Chapter 9 - Behind the Eight Ball

Behind the Eight Ball: In a difficult position, in a tight spot

Cullen

Trips to Fire Island used to be the highlight of my week. Me and the boys would get out on the beach, start a bonfire, horse around while we waited for a drop off.

There ain't nothin' but space out there. Fresh air. Quiet. Sand between your toes. The sound of the waves crashing. Closest I ever felt to free.

Last night was different. I sat and watched the guys wrestlin' with each other like a bunch of goons. They didn't have a care in the world. Meanwhile, I was feelin' more trapped than ever.

I don't know how I'm supposed to consider giving Es half my fuckin' savings when I'm already losing money hand over fist just to stay in the game.

Then I remembered how Kitten wanted me to bring her to the beach. How she thinks it would be romantic. I ain't ever thought about it that way, but now I can't get it outta my head. I wanna see her naked under the moonlight, hear those little noises she makes when I touch her and know it's me that's bringin' them out of her. I wanna make her feel things she ain't ever felt before. Watch her come again. Hear her say my name when she does it.

In another life maybe.

Today I try to quit daydreamin' and focus on work. Normally I embrace this side of the job - talking up clients, gaining their trust, getting them to spread the word, making sure they know they got protection from the coppers. If I take good care of 'em, they know Marcus has their back.

It ain't happening.

As a matter of fact, if deliverin' booze became a sport, today I'd be settin' records 'cause I can't get it off the truck fast enough. Findin' a way to see Kitten is my number one priority.

Even with all the shit that went down last week, I'd give anything to blow off deliveries again, show up at Barnard, take her somewhere we can have some privacy. Let her try out number four and number five, for fuck's sake. Then introduce her to ten and eleven.

Yeah, I added a few.

I mighta crossed the line the other night, gettin' her outta her clothes, knowin' her family was just on the other side of that door. In my defense, there weren't a lot of clothes to get her out of. Just a pretty pink nightgown leaving nothing to the imagination. And when she looked up at me like all she needed was me in her bed, her list in my pocket tellin' me exactly what she wanted, I couldn't help myself.

I wanna be the guy who gives her what she wants every fuckin' day of her life.

It ain't just that though. I want the after. I wanna lie next to her and not have to climb out the window so we don't get caught. I want her there when I fall asleep and when I wake up. I want limbs tangled, whisperin' secrets we ain't told nobody else, feelin' like for the first time since Pops died, I can just fuckin' relax.

For once I was in the right place at the right time, sharin' all of who I am with the person who wants to hear it.

Someone who makes me wanna think further into the future than just the next couple a' years.

But before I can get back to Kitten, I gotta deal with Eli Denali - a guy I still gotta convince to stick with Marcus.

He ain't exactly bein' understanding.

"What's in it for me?" he asks. "I hear if I go with Black I don't gotta worry about my orders bein' intercepted."

"You talkin' to Black's men?"

He puts his hands up like I'm someone who'd put a boot in his face for questioning them like that.

That ain't how Marcus treats his customers though.

"How's four bottles of the good stuff sound?" I lean against the counter. "That make it okay?"

He rubs his jaw, avoids eye contact. "Make it a case and you've got a deal."

A fuckin' case. It's almost enough to make me wanna put my boot in his face after all.

Instead I shake his hand and nod to Seth, lettin' him know to set the guy up. If it means I'm back in Marcus's good graces, it's worth it.

"Next time Black's guys pay you a visit, you tell 'em you ain't interested."

Or maybe I tell 'em my goddamn self.

xXxXx

As we load back into the truck, Jimmy's in the driver's seat, waitin' for us. Feet up on the dashboard, toothpick between his teeth, keepin' his eyes on everything and everyone.

It almost feels like we're back to business as usual. Now that their bruises and egos are mending, the guys are jokin' about what went down with Swan. Each one's swearin' they got it worst.

Seth exaggerates a limp. "I might fake some pain for a while longer. Gets me laid more than I thought it would."

"No kiddin'," Garrett adds. "I'm plannin' on tellin' dames my knee can predict the weather."

Al laughs. "Riley don't need no tricks with that pretty face." He gives the kid a shove. "Probably made Swan's men weep."

"Gonna take him places in this business." I give him a wink.

