Page 58 of The Impossible

“Okay, see you soon. Love you.”

“You better.”

We hung up a few seconds later, and right after that, we were in front of Mainstream. It was a privately owned space where people went to be left alone. No pictures nor cameras. It was strictly for comfortable, private experiences.

From the moment I got out of the car, I had all eyes, but I didn’t give a fuck. I entered swiftly, moving to the side stairs and up. Joe met me at the top, then pointed to a booth in the corner where my eyes landed on Charles Curr ducked off to the side. I guess he couldn’t be too careful when he was creeping.

I walked over toward Curr’s table with Joe in front of me and Steeve behind me. As soon as I reached his table, I grabbed a chair from the table behind his and took a seat at the end.

“Fancy catching you here,” I greeted him, sitting back, eyes on him.

He was so pissed that the wrinkles in his pasty, ashen face deepened. He dropped the napkin on the empty plate and stared at me. “I didn’t realize this was a reservation for three.”

“Nah it isn’t. You can creep in peace, figured I’d drop by and have a little heart to heart with you. Things didn’t go too well at the last meeting, so I wanted to set the tone for the next.” I acted like I gave a fuck.

“And you think this is the place to address it?”

“I don’t give a fuck about place. Business is business in any space or structure. I’m hearing you still haven’t made anything shake on the casino front.”

“That is a matter of paperwork and legalities.”

“I’m glad you said that. I’m sure these are legalities and things you’ll have taken care of by tomorrow, right? And maybe I can forgive your transgressions where my wife is concerned. Especially you being aware of plots that include her.”

He choked on the spit in his mouth, letting me know he knew exactly what I was talking about. “Excuse me.”

“You’re excused. Now tell your girl to go get a drink from the bar.” I looked from him to a woman who had to be twenty years his junior. She had a lighter complexion with bright red hair.

“Lana, give us a minute.”

She didn’t speak, but got to her feet in seconds, moving away from the table.

Once she was out of earshot, my eyes were back on him. “My forgiveness only extends so far. You should take it while it’s still on the table.”

“Is that a threat, Carter?”

“Not at all, but when I tell you to find yourself on the right side of history, I mean just that. Now that, is a threat.”

I stood, then returned the chair to the table I took it from.

“And that means?”

“Infer.”

Within an hour and a half, I’d arrived home and of course Nic was on that ugly ass couch. I fucking hated it, but she loved it, so I dealt with it.

“Do you want me to warm your dinner?” she asked, her tone housing just how tired she was.

“Nope. You boutta share this brownie with me and tell me about your day before we both knockout.”

“But you haven’t eaten real food,” she called to me from the living room.

“I ate earlier. I’m not all that hungry, baby.”

When I had a fork in my hand, I moved toward her cuddled on the sofa, looking at me with those doe eyes. Her hair was pushed behind her ear and one of my hoodies peeked from under the fuzzy tan blanket.

“How was your day?” I asked, taking a seat and holding out her pastry box.

She stood, walking on the couch until she was right next to me to take the box. “Good. Everything at the sanctuary seems to be coming together. I was able to get in touch with most of the old staff at Meadows.”