Dawg Days of Summer
Jake – POV
It was early – that's all I knew.
Way too fucking early.
My phone buzzed again effectively putting the breaks on a dream worth at least Ten Hail Mary's.
Fuck.
I rolled over blindly reaching for my phone. The light on the screen was too bright to look at so I squeezed them shut as I answered. My free hand rubbing my temples. "What?" I greeted.
"Hey – what's going on?" Leah responded.
My eyes were still closed. "What do you want?" She never calls otherwise.
"I was hoping you'd come over." She paused waiting for a reaction that didn't come. "The kitchen sink – it's leaking again."
"And you want me to fix it?" I said flatly.
She didn't miss a beat. "That's why I'm calling so early. I mean I know you're busy and I figured if I got you first you'd have the time – today." She added.
"I'll be there in half an hour." I hung up then.
It took less than an hour to fix the faucet. I mopped up the wetness that pooled under the cabinet and threw the towel in the sink.
Leah was quick to set her phone down as I approached her loafing ass.
I knew who she was going on with.
"What the fuck's wrong up here?" I thumped Leah's head – hard, too. "You got anything up there?"
"Fuck you, Jake! Don't start-up on that." She argued back.
I shook my head. "You need to have more faith in your blood family than your so-called friends." I pointed my finger in her direction. "Take it or leave it. That's the truth, Leah."
She rolled her eyes. "You don't even know what you're saying."
"Hey – I'm the last person you should be throwin any shade at. I know you want something – something for life. This mother fucker, all he wants is something for the night. You'd better wisen up, girl." I met her eyes to drive my point home. "That's what I fuckin' know, Leah. That's what I know."
We were interrupted by the buzzer so I went down the hall to wash my hands.
When I returned, sitting in my sister's apartment, sprawled out on her couch was The Boxer. "What's up, Bobby?" I kept my tone cordial.
"Jake – " He nodded his acknowledgement then directed his attention to my tool box and sneered, "You making house calls now?"
I shook my head. "Today is not the fucking day to come at me sideways, Mother Fucker."
Bobby looked to Leah. "Hey – take a walk, will ya?" Then his eyes darted towards me. "Seems like you do a lot of talkin'. Ain't nobody on my crew putting his mitt in the fucking cookie jar." He referred to Tyler's scheming. "Seems like your Skip ain't enforcing the rules of conduct out there on Damen Ave."
I clenched my fist. It took a conscious effort to not put it threw his teeth. "Shiiit." I drew the word out long. "You just talk to hear yourself cuz nobody else is listening. Fuck you. It was dealt with – period. That's it – end of story."
The boxer winked. " I was you, I'd make sure I look both ways before I crossed the street. Accidents are a freak thing – you never know." He trailed off.
I chuckled.
He is fucking ridiculous.
"Note to yourself, Bobby, Boy – most streets run two ways." I turned to leave and hollered over my shoulder. "I'm out, Leah."
The drive home was short. I mentally calculated how many more minutes I could sleep before heading in for the day.
I just hit the sheets and the fucking phone again.
What the fuck.
I rolled over to look at the screen.
Gianna.
It was cool, though.
She came over awhile later.
We messed around some and then just chilled.
My phone buzzed and Gianna quirked her brow. It was Edward; I needed to see Bella home from work.
"I gotta head out." I informed and Gianna was indifferent – picking at a nail while I texted back.
This wasn't gonna go over well.
She frowned. "You can't. Not now." She half pouted, her pink lips turning down. "I just got here." She straddled my lap while moving her hips. Her circular movements making more than just leaving here hard– I groaned and kissed her back. I set my phone to my side so both hands could grip her hips now.
I pulled back – kissing her neck as I spoke. "Something came up." I looked at my watch feeling every sway of her hips. "Shouldn't take long. I can be back – say an hour…" I thought about how much Bella can talk and amended, " two tops."
"You can't…" She hummed; her mouth over my ear.
I chuckled. "You already said that." I reminded her.
She pulled back slightly. "How about this then…" She kissed her way up my neck – mouth hovering over my ear. "I haven't even had a chance to taste your dick yet." She whispered as she ran her soft lips down my cheek to my jaw.
My eyes rolled back as I let her undo my pants and slide between my legs.
She hovered over my weeping dick, licking ever so slightly – teasing. With a mind of its own, my hand went to the back of her head – encouraging her to get on with it. She took the tip into her mouth and I let out a low moan.
