Page 45 of Royal Desire

Ilook around at my top clients who have come from all over the country for a free weekend on me. My old man never did anything like this, but it’s simple math and good business.

Since I took over, the amount of money I make off each and every one of them is insane and worth more than the shitty cheese basket he used to send every Christmas. It also gives me one-on-one time to talk about their kids, their grandkids, their vacation homes, and their vanity cars that are getting them through midlife, whether it’s a crisis or not.

But I’m not doing any of that at the moment. I had to step away to take a call that I was not about to send to voicemail. “The Mafia?”

“The New York Mafia.” Eli Pettit not only elaborates but emphasizes the words. “I wasn’t getting anywhere by calling around, and you said spare no expense. I didn’t make the trip to the Big Apple myself, but I did send one of my best investigators. Once I had feet on the ground, we got the answers we were looking for.”

“Are you going to make me beg for it? Tell me.”

“Wow, you really are a scorned lover.” Eli chuckles over the phone at my expense but finally gives me the information he’s charging me a pretty penny for. “Ruby Sinclair caught the eye of the Godfather’s youngest son, Enzo Caruso. She performed at his club on the regular. From what we know, Caruso has his own personal brothel at his beck and call, but Ruby was new and shiny and caught his eye. Enzo also needs a wife and a legitimate son to carry on the family name if he wants any chance at his old man handing over the reins. He’s the next in line after his brother was recently killed.”

My blood starts to boil. “Are you telling me that Ruby got in deep with the Mafia?”

“I did not say that. I said Enzo set his sights on her, not the other way around. My guy said the bartender was sampling from his concoctions all night. He was on his way from tipsy to drunk and got loose lipped. He said your woman didn’t want anything to do with Caruso, but she needed the work, so she did her best to toe that line and keep her job. After more digging about the family, Enzo has a reputation of getting what he wants, but Ruby did not want him. She quit taking gigs at the club and tried to ghost Enzo, but he wasn’t having it.”

“What the fuck?”

Eli goes on. “What the fuck is right. No one messes with the Carusos. Organized crime has come a long way in the last few decades. Most have gone low key. No one wants the attention from drive-by shootings while patrons are inside chowing down on a plate of pasta, but the Carusos have a reputation. I know from my time with the FBI, they’re old school.”

“Meaning they’re shooting up restaurants left and right?”

“Not exactly. More like they’ll strong arm whoever they want to get whatever they want. It comes in the form of blackmail, bribery, or your typical protection racket. Last I heard, they still have law enforcement and politicians on their payroll but not like it was decades ago.”

I lift my chin to a group of clients who are making their way from The Greenhouse after dinner to The Speakeasy for the private event. I’ve been secretly foaming at the mouth about this for reasons I’m not about to admit to anyone. “Are you telling me Ruby has a Mafia fuckface after her, and that’s why she ran home?”

“How many times have we worked together, Deacon? There’s no hard evidence. This is hearsay, but my guy is good, and the bartender has a pulse on what’s going on. I haven’t confirmed this with your prior lover or the fuckface, so you know what I know. That said, I think it’s safe to say Ruby Sinclair is freaked the fuck out and plans to hide out in your tiny town.”

“Fuck.”

“Right. Enzo Caruso’s reputation is not one for being docile or giving up when he has his sights set on something. And it sounds like he wants Ruby Sinclair.”

I scrape a hand down my face. I’m not sure what I expected to learn, but it wasn’t this. Hell, I don’t even know what to do with this.

As if Eli is a mind reader, he keeps talking. “I’m not sure what you plan to do, but I’d start with making sure she knows who she’s dealing with.”

“Ruby isn’t stupid, innocent, or gullible. I’m sure she knows exactly who she’s dealing with. She wouldn’t have come back here if she weren’t out of choices.”

“Look who’s making assumptions now,” Eli drawls with the wit of a mid-summer drought.

“This isn’t an assumption. If she’s here, it means she has no other options. And I know that because I’m here. She wants nothing to do with me.”

“And I thought you were the scorned one.”

“I am, dammit.” I enter the moody lounge that feels like I’ve been transported back to another century. “Listen, I’ve got to go. If you find out anything else, I want to know right away.”

“Of course. My investigator doesn’t fly home until tomorrow. He’s going to check on her apartment and the other bars she performed at. When he wraps up, I’ll have a full, detailed report drafted for you.”

“Perfect. Thanks again.”

“Thank you for the business. And good luck with Ruby.” I can almost hear the smile in his voice.

“I don’t need luck. I need answers.”

“You know more than you did, but if you want to know everything, you’ll need to go to the source herself. But since I consider you a friend, I’ll leave you with one piece of advice. The Carusos are dangerous. If you insert yourself, be prepared to go all in and take necessary precautions. You may find yourself dragged into a world you didn’t ask to be a part of.”

I move to the bar. “You make it sound ominous.”

“I know from experience—professionally and personally—do not go there unless you’re prepared to dive into that drama headfirst. I dove in with my wife. It was worth it, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. If you’re only curious, step away, man. You do not want to involve yourself with the Carusos out of simple curiosity.”