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I shrugged. “He’ll come in today or tomorrow to check on me. He knew if I needed him, I would’ve called. It’s not the first time we’ve dealt with police or being held up at gunpoint. It was just the first time it happened here.”
Hearing voices from the other side of the door, I recognized Pialto’s raised tone. “I’m going to go and make sure P doesn’t murder your man.”
Ashton had gone back to the computer. “Sure. Because that’s the likely scenario. And for the time being, Elijah’s not my man. He’s yours.”
Yeah, yeah. I had no idea what that meant.
Pialto was just inside the doorway, his one hand raised when he saw me. “Who is this? What’s going on?”
I motioned to Elijah. “He’s family to me.”
Elijah was watching me back but didn’t react and only stepped aside.
Pialto smoothed down his shirt and his hair before craning his neck as he walked around Elijah. I motioned to the farthest end of the bar, and we huddled there.
“What is going on?” he hissed.
I hated to say this, but, “Ashton Walden is here.”
His head reared back as he gave me the same look he’d just given Elijah. “Have you lost your mind?”
“Keep your voice down, and no.” I put my finger to my mouth before saying quietly, “I don’t exactly get a say in the matter. He’s here whether I want him to be or not.”
“Where?” He was looking around.
“My office.”
“Your office?!” Another hiss from him.
“Ssshh.” Though, the Elijah guy didn’t seem concerned. He was focused on the door leading to the back exit. “Listen, I know you’re supposed to work, but I don’t want you here—”
“You shut up. You hear me?” So many hisses. “Sorry. Hush it. I’m not happy about this new development, but we’re family. We have each other’s backs. If you’re here, I’m here, but again, why is the Mafia guy here? He’s got a sudden new crush on you or something?” He held up a hand, stepping back, and his voice rose a little. “And for the record, I am not down with that development if it happens. You hear me, Miss Molly Everly Easter?”
“Okay.” I held up a finger right back. “One, it is so not like that. And two, I don’t want him here either.”
“Good. Then let’s plot to get him out of here. How do we do that?”
All good points. “I have no idea.”
“What does he want?”
Another solid question. “I’m not sure about that either.”
His eyes bulged out, and he let out a frustrated sound. “What do you know that can help in any way?”
“He’s been asking questions about Detective Worthing. I think he’s here because he thinks Worthing will come back.”
“Well, that’s something.”
I nodded.
“Let’s call the detective. Have him come here sooner rather than waiting.” He started to pull his own phone out.
I stopped him.
“What?” He paused on his phone.
“I don’t know. I don’t like cops.” I was not sharing how Ashton had already said he needed me to do something for him. I was assuming it had something to do with Detective Worthing because the truth was that I was just playing along until I figured out a way to get Easter Lanes fully in my own name. I had no clue how to do that because I knew going the legal route would not work in this situation.
“You’re friends with one.”
“She wasn’t a cop, and she’s no longer a PO.”
“Still. She was here a lot.”
“I know, I know, but something feels weird. Maybe we should let it all play out how it’s supposed to?”
“Hmmm no. No, no, no. I’ve learned many things in my thirty-three years on this earth, and letting things play out when you know catastrophe is coming your way is not a smart move. You don’t let it happen organically. You take control and you contain that shit.” He held his phone up and stepped back. “Now, you want deniability?” He motioned behind me. “Take a step back and stay busy.”
I groaned. “P.”
“Now, Honey Bunny.” His tone went soft. “Let me do this. It’s better to get both wolves out of our henhouse, if you know what I mean.”
I did not have a good feeling about this. I did not, did not, did not, and I couldn’t get that phrase out of my head as I walked back behind the counter on wooden legs. My whole body locked down, but then the bell jangled above the door again, and I saw the first customers come in for the day.
No matter what, I still had a business to run.
CHAPTER NINE
ASHTON
Her entire system was decrepit. She was still operating on a handwritten ledger. The bare minimum was computerized. I was getting a headache just staring at her computer screen. It looked as old as the first computer ever created.
My phone was buzzing.