Gianna could suck dick.
Her tongue swirled before she took me in deeper – and then deeper still. I watched as my dick disappeared between her lips over and over – my hips bucking up, fucking her mouth as my release came closer. I let her know it was coming and she worked harder - swallowing when I had finished.
I laid back on the bed, my legs still hanging over the side – while Gianna laid over me.
"That was fucking amazing." I let her know the truth of it. Fucking one hundred percent.
"Who the fuck is Bella?" She shot back.
My phone had gone off again and the name Bella flashed big over the screen.
"Aw – shit!" I grabbed for my phone thinking maybe something happened. "Gimme that." I read the text Bella had sent. She just sent the time she got off work and that she had a doggie bag for me. On most days – if Bella knows I'm coming, she usually has a meatball sub with extra cheese waiting for me. Sometimes apple or cheese danishes because she knows I never take the time to make anything in the morning.
Nothing I ever asked of her – just fucking thoughtful.
Bella used to joke about me being the most expensive babysitter in the city but now, on most days, I think she's…. happy might be too much, relieved is probably the most accurate. Relieved to have the company. I think she finally realized she's in over her head.
"Jake – I just sucked your dick. Your wad's barely passed my tonsils and someone named…." She gestured towards my phone. "Bella is messaging you and you're up and leaving. Seriously?"
"Quit - it's not like that." Which was true. To avoid the rapid fire questions soon to be flying - I lied. "She's my cousin." I shrugged as I texted Edward. "I promised I'd give her a ride home."
She quirked her eyebrow, all the while watching me like a hawk while a long pause ensued. Finally she broke the uncomfortable quiet. "And you smile like that every time your cousin calls?" She gestured to her arm then. "Nearly rip my arm off for the phone? What the fuck, Jake?"
"Smile – what smile? Talking shit you don't even know nothing about."
"Am I Jake? Really?"
I wasn't in the mood to give her reassurances. "You're fucking crazy."
"And you're the only one she can call?" She asked skeptically. "The only one in the whole big fucking US of A?"
There's the attitude that pisses me off. "Don't be like that. It's my cousin – nothing more. You either have some trust - or don't. I really don't fucking care."
"What the fuck am I supposed to do then?" She flopped back on the bed and looked at me.
I took a breath. "You wanna stay – I'll be back in a bit. You wanna leave – whatever. I'll see you when I see you." I wasn't trying to be a dick but I wasn't making promises I wouldn't be able to keep either.
Edward has begun his own manhunt and I have no idea where I'll be from one day to the next.
Keep your schedule flexible. Those were my orders.
Edward had figured we'd pin James for the heist and various other after-hours activities. We'd create the evidence needed for them to crucify James with no room left to question and one of two things would happen.
One – the PD would lock him up and throw away the key; or two - he'd be on the run, looking over his shoulder every time he turned to take a piss. He'd have no choice but to go deep to avoid the statewide manhunt – making it difficult for him to roam about freely and thus unable to drop in on Bella. Further, he ends up on the other side of the grass – and without question, he will and won't be missed. With the state and federal charges he's facing, going on the lam would be very probable – in fact it'd be expected and a smart play on his part. Difficult to locate a certainty. No one will be the wiser and his file would inevitably end up in the endless stack of cold cases the city can't close.
Option two seemed to be the way it'd play out.
The arms of the law only run so far – I know that, James knows that – Edward knows that and don't think for a second that wasn't figured into his plan because I guarantee Edward's reach knows no bounds.
James should pray every fuckin night the city's finest find him first – I know I would be.
As far as I know, James hasn't been to see Bella. It's hard to know because Bella isn't the most forthcoming. She doesn't want Edward getting any more involved. By now – she knows. Deep down she knows what Edward will do when he catches up with James – so she doesn't always tell it like it is. She'd rather live in the shadow of fear than see something happen to Edward.
Edward doesn't see it this way. Her not coming to him – he sees it as Bella protecting James.
I got up off the bed, leaving Gianna and went to the dresser. "If you leave lock up behind you." I instructed.
"I want to do something tonight." Gianna ran her hands over my shoulders and pressed her tits against my chest. "Let's go to the movies." The more she whined, the more I wanted to get the fuck outta there.
"Not tonight." I took her wandering hands and put them at her sides, before turning to the mirror to button my shirt.
