Page 121 of Working for the Mob

“He gave us an ultimatum,” Lance continued. “Either we give him all of the deeds in the town, or he’ll kill the girls.”

He stared right at me, as though waiting for my reaction. When he didn’t get one, he added, “They’ll also take just you.”

“Just me?”

“If I hand you over in cuffs, they’ll let the girls go,” he said.

“I’ll do it,” I said, without hesitation. I’d do anything for Genevieve. This is the way it had to be. We had no happily-ever-after.

Even as I said it, I knew Lance wouldn’t agree. Without his number one weapon, the Valuncias could run this town overnight.

“No,” Lance said, quickly

“And I’ll give up the café,” Jamie said. “I’d do anything for those dolls.”

I felt a rush of gratitude towards Jamie. He had no idea how much those words, his support, meant to me. But this wasn’t about the café.

“No, Art,” Lance said.

“You didn’t even hear me out.”

“And Jamie, they’re not going to settle for just the café. They want the whole town.”

“Let me do it. I’ll turn myself over,” I said.

“Are there any other options?” Lance asked, looking straight at me.

I stuttered. Lance had never asked my opinion before. He always told me what to do and I yelled at him. That’s how our relationship worked. He’d never given a damn about what I thought. Who the hell was this?

“I think I––”

A knock at the door interrupted me. Once I saw who it was, a mixture of guilt and dread panged in my chest. Mr. Baker stood outside the door of the café.

I gulped and looked around the room for any help, but no one moved. I guess it had to be me.

The walk to the door felt like a march to my death. Only breaking up with Genevieve felt comparable.

I opened the door.

“You need anything, Mr. Baker?” I asked. The easiest thing to do is just to let him go back home and wait for everything to blow over. I’m about to do whatever it takes to get the girls home.

His brow was wrinkled and his eyebrows were drawn together.

“Have you seen Genevieve and Lucy?” Mr. Baker asked. “I stepped out this morning to go to the supermarket, and they were both gone when I got back. I waited around for a few hours, hoping they’d return soon, but it’s past dinner time.”

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Usually, the easiest thing isn’t the right thing. Words that have really ruined my day.

“I think you should come inside.”

???

Three minutes later Lance, Jamie, and I sat around a café table, allowing the information to sink in to Mr. Baker.

“You’ll just have to get them back,” he said, firmly. “This is your fault anyway, isn’t it?”

The accusation stung. He was right. And I’d be willing to do anything to get them back.

“We’re working on it, Mr. Baker,” Lance said, and gave him a confident nod.

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