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.