came in all shapes and sizes. The Bay Ridge Royals negotiated enough international product in flesh and drugs that we made it a point to know who carried and offered markers.
I informed the manager of the change in ownership and the new rules. I also sent over a handful of new security guards to deal with the place for now. The 19 Diamonds would hit back, or Meeks would. My waitress got a new best friend in the form of a guy to pick her up and drop her off, just in case Meeks got stupid.
Which he would.
’Cause he was a fucker.
Outside, I pulled on my jacket as I straddled my bike, then I made a call. The broker knew my number and answered on the first ring. “I thought we were up to date on our accounts.” Wisely, he kept his tone even and civil.
“I need information.”
His relieved exhale said more about the Royals’ reach than it did me. I was fine with that. It was useful right now. “What can I do for you?”
“Word on the street is there’s a bounty out on Emersyn Sharpe.”
“There is,” the broker confirmed. “Quarter of a million. It’s gone up in the last week.”
That was a lot of money. “Who’s offering it?”
“You know that’s not how this works.”
“Sure, I do. I also know I have privileges others don’t. I want to meet with the buyer.”
Silence. “You have a lead?”
“You’ll never hear it from me.”
More silence.
“If this gets out…”
I snorted. Who the fuck was I going to tell? “Are we going to have a problem?”
He swore. I waited.
“I’ll make the arrangements.”
“Name.”
Another pause.
“Bradley Sharpe.”
I frowned. “Her father?”
“No,” the broker answered. “Her uncle. And a word of advice—don’t cross him.”
Now I definitely wanted to meet him.
“Set it up.”
Looked like I’d be seeing Hellspawn sooner rather than later.
Slow Down Ahead
Kellan
The rain started early in the day. Mom and Nana argued for an hour over whether I should go to wait for the bus or one of them would drive me. Dad just let them argue while he drank his coffee and shot me a wink. I hid my own smile as I ate my toast.
I’d started first grade this year. I was more than old enough to take the bus. I’d argued with Mom all summer. She drove me every day for kindergarten, but I was a big boy. I wanted to ride with my friends. I didn’t worry too much though. Mom had already said I could. Nana just wanted to fuss, or that’s what Dad always said when Mom got upset with her.
“Don’t worry, it’s just Mom, she fusses about everything. You do things the way you planned.”
He told me once that sometimes, people just needed to fuss before they were ready to see reason. Other people would always think they knew better, but as long as we had a plan, they were entitled to their opinion. Dad was funny, but he also said arguing was what he did for a living.
I thought he was a lawyer, but Mom would grin and say, “same thing.” I bit back another laugh at the memory. Because usually, they started doing the icky stuff then with the kisses and the hugs. If I tried to escape it, they’d drag me in and kiss the sides of my head and blow raspberries until I was a giggling mess.
That was fine at five. At six? I couldn’t be such a baby. Another reason for Mom to not drive me to school. I didn’t mind giving her hugs and kisses, but I didn’t want other kids to see me doing it. After breakfast, I carried my plate from the table to the sink and set my plastic cup up there too.
Dad mimed for me to go get my backpack because Mom and Nana were still arguing. I grinned at him and raced out. My backpack and lunch were already together by the door. I pulled on my coat and my hat then the backpack, and stuck my head around the corner to look in the kitchen.
With a wink, Dad motioned me to go, and I blew a kiss to Mom and Nana where he could see it, so he could tell them. Then I bolted as fast as my little legs would carry me. The bus picked up at the corner by the stop sign. We were five houses down. The rain was coming down steadily, but I resisted the urge to jump in the puddles, barely.
Didn’t want to get