"Thinkin' about quittin', to be honest," Riley says as he heaves an empty case up into the back.

Everyone freezes. All eyes are on the kid, includin' mine. Even Jimmy leans out from the driver's seat to see what's what.

"Why's that?" Garrett asks like he suspects he already knows the answer.

Him and Al reach for their tommies.

Riley shrugs. "It's kinda… whiskey."

He keeps a straight face as he looks between each of the guys with that pretty mug.

Seth starts laughin' then the rest of us join in. I even see a smile on Jimmy's face as he starts the truck up. The kid and his corny humor's startin' to fit right in.

I'm about to hop into the back when some dirty runt comes flyin' toward us outta nowhere.

He reaches for my pocket.

I grab him by the wrist. "You stupid or somethin'?"

The squirmy little shit pulls out of my grasp pretty easy. He's outta sight before any of us know what happened. I gotta wonder how anyone's still dumb enough to pickpocket Marcus Volturi's boys.

Garrett roars with laughter. "You're losin' your touch, Ed. Brat wasn't even scared a' you."

He climbs into the truck, shakin' his head. I shove my hands into my pockets, find a slip of paper that wasn't there before.

Sneaky little fuck.

I unfold the note.

There's one word scrawled out on the piece of paper.

Only one person who'd wanna meet me there.

It looks like I ain't skirtin' this conversation with her no more.

xXxXx

Jackie's is a blues joint in Hell's Kitchen. A place buried so deep not a lot of people know it exists. There ain't even a sign out front.

Best music in all of Manhattan. Also the best place to go when privacy's key and there ain't time to meet out in the sticks.

When I walk in, a smooth rendition of "Blue Skies" sets my nerves at ease. I love this version. It's quiet. Subtle. Almost makes me forget why I'm here.

Jackie nods from behind the bar. A waitress winks as she passes by. All of a sudden, someone's rushing toward me but the dim lights and thick smoke make it hard to see who it is.

I reach for my Colt as a pair of arms are flung around my neck, but the minute her body's flush with mine, I let go of the gun and hold her tight. I just spent half the daydreamin' about her. I'd know the feel of her anywhere.

"What are you doing here, Kitten?"

"I was so worried." She squeezes me like her life depends on it.

I glance across the floor and see Es standin' there, waitin' for me to notice her.

"The fuck is going on?"

She don't answer, just nods toward our usual table in the back.

Kitten ain't letting go. Between the two of 'em, I got a bad feeling.

I pry her arms away.

"It's Daddy. He's-"

I put my finger to her lips. "Hold that thought."

As I lead her to where Es is waitin', guys break from playin' pool to clap me on the shoulder, say hello. A few others eye Kitten like she don't belong here. I shoot 'em a warning glare. As far as I'm concerned, she can go wherever the fuck she wants. She practically shines her own light into all the shady places of NYC.

Back at the table, I'm on edge. I'm used to Es callin' for me, used to bein' prepared for just about anything when it comes to us.

With Kitten here, I ain't so sure I'm ready.

I pull her chair out, then slide mine over next to hers.

"So why'd you send for me, Es?"

She folds her arms across her chest and nods toward the girl at my side. "You want to tell us why we're here now?"

"It's not the kinda thing I could…" Kitten peeks around the room and lowers her voice. "... could tell just anybody, Miss Es."

There's a familiar look on Kitten's face, one I've seen too many times when somethin' bad's gone down with my boys. "What' happened?" My stomach's in knots. "Ali okay? You?"

"It's Daddy," she says in a rush. "He's in it with Mr. Black. He knows I've been seeing you."

My heart stops beatin' for a minute.

"Your fuckin' father knows about us?"

There ain't a lot of things that'd get that kinda reaction outta me, I can handle my fuckin' own. But if Swan knows about us, he's gonna do his best to keep me away from Kitten. And who knows what he might do to her for datin' a criminal.

"Nice to see you, Cullen." Jackie strides up to the table, claps me on the back. "And Esme, you here to class up the joint?"

"You know I like to keep an eye on the competition." Es shrugs. "Figured you wouldn't mind the class."

A server bustles around us setting out our usuals.

Jackie smiles and turns his attention to Kitten. "I know about these two stiffs, but is there anything we can get you?"

