Page 107 of Jester

“Sure.”

“My employers were four men who shared a special bond.”

“Real tight, were they?”

Cross frowns at my mocking tone while I catch Graeme smirking in the corner. Papa Bear is unreadable. I notice how the security guys keep their focus on him.

“The surviving man wants to let Giselle know how she is free.”

“Free, how?”

“With her father gone, there’s no more interest in her.”

“I can’t believe you came all the way to Metamora to share that info.”

“There are suspicious facts about my employers’ deaths. Some people might want to dig deeper into that. I’m here to say my remaining employer has no interest in such a thing. He’s ready to let the past go, and he wishes Giselle well.”

Tapping my fingers on the table, I try to see the con behind his words. I feel like he’s working an angle. But I also imagine what the situation might look like from the point of view of the final Black Gold Four member. The guy’s hiding out in New Zealand, away from his power and the Dolls. Three of his fellow sickos are dead. He might not know who did it, but he’s got suspicions. No doubt, he fears we’ll come for him next.

That makes sense, yet I worry over taking this man’s words at face value. If I let my guard down, people important to me could be in danger.

“I won’t be passing those good wishes along to Giselle. She’s happy. Why bring her painful past into the present?” I explain and then sit up straight. “But I’m glad to hear we won’t be getting more visits from you. I’m sure you’re pleased to know you won’t be schlepping up here to given thinly veiled threats.”

“My employer is sincere.”

“No, I’m sure he is. I hear New Zealand is a laid-back place. Bet that kind of thinking rubbed off on the guy who pays your bills. Now, he’s looking to turn over a new leaf. Good for him.”

Teddy doesn’t react to my comment. He’s locked into his friendly demeanor as if I don’t bother him at all. Maybe showing our hand on the New Zealand front is a mistake. But I fear Teddy’s come here to lie his way into us lowering our guard. I think back to Luca’s description of what a team of mercenaries could do at the Sanctuary. It’s possible the surviving Black Gold Four member has plans to make us pay. He might not even care about getting the Dolls back. He just wants us to bleed.

But now Teddy knows we have eyes on his employer. If we bleed, so does he. Sure, he can run. The guy’s loaded. He can hide anywhere in the world. But we’ve got resources, too.

Even if a mercenary team shows up to the Sanctuary, they’re not killing everyone. The space is too large. Our people are too paranoid. The kill team will die, and our survivors will come for the final member of the Black Gold Four. They’ll likely go through Teddy to get to him, too.

Teddy understands the situation. I see in his eyes how he gets the score. So will his boss.

“Are we done here?” I ask the lawyer as his security shifts their stances.

Teddy surprises me with a big smile. “I think we are. Been a pleasure,” he says and stands up. “Hope to never set foot in your little town again.”

“It’s a hope we all share.”

Teddy signals to his thugs to lead the way. I don’t walk out with him, instead lingering in the room with Graeme and Papa Bear.

“Think it’s over?” I ask once we’re alone.

Papa Bear considers the situation and nods. “I suspect so. The surviving asshole left behind those Dolls. He severed ties to Giselle’s dad. He cares more about his survival than revenge or reclaiming those women.”

I stand up and eye Graeme. He knows I’m waiting for his opinion. Pursing his lips, he really considers the situation, not rushing things just to agree with my dad.

“Those Texas fucks enjoyed a lot of power in their little part of the world. They seemed invincible. Now people know they aren’t, and this last guy and his allies are scared. I bet those assholes made a whole lot of enemies over the years. Now, there’s blood in the water. So, no, I don’t reckon you’ll have any more problems with the Texas people.”

Nodding, I feel better knowing they’re thinking the same as me. I don’t want to lower my guard or trust the easier option. But the Black Gold Four have been afraid of coming at us all along, yet they refused to let Giselle go.

Maybe it was just personal. Zack Reinhart wanted his property back. Now, he’s dead, and no one left behind cares enough to stir up trouble.

As Teddy and his thugs leave Metamora, I meet up with Lady Bug and Scout at the diner. My newest daughter smiles with relief at the sight of me. I see so much of Jules in Scout. Not only their physical similarities but how they deal with stress and fear.

The woman I love didn’t get many breaks in life. She struggled and suffered alone for a long time. But Scout won’t go through the same trials. She’s part of a good family now. Not only the one Jules and I have created, but the Sanctuary will protect this child as she grows into adulthood.

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