Lady Luck - Ashby Crime Family

The line was quiet for a long time. I wondered if the fight the other night created a rift that wouldn’t heal. Terry said it was behind us. But was it? I hadn’t forgotten him telling me that the Ashby’s came first. How could he have forgotten that I showed up on his doorstep ready to beat the living daylights out of him? But a moment later, I knew he’d heard the urgency in my tone because he said, “On my way.”

Terry and I used to fix cars for cash back in the day, not too long after the Ashby family became our family. Both of us were too damn proud to take the money and the clothes Sadie offered. We knew enough to be embarrassed by the dirty and ill-fitting clothes our folks let us wear because they felt booze and drugs were more worthy causes for their cash, so Colm taught us how to fix cars to earn some handouts. It was a tool that came in handy in a neighborhood filled with twenty-year-old vehicles, and I’d never forgotten his lessons.

Fifteen minutes after we ended our call, Terry pulled up so close his fender practically kissed mine, and he stepped out of his car with a crooked grin.

“Trying really hard with the pretty widow, aren’t ya bro?” He laughed when I flipped him off, coming to stand beside me in front of the open hood.

“Trying to be her friend, idiot,” and pointed at the cut wires. “Still think it’s a good idea to keep it a secret that the woman who held the job before her was murdered?”

My words had more bite to them than I intended because I knew Terry was doing his job, but I didn’t have to like it.

“I get that you’re pissed bro, and if that was my woman, I would be too. But telling her now when we don’t know a fucking thing won’t do her any good. It’ll make her nervous and jumpy for no damn reason.”

I knew my brother well and the way he raked one hand and then the other through his blond hair and the frustrated sigh he let out told me even he didn’t believe his bullshit. “Hell we don’t even know why Fiona was killed or who did it.”

“And why the fuck not? Isn’t Jasper supposed to be one step ahead of this shit? Don’t you think this is likely the same damn person?”

He nodded slowly. “Yeah, it might be. But what will telling her accomplish, Emmett?”

I sighed and turned to him. “Jesus Christ, Terry. It’ll make her more cautious, which could save her life. Damn! Maybe if Fiona knew she was in danger, she might not have opened the door to her killer. If she did, in fact, open the Goddamn door,” I added because I didn’t know.

“Yeah, maybe so, but she can’t know. Not yet.” He bit out a curse and his hands balled into fists; a clear sign he knew I was right.

“Fine, but look. Whoever did this didn’t mean to cut the wire all the way through. They were probably hoping to cut it just enough that she’d have to stop somewhere on the side of the road. Where she’d be alone and vulnerable.” It was a thought I hadn’t wanted to voice, didn’t want to think about, but the frayed end of the wire bothered me. A lot.

Terry stared at the line for a long time as if he couldn’t tear his gaze away. Then, with a final growl, he stalked off and whipped out his phone. Probably to call Jasper because that was standard protocol in all things.

Period.

Even though I didn’t work for that side of the Ashby organization, I still worked for them and had to abide by the same rules and dictates as if I did work for that side. Family was family, after all, and even though I hated it, I’d keep the information to myself. And stick close to Vanessa.

“All right little brother,” he said with an arrogant smirk that made me want to punch him again, which I was sure was his intention, “keep her busy so we can get her car fixed and tell her it was just a loose spark plug.”

Before I could say anything, Terry held up a hand to stop me. “I know it’s shitty but it is what it is. For now, anyway.”

“Yeah, it really is shitty.”

Terry snorted out a laugh. “Poor Emmett has to spend time with a hot young widow. Where’s my tiny ass violin?”

“I think you missed your calling as a standup comedian because you’re a real fucking riot, Terry.”

“I know, right? Money is for shit though, so you’re stuck with me. Now go on and get outta here. You have an hour or so before Vanessa is finished at the game, go clean yourself up. Maybe slap on some cologne.”