Behind Closed Doors (Behind Closed Doors #1)(72)

“He handles some of my more cumbersome investments, on a selective basis.”

“So you really trust him,” I observe.

“Yes, baby.” He leans in and kisses me. “I really trust him, but I’ll read the report from the PI. I’m not, however, reading the one on you. I want you to tell me about you, and I’m sorry that stuff about your father came out in the kitchen.”

“Read the report,” I say. “What’s on paper doesn’t tell a person’s story anyway.”

A knock sounds on the door, followed by the doorbell. “Must be room service, coming to clear away our dinner.” He stands up. “I’ll go let them in.” He heads in that direction and I move the cards around, trying to remember what I was told about a certain hand, when I hear Buddha’s voice. Surprised, I rush toward the door.

“How did you get up here?” Jason asks curiously.

“I promised them you’d give them an insanely large tip,” Buddha replies, as I reach the hallway and the door shuts behind him. “We need to have a ten-minute conversation. Where do you want to have it?”

“This way,” Jason says, turning and heading in my direction. “Kitchen.”

I lead the way, entering to find Daniel still on his call. The minute he sees Jason and Buddha enter, his eyes go wide. “I’ll call you back,” he says and hangs up. “What’s going on?”

“This,” Buddha says, tossing a grainy picture onto the island. “That’s Joe ‘Lagoon,’ and they call him that because if you cross him, you end up at the bottom of a lagoon.”

My stomach knots. “Oh, God.”

“God won’t save you from Joe, sweetheart,” Buddha says. “That’s why Ella made sure you have me.”

“Why are we looking at a picture of Joe?” Jason asks. “Because I have no dealings with the mob and never have.”

Buddha’s response is to toss down another photo. “Is that your waitress?”

Jason grabs the photo, studies it, and gives a quick nod. “That’s her.”

“Joe was here at this hotel during the tournament, and your waitress has been seen at a joint that he favors down the road.”

“Couldn’t that be a coincidence?” I ask, grasping for straws and hope.

“No such thing exists with Joe,” Buddha says. “He’s involved in this.”

“What does that mean?” I manage, needing answers, needing some semblance of control.

“Yes,” Jason agrees, his tone calm, even. “What does that mean?”

“You’re on the wrong f*cking radars,” Buddha says. “And I need to find out how to get you off.”

“How long will that take?” Daniel asks, speaking for the first time.

“You don’t just get in Joe’s business,” Buddha says. “This is going to take a few days of me playing nice with him and finding out if he has a job I can help with.”

“In other words,” Daniel says, “you have no clue.”

“Bright boy, aren’t you?” Buddha asks.

“A day?” Jason presses. “A week? Two?”

“A week,” Buddha says. “And in the meantime, stay here. This is a free service. I’m not running across the f*cking country to save your ass if you get in trouble.”

“What about my family and friends?” Jason asks, still calm. “Do I need to be worried about their safety?”

“I’ll let you know,” Buddha says.

“You’ll let him know?” I ask, incredulous. “That’s not a good enough answer.”

“He gave us an answer,” Jason says. “Get everyone the hell out of the country.”

“No,” Buddha snaps, his face reddening. “Do not get them the f*ck out of the country. If you make erratic moves, Joe will make a move, too. And if you hire security, they’d better be damn undetectable. I’ll have you and Skye watched here. You’re on your own for your parents.”

“What do you mean, you’ll have us watched?” Jason asks, exactly what I wanted to ask.

“I’ll f*cking have you watched,” Buddha repeats. “And don’t hide in your hotel room. Act normal. Act like you’re having a love affair with Vegas.”

“Act normal?” I ask. “I have two jobs in San Francisco, and bills.”

“Looks to me like you have a sugar daddy,” he says, lips curving, like a cat who ate the canary, waiting for the reaction he’s baited me to deliver, and won’t get.

“I can’t stay here,” I say, “so that plan won’t work.”

“Live or let die,” Buddha says. “Sing the song, honey, because those are your choices.” Then his voice hardens. “No. I’m not telling Ella you got yourself killed, because she’ll blame me. Keep your ass here, woman.” He looks at Jason. “Convince her—and if you can’t, I will. I’ll be in touch when I have something. That’s it for now.”

He turns and walks away, leaving Jason, Daniel, and me to stare at each other. No one speaks until the door opens and shuts.

The instant that happens, Jason says, “I need the best security money can buy for me, you, Skye, and my parents,” he says to Daniel. “Not some PI. The very best, Daniel.”