"We should do stuff – do things – you know?" She sounded like a broken record and I was coming to the conclusion that this arrangement wasn't gonna last.
"You want to do something, get off your ass and pick your shit up." I gestured around my bedroom. "Look at this place! What the fuck?"
She ignored me. "Remember when you took me to that little restaurant…" She was peeking at her reflection over my shoulder as she flicked at her earlobes.
She had a stupid grin on her over-made face. When she didn't get a response, she turned to face me, her brows deeply furrowed. "What's the matter with you tonight?"
I glanced in her direction and that stupid grin got bigger. "You gave me these earrings, remember?" I turned from the mirror to glance at her ears. The earrings she's speaking of happen to be leftover crap from a jewelry heist a few months back. It was a large heist with mostly high-quality stones, save for the earrings she's wearing. I couldn't get shit for them.
"Remember you said you loved the way my eyes sparkled and the earrings reminded you of them. It was the first time we – you know." She ended coyly.
She stood flush against my back, letting her hand snake around my waist and slither low. I grabbed her hand before she reached my dick. I walked over to my nightstand and grabbed for my keys and half listened. "We could go-"
I had about enough and suggested, "You want to go out, call your girlfriend, what's her name?"
"Liz. You never remember. It's a simple three letter name. How many times do I have to tell you?"
Honestly, it's a conscious effort on my part to forget. This chick, Liz, has a banging body but I've seen better mugs on junk yard dogs.
It's a fuckin' shame.
"Whatever." I said distractedly as I threw half folded laundry around the room looking for a different shirt and I could give a fuck what her name is. "You know she's home, give her a holler."
"It's not the same. I want to go out like people do….you're always busy. So, so busy." She pouted.
How many times are we gonna go round with this same tired bull shit? Still looking for my other shirt, I scoffed. "Yeah, it's called work."
"What are you saying, Jake? Cuz I fuckin' work. So fuck you!" She screamed back at me.
Now I was done fucking around.
I froze and shook my head. "Fuck me?" I pointed to myself and repeated my words as I slowly closed the gap between us. "Fuck me?"
"I don't think I suddenly speak Chinese!" She looked nervous but kept eye contact. When I didn't respond she repeated herself. "So - yeah, fuck you!" She confirmed.
Her eyes bugged out and she took a step back when I stalked over to her. "What? Now you got my attention and you got nothing to say?"
She took another step back. "You just stop there, Jake!" She frantically glanced around the room but there was no escape. "Fuck you!" She screamed and half cried out of frustration and defeat. She sounded hysterical and with her arms waving around looked it, too.
Three quick strides and I closed the gap between us; she was cornered. Grabbing her arm and ignoring her yelp, I yanked her ass back to me. She pulled back but I was stronger and held her flush against me. Grabbing a fistful of her stiff hair, I yanked her head up and made her look at me. "What is it with you and that mouth all the time?" I squeezed her cheeks for emphasis. Not too hard but enough to make my point. "Huh? Do you hear yourself? You know what you sound like?"
"Okay-okay, look I'm sorry." Her eyelashes batted and she tried to cringe back but I held her firmly in place by her hair. Black tears streamed down her face and her long red nails clawed at my wrist to loosen my grip on her cheeks. "You don't have to be so touchy." She sniffled and tried to wipe away tears on her arm. I squeezed her cheeks again. This time a little harder and I swear to God I thought I'd twist her head around, too.
The bed wasn't more than a foot away, so when I walked her backwards the mattress made her knees give. She had a soft cushion. "You know what?" I stood towering over her pathetic form curled up on my bed. "Do whatever the fuck you want." My hand waved in the air in dismissal. "Make the bed before you leave."
I walked out.
I had a stop before I got to Bella – I had the time. She wasn't off work for another 45 minutes or so.
Parking down the street, I waited in my car for the hooded figure to hit his corner. He's just the corner man, small time – nickel and dime bags, sometimes an assortment of prescription pills but he pays his taxes just like everybody else and today his property value has just increased.
I rolled up next to him and he approached my car. "What up, tho?" His dues aren't owed until the following week – so my visit's a surprise. "You be lookin' for blood, I already gave." He looked back over his shoulder and scanned the street.
Now that he was closer, his gray hood lowered - I could see the fading bruises on his cheek bones and cuts scattered on his face. Someone busted his shit up real good.
"You slip in the shower?" I referred to his makeover.
