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“Fine. It’s done.”
“I heard.” Nikolai made a face. “Nasty way to go.”
“He was a nasty man.”
“He was,” Nikolai agreed. “Did Sean offer any compensation to the widow?”
“$900 a week for two years paid in cash through pickups at Sunshine Dry Cleaners,” Danny said.
“That’s fair, I suppose. It’s not as if Sean can use those IDs that Burt faked through his connections at work. He’ll have to eat that cost.”
“It won’t slow him down much,” Danny warned, voicing aloud his concern about Sean’s appetite for expansion. “He’s not going to play by the rules.”
“Neither am I.” Nikolai’s gaze moved to the far side of the restaurant where Anita was overseeing some last minute preparations. “I’ve decided to give that street where Anita is located to Diego and the Hermanos. They’re family. Let them handle the friction with Sean and Teddy.”
Danny figured that was the least expensive route to take. They would lose some of the taxes paid on that strip, but they would save money by not engaging in the turf war that was soon to come.
“Danila.” Nikolai gestured to front entrance. “She’s here.”
Danny turned—and the breath was knocked right out of him. Macy stood there like a supermodel walking the red carpet, arm in arm with Colt in a small child’s tuxedo and Hannah in a fluffy pink dress. The green dress fit her to perfection, just as Anita had promised. It hugged her curves, hiding all the secret freckles and ticklish spots that only he knew. Her red hair glistened and fell around her shoulders in loose waves that he planned to have wrapped around his fingers later tonight.
Their gazes met across the room, and she smiled. His heart raced, and he left Nikolai’s side to join her. Before he could get his hands on her, Colt and Hannah rushed him like the wild little heathens they were, hugging his waist and tugging at his sleeves.
“Danny! Do you like my dress?”
“Danny! We got to ride in a long, black car! The seats were funny, and I had a Coke with a straw and Mom didn’t even tell me no!”
“Danny! Can I touch the flowers? I like pink flowers. Are they smelly?”
“Colt! Hannah!” Janie scolded gently. “Let him breathe! My goodness! Give him some space!”
“Sorry,” they both grumbled and backed away to their mother who stood nearby with baby Daisy in her arms.
Danny laughed and crouched down to their eye level. “Yes, Hannah, I like your dress, and yes, you can touch the flowers if you’re careful. Colt, I’m glad you liked the limousine. If you’re really good, maybe you can convince the driver to take you for ice cream before you go home later.”
“Really?” Colt asked, his eyes wide.
Danny glanced at Janie who nodded. “Yep. Really.”
“Cool!” Colt dashed off after Hannah who was tentatively poking a peony.
“I better go corral those two.” Janie smiled at him. “You look very handsome, Danny.”
“Thanks. You look great.” She really did. Her faded bruises were covered with a little makeup, and she seemed well-rested and healthy in her simple emerald green dress. “Here. I have something for you.”
“What’s this?” Janie took the business card and turned it over. “Sunshine Dry Cleaners?”
“It’s what you’re owed.” Danny didn’t have to say who owed it or why. “You go there every week for your cash payment.”
“Every week?” Her eyes widened. “For two years?”
He nodded. “It’s to help you get back on your feet.”
She blinked rapidly, her eyes suddenly glossy. “Thank you, Danny.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Danny,” Macy said after Janie left to mind Colt and Hannah. “Thank you.”