She slams back my whiskey and slides the glass his way. "Nothin' for me, thanks." Kitten wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. "But Cullen's gonna need another."

Jackie looks like he ain't sure he should laugh or kick her out. Esme's mouth drops open. Meanwhile I can't help chuckling. I'd like to see Jackie try it.

"We're good here," I tell him.

Kitten watches carefully as he walks away. "It's not my dad," she finally explains. "It's Mr. Black who knows."

I gotta admit, it's easier to breathe. Black I can handle.

"He told me it was Marcus Volturi who beat you. Says Marcus'll kill you if he finds out about us."

None of this is makin' sense. "Well he ain't wrong, but what the fuck's that got to do with you?"

"For starters, it's seein' me that's putting your life in danger."

Es takes a sip of her drink before she leans across the table. "I'm not clear why Black or Marcus would care about you and Ed." Her smile's a little too sweet as she locks eyes with Kitten. "No offense, honey."

Kitten scoots back in her chair and sits up straight like she don't wanna be the one to say.

Can't say I do either. I wasn't expecting to have this particular conversation today.

"It ain't a big deal, Es," I tell her instead.

"This is clearly a big deal. This girl called me at all hours of the morning in a panic."

"It's like I told you, Miss Es," Kitten says as the music stops. "His life's in danger."

Her voice is too loud. The bar's too quiet. Next thing we know, our table's the center of attention.

Everyone knows what Es and me are into, but hearin' it out loud's a different thing altogether.

Jackie waves at his staff to get back to work. The music starts up again and people slowly go back to mindin' their own business.

I put an arm around Kitten's shoulder, shielding her from prying eyes.

"I ain't in danger anymore than any other day of the week." I assure her.

"You gotta listen to me," she begs. "Either my dad, or Marcus, or Mr. Black is gonna kill you. And it's all my fault." She's got a hold of my hand like she's gonna crush it, lettin' me know she believes every word of what she's sayin'.

"Black ain't petty like that, Kitten. No reason he'd wanna kill me."

"He was very clear about his intentions." She shakes her head before turnin' to Es. "Can you please talk some sense into him?"

"I still don't even know who you are, dollface." It sounds more like an accusation than polite conversation.

"We gotta tell her," Kitten pleads with me.

And I know she's right. So I nod, take a breath, and face Es head on. "Izz ain't Kitten's real name."

Es narrows her eyes.

"It's Isabella." I swallow thick. Here goes nothin'. "Swan."

Es's face turns pale as a ghost. It seems like the wind's been knocked out of her.

"Jesus fuckin' Christ, Ed. You brought this girl to lunch with us?"

'Es-"

"You shoulda known better." She glares at Kitten and points to the exit. "Get. Out."

Kitten wipes a tear from her cheek before she starts collecting her things. "Call me, okay?"

I grab her hand before she has a chance to leave. "She ain't goin' anywhere."

"Putting your own life in danger is one thing. It's stupid, but it's your choice," Es lectures. "But putting everything I've worked for on the line after everything I've done for you?"

"You shoudn't judge me because of who my father is." Kitten sniffs. "It's not fair."

Es huffs, raises an eyebrow. "I think I know your father better 'n you, honey. I got the right to judge."

A week ago, I mighta said the same thing. "She ain't like him."

"Try tellin' Swan that when he's holding a gun to your head."

"Listen," Kitten interjects, desperate to get her point across. "It's Black we have to worry about. He's the one causin' all the trouble."

I can't imagine why Billy Black's so riled up he's blackmailin' people. Then somethin' hits me. "I thought you said you didn't know any other bootleggers."

"I don't. I mean... I didn't." Kitten takes another swig from the empty glass in front of her, draining every last drop of whiskey. "Not until Jake showed up to dinner last night."

It takes a second for what she said to sink it. Another for me to realize we ain't talking about Billy Black. We're talkin' about his two-bit, sleazeball of a son.

"You had dinner with Jacob fuckin' Black?" I ask her through clenched teeth.

I don't mean it to come out quite that bitter. But when I'm sneakin' out of her bedroom and this guy's sittin' pretty at the dinner table, it ain't easy ignoring that kinda spite.

"It's not like I was the one who invited him."

"Jake Black is insignificant," Es chimes in.

