Page 65 of Last One Standing
I joined Pika in the dining room, and we were soon joined by Angel, Noel, and Phoenix. Noel was nudging Phoenix and they were quietly arguing. I glanced at Angel.
“Don’t look at me. My family is strange, and I choose not to engage. If I do that, I need to listen to them.”
Pika snorted, and I laughed.
“Phoenix, just ask,” Noel said.
“Fine.” Phoenix cleared his throat. “Kona?”
“Yes?”
“I’m doing this charity talent show at the Bellini Ballroom in a month. Dancing. Anyway, I had a pianist, but they suddenly canceled on me, and that’s fine. I can use my playlist, but I wanted to do something more showy, and I was wondering if you’d help me?”
A smile bloomed on my face. “That is amazing, and I would love to.”
His eyes widened. “Really?”
“Told you,” Noel mumbled around a bite of toast.
“Can I ask what you were thinking of doing? I mean, I assume you were planning someone to play the piano and you dance. Thing is, a piano is more intimate, so if you want to entertain, you should go for more.”
“Like what?”
“Well, is there a theme?”
“No.” He popped a grape into his mouth. “We can do anything within the guidelines…no stripping, not like I’d do that.”
I peeked at Angel, and he shot me a wink. “After breakfast, if you’d like, we can sit and go over songs that might work well with your dancing style. And from there, we can give it some pizzazz.”
Noel’s phone vibrated on the table, and he glanced at it. “Car approaching the house. Looks like Carmichael.” He got up from the table. “You all finish, I’ll let him in.”
We all sat and ate, listening as Noel opened the door. His greeting was not totally welcoming, but there was some history there.
“I love when you show up without calling.”
“Noel, I’m not in the mood for your anything.”
I chuckled, and Angel shook his head.
“You don’t even know my everything. I’m unforgettable, legendary?—”
“Stop. Please. I will give you money if you’ll just stop.”
Carmichael and Noel went back and forth for a little bit longer until Angel got up with a grunt. I followed behind, as did Phoenix and Pika, into the living room.
“Oh, good.” Carmichael sighed in relief. “Kona, I was hoping to see you. Is anyone else here?”
“Yeah, kitchen. I’ll get them.” Angel left for a moment and called for them all to join us.
Once we were all gathered, including Lizzy and Hazel, Carmichael faced me. “I need to ask if you knew of Brick working with anyone outside of the Dead Kings.”
“You mean like other clubs or something?”
“No.” Carmichael blew out a heavy breath. “Have you heard the name Colette Barbier?”
I didn’t have to think about that. “Never. Who is she?”
“She’s someone the FBI, ATF, and others have been trying to nail for human, drug, and gun trafficking.”
