Lucien - Silvia Violet Page 0,39
and it sounds like you’re making the best of it for now. You should be thanking me, not bitching at me.”
Before I could come up with a response, Jimmy polished off his beer and slid from his stool. “I’ve got to go.”
“Be careful. I don’t know what’s going on in your world right now, but—”
“You’ve made it your world too, and you’re not ready to play in it.”
“You’re right, but you seem to think you’re invincible.”
He huffed. “Not invincible. Just smart.”
Smart was not a thing Jimmy had ever been. He was impulsive, conniving, a charmer, and a halfway decent petty thief, but he would never be the brains of any operation. And if he thought he could outsmart a man like Lucien, he was way off base. “Think before you jump into something you can’t get out of.”
Jimmy just laughed. “Too late.” He turned and walked away.
My uncle noticed me then. A few moments later, he brought me my favorite beer. “Whatever he was telling you, ignore it. He’s in a pisser of a mood tonight.”
“Do you know why?”
Uncle Mac frowned. “I’ve overheard a few things. I’ll be taking a break in about fifteen minutes. If you can hang around, meet me in my office.”
“I’ll do that.” I was hoping my uncle might’ve heard something useful. If my suspicions were right, and Jimmy was working for the man who was moving against Lucien’s family, what would I do? Would I tell Lucien what I learned and put my loyalty to him over my loyalty to my family?
Did I really owe loyalty to Jimmy, though? Sure, he’d protected me when we were kids, and he’d been kind to me in the past, but he’d tricked me into paying his debt for him. Technically, anyway. As it turned out, I was happy to do it. He knew who Lucien was and what he was capable of, yet he’d handed me over to him, not knowing how he’d treat me.
“So what did you hear?” I asked Mac when he joined me in his office.
He studied me for a moment. “Before we get into that, tell me how you’re doing. Don’t think I’ve missed that you have somebody watching over you. I know you’re involved in some of the same shit as Jimmy.”
“It would be better if you didn’t know too many details.”
“I’m sure it would, and it might be best if you didn’t get involved in what I heard Jimmy talking about.”
“I’m worried about him. I think he’s gotten involved with the wrong people.”
“And you haven’t?”
“I… Maybe, but I’ve been safe so far. Please, tell me about Jimmy. I really am worried about him.”
He sighed. “You and me both, kid.”
I laid a hand over his. “I know you’re worried about me too, but I’m really happy where I am.”
“I can tell that. You look better than you have in a long time. I’m just worried about what will happen down the road.”
“Me too, but I’m okay for now.”
“I like that you made the choice yourself. Part of me likes that you’re taking a risk, but you need to be careful.”
“I am.”
He didn’t look reassured, but he dropped the subject. “I don’t know a lot of details about Jimmy, but what I do know is he’s believing a lot of promises that aren’t likely to come true. If I had to make a guess, he’s being set up to be somebody’s scapegoat.”
“Do you know any names?”
He raised his brows. “Are you going to report what I tell you?”
“If I think it’s going to help the right people, then maybe.”
“Are there any good people in this?”
It was my turn to sigh. “I wish I knew.”
“I heard Jimmy mention a name when he was on the phone. It was loud in here, like always, but I think he said Marc or—”
“Marco?”
“That’s probably it. Why? You know a Marco he’s worked with?”
“Maybe.” Marco was the man Lucien thought had betrayed him.
“I heard him say Marco was moving against Jimmy’s old employers, and he was helping him.”
My heart raced. Jimmy owed a debt to Lucien, but had he been working for him? If so, then Lucien’s and the man he’d been talking to—Vinnie’s—suspicions were right. Marco wasn’t on their side.
“Do you know who Jimmy was working for?”
Mac shook his head. “I don’t. Problem is, you know Jimmy. He’ll jump ship faster than you can blink if he thinks he can get more money from one place than another. He’s got no sense of loyalty, and that’s probably going