or so visits here that he’d seen the back, and he hadn’t realized how protected the house was. There was a high stucco wall topped with a row of pointed spikes. Although they were decorative, Alex didn’t doubt they were razor sharp and meant to keep out unwanted guests. He noted the security camera mounted under the eaves, figuring there were more scattered around, like in the clump of palm trees on his left, or in the sunburst mounted on the stucco wall. The place was a damn compound.
He jogged up the steps, and when he walked onto the roof, he paused. The Alonzos had created a rooftop paradise, and it appeared he was interrupting a celebration of some sort. From this vantage point, there was a great view of the Atlantic Ocean that had been hidden by the wall at ground level.
Profusely blooming red bougainvilleas wound around a pergola, under which sat a long table that could probably seat twenty people. Alex did a quick head count, pausing when he saw unmistakable fiery red hair. Madison had her back to him, and Ramon sat next to her with his arm around the back of her chair. Gritting his teeth, Alex headed toward them.
An older version of Ramon sat at the head of the table, and at the other end was an attractive woman about the same age, and both had wrapped gifts in front of them. A birthday party? If so, then the woman must be Madison’s mother, Jose Alonzo’s twin sister. The people facing Alex all looked over at him, causing the ones with their backs to him to glance behind them.
Madison’s eyes lit with pleasure, and she smiled. Alex ignored her and, although he did it for her sake, he was sorry to be the reason her smile faded. She turned her face away, which was good because now he could concentrate on Ramon.
“Alex,” Ramon said, waving him over.
