AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It reminded me of Braxton Harbor in some ways, but it was almost brittle in how clean it was here compared to there. Yet, at the same time, there was that element of the familiar threat to be found on the streets—a more honest one. I got eyed by a couple of punks, but when I met them stare for stare, they let it go.
Predator to predator, they decided I wasn’t worth the effort. While I appreciated the respect, I wouldn’t mind a real fight at the moment. Maybe that was why Liam had enjoyed his fights so much. This world of theirs was suffocating in its intensity. How I ever thought this would be safer for Ivy, I couldn’t imagine. Then again, she and Mayhem were two of the toughest women I’d ever met.
The walk didn’t take as long as I might have liked, but it had helped to relax me. The deli's interior was every bit like the ones in Braxton Harbor. Sturdy tables, colorful chairs, and a staff that knew their product. I placed my order and then found a table near the back with good eye lines and a wall I could put behind me.
Bodhi didn’t keep me waiting long. He drifted in about ten minutes after I did and placed his own order as my food was being delivered. The whole time he was at the register, he clocked the room and I nodded when he shifted his gaze to mine. He answered with a lift of his chin.
Five minutes later, he leaned back in the chair that was also next to a wall. It essentially had us sitting in a v formation, but I didn’t care and neither did he, apparently. The sandwich was damn good. I took my time to eat while he waited for his food. He didn’t seem to be in a particular hurry either.
Only after he’d finished did he take a long drink from the Coke bottle he’d picked from one of the fridges and then focus on me. “I’m gathering this isn’t a social call.”
I snorted lightly. “I’m not the type to host social occasions.”
“You didn’t seem to be doing too badly at the gala.” He shrugged. “Word has it that you’ve been making quite a few appearances with Lainey B.”
“Where she goes, so do I.” Particularly when she was intent on helping me with my battles. I would not leave her to face hers on her own.
“Good.” Leaning back, he scanned the room. We were pretty much alone back here. “What do you want?”
“You don’t like Ezra.” It wasn’t a question. Bodhi didn’t answer one way or the other, he just stared at me. That was fine. The lack of answer was, in its own way, an answer. “He sent a bodyguard to shadow Mayhem everywhere. She doesn’t really like it, but she’s tolerating it. Apparently, he’s done it before.”
“You looking to get rid of him?” His voice held that element of skepticism, like I was more than capable of dealing with the man if he was a problem. Bodhi wasn’t wrong.
“Not currently. What I want to know is why he decided she needs this kind of close watch again. The last time, it had to do with Sharpe.” Because no one wanted her used as a target to lure out Ivy. Or worse, to be punished in Ivy’s place. The thought made my blood run cold even now. “I meant to ask him when we were in the library, but I let myself get distracted.”
“Does Lainey B know?” Translation: did she know and seem to be keeping it from me?
I shook my head. “Not to my knowledge. She didn’t understand why Karagiani was back, but he was persistent and useful on many levels. At the same time…”
“If there’s a threat, it’s better to get rid of it than just sit around waiting for it to come for her.”
Definitely could see why Freddie and Bodhi got along. The guy understood the basics without needing me to draw a map. “Pretty much my thought. At this point, however, I doubt Ezra would tell me anything. He’d rather I just disappear.” Something he and Adam had in common. They were doomed to disappointment, however.
“What do you want me to do?” Bodhi asked.
“You have your own contacts and connections. I wanted to know if you’d heard anything or put out feelers to see if you could hear anything…”
“I could beat it out of Graham.” He mulled that idea over. “Wouldn’t be hard. The guy is a terrible fighter.”
I didn’t laugh, but one corner of my mouth kicked up. He’d said something similar the last time he’d delivered a beating.
“As much as I don’t like him—or trust him—I think he does want Mayhem safe. I’d rather he involved the rest of us if he knows something, but he clearly doesn’t trust any of us.”
“Not even Reed. That’s odd.” He tapped his chin. “I can find out. I’ll see what he knows. They don’t like me, but I don’t really care. If there’s a threat against Lainey B, I can deal with it. At least as long as I’m here…”
“Planning to leave?” It was none of my business, but I was also curious.
“Maybe.” Not a direct answer. “You?”
“Planning to leave?” I shook my head. “No.”
“Good. She likes you.”
I studied the other man. “You got that from the few minutes you were in the library?”
“No, from the fact she moved you into her apartmentandintroduced you to her grandfather.” The deadpan response did make me laugh.
“You have a point.”
