“Don’t fuck with me, Loco. You think I don’t know you’ve got more going on than your happy hooker house and drug hustle?” Rock asks.
Loco’s mouth curls into a devious smirk. “You think I don’t know you been selling half my shit to the Devil Demons MC?”
“You don’t own our whole supply, Loco,” Rock says in an even tone. “Never have.”
“That hurts, Rock.”
“Jesus Christ.” Z rubs his fingers over his temple. “Can we stop with the petty bullshit.”
“Just so you know, we’re not selling ‘half your supply’ to anyone,” Teller says. “We’re off-loading the junkweed that doesn’t meet Sparky’s quality standards. So, chill.”
Rock turns and shoots a glare at Teller.
Loco flicks his gaze at Teller, then back to Rock. “Demons know that they ain’t gettin’ the best?”
“They don’t give a fuck,” Rock snaps. “They’re slinging it to college kids who don’t know the difference.”
“I dunno, some of these college bros seem to be majoring in weed.” Loco barks out a laugh. “Don’t worry, I ain’t trying to jam you up with the Demons. Chaser ain’t a bigoted fuck like his old man but we both know he’ll side with the white boys.”
Rock sighs. “I think we all side with the green.” He rubs his thumb against his fingers in the universal sign for “cash.”
“Eloquent sidestep,” Loco points out. “That’s why I’ve always liked doing business with you, Rock. You ain’t trying to convince me it’s not an issue but you don’t participate. You dislike everyone equally.”
“Indeed,” Rock answers slowly, to drive home the immediate focus of his dislike.
“You mind if we veer back on track?” I ask. “I ain’t got as much time left as you all do, and I’d like to spend some of it outside.”
“Aw, come on, Grinder, you’ll probably outlive us all.” Loco pounds his fist against the desk. “But yeah, let’s get to it. Grillo sent someone to rough up your girl. She okay?”
“Yeah,” I answer. “She’s fine now.”
“Look at you, sly old man.” Loco whistles. “You been out for a heartbeat and already got yourself settled down with a woman?”
“Like I said, making up for lost time over here.” I roll my hand through the air in a hurry-the-fuck-up gesture.
“You dealt with the one who laid hands on her?” Loco asks.
“Yes,” Rock answers.
“Grillo set up my cuz.” He stabs his finger against the desk, then drags it in a straight line forward. “Which led to him being sent to Pine. Which led to his demise at Big Chief’s hands. Blood for blood.”
I get what he’s saying. His loss is greater. He should be the one to take Grillo out. Since I don’t give a fuck who actually pulls the trigger, I just nod along. “I hear you.”
“I’m just saying. You come across him first, I need you to let me know.” Loco cocks his head. “He might be privy to some other information I need.”
“Don’t kill him.” Z says. “That’s what you’re asking?”
“That’s all I’m asking.”
“Done,” I say, then hesitate, realizing I should’ve let Rock make that call.
He doesn’t seem bothered by my gaffe. He nods slowly. “Anything else?”
Loco’s gaze skims over the three of us, then briefly flicks Teller’s way. He rests his elbows on the desk. “I do have a small request.”
Rock nods in a way that says “no shit” without uttering a word.
Loco frowns. “I’m aware there were…issues with the Vipers when they asked you all to hire their girls at Crystal Ball.”
“Understatement,” Rock mutters.
“Ransom sent his girls to our club to start trouble, not to work,” Z explains.
“He was turning his girls out any which way,” Loco spits. The judgment rolling off him is pretty funny considering we’re sitting in his whorehouse.
“Turning tricks was the least of it,” Z says. “But yeah, we won’t risk the exposure by having girls pull that shit in a business we own.” Z’s tone makes it clear, that better not be the favor Loco’s seeking.
Loco touches his fingers to his chest as if he’s offended by the suggestion he’d ever do such a thing. “I understand the need to be discreet.”
The purple front door on this brownstone says otherwise, but whatever. I did my part. None of this other crap concerns me.
“Go on,” Rock encourages.
“A few of my ladies would like to transition into dancing. Eventually, they want to get away from adult entertainment services all together—”
“But you want to use Crystal Ball as part of some hooker twelve-step program?” Z asks.
Loco snorts, then chuckles to himself. “You could say that.”
“Dex can probably explain better, but business has been slow,” Rock says. “I trust that any girl you recommend isn’t coming to stir up drama. Or troll for clients to bring back here.” Rock levels a pointed stare at Loco and waits for him to nod. “I’m willing to give anyone you send us a chance, but I want to be honest with you right now about the state of our business.”