I run a hand through my hair and try to breathe. "You're right," I tell Es. "Idiot's been on the sidelines for years."

"Jake don't exactly seem like he's on the sidelines," Kitten explains. "He said he's aiming to take Marcus Volturi down. And after what Marcus did to you, can't say I blame him."

I think about what he said to Jasper. What he said after. Looks like he's settin' up shop on Fifth Avenue after all. "Maybe he don't want to stay insignificant."

"He told me I gotta give him information. Otherwise he'll tell Marcus I've been seeing you. He'll tell my father."

"Fuck." This guy.

"Ed, you need to leave. Get as far from the city as you can." Es reaches across the table and our eyes lock. The worry on her face is enough to make my thoughts turn from wantin' to end Black to wantin' to protect everyone I know.

Kitten clutches my hand.

Everyone I care about.

Christ, do I care about this girl.

"I got too many people here to even think about leavin'."

Es points to Kitten. "If what she's saying is true -"

"No way in the world I'd lie about something like this," Kitten snaps.

"As I was saying," Es cuts back in. "You won't be alive to worry about anyone if you don't get outta here."

"I couldn't live with myself if I ran. Besides, I gotta make sure Black don't get away with this."

Lookin' at Kitten, I see a girl hopeful I got all the answers to our problems.

My chest goes tight. It ain't right. We just met, but there don't seem to be another choice. "Easiest solution is you stop seein' me. Then you're safe and all this goes away. Done."

"That's no solution." She reaches up and brushes her knuckles over my bruises. "If I don't have anything for Black on Sunday, he'll make all of this look like nothing."

I'm startin' to think Kitten's right. Maybe Black ain't been on the sidelines after all. Maybe he's just been waitin' around for me to find somethin' I ain't willing to lose.

"I think I'll pay him a visit before Sunday. Stop him my fuckin' self."

"You'd be dead before his body hits the ground," Es says, like it's fact. She's probably right.

"Maybe it's worth it."

"Killing Jake ain't worth losing your life over. And neither is this." She points between me and Kitten.

Es is smart and she means well. But she's dead wrong. I pull Kitten close, tip her chin so she's looking at me when I answer. "She's worth more."

Kitten wraps her arms around my neck. "I ain't worth a dime if I don't got you."

Just like that, I'm lost in her eyes. "Still gotta get to the beach with you."

I've been thinking about it all day.

Takin' her to the beach.

Takin' off her clothes.

Takin' her in the sand.

Christ.

"At nighttime." She slides her foot up my calf.

This girl.

Es throws her hands up. "You've both got a death wish."

"I swear I'd do anything to make this right," Kitten tells me.

"This ain't on you, doll."

"You'd do anything?" Es asks. I can practically see the idea formin' inside her head.

Kitten sighs. "Anything."

I got a funny feeling I know what's comin'.

"No, Es."

"What?" Kitten lets go of me and leans across the table.

Es takes a casual sip of her drink. "If Black wants information, Izz here can give him information."

Kitten's eyes light up.

If it was anyone else, I'd consider it. Puttin' Kitten in harm's way ain't on my agenda though. Not by a long shot.

I open my mouth, start to argue my point, but why bother? The way Kitten and Es are lookin' at each other, it's like they're already making plans without sayin' a word.

Somethin' tells me it don't matter what I gotta say.

I knew it was a bad idea to put these two in the same room.

xXxXx

When ideas about how to take Jacob Black down get thrown around, Jackie's starts to feel a little too crowded. Es suggests we head to her place, talk things over.

Outside, the sun shines in our eyes, on its way to settin'. Guys hang out in front of Smithies smokin' cigars. There's a steady stream of dames headed into the corner store to pick up groceries for dinner. Kids play stickball in the streets, hollerin', laughin'. You wouldn't know there's an ugly side to Manhattan where innocent girls are roped into crime syndicates, get blackmailed, then end up puttin' their lives on the line for their criminal boyfriends.

The unmistakable sound of my little brother's voice cuts through it all. He ain't callin' for me though.

"Izz!"

Kid nearly knocks Kitten over when he throws his arms around her.

At first she seems shocked. Her arms are spread out like she don't know what's happening. Then she smiles wide when she realizes who's assaulted her.

