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He’s right. Not about being afraid of Houston, I’m not, and that’s not going to change because Lance may or may not have had something to do with Diaz and his men coming after Gabriel in my home.
I could have died on the floor of my condo at the hands of a drug lord. I could have never seen my family or Drago, or even Gabe again.
“Look,” Eric says. “Let’s drop this for now. It’s done, and you’re stuck with my ass for the time being.”
He throws his gearshift into drive without taking his foot off the brake.
“Head on in. J should already be inside. I’ll catch you later, or I’ll call you tonight to hash out the plan for where we go from here. Sound good?”
I reach for the door handle, nodding.
“See ya, Alders.”
* * *
After using the bathroom,I asked a hotel employee passing by me where to find the restaurant. It’s on the lobby level, so it doesn’t take me more than a minute to walk there. It’s bustling though, and it’s not even noon. I guess Eric was right. This is certainly a busy place.
I’ve been in this hotel a handful of times. Every time Alana comes to town, it seems we come here for a spa day together, but I’ve never eaten at this particular place. My sister-in-law usually likes to dine at the most expensive places, and they have a fancy restaurant on the third floor that she and I love.
Looking at the entrance, this place has a laid-back vibe while maintaining the fancy, high-end persona it’s known for. There is nothing at The Cove, a luxury hotel, that’s lacking, and from what I can tell, the restaurant and bar are unique in what they offer. There’s a younger crowd of patrons crowding the entrance, making me think this place is your typical run-of-the-mill everyday food, but Mint is famous for its American-style cuisine with a gourmet twist.
Walking up to the host, I stop in front of him, hoping Justin is already here and we don’t have to wait. I’m impatient and waiting for a table is not my strong suit.
Before he lifts his head, I catch sight of Justin sitting on the right side of the restaurant waving me over.
“Can I help you?” the host asks.
“Actually, I see my friend, but thanks anyway.”
Once seated, the waiter is in front of me before I can even open the menu.
“If Alders called in a favor to his dad, then he must have thought you were in danger.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, you’re supposed to be helping only when we need you, not tagging along with Eric.”
“No,” I correct. “What do you mean he had to have called in a favor to his dad?”
It dawns on me, Eric mentioned his parents live in Virginia and that’s when it hits me.Holy shit.Magnum Alders, the director of the DEA is his father. I guess it never crossed my mind that they could be related since Magnum is white, but then Eric could be half African-American or even adopted.
“So, you didn’t know he had to clear it with his dad, or you didn’t know Eric’s father is the director?”
“Both,” I admit.
“Fair enough.”
Picking up the menu, I flip it open. There are a lot of options and none that I’m skimming look very healthy.
“So, what’s semi-healthy at this place?” I ask, assuming he’s eaten here before.
“Not much really.” He grabs his menu, flipping it open. “Bottom right corner. I usually stick with the grilled chicken Caesar or go for a bun-less burger. Their burgers are pretty good too.”
“Bun-less.” I laugh. “I never took you for the burger type without all the carbs.”
He rolls his eyes while dropping the menu back down in front of him.
“Can’t stay this good-looking downing a plate of carbs.” He points to himself, chuckling. “I try to follow the Keto ninety percent of the time.”
