“Let’s finish what needs to be done wedding-wise, and we’ll meet you at the warehouse in New Orleans east.” Cain put her hand on Remi’s back and aimed her for the door. “With any luck they’ll let me give you a get-together to say good-bye to bachelorhood.”

“You’re crazy if you think that,” Remi said and they both laughed.

It took them some time to pick up Hector and lose everyone’s tail, but eventually they were on their way. Hector appeared amused as they drove in the crappiest car Lou could find to the most unpopulated section of town. That he’d agreed to come alone surprised her, but he seemed to need revenge more than safety. Lou pulled into an abandoned warehouse full of rotting food. Cain didn’t want to give away the location of any of her places to Hector.

“If you plan to kill me, I have made it easy for you,” Hector said.

“I plan to make you a happy man, so we’ll leave the dying to someone else today.” They got out of the car, and Colin opened the door to the office where the smell abated but not completely. “You wanted answers, Hector, and we’re about to find some.”

Jerome and Patty Rhodes sat with only their eyes moving as Cain and her crew entered the space. Dino and one of his guys held guns to their heads, which accounted for the stillness, but she did notice Jerome’s eyes widen when he saw her come into view. It was an expression that didn’t need the words oh shit, as they were definitely implied.

“Of all the movers in this business, Jerome, you picked my cousin. Of all the dumbass moves to make, you went straight for the most damaging.” She slapped his face gently and laughed. “I’ve heard your name a few times since Gracelia’s death, and I was amazed at your ability to make the right move time and time again.”

“What are you talking about?” Jerome asked.

“You’re new to the game, but you were smart and leapfrogged over quite a few people to position yourself to be successful. You were like a grandmaster chess champion, the way you maneuvered yourself close to the top spot. Like you knew exactly who all the players were and how they’d move. It was genius, but let’s talk about something else.” She took her father’s switchblade from her pocket, and the sound of it flicking open made the older man breathe a little harder. “Like how the body has a multitude of fleshy parts you can stab over and over to inflict pain without killing.”