"Jasper?"

He's a fuckin' mess. Dirty and sweaty like he just ran all the way from Battery Park, but Kitten don't care. She ruffles his hair and hugs him tight.

His face is lit up like he's surprised she remembers him. "You came back."

She pries his hands away and my chest goes a little tight 'cause I don't think I've seen him this excited to see someone since…

Since Pops was around.

Es leans against my Chrysler, watching the whole scene in disbelief. I can almost hear her tellin' me how stupid it was to introduce the police commissioner's daughter to my family.

I had the same thought when I first brought her home.

"You gave your brother a fright the other day," Kitten says.

The kid eyes me sideways like he almost feels bad.

"It's super important for you to listen to Ed right now." She takes Jasper by the shoulders. "Important for your whole family. I couldn't handle it if anything happened to you, or Carl, or your mom."

Jasper nearly looks sheepish. "But-"

"Listen, I get it. I ain't used to following these kinda rules either." Kitten leans in toward him like she's tellin' him a secret, only she's makin' sure I hear every word. "Let's both try? And if we're right on the money maybe your brother will let me come by again."

"Of course he will," Jasper insists, like I'm a fuckin' monster if I don't. "Right, Ed?"

Kitten drapes an arm over Jasper's shoulder and bats her eyes, darin' me to try to come between the two of 'em.

Like I'd ever say no to her.

I gotta turn away to hide a smile from Jasper. I don't need him knowin' I'm as anxious to get Kitten back to our place as he is.

"Seems like I'm gonna have a mutiny on my hands if I don't," I finally tell 'em, straight faced.

"What's mutiny?" Jasper asks.

"It's when little shits like you turn perfectly good people against your big brother."

Kitten shrugs. "I can't help your brother likes me better than you."

She's cute, throwin' my words back at me like that. So cute I wanna kiss the smirk right off her face. Too bad we ain't alone. "Pretty sure everyone likes you better than me, Kitten."

She glances over her shoulder at Es and shivers. "I don't think so."

"That mean you'll let her come over?" Jasper don't want me changing the subject.

I pull open the passenger door for Kitten. "It means it was a stupid fuckin' question."

At first he looks disappointed 'cause he ain't gettin' what he wants. But Kitten rolls her eyes and shoves my arm before giving the kid a confident thumbs up. Then a wink. Next thing I know he's flashin' her a smile like he just woke up Christmas morning to double presents.

I shake my head as he runs off to catch up with his buddies. Kitten's got me wrapped around her finger and now my kid brother knows it.

"Don't be like that," she whispers. Then she brushes her lips over my cheek, leaving scorch marks behind.

I forgive her in a heartbeat. I reach for her but she ducks into the back seat.

I'm impressed she's even thinking of Es, lettin' her sit up front. I'm pretty sure she's gonna have us all eatin' outta her hand before long.

On the drive over to Es's apartment, I watch Kitten in the rearview mirror. She picks up a bible then tosses it back down again. Stares out the window. Bites her nails. I'm dyin' to know what's going on inside her head, hopin' she's thinking twice about setting up Jacob Black.

A week ago I thought I'd scare her off, lookin' at her like this.

Today I realize... she ain't all that innocent. 'Cause when she catches me starin', she don't blush. She pulls her bottom lip between her teeth, plays with the top button of her blouse, then lets it fall open.

She shifts in her seat, one hand drifts lower, trailing between her breasts.

I try for a better look.

Es clears her throat, and I turn my attention back to the road. But when I check in with her, I realize she's not just giving me grief over my driving, she's worried for my life.

I wonder if it's the same look Kitten's father would give her if my name came up. Only difference bein', Esme probably don't have a death wish for Kitten. At least I hope not.

"I got this, Es," I tell her under my breath.

She turns away. "Where have I heard that before?"

xXxXx

Esme's place has been like a second home to me since I was a kid. Inside it's tidy and always changing. The mismatched furniture's more comfortable than anything I've ever known.

When I was a kid, I'd sink into those blue velvet cushions and stare at the paintings on her wall like I was in a museum. Sometimes I'd play with the blown glass figurines on the mantle.

Today I take my coat off, fold it over a chair, watch Kitten.

