“Here it is.” Chanel stopped the video and let it play.
I peered at the footage. Within moonlit darkness, Lei stood near the lake and he wasn’t facing the water. He gazed up at Chanel’s balcony.
She stopped the video. “That was last night at four in the morning.”
Dread gathered in my shoulders. This was a difficult situation that had to be carefully approached. “What would you like me to do, Chanel?”
“Tell Lei to stop coming by. This isn’t the first time.”
“Hmmm.” I did my best to feign shock. “Oh really?”
“Don’t even try it.” She rolled her eyes. “I know you spy on all of us. And you think no one on this estate doesn’t know Lei sneaks on our property all the time.”
“Lei is skilled at staying within the shadows.”
“We have ghosts, Dima. The whole property remains alert. No human could get past us. But the problem is that. . .”
“Yes?” I crossed my shoulders over my chest.
“Before, Lei hid his sneaking around to watch my balcony. Last night, Lei stood right out in the open, with the light on him, and stared directly at the camera, as if daring security to alert and wake everyone up.”
“Lei was close to Romeo. This death is going to hit him hard.”
“You were close to my brother too, Dima. You’re not outside my balcony.”
“True, but I’m not in love with you either.”
With that, she turned away. “Please, help me with Lei.”
“You want me to tell him to stop coming over here and stalking you?” I held out my hands to the sides. “I like danger like any cold-blooded gangster, but that sounds suicidal. The Syndicate needs me to discover Romeo’s killer, not die by Lei’s blades.”
“Listen. You don’t have to tell him to stop coming by. Lei won’t hurt me. But, I need you to be there for him. It wouldn’t be proper for me to be the shoulder for Lei to lean on.”
“You want me to be a better friend to him?”
“Yes, Dima.”
I shrugged. “I can do that.”
“Thank you, Dima.” She set the glass down on the desk and then hugged me.
At first, I tensed. Then, I relaxed myself, remembering how the Jones family loved touching. I awkwardly wrapped my arms around her and pulled her small body to me.
She leaned against my chest.
Please, don’t cry. I’m not sure how to fix that.
Thankfully, she only remained in my arms. More tension left me. I began to enjoy the closeness to her. Perhaps, I needed it more than her.
When she left my arms, she gazed up at me. “Are you going to be okay, Dima?”
“Why would you ask?”
“Who else did you talk to besides Romeo?”
“Viktor.”
“That’s not the same thing. He’s under you. You need someone on your level that won’t take your orders and set you straight.”
“That may be a good point.”
“You also need a good woman, Dima.”
“I know. I know. You tell me that all the time.”
“A good black woman will straighten you up.”
I grinned. “Yes. Yes.”
She gave me a warm smile. “Now that Romeo is gone, you must make an honest effort to have three real friends.”
“Three?”
“Lei, Marcelo, and me.”
I frowned at the mention of Marcelo’s name. “Anyway, don’t worry yourself about Romeo’s funeral. Get my people to help. They’ll be too scared to come by the lake, but they can help with anything else.”
“Thank you, Dima.”
“And I may not say this a lot, Chanel, but. . .I love you.”
“Oh, Dima. Don’t make me cry.” She returned, forcing me into another embrace. This time, I was prepared.
Again, she leaned against my chest.
We stayed like this for a long time. The lake’s breeze disturbed the sheer red curtains and blew by us. Men hammered outside.
And then Chanel cried against me.
And not knowing what else to do, I held her tighter.
9
Romeo’s Memorial
Dimitri
T
onight, I wore a black shirt and suit for Romeo’s memorial. Since the Diamond Syndicate was so territory-color-obsessed, I added a yellow tie and made sure the rest of my crew followed.
The Phantom ventured into the South.
My phone rang.
I answered. “Yes?”
My mother’s voice came on the line. “That’s such a rude way to answer the phone.”
I sighed.
“The chef told me that you threatened his life this morning and were mean to Edwin.”
“I asked them both to return to my usual breakfast. You know I like my rituals.”
“The one that will clog your coronary arteries and push you to certain death before 40?”
“Yes, mother. That one.”
“Suit yourself.” Her voice shifted to concern. “How are you, baby?”
“Busy.”
“Is that a hint to get off the phone?”
“No, mother. That’s me describing my mood.”
“Have you found the killer?”
“Why does everyone think I can do this within 24 hours?”
“Because I paid thousands and thousands of dollars so that big brain can be filled with the best education possible.”
I rubbed my forehead. “I don’t remember serial killers on the curriculum.”
“You think it’s a serial killer and not some rival gang or—”