Trial By Fire - Bouncing Back, Book 1

Thirty-Six

No one batted a lash as they walked into the steakhouse hand-in-hand. He brought her knuckles to his lips as they stopped by the host booth. Looking at the woman, he smiled broadly. “Hey, reservations for Slade, please.”

“Slade… Slade… Ah! Here we are. Booth eight,” the woman replied, guiding them to their table. “Your server, Annette, will be here to take your drink orders in a moment.”

Once they were seated and the waitstaff had taken their order, he relaxed a little more. He wanted to ask, but he didn’t want to seem desperate or anything. Setting his glass down, he decided to just go for it.

“How was shopping?” He asked, reaching over for her hand.

Kennedy’s gaze flickered to him, and she cracked a small smile. “It was great. Latoya had a few options picked out based on what she knew about my style. It helped that Jaxon was on the ball and called ahead to have snacks, drinks, and already narrowed down the selection to the top four.”

He breathed a laugh. Knowing that her day went well, he knew that she wouldn’t be as closed off as if she’d been dragged all over God’s creation. “That’s awesome. I’m happy you enjoyed the day with Jax and Sky. I’m surprised she didn’t turn into a harpy about you wearing a dress.”

“Jaxon told her to lay off, and she did. I get the feeling that there’s something bugging her, but I don’t want to pry unnecessarily. Did you get to actually look at the pic in the group chat?” She asked.

Her eyes zeroed in on Diego, and her heart sank. He was up to something. She knew the other mob leaders loved her to pieces, but Xander adored her to the point that he once told her sister he wanted to adopt her. In the end, he settled for being her Godfather instead. Her first thought was that Callum would mind, but the man expressed thanks for taking some of the heat off him. “I hate getting too much attention.”

“I know,” her husband replied. “It makes you feel boxed in and drives you up the wall.”

She blinked, not knowing what to say as she smiled at the man sitting across from her. The man she had agreed to marry without a second thought. Shaking her head, she took a drink of her water as the server put their food down in front of them. Just as the girl left them alone, Diego got to them and dropped an envelope to the table.

“Del Capo Colombiano,” he said. Holding up a paper that looked suspiciously like their check, he tore it up. “As Gran Jefe’s gift to you, your meal is on the house.”

“Diego, you don’t have to do that,” Kennedy argued. “We have our own money.”

The man laughed. “I understand you, Red, but the boss was quite clear in his orders. I’m not to charge his Goddaughter, or my ass would be grass.”

Watching him leave, Memphis saw a few patrons staring at them in interest. Glaring at them, he shook his head. “If you people want to watch reality T.V., go home. My wife and I are trying to enjoy our evening.”

She snickered when some of them lowered their heads in shame. “Nice.”

“So, about earlier,” Memphis started. “Did you want to see if we can push the limits and grab a private room?”

“Excuse me?” They looked up to see one of the men the hostess was cursing out when they arrived. His eyes glittered darkly as he folded his arms. “What do you think you’re doing, Mud.”

Tilting her head to the side, Kennedy stared at the man in disgust. The term he used was the equivalent of saying Memphis was more or less a disgrace. “What the f**k did you just call my husband? Do you have any idea who you’re playing with?”

“Now, listen here, Lady. I was just being a concerned citizen.” He cried out as one of his friends pulled him away roughly. “What the hell, man!”

“Grant, you just screwed yourself out of a spot in the MC. If I take you to the Club now, they’ll kill you for that woman there.” One of them grumbled.

“No they won’t,” Grant said, laughing off the threat. “She’s nothing compared to the big boss.”

The other men paled considerably as Kennedy looked over at Memphis, her smile transforming to a vicious grin. Grabbing her phone, she dialled the club. “Hey, Shirly, it’s Queen. I need you to go tell my uncle I need him.”

A few minutes later, her uncle was on the line. “Uncle Ry, was Zane supposed to bring a new recruit? Okay, well, he needs a lesson in not crossing the Queen. No, not at all. I’m at Diego’s. No, I’ll let Memphis handle it. Okay, thanks, Uncle Ryland.”