"Make yourself at home, doll," Es tells her before disappearing down the hall. The tone in her voice says something else entirely. She wants me to keep an eye on her guest.

I'm already on it.

It ain't Fifth Avenue, but Kitten don't seem to mind. She takes it all in like she's entered another world. She runs her hands over the soft fabric of the couch like she's almost afraid to touch it. Reminds me of birds skimmin' over deep blue water.

Her eyes go wide when she sees the decanters full of liquor out in the open. When she figures out what's going on in the painting over the fireplace, she blushes the perfect shade of crimson. I commit the color to memory.

"This is all hers?" she asks, picking a book up off the mantle. I pay close attention to the way she tilts her head so I can get it just right when I draw her later.

"Since I met her. Don't think Es has any plans to settle down."

"Can't see why she'd need to." She takes another glance at the portrait over the fireplace and swallows. "She's doin' just fine on her own. Ain't this place the bee's knees?"

I can't take my eyes off her. "Nothin' compared to what I'm lookin' at."

Kitten ducks her head like she's shy, only I know better by now. I slip an arm around her waist.

She glances down the hall.

"We've got at least three minutes." I hold her hip with one hand, cup her face with the other. She starts to say somethin', but I kiss her before she can finish.

"But what about-"

My next kiss is deeper.

"Miss Es."

The next is with parted lips and she finally relaxes against me.

I'm relaxing too, forgettin' about the note some kid stuffed into my pocket. About why we had to meet up at Jackie's. About Jake Black, and about how Es don't trust Kitten.

I've got my girl against the back of Esme's couch, but in my mind, I'm back in Kitten's bedroom, remembering how she looks with nothin' on.

I imagine the creamy complexion of her skin, the curve of her hips, the soft swell of her breasts. The way her nipples harden when I touch 'em. I think about that look in her eyes when she comes, knowing I'm the only guy to ever put it there.

I want her so fuckin' much I feel like I'm bein' torn apart from the inside out. Like I won't last another second if I can't get her outta these clothes. It's all I can do to keep myself from rippin' 'em off her.

My hands wander. I cup her breast and Kitten sighs. I find the hem of her skirt and she leans against the couch so I can fit myself between her legs.

When she tilts her hips, I'm done for. Couldn't stop myself if I tried.

Thoughts about Es and time limits fly outta my head. My fingers skim underneath layers of fabric, along bare skin just over the edge of her stocking.

"Ed." She whispers my name and it's enough to make me lose my mind.

I unclasp a garter, then start loosening the buttons of her blouse. Kitten presses herself against me like she's lookin' for the same kinda friction I am. The sounds she's making, I'm ready to give it to her. I promised her number nine. I'm gonna give her number nine.

When her hand slides over my ass, beggin' me to touch her again-

Es clears her throat.

I lean my forehead against Kitten's. Close my eyes. Control my breathing. I hold her close 'cause I don't want her goin' anywhere.

"Can we get a minute, Es?"

"Another minute and I won't have to wonder if your girlfriend likes silk or satin undergarments."

"She likes silk," I whisper.

"I like you," she says, breathless.

"And I like a hot meal," Es snaps. "Come on, lovebirds. We're not gonna take down Black by making out in my parlor."

xXxXx

Me and Es start preparing dinner while Kitten's gotta make a call. She don't say who it is, but she don't have to. Probably the first time anyone's called the police commissioner from Esme's parlor. Probably the prettiest girl to ever use Esme's telephone.

I find myself glancin' over at her while I chop carrots.

I gotta find a way to get us some alone time, once and for all.

"Don't remember seeing you like this before." Es pulls me outta my thoughts.

I shrug. "Don't remember feelin' like this before."

I try to focus on the food, but it ain't long before I'm paying attention to Kitten again. She twirls some hair around a finger. I can't understand how something that simple can drive me so fuckin' crazy.

"You've known her what? A week?"

"That all?" Feels like longer.

"She showed up in both our lives the night of the raid. The night her father raided my business. Almost caught you there."

I stop what I'm doin' and brace my hands on the counter. "You got something to say, just say it."

"She's either trying to save your ass right now, or she's trying to bring you down. The way you're lost whenever she's near it wouldn't be too difficult."

"My gut says she ain't like that."

"Not sure it's your gut leading you around."

