Page 136 of Luck of the Draw

He entered the restaurant, and this time the hostess was expecting him. As he followed her down the narrow hallway to the back room, he hugged the laptop bag to his side and dropped his shoulders, stretching the stiffness out of his neck and exhaling quietly. The icy calmness of mental equilibrium settled over him. It was just one more mission, and Brennan hadn’t lost his superhuman ability to stabilize the neural mechanism that allowed him to function quickly and decisively under the heaviest of pressure.

The hostess pushed open the door and gestured for him to enter. Brennan scanned the room. Vito and his whole crew were there. Thirteen men. Each likely packing heat. He may as well have been walking to stand before a firing squad. Karma remembered every last thing he’d done in his life, and it was time to pay up.

She loves me. No matter what happens, she loves me.

It was enough.

Vito caught sight of him and lifted his arms open wide as if welcoming an old friend. “Brennan! You came after all.” He made a big show of checking his gold watch. “I was thinking you wouldn’t show.”

Brennan approached him wearing a casual smile. “Traffic getting out of the Quarter can be a real nightmare.”

Vito hacked a laugh. “Yeah, yeah.” He gestured at a free chair near him. “Have a seat. Get some grub so we can get down to business.”

Brennan took the seat at the head of the table and set the laptop bag next to the legs of his chair. “Thank you, Mr. Moreci.”

Vito picked up a bottle of wine and poured a glass, then set it in front of Brennan. He lifted his glass. “Salute.”

Brennan lifted his glass as well but didn’t take a sip.

“I heard your girl is doing better,” Vito continued. “Heard she was settling in nice at your place.”

Brennan fought the boiling sensation in his veins and nodded. “She is. She’s doing really well.”

“And she’s been going with you every day over to that record label, huh?”

The fucker had been watching them apparently, but Brennan remained neutral. “Yep.”

“That’s good, that’s good. How are your folks?”

Brennan shifted in his chair and adjusted his jacket. “They’re doing great, Mr. Moreci.”

“Good to hear.” He sipped his wine and waggled his finger at a wall as if pointing at their house. “And they’re still living over in that fine home on Lake Shore Drive? Such a fine neighborhood.”

Brennan nodded casually, but knew Vito was stacking the deck. He knew all of Brennan’s weaknesses, and this banter was him proving he could hit every last one of them if he wanted to. “Sure are.”

“Good deal.” He leaned back in his chair and laced his fingers behind his head. “I’m glad to see ya. I’m really looking forward to not having any more trouble with you in the future.”

“Yeah, you don’t have to worry about that.” Brennan waved his hand. “Smooth sailing from now on.” He leaned forward and held his finger in the air. “In fact, I’ve got a proposition for you, and I think you’re going to like it.”

“Am I?” It was unclear whether Vito was delighted or skeptical. “Well let’s hear it, kid.”

Brennan picked up the bag and set it on the table, giving it a firm pat. “So, I’ve got your money here, but I also have a hell of a lot more than this just sitting in the bank. You know that. And I recall from the last time I had a conversation with Angelo that you guys have a bit of a problem collecting money from folks, isn’t that correct?”

Vito rubbed his chin. “Right, right.”

“Yeah. So, my proposal is for you to take me on as your financier. I’ll float you a loan, and you pay me when you get it from them. Are you aware of the financial arrangement I’ve got going on with the record label? I do the same thing for them. I’ve been keeping them in business for more than a decade. I’m willing to do that for you.” Brennan spread his palms out across the bag. “And in exchange for that, you let me hang on to this for now. How’s that sound?”

Vito was stone like a statue for all of five seconds before he pushed back from the table and laughed. Brennan laughed with him until Vito’s laughter fizzled out.

“Ahhh…you’re funny, kid. That’s a fine idea, but I think I’m gonna have to pass. I’d rather just get my money. If you wanna give me more money later.” He shrugged and chuckled again. “Well, I ain’t gonna stop you.”

Brennan raised his eyebrows. “Are you sure about that? I think we both know I’ve got access to more money than you’ll ever see in three lifetimes.”

“Yeah, but you’re also thirty-somethin’ and still on an allowance.” Vito cackled loudly and then waved at the opposite end of the table. “Angelo, come say hi to Brennan.”

Angelo strolled casually and smugly toward them. “Brennan! Good to see you, friend. How’s that pretty girl of yours?”

Brennan’s jaw clenched, and he offered Angelo a steely-eyed smile. “She’s good.”

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