“That’s fair. And I appreciate your candor.” Loco flashes an evil smile. “Maybe some brown sugar will sweeten up your joint.”
Z cough-laughs. “Maybe that’s what we’re missing. Yeah.”
“Well, y’all gotta a lot of pale, bony blondes twirlin’ on them poles,” Loco points out. “Variety keeps things interesting.”
“I’ll let Dex know,” Rock answers, barely hiding his irritation. I haven’t been to Crystal Ball since I got out so I can’t agree or disagree with Loco’s assessment. Couldn’t care less. Greased up girls humping my leg for dollar bills didn’t interest me before prison and it doesn’t interest me now.
“We’re having success with our girls downstate who are camming,” Z adds. “Our Virginia charter’s got something similar going on. Startin’ to make bank.”
“You know how to set all that up?” Loco asks. “So it’s safe for the girls?”
“Yeah. I can do it.” Z grins. “Rooster’s got more recent experience, though. He and I can work out something for you if your girls are ever interested in exploring that option.”
“Eh.” Loco waves his hand at the door. “What they do in the bedroom is one thing. Once it’s online it’s out there forever.”
“True,” Z agrees. “The girls we have doing it were going back and forth from films, so they were already comfortable with that.”
“I’ll drop the suggestion at our next house meetin’,” Loco promises.
Rock sits forward. “I’m sorry, what?”
“House meeee-ting,” Loco enunciates slowly. “Hoe church. Bitches bring all their complaints and suggestions to my attention, and we work shit out.”
“How democratic of you,” Z chuckles.
“Don’t tell me you don’t have a sit-down with your dancers.”
“I don’t.” Rock touches his chest. “Dex probably does.”
“You really not runnin’ things there anymore, Rock?” Loco asks.
“Nope.”
“Ah, right. You got that fine as hell wife.” Loco closes his eyes for a second like he’s savoring whatever memory he has of Hope. God help the fucker, Rock’s about to snap. “You knock her up again yet?”
“No,” Rock growls.
“Sorry, sorry.” Loco holds up his hands but doesn’t look one bit apologetic. “Forgot you’re touchy about personal shit.”
“I haven’t knocked up my wife again yet, either,” Z says. “In case you’re keeping track.”
Behind us, Teller choke-laughs.
I’m not finding the conversation as amusing.
“Anyway, you think you can help me out?”
“We’ll do our best,” Rock says.
“Good. Good. Thank you.” He stands and offers his hand to Z, then Rock. “What’s my man Sparky cookin’ up these days?”
Rock actually chuckles. “He’s dabbling in edibles.”
Loco scowls. “I can’t sling that on the street.”
Z glances around the office. “You could offer them to your customers here.”
Loco nods. “Guess you’re right. Nice add on. Upcharge. Whatever the fuck.”
“He’s still working on his unique strains,” Rock adds. “Don’t worry. We’ll have new product coming soon.”
“That’s what I like to hear.” Loco claps his hands together.
After more posturing, endless chit-chat, and a long round of handshaking we’re finally released from Loco’s office.
Cloying perfume hangs in the hallway. A high husky voice and two lower rumbling ones come from the first room we passed on our way in.
“I suppose we should go collect Rav and Dex,” Rock says.
Teller shrugs. “I don’t think Rav will be upset if you leave him here.”
“Nope. We be like Fletcher Park up in here. Carry out what you carry in. Ain’t got time or space for clingers.” Loco claps his hands behind us like he’s trying to scare a hawk away from his pet rabbits.
“That a problem?” Teller asks. “Guys don’t know when to leave?”
“That’s why I grab their credit card up front,” Loco says.
Rav grins at us from one of the couches. Two lingerie-clad ladies are occupying his lap. I recognize one as the girl who opened the door for us. Dex is talking to another young woman, with a couch cushion’s worth of space between them.
“Ahh.” Loco beams at Rav and Dex. “Good taste, gentlemen. While we’re all assembled here, this young lady is one of the ones I mentioned.” He points to the woman sitting with Dex. “Patience.”
Rock nods, but I think his own patience is about to snap. I know mine is.
“I leave the hiring to Dex,” Rock says.
Dex smoothly stands. “If it’s all right with you, Loco, I asked Patience to come in and audition sometime this week.”
“Yes, yes. Excellent.” Loco shakes Dex’s hand. “Thank you, Dexter.”
Dex scowls then forces a smile.
One of the girls in Rav’s lap raises her hand. “Me too.”
“Yes, Clem.” Loco arches an eyebrow at Dex who nods.
A gentle touch brushes my shoulder and I jump.
“Easy,” Loco says. “The man just got out of prison. Don’t be sneaking up on him like that.”
Thanks for broadcasting my business, asshole.
“Sorry,” the raven-haired beauty who’d waved at me earlier says in a low, husky voice.
“Ya know what? Y’all stay. Get to know each other,” Loco encourages. “I got work to do.”
“Thanks, Loco,” Rock says. He sends a murderous glare at Rav who doesn’t seem to be taking the hint.