Cautious (Sequel to Disastrous) by E.L. Montes Page A

stack of papers and
then eased down into his chair. Once he was situated, he took a long hard look
at each and every one of us, not saying a word—just taking his time, scrutinizing
the six men before him. I straightened my shoulders as I shoved my hands into
my front pockets. Jimmie, to my right, had his arms crossed and was intently
focusing on Lou, while the others waited patiently.
    Lou leaned back in his chair, laying an elbow on the armrest, as
his index finger and thumb framed his face. Crossing his legs, he let out a roguish
laugh. “I call bullshit.” Each of us gave the others questioning glares and
then turned our attention back on Lou. His smile widened. “I call bullshit
because it’s come to my attention that someone in this very room has been lying
to me.”
    My breathing remained steady, but I felt a rush of heat course
through my veins. Jimmie shifted uncomfortably beside me. As I quickly glanced
over at him, I could see his forehead becoming damp. It was warm in the space
we occupied, but I knew my brother. He was fucking nervous. No one seemed to
notice the change in his demeanor but me.
    Come on, Jimmie, don’t fuck this up.
    “For years, I truly thought my men were loyal.” Lou sucked his
teeth three times as he slowly shook his head. “Tsk, tsk, tsk. Shame on me for
believing there were still devoted men in this world.” After one hard look at
each of us, he uncrossed his legs and leaned into the desk. His elbows were
placed on top of the wooden surface. He pointed an index finger and brought it
toward his lips as his thumb rested beneath his chin. He sat in deep thought
for a short period of time.
    “What to do?” Lou questioned in a low voice. Then, as if
something lit up in his head, he spread his arms wide with a cocky grin. “Ah,
that’s right. If I need something done, I must do it myself!” He stood from his
chair, straightened his shoulders, and cracked his neck. Reaching for his
revolver, he tightened his grip around the handle, twirling and examining the
black metal piece in his hand. Everyone straightened, adjusting their positions.
    Lou walked around the desk until he was in the center of us. He
slowly walked back and forth with his left hand behind his back. He gestured
with his right hand, tightly holding the gun, as he spoke, “See what I don’t
understand is, while thinking back on it all, I truly thought I took very good
care of my men.” Stopping to face me, he angled his head and asked, “Do you
think I do, Marky? Take good care of my men, that is?” I gave a curt nod in
response. With a crooked grin, he tapped the cold metal gun in his hand along the
side of my face, turned, and made his way back to the center. All traces of humor
washed away from his features as he stood tall and eyed every one of his men
before him. “If I take good care of my men, then tell me why the FUCK am I having this fuckin’ conversation!”
His arms spread wide as he glanced around the room like a lunatic.
    “Tell me!” Lou’s face was slowly turning red as his anger built.
It was dead silent. The drop of a pin could be heard a mile away. Landing his
glare on Vinnie, he pointed his gun. “Vinnie, you got something to say?”
    Vinnie shook his head. “No, boss.”
    “Hmm.” Then Lou’s arm shifted over to Buddy. “Buddy, what about
you?” Lou asked.
    Buddy raised a brow. “I’m the most loyal to you, Lou.”
    Amused by that statement, Lou smiled mockingly as he approached
Buddy. “Is that so?”
    Buddy stood his ground and nodded. “Yes, it is.” With both hands
folded behind his back, Lou leaned into him, their faces mere inches away from
one another as Lou drilled his eyes into Buddy’s for an awkwardly long time.
    As if another idea just popped into his head, Lou swirled around and
made his way back toward the center. Raising his gun, he aimed it at Buddy.
“Eeny.” Lou smirked and then began pointing at each and every one of us, as he
continued. “Meeny. Miny. Moe.