“I added a few things.”
“They look intense.”
“They are.” I got out of the car and walked over to them. She followed and watched as I entered a code into a number pad set in the wall. The shutters slowly rolled up, revealing the front door—and the refurbished place inside.
She took a sharp breath and shoved past me.
I grinned as she looked around. It was barren, but I got the bones in place. The floors were all brand new, but I didn’t skimp on the materials. I had custom shelves built that matched her old shelves, except the wood matched the floor. Her washing machine counter got burned to shit during the fire and had to be tossed, but I had a new version built out of old vintage ovens in teal and green and orange.
I had to admit, it looked fucking awesome in there.
“I can’t believe this.” Her voice was soft as she turned and stared at me. “I didn’t think it’d be done this fast.”
“I put more guys on it.”
“But why? I mean, why rush? You didn’t have to do this.”
“I wanted to. We need a place for you to work, right?”
“Yeah, but—”
“You’re not going to miss Sander, are you?”
She laughed, shaking her head. “Not at all. Well, okay, maybe a little.”
“We’ll bring him along if you want.”
“No, that’s okay.” She turned and walked to the counter, running her hand over it.
I had to admit, it felt good to see her like that. I didn’t expect to get such a rush of joy from seeing her smile, but god damn did it feel good to make her feel good. It wasn’t something I was used to.
I was the kind of man who took. I lived my life like that, taking what I needed, and I only gave back when it benefitted me the most. I paid my guys well and spread the loot around, but mostly because I wanted to keep them happy and loyal, not out of the kindness of my heart.
This was different. I didn’t need to finish this place so fast, and I didn’t need to make it look so good. I did it because I wanted to make her happy and for no other reason.
Fuck, maybe I was going soft.
“Thank you.” She grinned at me, shaking her head. “Seriously, Owain. Thank you.”
“You have some work to do still. Got to get furniture and start stocking the walls again. But, yeah, you’re welcome.”
“When can I start?”
“Soon. You’ll have to keep going to the bodega, but you can start ordering whatever you need.”
She paused, fingers sliding along the counter. “I don’t have money.”
“I’ll give you an advance on what you’ll earn from the pills. Does that work?”
She was quiet for a long moment. I thought she might snap at me, but then she looked up and I saw a strange, probing look in her eyes.
“Why are you doing this?”
“Lots of reasons. Mostly it’s my fault this place got fucked to begin with.”
“That’s very true.”
“So I’m making it right, at least.”
She chewed her lip and nodded. “Yeah, you are. So thank you.”
“You’re welcome. How does half a million sound? That enough to get you going?”
She almost choked on her words. “Half a million?”
“I can do more, if—”
“No, no, god no. That’s more than plenty. I got started on way less last time.”
“Good.” I gestured around me. “Welcome to your new store.”
Her eyes narrowed and for half a second I thought she was giving me a dirty, angry look.
Until the shop door chimed and I turned around.
The man standing in the doorway was tall, broad shoulders, dark form-fitted suit. His eyes were light, and a small smile tugged at his lips.
I recognized him, though we’d never met before.
“Excuse me. Are you Owain?” He smiled a little almost like he was uncertain.
But he fucking knew.
“Yeah, that’s me.”
“I’m Dante. It’s good to meet you.”
“I know who you are.”
He extended a hand to me and I hesitated. Dante was one of the top men in the Leone Crime Family, the top mafia in the city. They weren’t our enemies, not really, but dealing with them wasn’t technically in my job description. That would be Hedeon’s world, and I could imagine him getting pissed off if I stepped on his toes.
But fuck it. The guy was in my store, so clearly he wanted to talk.
I took his hand and we shook. His eyes drifted from me and over to Leigh.
“Who’s this?” he asked.
“This is Leigh. Say hello, Leigh.”
“Hello.” She frowned at him. “Nice to meet you.”
Dante shoved his hands in his pockets and looked around the room. “Nice place. Heard you guys have been busy here.”
“We had a little fire,” I said. “You know how that stuff goes.”
“I get you.” He walked around and hand his hand down a shelf. “Dangers of doing business, right?”