Read REMEDY: A Mafia Romance (Return to Us Trilogy Book 3) for Free Online Page B

a therapist."
    "No. I'll be fine. I just need sleep."
    He pets my hair and presses his lips to my forehead. "Okay. Sleep now. Everything will be all right."
    Behind my eyelids, a handsome mini-Jacade in overalls takes the hand of an innocent mini-Ivy wearing a yellow sundress. My heart breaks as I watch them stroll hand-in-hand down a country road. They turn and wave goodbye to me before they vanish into the setting sun.
    ***
    Jacade
     
    My hand fans out on the granite countertop as I focus on the lack of whiskey in my tumbler. Can't drink away the memory of her tears soaking my skin.
    "You rang?" Jett strolls into the kitchen.
    "How the hell did you get in?"
    He shoots me an egotistical grin. "Really?"
    Right. The finest assassin in both territories gets in wherever he wants.
    He hops onto a barstool at the island and inspects my lip. "How are the injuries healing?"
    "Fine. You did a good job. As usual." I look to the foyer. "Chowder with you?"
    Chowder wanders in before Jett can answer. "Trip." Chowder gives me a curt nod and sits down next to Jett. His gaze darts around my place but never settles on me. He props his toes on the rung of the stool and bobs his knee.
    "Thanks for coming so quickly. I asked you here because Bernard's playing some evil fucking game." I stare at Chowder until I get his dilated pupils to focus on me. "I want you to clock Bernard."
    He laughs. "Why the fuck do you want me to monitor his movements? I'm not a goddamn scout."
    "Watch your mouth. Your order is to find out what he's got on Boothby. Report to me daily. Every place, person, or animal he comes in contact with. Especially if he meets up with Gerry. Inform me immediately. Got it?"
    "Yeah." His shoulders slouch.
    That's right, you take instructions from me now, Chuck. No objection. "That's all, Chowder. Get going. I'm going to speak with Jett privately." He stands, and I point at him. "Don't fuck this up."
    He leaves without speaking. Wise choice, my friend. The monitor shows him exiting the building.
    "Chowder's acting odd," Jett states.
    "He's using again." I stare at the wavy lines in the counter.
    "So, fill me in."
    "Bernard's got dirt on Boothby, and Ivy's in the middle of it. Bernard wants to be boss."
    "Fuck." He drags out the word.
    I felt the same way, brother.
    Jett's eyes narrow. "Why did you put Chowder on him?"
    "Inside connection. Chowder's been hanging out with Bernard at the track. Not sure if he'll snitch for me. Testing him."
    "Hmm." He slips his hands into his pockets. "So, what do you need from me?"
    "There's a good chance I'll go up against Bernard in the vote. I want you as my right-hand man."
    His neck snaps back. "I can't do that. I stay in the shadows, do my job, and get paid. That's it."
    "Jett, I need you." C'mon, brother. Back me up here.
    He shakes his head. "I've tried before. I vowed never again. People die at that table. I fear for you at the head of it."
    "No one will fuck with me if you're my second in command. They aren't that stupid."
    "Yeah. I'd slaughter anyone who doesn't fall in line under you. Let me chew on it." He presses his lips together. "When's the vote?"
    "Depends on Raymond's health. We might want to check in on him."
    He rises from the barstool and walks to the door. "What day does Bernard do surgeries?"
    "Thursdays. Eastside Surgery Center."
    Jett smiles. "I'll slip an audio feed in his watch when he puts it in his locker."
    "That would be helpful."
    "Gotta say, brother, pissed as hell at Bernard after we've been loyal for years."
    "Me too. It's a choice we made though. Let me know if he contacts you. We're not doing shit for him till I figure this out."

Chapter 5
     
    Jacade
     
    The security monitor shows Bernard arriving in the lobby of my building, and I call down to Joe. "Send him up."
    "Yes, sir."
    Bernard walks into the foyer. "How is she?" he asks as he hangs his coat on the rack.
    "She's doing well. Sleeping."
    I walk to the bar to pour him a finger of Chivas.
    "You brought her