Page 36 of Three to Fall

“It is!” I blurted the truth out like my lips couldn’t contain the words. “What you and Willa have done for us is amazing.”

Grayson was like a dog with a bone. “So you’ll come in on Monday and we’ll talk through the details? Sign contracts? You’ll need to get your GED so you can enroll in the other courses you’ll need to complete, but that was already the plan anyway.”

They were both looking to me for an answer. Guilt swirled in my gut, but there was nothing else I could say. I nodded weakly, knowing I’d have to lie again. “Okay.”

“We’ll be the three amigos permanently!” Grayson said gleefully.

Hawk screwed up his face. “Please don’t ever call us that.”

Grayson sobered. “Fair enough.”

“And if you make me a celebratory glove balloon animal, I’m quitting. I hate those things.”

“Noted.” He glanced at me. “Any special requests from you?”

“No. Just…thank you.” It was the very least I could say. I really hoped they found someone else to take my spot.

Hawk and I made our way to the kitchen where Hayden and two of his staff members busily bustled around, preparing various types of food for the party tonight. Trays filled with the beginnings of sliders, potatoes being peeled and chopped up for I had no idea what, and chicken wings marinating in a dark sauce.

He looked up when we entered, and relief washed over his face. “More hands. Excellent. Can you both set tables? I’ll show you where everything is.”

He wiped his fingers on his apron and led us to the maître d’ standing desk and knelt to open a cupboard not visible from the customer side. “Tablecloths are in here. Cutlery and anything else you might need should be behind the bar. If you need—”

The front door swung open.

Four older men walked in like they owned the place, not even acknowledging that we were standing there.

“Uh, guys?” Hayden called. “We’re closed right now.”

A fifth man, younger than the others, followed them in. One I unfortunately recognized.

Luca clapped his hand against Hayden’s cheek. “Not closed anymore. Get someone to bring us menus, yeah? The guys and I have some business to take care of.”

Hayden grabbed his arm, not letting him pass. “No. Not here. Not now. I’m preparing for a private party. I told you we were closed today.”

Hawk silently moved himself into position at Hayden’s back. While simultaneously putting himself between me and Luca’s friends. His muscles tensed, clearly preparing for a fight.

Luca darted a peek at the table full of older men, then lowered his voice so it wouldn’t be heard above their shouts and laughter. “Look, I’m going to be straight with you. I don’t want to be here any more than you want me here. But my father and his friends don’t ask permission, and they’re all carrying. Are the two of you? You really want to turn this into a thing? Or do you want to just serve us some food and some drinks so you all can go on with your party and I can be anywhere else?”

Hawk glanced over at the table and sighed. “He’s not lying. I count three guns, and that’s only the ones that are visible.”

Luca cracked his neck to one side, his agitation clear. “Please, Hayden.”

I blinked in surprise. Luca didn’t strike me as the sort of person who ever asked for anything nicely.

Hayden shook his head, and his teeth mashed together. But his eyes softened just a little. “An hour. One. You’ll get fed and have a drink and then you’ll leave well before any of my guests get here tonight.”

Luca nodded. “I promise. Thank you.” He went to sit with his father and the older man’s friends.

The one to Luca’s left, who I suspected might have been his father or at least an uncle, as there was a strong family resemblance, tapped his hand on the tabletop. “What kinda place do you have here, Luca? We can’t get no menus?”

Luca shot Hayden a pleading glance.

“I’ve never seen Guerra this rattled,” Hawk mumbled.

Hayden sighed heavily. “I don’t even have any of the waitstaff or the bartenders here until five.”

Hawk pressed his mouth into a grim line. “I’ll do it.”

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