Now, I understand everything.
Rafael had a thing for twins. He’d buttered up Shalimar in these past months. Showered her with attention and things. Made her feel like she was more special than all the other women.
And then twins came around. It must’ve been too tempting for Rafael to resist.
Another ten minutes went by as my men dragged out the screaming twins.
Celina pointed at me. “Why are you here, Jean-Pierre? You have nothing to do with this. Or do you?”
I placed my hands in my pants pockets. “I’m here as Rafael’s legal advisor.”
“Get out!” She signaled at the door. “All of you. I don’t like any of you at the Candy Shop.”
I nodded. “Perhaps, we can find a better solution for this problem?”
She pointed at Rafael. He’d now let go of Shalimar and stood next to her. “This idiot has my women fighting each other.”
Rafael shrugged and then winked at Celina. “I’ve been known to break hoes.”
“Hoes?” Shalimar slapped Rafael so hard, I jumped a half an inch.
Next, she stormed off. I moved out of her way.
Giorgio opened the door.
“Shalimar!” Celina called after her.
Shalimar paused and turned around. “Yes, Celina?”
“What happened?” Celina asked. “Has any of these men done anything to you or—”
“It was a bad moment of judgement.” Shalimar stared at the floor.
I hadn’t even realized I’d held in my breath. We’d put Shalimar in a major position of power. If she wanted to, she could tell Celina what was going on and end the whole operation.
Igor wouldn’t appreciate his lover being spied on by a bunch of Corsican. His nephew Kazimir might step in or not. It would matter on how bad the disrespect would be seen.
No. This wouldn’t get the lion’s attention, but I still need Shalimar to remain quiet.
Celina shrugged. “Okay. We’ll talk more.”
Shalimar left.
Celina turned to us. “All of you, leave my establishment.”
Rafael, Giorgio, and Louis turned to me.
I nodded. “We’ll need an hour to leave.”
Celina scowled. “Make it thirty minutes.”
Giorgio left, probably to begin preparations.
Louis and Rafael followed.
I remained there and studied Celina.
She was a gorgeous woman. Since watching Eden’s footage, I could now make out the similarities in both women. They had the same wide seducing eyes, pointed nose, and full pouting lips.
She twisted that beautiful face into an expression of anger. “You were entertaining to me months ago.”
“Now?”
“You’re starting to annoy me.”
I guess I won’t tell her about Giorgio killing her guard.
“When you leave, Jean-Pierre, make sure that you continue out of the Red Light District, far down Ocean highway, and stop right at the airport.” She placed her hands on her hips just like Eden did when she talked to her father on the phone. “Then, I want you to get on your overcompensatingly big plane—”
“That’s Rafael’s plane. Mine isn’t as much overcompensating.”
“Fly away, Jean-Pierre. Fly far away.” She strolled over and stopped right in front of me. “The weather is nice this evening for a flight. Go now, because tomorrow morning it will rain, and you’ll find that you may wake up to a storm that you can’t handle.”
My jaw twitched, but I let her have her moment.
“You bought Belladonna Symphony.” She leaned her head to the side. “Why?”
“I enjoy classical music.”
“You also tried to buy my niece’s building.”
“I’ve enjoyed my time in this city. I’m interested in real estate.”
She curved her lips into a smile. “I have a panel that follows me around. It’s an imaginary panel, but still should be respected.”
“A panel?”
She walked off. “This panel has buttons on it. Big red buttons. And when a button is pushed, men come.” She stopped and turned my way. “Men with guns. Men with badges. Men with laws that could build international walls around you. Brick by brick. These men come when I push at the buttons on my panel.”
“Or you could leave your panel alone and we could come to some sort of compromise, when it comes to Eden.”
“I don’t compromise when it comes to my family, Jean-Pierre. You have thirty minutes to leave the Candy Shop.” She checked her watch. “Actually twenty-five minutes, and then you continue to watch the clock. Because you have twenty-four hours to leave this city.”
“And if we don’t?”
“Then, I will push the buttons on my panel and let the cards fall where they may. This isn’t a threat. It’s advice from a wise woman that cares. Fly away, Jean-Pierre, fly far away.”
“Thank you for the advice.” I half-bowed and walked away. “Have a good evening, Celina.”
Chapter 26
Bon Voyage
Three years ago
Jean-Pierre
We left the Candy Shop but did not head to the airport. Giorgio found us several suites in downtown Belladonna.
Rafael and I didn’t exchange words. I was sure he could see the anger on my face. I’d been getting closer. At least I thought I was. Now we’d have to start over. Hopefully Shalimar would remain loyal. I didn’t want to teach her a lesson about betraying me.