“There’s always someone watching, the bastards,” Emil said.
“Simon’s over there, but as soon as you get there she’ll be leaving, since Ramon’s going to need her help. You need to keep everyone out of there, Emil, including Dallas’s manager Bob. Dallas and Remi haven’t been seen together enough for you to worry about the cops, but if Bob finds out she’s alive, the jig is up.”
“I’ll kill the slime myself before that happens.”
“If you take that pleasure away from Remi, she’ll never forgive you.”
Dallas came back with her bag hanging from her shoulder, which Emil promptly took from her. “I’m ready, let’s go.”
“Emil, you heard the lady,” Cain said. “Go on, and tell Remi she’d better keep out of sight until I call her. If she needs anything, we’ll do it through Juno and Simon, but her ass doesn’t move.”
“Don’t worry. If she won’t listen to me, I’ll find a way to smuggle Marianna in to deal with her,” Emil said. “Having Dallas there is all the incentive she’ll need to lay low.”
“Dallas, again I’m sorry for putting you through this,” Cain said.
Dallas kissed her cheek. “I have a chance to tell her how I feel, so you don’t have anything to be sorry for.”
Juno kissed her too before she followed Emil and Dallas out, leaving Cain alone with Emma. Katlin, Lou, Merrick, and the others were in the lobby.
“You know something, mobster?” Emma wiped Cain’s cheek free of lipstick.
“What’s that, my love?” Cain sat in one of the kitchen chairs and encouraged Emma to sit on her lap. After this she had to arrange a meeting with Rodolfo, and she wanted to enjoy the stillness of Remi’s home with her wife before she bothered.
“Don’t ever think of giving me a hard time about playing matchmaker again.”
She laughed. “Why’s that?”
“You fraud, you damn well know why. You’ve done everything you can to bring them together.” Emma ran her fingers along her jawline before kissing her. “You’re sweet.”
“I’ve known Remi a long time, and after seeing them together, I was sure it was right. Up to now that’s only happened to me once—when I saw the picture that guy took of us at Vincent’s place. The way we were looking at each other made me realize that I had found my one and only love.” They kissed again, then sat together until Cain’s phone rang.
“I know you have to go, but remember one thing,” Emma said, after Cain hung up with Katlin.
“Name it.”
“I see or hear of you getting shot and there’ll be hell to pay. Stay safe.”
“Go home and I’ll join you in a couple of hours.”
Chapter Forty-Six
“Hola.” Carlos Santiago answered the phone in Rodolfo’s suite.
Rodolfo had been working the phones trying to find Nunzio or Junior Luca, but had come up empty. He was used to having people jump when he barked, so being ignored had left him in the mood to take it out on the people who still did listen to him, Carlos included.
“Who’s calling?”
In the chair Rodolfo found most comfortable he gestured to Carlos to tell him who it was.
“A moment, Ms. Casey, and I’ll see if he’s available.” Carlos put his hand over the mouthpiece and said, “It’s Cain for you.”
“Cain, what can I do for you?” he asked after ripping the phone away from Carlos.
“I need to arrange a meeting whenever you can spare the time. Tomorrow, if it’s possible.”
“How about here in the hotel?”
Cain laughed. “I’m already popular enough with the FBI. I don’t need the DEA added to my alphabet soup. We can meet at my office if you want. I’ll have someone pick you up.”
“I’m an old man who’s lived long enough to know not to go to dangerous places.”
“We can make it someplace neutral if you like. I’d offer Ramon’s place, but he’s mourning the loss of his child. If you come to my office, we’ll be able to talk freely, and I guarantee your safety.”
“Send directions to my man Carlos and I’ll be there,” Rodolfo said as he stared at Carlos. “I have your word, and you have mine that I had nothing to do with what happened to Remi. If that’s what you wish to discuss, I don’t have any information.”
“That’s not why I need to talk to you. Until tomorrow,” Cain said and hung up.
“Are you sure you want to do that?” Carlos asked as Rodolfo tapped the receiver against his chin.
“She gave her word on our safety, and to Cain that still means something. This isn’t about threats or business, and I’m curious. The last person I expected to hear from today is Casey. She isn’t the type to ask me for anything, so this has to do with either Juan or the Lucas.” Rodolfo put the phone down and stripped off his jacket, since he wasn’t planning to leave the suite until the morning. “Speaking of which, have you gotten Juan on the phone yet?”
