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I step inside and walk to where I know she keeps the liquor, pulling the first bottle out that I touch, and Brigette is already placing small glasses in front of me.
“Thank you,” I tell her, but she only nods.
Her face is somber, like she knows tonight wasn’t good and we need a little time. Geo walks inside, grabs the first glass I pour, downs it, and then holds it out. I refill it. Then, I hand a glass to Dean and take the last one. I don’t know where Ginny went, but maybe she found Arie and told her what happened, so I won’t have to.
Dean holds his glass in the air, staring at the liquid inside as it sloshes back and forth. Then, he finally speaks. “To Lucas.”
“To Lucas,” Geo and I answer, clinking ours against his, and then we all take deep sips.
I drum my free hand against my leg. I’m jumpy and unmoored. I don’t know where to go from here. This wasn’t the plan, and my dumbass didn’t really have a backup plan. I didn’t have a plan for when my own wife double-crossed me either.
We’ve got Antonio and Paul to contend with, and they know we are out for blood now. It’s the old generation versus the new, and I think tonight was only a preview of what’s to come. We don’t have the experience or the men that they do. We are outnumbered on every front. We are fucked.
Tonight was supposed to be easy. It was supposed to take care of our problem. Instead, it made it worse. And we lost a man. I’m not cut out to be a leader. I shouldn’t be doing this. But now, I don’t have any choice.
Brigette brings the bottle over and sets it down in the middle of the table. We all refill our almost-empty glasses.
“What’s going on?” A tiny voice comes from the doorway, and we all look over to see Arie standing there, appearing small in a short white nightgown with a shawl thrown over her shoulders. She watches us with wide eyes. Then, it’s like something clicks in her mind, and she realizes who is missing. “Where is my brother?”
She takes a tentative step inside the kitchen.
“Where is Lucas?” Her voice is stronger now.
I stand, setting my drink down, and she shrinks back a little. I don’t know if it’s from me or the sudden movement. Geo goes to stand next, and her eyes fasten on him.
“Geo? Where is he?” Her bottom lip starts to tremble, and my chest cracks.
I hate this. I don’t want to tell her.
Dean remains sitting, and Brigette is standing at the large island, watching.
“Arie,” I say, but I’m cut off by Geo walking forward, pulling her into his arms.
He’s brushing his hand down her hair as she breaks out into loud cries. I don’t even have to say anything more. She knows he’s gone. She sags in Geo’s arms, and he holds her up, then bends down to scoop her legs under one arm, supporting her back with the other. He’s cradling her as he walks out of the kitchen, and then they are gone. It’s silent in here, except for the hum of the refrigerator and the sound of Dean setting his drink down, then picking it up for another drink.
I slam my fist down on the tabletop, making Brigette jump and hold her chest. She picks up the tray of food she’s been working on and sets it in front of us while covertly wiping a tear from her cheek.
“Anything else?” she asks quietly.
I shake my head, watching as she makes a quick escape out of the kitchen. Dean and I don’t touch the food. We are on a liquid diet right now, hoping that it will make us forget, if only for the night. He tips his glass toward me again, and I nod.
That’s all we can really do right now.
21
WRYN
Ifrown, glancing around. Where did everyone go? I turn in a circle, trying to figure it out, and then I hear thewoop-woopof a siren as a vehicle pulls up next to me.
Ah. The law. Perfect.
“Going somewhere, sweetheart?” the cop says, arm on the open window, head cocked toward me.
I want to tell him I’m not his sweetheart, but something tells me that would be fucking stupid.
“Just out for a walk,” I say instead, smiling at him.
“There’s a law against prostitution in these parts,” he says.
