Page 28 of Empire of Seduction
“He’s a junkie,” I explained. “And this Red Raider is his supplier. I want them both gone.”
“Goddamn it, Chuck,” Michael said angrily. “I told you to be careful with that shit.”
“It’s not a problem, Mikey. I have it under control.”
“He’s done,” I instructed Michael. “He goes.Immediatamente.” Bending, I wiped my bloody hands on the biker’s leather cut and snarled softly, “If I find you or any other Red Raiders anywhere near here again, I won’t stop with a broken nose. Capisce?”
The biker groaned. I grabbed a fistful of greasy hair and lifted his mangled face toward mine. “I asked you a question, motherfucker. Do you understand?”
He nodded weakly then pushed to his feet. As he stumbled away, I ordered Michael and Chuck to stay put. Then I followed the biker at a distance, watching as he walked toward the parking lot. There, he found his bike, started it, and drove off.
When I returned, Michael and Chuck were arguing. I had better things to do, so I said over both of them, “Chuck, give Michael your key card or keys or whatever the fuck. Then get in your car and never come back.”
“But—” My expression went arctic. Chuck flinched. Shoulders drooping, he handed his keys to Michael. “Look, I’m sorry, Mikey.”
“Get help, man,” Michael said. “Please. That shit can kill you.”
“It’s not a problem, I swear. I only use occasionally.”
“You’re high now. And you invited your supplier to the winery,” I pointed out. “Leave, right fucking now.”
Chuck exhaled heavily, then he started for the parking lot. Michael jerked his thumb toward the winery. “I’m going to ask someone to drive him home.”
I picked my overcoat up off the ground and dusted it off. “I’ll wait at the bar. Find me when you’re done. We need to talk.”
I followed him inside. The kitchen was quiet, three people busy at work stations, each eyeing me warily as I passed. I kept going toward the door at the other end, which I assumed led to the bar. I was right. When the door swung shut behind me, I was pleasantly surprised to find an espresso machine. Finally, some good luck.
The machine was on, recently used from the likes of it, so I began looking for grounds and milk. Everything was close at hand, and Michael came in as I was steaming the milk. “Cappuccino?” I asked over the noise.
“No, thank you.” He took a seat at the bar.
I poured the milk into the espresso, then added some foam. When I finished, Michael whistled. “I’m surprised you know how to do that.”
“I wasn’t always a boss. I was an advisor to my brother for years. I’ve madea lotof drinks.” I took a grateful sip, not even caring that it burned my tongue. “Chuck gone?”
“Yes.” Michael grabbed a cocktail straw and started chewing on it absently. “And we’re fucked.”
“Explain.”
“We have a huge event on Saturday night. Who’s going to run the kitchen?”
That was two nights from now. Plenty of time to find someone. I shrugged. “One of the line cooks. A dishwasher. You. Hire someone. I don’t give a fuck.”
Michael ran a hand through his hair. “Dude, professional chefs don’t grow on trees around here.”
I stroked my jaw and considered this. I wasn’t hiring Chuck back, not after endangering everyone at the winery. I’d rather cancel the event and send the group somewhere else for dinner. “Can we reschedule the event?”
“No. It’s an engagement party and people are flying in from all over the country. And canceling wouldn’t help us with word of mouth for future bookings.”
So we needed to find another chef. How hard could it be? I put my cup down. “What about the guy from Val’s trattoria? Giovanni?”
“I can call and ask. But what about the other events and dinners? We’re booked solid for three weeks.”
“One thing at a time. Call the trattoria.”
Michael picked his mobile up off the bar and dialed. During the very brief conversation, I sipped my drink and listened to what seemed like bad news. Michael confirmed this after he disconnected. “Giovanni is in Italy for the week. His sister is getting married.”
“Anyone else there who can help?”
