Page 168 of Cross & Crown

suit pockets as the doors closed.

“How the bleeding hell do you acquire not one, buttwo

favors from the Irish mob?” Julian demanded on the way

down.

Nick remained silent. For one, he kind of enjoyed

frustrating Julian. And two, you acquired favors from the

Irish mob by keeping your damn mouth shut about how you

did it.

They reached the bottom floor and Nick led the way to

Alibi, the restaurant situated amidst the remains of the old

jail cells on the bottom floor. As in the lobby, the walls were brick and the iron bars were still set into the windows and

doors where the cells had once stood. The room was littered

with little pods of comfortable chairs and love seats, and the

tables were just big enough to set a few glasses and a plate of appetizers on.

They took up residence in a corner, where the lights faced

away from them and no one would look their way.

“That’s funny,” JD said as soon as he sat down. “Alibi.”

They all stared at him.

“You can’t tell me that’s not funny. I don’t care,” he

insisted. “Irony.”

Nick finally chuckled.

“I lied,” JD blurted, and though he kept his voice at a

whisper, it was obvious he had been desperate to say the words.

Nick looked up from his menu, eyes pinning JD before

he could speak again. JD met his stare and flinched. He was

169

astute enough to see the distrust in Nick’s expression. He

looked wounded, but he continued. “The star,” he said quickly.

“It did have something on it.”

“What do you mean?” Kelly asked.