Page 47 of Thrown into the Mob

“Tell me what you've been feeding my grandson because if you say cheese puffs, we're going to have a long conversation, and it won’t be pretty.”

Madd came in and studied the scarf. “Is that from Grandpa?”

“Mmmm.”

“Do I get one?”

Arnie told him he had plenty at home.

Madd sat on the counter and put his hand on my marked shoulder. His thumb pressed against the scar through the fabric, and I placed my hand on his.

“How long can you stay, Grandpa?” Madd asked.

“An hour. Then I've got to get Mason’s car back before he notices.” He winked. “He thinks I went to buy groceries.”

“In a town a few hours away?” My mate’s brows pitched upward.

“He’s not detail-oriented.”

I didn’t ask how he’d apparently managed to bribe the laundromat employee to disappear for an hour. He probably did it with food and a lot of cash.

“No cheese puffs,” Arnie told us as he was leaving.

“Sorry, I make no promises when it comes to cheese puffs.” Madd pulled his grandfather into a hug.

“Look after each other.” Arnie was at the door. “And eat the lasagna tonight. It's best when it's fresh.”

In the last hour, we hadn’t mentioned Evander, the danger that was lurking, or any of the things that waited outside this building. Arnie gave us sixty minutes and showered us with love.

The bright orange car pulled away from the curb, and Madd put an arm over my shoulder.

“Let’s hope we can be as cool and spritely as Grandpa when we’re that age.” Madd picked up the scarf. “He's never knitted me one.”

“Maybe you haven't earned one,” I teased.

“Oh, you.”

“He said you had lots.”

“Store-bought ones.”

I tucked my arm in his as we exited, and a harried employee raced in. “Did he leave the apron?”

Madd nodded and pointed to it draped over the stool.

“How much do you think Arnie paid the guy?” I asked as we crossed the street.

“A fistful of cash. He’s probably hoping Grandpa will come back.”

“I’d like that.” Even though it was the most outrageous thing to do, considering our circumstances.

“Grandpa has his own rules.”

TWENTY-THREE

MADD

“We're going out,” I announced after lunch.