Page 67 of Hale's Pawn
Mikonos pulls the blonde’s chair back and she doesn’t say anything. She gets up and moves. Mikonos sits. “He’s cartel and a very good…acquaintance.”
I look at him. The man barely talks but now he’s just sitting here like we’ve been friends for years. “He looks more like a friend,” I say.
“Her friend, yes. Mine? I don’t do that. Joaquin and I would have no issue killing each other, but because of Ainslee, there’s a truce.”
“So, why is he here?” I ask, even more annoyed that he takes Ainslee’s hands in his.
“To see her. Why else?” Mikonos answers.
Then it clicks. “He likes her,” I state.
Mikonos scoffs. “No, he loves her, but that’s as far as he would ever go.”
I don’t know how I’m not trying to fight with anyone right now. I glare at Ainslee as she gives him a dimpled smile. “Does she know?”
I see in my peripheral vision that Mikonos shakes his head. “That’s like asking if she knows just how much you love her yourself or how you would have died at the dinner table just to tell her dad about what was happening. Ainslee isn’t the type to see what she doesn’t want to see. Plus, Papa said no when he asked for her hand in marriage. He doesn’t want to mix with the cartel, they’re fucking reckless. No morals, no rules, no family structure. A lot of that shit is just kill or be killed. Too many bosses getting betrayed.”
I take a deep breath. “You are telling me a lot,” I say.
Mikonos shrugs. “You’re married into the Bishops family, it’s your job to know. As for your wife, that’s what I’m here for, to remind her.”
I turn to ask him what he’s talking about. Mikonos plucks the little knife from the table and aims, throwing it right at Joaquin. Ainslee catches it while Joaquin’s men pull their guns out. The restaurant is dead silent now and Mikonos snaps his fingers. The men that no one saw come out from the shadows and hidden places. Joaquin breaks out into a smile while Ainslee glares at Mikonos.
They don’t break eye contact, as if having a conversation.
“The tension is both thicker and tighter than our wives put together,” Jagger whispers.
This isn’t even the place or time but I break out laughing, then I clear my throat because I look crazy.
I turn my attention back to Ainslee who breaks first to glance at me. Her eyes soften when she looks my way and then she looks at Mikonos. She nods her head and the men are gone. Ainslee looks at Joaquin, says something, and then they get up. She gives him a quick hug and he walks out as Ainslee walks towards us.
Mikonos stands. “Come to me when she’s gone too far into the life. She lacks balance sometimes.” He moves his chair back and crouches low. He looks under the table and smirks. “Karessa, you can come out from under the table. I wouldn’t let anything happen to you, sweet baby.”
I look down in between me and Jagger as Karessa crawls out. She looks at Mikonos and she’s blushing. She stands and goes back to her seat on the other side of Jagger. She sits in her seat. “Thank you,” she says sweetly. Mikonos winks at her and walks off.
“Why the fuck are you blushing?” Jagger pulls her out of whatever moment she was in.
Karessa scoffs, “I wasn’t blushing, Jagger. I was just in survival mode.”
I snicker. “Survival mode? Under the table?”
Karessa looks at me for the first time since last night. “Uh...yeah! Let me let you guys in on something. I’m black, okay? We take cover first, then ask questions later. That’s just how it should be.”
“That sounds crazy,” I say. “So if everyone tries to run out of her—“ I don’t even finish my sentence as she answers.
“Yes, I’m running and asking why we ran after. That’s how you stay alive.”
I laugh. “You should show this side of you more. It’s refreshing.” I decide to flip the tables on Jagger, “Sweet baby?” I repeat and look at Jagger. “You’re going to just let that man call your wife what you call her?”
Jagger shrugs, as he’s still scrutinizing Karessa’s every move. He looks at me like I’m crazy. “No, that’s okay. I have a lot to lose. Plus, that’s not a man. That’s a mentally unstable trained killer. I have no reason to get killed when I have access to her. You’re not in my position cause that’s your brother-in-law, he doesn’t want Ainslee.”
I snicker and agree with his logic. “You’re right, he doesn’t and yeah, let’s leave him alone. Crazy ass.” I look back as Mikonos playfully shoves her and she stumbles but gains her footing. She laughs, pushing him back even though he barely moves. Mikonos whispers something in her ear and kisses the side of her head. He walks away, going outside.
33
Ainslee
After Joaquin left,Oran is still giving me the cold shoulder again. I lean in while he’s trying to not look my way. “Don’t be mad at me, babe. Hmm?”