"It ain't about that," I tell her, defensive all of a sudden.

Es raises an eyebrow.

"It ain't all about that," I correct myself.

Kitten notices me and Es lookin' her way. She bites her lip and turns her back to us, lowers her voice.

"She makes me think beyond all this bullshit we got ourselves into."

"Nothin wrong with attraction. Or even acting on it, in my book. As long as the other person don't want to get you beat down or locked up. Or dead."

"Already been two of those."

Es pokes me with the tip of her knife. "My point exactly."

"Ow. Fuck. You sure you ain't the one tryin' to kill me?"

Kitten hangs up the phone then ogles me as she heads toward the kitchen.

I know exactly what she wants. I want it too.

"She don't want me dead, Es. You just gotta trust me on this."

"Ain't you I'm suspicious of."

Kitten slides her hand around my waist easy, like she does it every day. Then she bumps her hip against mine, claimin' her spot at my side, right where she belongs. "Gosh, it already smells delicious in here."

Es nods her head toward a pile of potatoes. "You're on peeling duty."

Es can be cold and calculatin' when she wants. Sometimes she's just cruel.

"I don't know if I'm the best person to-"

"Ignorance isn't an excuse in this house." Es hands over a paring knife.

Kitten stares at it like she ain't ever seen one before. I take it from her, pick up a potato, start shaving. "You just gotta get right under the skin."

"Can't imagine it's much of a problem for you," Es mutters under her breath.

Kitten sighs.

I give her a nudge. "Don't pay her no mind. You can't really fuck up a potato."

"I want to help but you know firsthand cooking's not my area of expertise."

"Right, your area of expertise is Jacob Black," Es says.

I slam the knife down onto the counter. "Jesus fuckin' Christ, Es."

Swear to Pete, sometimes she don't know when to stop.

Kitten jumps but recovers quick. "Maybe someone more… mature could work that fast, Miss Es. I only just met the fella."

Es clenches her jaw and goes back to cooking. I don't have it in me to try to stifle a chuckle.

"There's my girl." That's the Kitten I know. Don't take shit from no one.

Can't say I like the idea of her getting cozy with Jake, but she's already proved she can hold her own with the best of them. Jake Black ain't the best by a long shot.

I lean down to whisper in Kitten's ear. "Make sure you find out what's got the Blacks makin' a play for Marcus."

"I ain't in this to protect Marcus Volturi," she grumbles.

"Without Marcus we're all fair game."

"Don't get ahead of yourselves." Es wipes her hands on her apron. "One crime boss at a time."

xXxXx

Over dinner we hatch a plan. We still got details to work out, but Jake ain't the sharpest knife in the drawer. It won't take much for Kitten to string him along.

"I'll let him know I heard something about changes comin'. Something about you gettin' the squeeze." Kitten casually drains her wine glass like spendin' time with Jake Black's just another walk in the park.

Imagining him that close to her makes me want a drink, myself. "While you're at it, let him know if he touches you, I'm puttin' a hole in him."

She pours another glass. "That might put a wrinkle in our plans, Ed."

"You got your plans, I got mine."

"He touches me in Daddy's parlor, he's a fool. Especially after what I did to him."

"You?" Es looks shocked, but I gotta laugh. At this point I ain't surprised at anything Kitten mighta done. Could probably take down the entire New York police force if she wanted.

Kitten shrugs and confidently rubs her knuckles over her sweater. That's when I notice the bruising.

Holy shit, maybe she did try to take down the coppers.

Nah. Kitten kicked Jake's ass which is much more satisfying in my book.

I get some ice, wrap it in a cloth, then head back to the table.

Kitten lets me take her hand in mine.

"Lefty, huh?" I tease, pressing ice against the swelling.

"I ain't scared you off yet, have I?" She bites her lip.

This girl.

I pull her hand up to my lips, kiss her knuckles. "I wanna hear the story behind this."

Es regards Kitten like she's Jack fuckin' Dempsey. "This might actually work."

"I'm sure of it." Kitten's hand slips from mine. "While I'm at it, I'll see what I can get outta Jake. Daddy said something about them working together on city contracts. Maybe I can take a look to see if it's on the up and up. I'm sure I could use the real world experience for my accounting class."

