What We Do in the Night (Day to Night #1) - Stylo Fantome Page 0,117

#2

~Excerpt~

Ari was practically giddy with excitement over everything he'd learned that day. He made quick time driving through town, and though it had been a month since he'd been there, he found his way to Caché easily enough. He parked near the alley behind it, then walked up to the back door. After ringing the bell, he stood back and stared up at the security camera. A couple moments later, the door swung open, and the giant bouncer Serge stepped out.

“Ari, my man,” he said, yawning and stretching. He was only wearing a white tank top and a pair of wrinkly jeans. “Didn't expect to see you around here again.”

“Hello, Serge,” Ari said. “Your boss here?”

“It's his home, ain't it?”

“Wanna get him for me?”

“Not particularly.”

Ari had come prepared for this moment. He knew Serge would love nothing more than to beat him up – he acted like Valentine was his baby sister and was always at the ready to defend her honor. So Ari pulled an envelope out from his inside pocket, and he handed it over to the bouncer.

“Then give this to him. I'll wait here.”

“And why should I do this?” Serge grumbled, looking over the blank envelope.

“Because it's not about her,” Ari retorted. “This is about Del, and it's about Caché, and it's about him potentially losing the whole thing.”

Serge looked doubtful, but he eventually turned around and stomped back inside. The door slammed shut behind him. Ari folded his arms and leaned against the railing, waiting for his return.

He didn't have to wait long.

“You're a lucky guy,” the giant grunted when he opened the door again, this time holding it wide so Ari could pass through. “I don't think I've ever seen Del entertain someone after he's cut them off.”

“I'm a smart guy – makes a big difference.”

“Can't be too smart if you were stupid enough to piss off Valentine.”

Fair point.

Once upstairs, Ari was made to wait in the garish office for almost fifteen minutes. He was used to getting his own way – used to being doted upon and respected. Two months ago, he would've walked away after the first five minutes and left Del to have his world collapse around him.

Now, though, that world involved Valentine, and Ari desperately wanted – needed – to get back in it.

“You must have brass balls, kid,” Del sighed when he finally made his appearance. Ari stood up and held out his hand, but the club owner ignored it. “Valentine ain't here. As much as I love her, I learned a long time ago not to take in strays.”

“I'm not here for her,” Ari assured him, but Del just laughed.

“Sure you're not. You got five minutes, lawyer man, so make 'em count.”

“You're about to be the subject of an investigation by the IRS and the FBI.”

That wiped the smug smirk off Del's face. He stared at Ari hard for a moment, obviously trying to read whether or not he was lying. Ari stared right back, his own smirk firmly in place.

“And just how did you come upon this piece of information?” Del asked.

“You gave it to me,” Ari said. “It was with all the other paperwork you sent me six weeks ago.”

“I don't know about any raids, so you must be bullshitting.”

“Cook Pay Day Loan, ring any bells?”

“Sure, it's my shop across town.”

“The Better Business Bureau has logged a substantial amount of complaints against it,” Ari said. “And there are several pending civil suits. The IRS has been flagged.”

“Shit,” Del hissed, glancing away. He thought for a second, then looked back at him. “But still, it's nothing that hasn't happened before, nothing I can't handle.”

“It's different this time,” Ari shook his head. “They're connecting the dots, they're going to investigate all your businesses, including Caché.”

“Says who?”

“Says me.”

“And who the fuck are you?” Del laughed, leaning back in his chair. “Those guys don't answer to you.”

“They do this time.”

The entire atmosphere in the room changed. Del the silly caricature of a business owner was gone, and DelVecchio the seasoned business owner was present. He leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing to slits. Then he gave a sly smile.

“See? I told you. This is about her,” he spoke softly. Ari nodded.

“Isn't everything?”

“So I'm assuming that since you know so much about my predicament, you know how to get me out of it?” Del asked.

“Yes. I've been a very busy man today, making a lot of phone calls.”

“Shining a lot of light on my little situation here, you mean,” Del