Nervously approaching, the hostess swallowed tightly. “Is everything all right, Mr. Slade?”

“I need to take care of some business for a few minutes. Would you mind upgrading our table to a VIP room and ensuring my wife stays safe? If Diego asks about the sudden change, tell him I threatened to pay for his belated wedding gift,” he said.

She laughed, nodding her head as she radioed for the owner. As Memphis and the other men left to go outside, she turned to the woman still seated at the table. “Is your husband for real?”

“I keep wondering that myself. Don’t worry about it, though. I’ll wait here while you go ahead and set up the room for us,” Kennedy said as she opened the sealed envelope. Inside was a hand-written letter from Xander.

My dearest Kennedy,

Throughout the years I have known you, I can officially state that you’re a true Dark Angel. My Godson could not contain his happiness and explained the urgency of your recent union with Memphis. Therefore, you must allow me to spoil my sweet Goddaughter a little.

As usual, I have gone ahead and booked the bridal suite, complete with full spa treatments, for you and your bridal party. It would please me greatly if you were to avail of this gift the night before your mob-s***h-Scorpion gang wedding so that you are refreshed and relaxed.

You and Memphis remind me so much of Hans and Emily when we were teenagers ourselves. Though the racial roles are reversed, not much has changed in forty years regarding racism. I pray you and the family you have created stand strong against the darkness and remember that there are those in this city that will made murder look like an accident should anyone harm you.

Signed with all my love and kindest regards for your future happiness,

X.

Biting back her tears, Kennedy watched the hostess walk back over to her. The woman’s eyes were narrowed in confusion, but she said nothing as she told the two servers with her to move the couple at the table to the first floor VIP room. Once the young woman was settled in the room, the hostess finally spoke.

“Mrs. Slade, I was just wondering why the CEO was providing you with VIP treatment.”

Kennedy smiled, “Signor Wilson is my Godfather. He recently heard that I got shotgun married and decided he wanted to spoil me a little.”

“Oh, I see! That makes sense,” the woman replied. Smiling, she said, “Well, I’ll let you get back to enjoying your evening.”

As the woman turned to leave, Kennedy called out to her. “Here, and say nothing to the rest of the staff, but have them come to the room. I get it. When meals are usually covered, people don’t leave tips. Honestly, you deserve compensation for dealing with assholes on a daily. Since Diego and Xander refuse to let me drop cash on our meal, I’m secretly compensating the staff.”

Staring at the bill in her hand, the woman turned her eyes to the red-head. “Ma’am… I…”

“Don’t say anything. Just accept it, put it in your pocket, and walk away. Send the rest in, too,” Kennedy reminded her.

Ten minutes later, all of the waitstaff stepped into the private room one by one. They nervously took turns standing around, wondering why the VIP guest had called on them. Giving each of the staff a crisp fifty-dollar bill, she calmly advised them of the reasoning. “I know that you’re all very confused, but I also know that not many patrons tip well. This is not a bribe, not by a long shot. In fact, this is my way of saying thank you on behalf of my Godfather for all the hard work you do keeping this place running like a well-oiled machine.”

After enjoying their meal and going to a horror movie showing, they arrived home and were getting ready for bed when Memphis asked her to share her new understanding with him. She sat down, feeling safer than ever as he wrapped her in his arms.

“I never asked for any help before because I didn’t want you guys to see me as anything but the powerhouse you’re used to. I was scared that, if I showed that I needed help, I would be criticized by the team.” She said softly.

Memphis winced. Throughout the years, she’d given her all to everyone around her, asking for nothing in return. Now that she needed them, the others were doing what they could to help. “Kenni, baby, listen to me. the team is family no matter how you slice it. None of us would ever do something like that to you. Yes, you’re a powerhouse, but you’re also very human, honey. From now on, can we agree that you’re going to ask for help? No matter how small the task?”

Kennedy smiled, leaning into him. “I promise to keep asking for assistance from now on.”