Es sets her glass down carefully. "We don't have to involve the Commissioner. We get Black out of the picture, your father's in the clear."

She don't sound like someone who's suspicious of Kitten anymore.

She sounds like the lady I met when I was twelve, worried about puttin' food on my family's table.

She sounds like a mother comforting a girl who lost her Ma. Might lose her Dad before this is over.

She sounds like she cares.

I ain't pointin' it out to her, though.

Kitten pays close attention to her wine glass. "Didn't think you'd be a member of Daddy's fan club."

"I'm counting on you to help keep Ed outta an early grave. I ain't asking you to blow up the only life you ever known."

"If my life goes to pieces it won't be my fault." Kitten says it so quiet I almost don't hear her.

She tugs at a loose thread on her napkin. Es slides a hand over hers. "You need something, you got my number."

"Thanks." Kitten squeezes Esme's hand. The two of 'em smile at each other, but it gets awkward pretty quick. Es let's go, pats her hair into place.

Kitten takes a sip of her wine. "But all I need right now is something to feed Black to make him trust me."

"You could tell him how I'm going in with Es on her new place," I offer.

Es pushes her chair back from the table. "You'll do it?"

"If you're still lookin' for a partner." Es wouldn't think twice about helping me out of a jam. I'm a fuckin' sap for takin' this long to say yes.

"Well it's not like I can go to Black, now, can I?" She rushes to my side of the table, pulls me to my feet, and throws her arms around my neck.

"Cuttin' out the middleman alone will get you a return on your investment that much quicker." Kitten sounds like a college professor as she starts to explain the ins and outs of limited partnerships and tax breaks.

"Where'd you find this girl, Ed?"

Es is only half jokin'. Truth is, if I hadn't run into Kitten, I'd still think bootleggin' was the best it's gonna get.

"I got loads of ideas about how you can set this new place apart from the competition." Kitten jumps up and starts pullin' drawers open, looking for something to write with. "I can make a list-"

I take her hands, hold her still, try not to smile. "Es ain't ready for one of your lists, Kitten."

She stops what she's doing. Narrows her eyes.

"Only thing we need you to make a list of is all the ways you're gonna con Jake Black," Esme tells her.

"We still gotta figure out a way to get him somewhere the cops ain't in his back pocket," I huff.

"Somewhere outside the five boroughs." Kitten rubs a hand over her forehead.

"Somewhere like Jersey?" Es's eyes flicker to mine then back to Kitten. "I might know a fella. Owes me a favor."

"You think he'd do it?" I ask her.

"He ain't ever refused me yet," she tells me with a hand on her hip.

Kitten's on the edge of her seat. "Who is he?"

He is a guy who likes his whiskey by the case, pays extra for Es to make sure he's got the privacy he needs when he's in town. A guy who's got the kind of power it takes to put Jake Black behind bars.

He's also a guy who wouldn't want people knowin' he's visiting speakeasies and datin' the owner.

But it ain't my story to tell.

Fire Island 2020

Emma's rubbing her forehead just like I imagine her great-grandmother doing at Esme's kitchen table almost a hundred years ago.

"You okay, Em?"

She blinks. "I can't believe Cullen and Kitten conspired with the owner of a speakeasy to take down a mobster. Like, for real?"

"You come from a long line of fearless, lovestruck fools, kiddo."

She nods her head, then sits up straight. She's genuinely smiling for the first time since we got to the beach. She looks proud. Excited even. "I don't think Mr. Black knew what he was in for, did he?"

I almost want to change the story.

"I don't think any of them did."

Jason runs through the kitchen. "I got you, you bootlicker. Pew, pew, pew!" He aims his finger at Emma and screeches with delight when she jumps up from the table to chase after him. I watch the two of them race down the boardwalk, toward the beach. The same beach that meant so much to Cullen and Kitten. Edward and Isabella. Anthony and Marie.

As I start cleaning up for dinner, I pick up the book Emma left lying on the table.

A drawing flutters to the floor.

"What's that?" my husband asks.

"I think it's my grandparents."

A/N: Thanks to all our usual suspects this week: SueBee for checking our grammar, ChrisAnn & Kate (Hotteaforme *cough* taste of ink *cough*) for pre-reading, and of course all you guys and gals for reading.

Hope to see you next time!