“And how, oh master of unintended consequences do you end the Kader family values curse,” Gus asked, giving John a head slap for chuckling over Nick’s remarks in regard to Gus’s opinion being worthless in the discussion.
“I’ll buy them off. We have more money than we know what to do with. I’ll meet with the heads of the Kader family, and find out what price they’d take to tell Fontaine Cala is spoken for. If they agree to end the Fontaine contract and simply stay away from Dimah and Cala, I won’t have to start picking them off one by one until they stop.”
“That is not bad, Muerto,” John remarked, “but would you not feel pessimistic about what the Kader family would then do with the money? They could hire an army of assassins to hunt you down and kill you.”
“That part does bother me,” Nick admitted. “I could add a clause they have to abide by the United States Constitution and not Sharia Law, or I would come and take my money back with many casualties.”
“I don’t think they’ll go for it, Nick, but it’s worth a try,” Gus said. “There’s a lot of those bastards in the East. It would be hard to wipe out the Kader line, but it could work if you did do them one at a time until they agreed to back off. That would be the way to warn them off if your payoff doesn’t work. If their family elder throat slitters start dying with their heads blown off one at a time, they might listen to reason if they have to get new elders every week.”
“There’s no harm in trying. John, it’s time to pop the question. You’ve had two Bushmills’ doubles. That should be sufficient to elegantly ask the beauteous Cala to be your wife. Do you have a ring?”
“No, Muerto. I did not plan on this wedding to proceed quite so fast. We could get one tomorrow before we leave.”
“An excellent idea. That way, you can ask for her hand before we leave to go home. Then I can enlist her to my side in the wedding planner scheme. Cala can sell the idea to Dimah. I’m certain Bill will be thrilled.”
*
The Unholy Trio, plus wife Rachel stopped at a jewelry shop in Seattle. It was a quaint family owned shop one of the mansion rental owners knew and recommended. The foursome arrived at the shop near opening time. They were the first and only customers in the store. A balding older man greeted them cheerfully, beckoning them in as he opened.
“My name is Saul. If I can be of any service please let me know. Is there anything you had in mind to hunt for?”
“We are looking for wedding rings. My friend, John, would like to purchase one for his soon to be fiancé.”
John shook Saul’s hand. “My friend Rachel will be assisting me with the choice, Sir.”
Soon, the four were perusing a wide selection of wedding rings in numerous price categories. Rachel delightedly gave John all the parameters of picking out an engagement and wedding set of rings. She explained the drawbacks gaudy rings caused when worn and shown.
“You must think of Cala and your love for her, and what you would love to see on her finger every day of your lives. If you keep that in mind instead of what one would impress her, it will then be a true wedding set.”
“Wow, Rachel,” Nick said. “That’s a lovely piece of advice. What do you think, John?”
John heard nothing after Rachel’s small speech. He appeared mesmerized at a set in the first box of sets. When he noticed the quiet smiles on his companions’ faces John pointed at the set three rows down and two sets over. “That set will look beautiful upon Cala’s finger.”
Saul set the rings into a display holder for everyone to look at. “It is a wonderful choice if I may say so. They are as your friend Rachel says, a gift of love, elegant and unique.”
“Saul is right,” Rachel said, brushing away tears. “Those are gorgeous.”
The bell over the door chimed and three masked men ran into the shop with hammers and Uzi’s. The next thirty seconds lasted an eternity for the masked men. They arrived, having cased Saul’s shop many times, knowing the old man worked alone in the early morning hours. Unfortunately for them, they had picked the wrong morning with the wrong customer in the shop – a killer without peer, fear, or hesitation. Gus and John knew. They grabbed Rachel and Saul, taking them to the floor instantly, covering them with their own bodies.
The masked leader fired into the ceiling as a warning threat. At least that would be the guess because in the next instant, Nick fired six times with his Beretta, striking head and chest on the three would be robbers before they realized someone fired at them. Weapons, hammers, and bodies fell to the floor. Nick then fired one more round into each of the robbers’ heads. Only then did he glance at the people he hoped to protect. Nick switched attention to the door again with a grin upon seeing Gus and John protecting Rachel and Saul.