“Now where are you taking me?”
“For a little after-dinner drink and some light conversation with some very heavy hitters in the drug trade.”
Cain sucked in a breath when Emma pinched her, scowled, and asked, “You’re getting into the drug business?”
“Get real, pumpkin. Of course not. Giovanni Bracato and the merry band of evil spawn he calls children are, though. He doesn’t realize we’re onto his new source of income and its ramifications.”
The French Quarter was directly across from them as they waited on the other side of Canal Street for the light to change.
“What’s that?”
“The bigger he gets, the more money he’ll have coming in and the more powerful he’ll become. Once he hits the street with all that muscle we won’t be safe for very long, and none of the other families will either.”
Cain pulled over and stopped before they arrived at their final destination. “I’m not going to let that happen, and I’m not having my children or my wife walk around surrounded by protection all the time.”
“Whatever you think’s appropriate, honey,” Emma said, patting Cain’s cheek. “I’ll just follow your lead.”
They stopped in front of the Gemini Club, which was owned by Ramon Jatibon. He had named it, as he’d done most of his businesses, for his twins. Looking at the place, Cain wondered who Ramon had on his payroll from the police department, since they ran without much legal interference.
People usually lined up to get in the club on the first floor, and the gambling operation on the second floor, while small by comparison, rivaled any in Las Vegas. Some federal agencies and the police were interested in the upper part of the building but hadn’t found anyone willing to talk on the record about Ramon’s activities.
“Oh, I remember this place.” Emma moved closer to Cain and placed a kiss on her cheek as she maneuvered the small sedan to the front entrance. “Which of our dates was it that you brought me here?”
“You don’t remember?”
“Of course I do. I just want to know if you do.” Emma took Cain’s hand and stepped into her arms. “I have total recall when it comes to our dating days. When Hannah gets older, if she runs into someone like you, hot stuff, I want her to see a little waiting won’t kill her.”
“Are you kidding? I lost more brain cells walking around in a constant state of horniness than I would’ve if I drank heavily. But you’re right. If anyone comes near our little girl, there’ll be problems.” Cain bent and kissed her before pressing her lips to Emma’s ear. “So, lass, which date was it?”
“Fourth, and the one that got you this close”—she held her thumb and index finger a smidgen apart—“from getting lucky.”
“Now she tells me,” Cain said.
“There’s something about watching you gamble that makes me hot.”
“Good to know, but tonight you’re going to have to settle for drinking and dancing.”
Emma rolled her eyes and muttered back to Lou, “I guess we’ll have to muddle through somehow.” The big wall of a man laughed.
They were inside quickly after Cain dropped the car keys into the valet’s hand and the bouncer at the door pulled aside the velvet ropes holding back the crowd. A few people pointed toward them and whispered.
The multilevel room was crowded with people either enjoying conversations and drinks or dancing to the small band playing slow jazz numbers. Cain pulled out Emma’s chair for her as she looked around the room for the players who were always scattered amid the regular patrons Ramon pulled in nightly.
“Is he here?” Emma asked.
“Table toward the back close to the stage. Two men with their heads together. The older one. Dark suit. Looks like a kindly grandfather.”
Emma glanced at the table. “Want to get his attention?”
“How do we go about that?” Cain smiled down at Emma.
“Well, you could send him a drink.” She put her hands over those on her shoulders. “But that’d be the unexciting way.” Before Cain could answer, Emma stood and stepped into her arms. “Now, if you asked me to dance, I bet he’d notice you.”
“The way you look in this dress, he’s not going to be the only one noticing me. And he and everyone else in here are going to be jealous as hell they aren’t me.”
“Thanks, love, no need to flatter. You know how much I love your arms around me.”
Cain led her to the dance floor and put her hands on Emma’s hips, feeling Emma’s hands in her hair as soon as they started to sway to the music. His alert brown eyes following their every move, the man called over a waiter as soon as he’d finished lighting his cigar. Knowing their fish had taken the bait, Cain relaxed and enjoyed the feel of Emma in her arms. At times like this, even though the night was the beginning of business, Cain felt the world slide back to a comfortable and healing place. Spending time with Emma helped her let go of the pain she’d forgotten she carried, since it’d become such a part of her. The real pleasure came from the knowledge that she wasn’t alone, not even for things like this.
“When all this is over I want you to promise me something,” Emma requested.
“Whatever you like, since I’m going to like whatever it is.”
“I want about a week with just you and me on a beach somewhere, and I mean just you and me. No kids, no guards, and no one taking pictures.”
“I know just the place, love, and I’m going to enjoy taking you there.” The song came to an end, and Cain watched as Ramon walked toward them carrying two glasses.
