Page 39 of Bad Medicine
Gripping the doorknob for all it was worth, I ground my teeth together and stormed out of the office, wanting nothing more than a goddamn drink.
Leaving the back hall of the club, I gave a chin lift to Monty as I passed, then shoved my way to the bar, shouldering drunk college kids out of my way like a bulldozer. When I reached the bar, I snagged a beer and downed half of it in one long swallow, the liquid not nearly as bitter as my thoughts. I was just raising the bottle to my lips to finish it off when Enzo moved in beside me, nudging me with his shoulder.
“Feel better yet?”
“Gettin’ there.” Like he could judge. That moody bastard had been snarling at everyone for nearly two weeks now.
“What is it about these women, hey?” he asked, spinning around to stare at the crowd.
“Don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said mildly, finishing the beer and waiting for another. When I had it in hand, I also turned around, leaning back on my elbows beside my friend. My anger soared as I saw the mottled bruising on his jaw, evidence of just how much shit he’d been through without me by his side.
I was supposed to be by his side.
“I’m right as rain, boss man.”
“Sure you are, Rock.”
For a while we said nothing, Enzo watching as the crowd swelled and the money rolled in. We didn’t have a last call in Las Vegas, but we weren’t open twenty-four hours like some establishments. Enzo shut his clubs down around six AM on Friday and Saturday nights, so the place was packed, despite the late hour.
“We still gotta go to New York,” Enzo finally said, his tone mellow even though I knew he was raging inside. “This shit can’t go unanswered. Everyone fucked us over, Rock. Francesca’s family. The feds. The fuckin’ sheriff of Las Vegas.” I watched as his hands curled into fists, knowing he’d really like to hit someone right about now.
Shit, so would I.
Enzo seethed for a few moments longer, then exhaled and started again.
“Mia said that Francesca should wait a week for her shoulder to heal.” He paused, shaking his head. “I give my woman three days before she drags my ass on a plane.”
I snorted, but said nothing, because he was probably right.
“How long you gonna be?” I asked, mentally sorting through all the things I had to look after in his absence.
“Not sure,” he answered with a shrug. “The fights atWrathare gonna be down next week thanks to the fucking car bomb, but I’d like to be back to business as usual the week after that.”
I nodded, knowing I could handle the fights, no problem.
“Masi and I will sort that shit out. Don’t you worry.”
“I know,” Enzo said, then turned to face me. “What I really need is for you all to be watching the fuckin’ Russians. Anton may be lookin’ like he’s behaving, but something still don’t smell right. And all that shit we learned about The Chemist? I’m still not convinced the two aren’t connected.” Running a hand through his hair, Enzo let out a frustrated growl. “And let’s not forget ourfriendGregor. That fuck just might land himself a spot on the city council yet, no matter what connections Frankie and I have with the mayor.” Drumming his fingers on the top of the bar, Enzo exhaled. “I hate feelin’ like I’m missing something, Rock. And that’s exactly how I feel right now. There’s something else, some part of all this shit that I’m not seein’, and it’s driving me nuts.”
“Our contacts are keeping their ears open,” I said, and made a mental note to check up on Sway again. That kid had more information than anyone I’d come across so far. And, even if I didn’t want to admit it, I kind of liked the cocky little shit. “Plus, Trick is skulking around all over the city. If we learn anything new, I’ll let you know.”
“We’ll be back as soon as we can. I don’t want to spend any more time in New York than I absolutely have to. You know how much I hate that fuckin’ city.”
I finished my beer just as Enzo checked his text messages, then straightened up, nodding for me to follow before stalking across the club and back to the office. I followed more slowly, not really relishing another confrontation with Mia. But I was no coward, so I pasted that smile back on my face and sauntered up to them, where they stood at the back door.
“You alright, babe?” Enzo asked, his hands cupped around his wife’s face as he inspected the damage. Her arm was in a makeshift sling, and both she and Enzo sported bruises on their faces from the shit they’d been through, but the way they stared into each other’s eyes, all starry-eyed and shit, told me they were both just in need of a good night’s sleep.
Shit, maybe that’s what I needed, too.
“I’m ready to go,” Francesca said softly, leaning into Enzo’s side, and I ignored the uncomfortable feelings crawling around in my chest at the sight of them all loved up together.
I also ignored the fact that Mia appeared to be ignoring me; two could play at that game.
“I think I’m gonna stick around a bit,” I said casually, watching as a group of ladies exited the restroom just behind where I was standing. “It’s looking like it may be worth my while.”
The words tasted like ash in my mouth, but I didn’t drop the smirk from my face as I gave a chin lift to a blond in a sparkly skirt. She whispered to her friend for a second, then started my way, hips swaying like it was her goddamn job.
Shit, it might have been, but there was no way I was gonna find out.
