Free The Devil's Orchard by Ali Vali Page A

done.”
    “Should be right before lunch.”
    “Good, then you can’t turn down my date offer.” She held Emma’s hand as they walked to the front door. “Will you be free for lunch?”
    “For you, always.” Emma kissed her again. “Good morning, Sabana,” She wiped lipstick from Cain’s lips. “Are you ready to go back to school?”
    After Emma’s cheery question, Cain smiled at Sabana Greco’s expression. Sabana had asked to be assigned with her instead of Emma for so long she’d threatened to let her go altogether. Like their father, Sabana’s brother Rick had worked for the family, but some of Juan’s men had killed him. From her arrival, she had wanted the chance to avenge her loss and thought Cain was being unfair when she ordered her to keep an eye on Emma.
    “I can’t wait.”
    “One more bathroom break and I’ll be ready,” Emma said.
    “I know you’re still not happy with me, but you do realize I’ve entrusted Emma’s life to you, right?” Cain didn’t raise her voice, but she wanted to come across as stern. “If something happens to her while you’re busy pouting, your mother will lose another child. Do we understand each other?”
    “Perfectly, but I’d be more useful on the street looking for these assholes.”
    “My daughter, the word sponge, is running around here waiting for her mother, so watch your language,” she said as she glanced up the stairs to see if Hannah was peeking back at her. “And when Juan comes back, who do you think might be at the top of his list of people to visit? Me, who wants to rip his balls off, or his crush, Emma?”
    “Sorry, I never thought of it that way.”
    “Keep your eyes open and lose the attitude. If we have to repeat this talk, I’m going to hire you to pour drinks at the pub. That’ll be your only option other than walking out the door.”
    “You got it,” Sabana said, and smiled at Emma and Hannah when they appeared holding hands.
    “Follow your own advice, mobster.” Emma kissed Cain again. “Be careful, and I’ll see you later,” she said as Cain hugged Hannah.
    Cain followed them out and got in the front seat with Lou. “How’s Dino working out?” she asked of Lou’s nephew, who was driving Sabana and her girls.
    “He reminds me a lot of Rick. That’s why I thought he’d be a good fit for Sabana, but she’s too angry to see it. Dino’s a good kid, and he knows how I feel about you and your family. My brother wants him at the restaurant with him, but Dino wants a future here. He knows what I expect of him, so he’s not about to screw up.”
    “I don’t mean to disrespect your brother, but has his cooking gotten any better?”
    “He keeps warning me about the consequences of the life I live, but it’s my cash keeping that place of his afloat. Idiot couldn’t cook after I sent him to a culinary school, and it ain’t gotten any better. He should’ve picked a different career after his retirement from the fire department.” Lou laughed as he glanced in the rearview mirror. She’d already spotted their tail, so she didn’t bother looking again. These guys never lost them unless they took evasive maneuvers. “I appreciate you giving the kid a shot.”
    “You’re my family, Lou, and I trust you.”
    “If you add my brother to the mix, it gave you a reason not to trust Dino. Don’t think I haven’t realized that.”
    They entered the Ninth Ward, and Lou slowed and waved to a few of the guys sitting on the porches down the street. Jasper Luke’s barricade was up and manned at the end of the street, and the other side was lined with cars. Jasper was a good six inches taller than her, bald, and muscled to the point of being scary. Like her, he’d taken over for his father eventually, but he’d been so young when he’d died that his uncle and Aunt Maude had tended to the business until he was ready.
    Maude spent most of their working hours in the small café on the property, Maude’s Kitchen, but like his