Page 82 of Grace of Spades
"I am starving, actually. Thank you!" I grin. If I want info from Ruby, I have to butter her up. Richard, I would have to either fight him for the answers or get him drunk. It's nine in the morning and I don't have the time or the money for Richard. So, Ruby, it is.
Ruby bustles around and sets a plate piled high with bacon and eggs and various fruit. I gorge myself making sure to compliment her. Everything she absolutely deserves but I can't say I don't have an ulterior motive.
"So did Grace talk to you about the cooking thing?" I ask.
"No, she had business of her own to take care of... What cooking thing?" She asks changing the subject. What business?
"Oh, she was saying she wanted to start cooking again." I shrug. "I told her she should talk to you. I know you had your own restaurant."
"Oh! I would love to help her! Does she want to go into that field?" She asks her eyes watering at the thought. Good luck, Grace. Ruby is in Mama Bear Mode now.
"That's what she said, but let her come to you. I don't know how much she wants to share." I admit. I probably should keep mynose out of it but I want her to be happy and she said cooking makes her happy.
"I understand," she says gently and then smiles like she has a secret. "And it's not like she can't handle a knife!" She chuckles making Richard boom out a laugh. I am definitely missing something.
"Sorry, but it's really none of your business. If Grace wants you to know, she'll tell you." Richard says letting me know I won't be getting anywhere. Fine.
I nod and thank Ruby for breakfast and head to Andras' office. I always liked his office. It's classy. Like an old-time study. All dark wood and leather. I kind of want one like it. Images fill my mind. Images of me working with Grace reading on the settee. Grace bent over my desk between me and one of the guys. Grace spread out on the carpet for all of us to feast on. Fuck, I guess I really am into this poly thing.
My phone rings as I sit down carefully avoiding my hard on. It's Jai. I hope he has some good news.
"Bianchi." I greet.
"Hey. We got them."
"Perfect. When and where?" I grin.
"I'll send you the location. Send it to the others. Meet at seven?"
"Sounds good. Liam said he wants to bring her."
"I really like this plan." He muses before hanging up. I have to say, I agree.
Grace
I manage to make my way downtown to Monaco Tattoos after another little errand without anyone seeing me leave. I don't expect to go unnoticed but I need privacy for this meeting.
Gabe is waiting for me behind the counter with a giant fake smile. Uh oh. We head back to the break room and Gabe locks the door before handing me a manilla envelope.
"Whatever is going on, Grace, I don't likeit." He admits. I nod and heave a large steadying breath before opening the envelope. Five pictures and a list fall out.
The first picture is of Ray heading into a rundown trailer. The next is a picture of Ray through the window of that trailer with Nathan Marconi. Hugging. What. The. Fuck?
I have to put that picture face down before I can move on to the next.
The next brings bloody fury into my veins. Ray is escorting a very roughed-up young woman into a shipping container. What the fuck is going on?
Bile rises in my throat as I see Ray and Harry Reid sharing a girl between them. No. Ray knows what he did to me. Over and over again. This doesn't make sense.
I turn that one face down as well.
The next picture has my brain disconnecting. I can't piece together what I'm looking at.
"That one was taken before you called me. I've been keeping my eye out to make sure you're okay. You know you're like a sister to me. I can't... I don't know what's going on but... it just seemed important. I found it in his apartment." Gabe admits. He's right. It is important. Ray knew my parents. He's sharing a beer with my dad on the front stoop like they're best friends.
"I..." I try but my words don't come.
"You know who that is?" Gabe asks.
