No, she’d found Remy. She’d begged for his help.
“Because you know about the safe.” He focused on Remy again. Preston sucked his lower lip. Nodded. “You know about the twenty million that is supposedly inside of it, and you think, because you managed to seduce her and get her on your side, that you’ll get the big payday.”
“Is that what I think?” Remy didn’t seem concerned. “Thanks for telling me. Here I was, with no clue of the thoughts running through my own mind.”
“Notgoing to happen,” Preston blasted. Then he caught himself and lowered his voice. “There is no way I’m turning over the safe to you.”
“So you do have it. Wonderful. You have it, whileIhave the means of opening it.”
Her spine was so stiff it hurt as she sat in that chair.
“I can find someone else.” Preston’s chin jutted up. “I don’t need the bitch.”
She sucked in a quick breath.
Remy reached for a glass of water. So easy. So casual. She didn’t feel even a little bit causal about this whole situation, but he could truly have just been having a breakfast chat with an old friend—
Remy splashed the entire contents of the glass right in Preston’s face.
Preston sputtered and gasped.
Nearby patrons turned to gawk.
“Whoops, butterfingers!” Remy called out. “No worries. I can help him.” He rose, picked up a napkin, and headed around the table.
Preston jumped to his feet. “Security—”
Remy slammed the napkin over his face. The napkin and Remy’s fist—they both plowed into Preston’s jaw. Preston rocked back on his heels. He probably would have even fallen, but Remy’s other hand grabbed him and held the guy still.
She couldn’t move.
“Don’t call her a bitch,” Remy ordered softly. “I don’t like that term and neither does she.” He lifted his hand—and the napkin—from Preston’s mouth and jaw. “Where is my safe?”
Preston’s head turned. His wide eyes found her. “See…what he is?”
“Don’t look at her. I’m the one talking to you.” Vicious. Low. “Is it at your home?”
“Screw off.”
Remy gripped Preston’s shoulder, and she knew it looked to everyone else like a gesture of camaraderie. But she was close enough to see how tightly Remy held him.
Remy will leave marks on him.
The same way Preston had left marks on her. Deliberate. Remy was paying him back.
“Not your home.” Remy nodded. He also shoved Preston back down into his chair. “Your business?”
“Not telling you a damn thing!” A harsh whisper.
“Um, let’s see. You have your home in the French Quarter. You have the business in the warehouse area. You have that bar on Bourbon that you recently opened…”
Preston flinched and swallowed. “How do you know this stuff?”
Remy lowered his head. Put his mouth close to Preston’s ear. “Because I make it a point of knowing my enemies, and jackass, let me tell you, you are in way over your head.” He released his grip on Preston’s shoulder. Sauntered back around the table and took his seat as if nothing had happened.
Preston rubbed his jaw. Hisredjaw. His eyes glittered. “You don’t come to my town—”
“And punch you in the face at your fancy, boring club? Sure, I do. I just did. I also stole your girl, and I’m going to steal your safe. Kinda my thing, you know? They don’t say I’m the best thief in the world for nothing.”