He pointed to his face. "This is from The Boxer." He came closer and lowered his voice. "He's fuckin' tweakin', man. Dude's tweakin' hard as ever." He rubbed the back of his head and looked around. "You didn't hear this from me – ahight?"
"Agreed."
"Naw – naw, man, don't give me none of that fuckin' agreed bull shit. I ain't sayin' you gonna front your shit. You gotta merch it, though. That's how it's gonna be." He made a fist and bumped his chest, over his heart. "You fuckin' feel me, man?"
"I'm giving you my word. When I leave here, its fuckin' dust in the wind."
"Your guy – he be goin' all over everywhere. Lookin' to take himself a piece – a big fuckin' piece." He looked around again. "You pumped out all that flow? Sure as I'm fuckin' standing here, all the while y'all's money talkin' - straight into his fuckin' wallet. Fuckin' merch." He looked around again.
The Boxer had recently joined the ranks of the Volturi family as a collector. I had heard he was assigned his own crew.
I smiled big. "We got a storm a brewin' – better get your fuckin' rubbers and hunker down."
"What you got with the Boxer is your own fuckin' business. Leave me the fuck outta it."
"Side note – this really ain't your fuckin' day."
"Shit's for realz. Ain't my mother fuckin' year, man. What up now?"
"Taxes are going up an additional five percent. Consider this your notice." I started to pull away then stopped as he held his arms out wide. "What? Yo - for reals, man?"
"You got issues - take it up with the Skip. I'm just the messenger." I continued to pull away.
"Hey – I got a family to feed too."
"And that's a fucking touching argument, if I ever heard one."
"I'ma givin' it to you straight –shit. Five percent – that's fuckin deep."
"You standin' here arguing with me – spinning some bull shit, time is money. Better get poppin'." I gestured towards his corner.
"That's fuckin' bullshit and you know it, man!" He shouted back at me. He could have a tantrum all he wanted – wasn't gonna change his hand.
When I got to the café Bella still had another fifteen on the clock. I walked in, saw she was busy with some customers so I chilled at the counter. She wiggled her fingers at me – all smiles.
Despite this shit day, I smiled and waved back then turned my attention to Ben. "Hey…" I nodded in Ben's direction my head gesturing he should come closer.
"Yeah – what's up?" He stood nervously twisting the towel he had in his hands.
"Everything here good?" My eyes scanned the patrons scattered around the seating areas. "You got problems?"
Ben's eyes went wide his voice higher pitched than usual. "No – no, I don't have a problem. We're good. Yeah, it's all good, man." He misunderstood.
I pointed in Bella's direction. "Her. I'm talking about her. She good?" Today has been a fucking day and a half. I looked at my watch –and it wasn't even half over.
"As far as I know – yeah, she's good." Ben shrugged. "She hasn't said anything – to me at least."
This didn't surprise me. Bella wouldn't say anything but I was satisfied. "You got customers – " I pointed to the line forming. "Go." I slapped the counter top. "It's bad business keeping people waiting."
"Yeah – yeah, you're absolutely right. I'm on it." Ben jogged over to the far side of the counter.
Business as usual.
I shot Edward a text while I waited. He could at least take one thing off his mind for the time being anyway.
"Jake!" She scurried over – smile as big as ever.
"What's good, Shortcakes?"
"Eh – " She looked around the place then looked back to me. "…another day, another dolla'."
"Yeah – I feel your holla'." I replied to her working motto.
She giggled. "I just need…" She scrunched her nose and looked around again. "ten minutes more? You want a table to sit? I can bring you something."
See – fuckin' thoughtful.
"I'm good here." I waited at the far end of the counter, nearest the door watching people walk by. Bella rushed here and there, gave Ben some directions for closing, then grabbed her purse and walked to me. "Hey – can we make a stop on the way home?" She reached for the doggie bag she promised.
I held open the door as she brushed passed me. "Your chariot awaits." I gestured towards my car and plucked the bag she was carrying out of her hands.
Once on the sidewalk she grabbed my arm and pulled down – I bent lower so we were somewhat closer to eye level. "What's up?" I was immediately scanning the streets – ready for whatever.
It was just that kind of day.
She gave me a pointed look – her eyes big and sparkly.
"I got some mad skills, Shortie – reading minds isn't one of them."
She rolled her eyes. "You didn't notice your fan girls in there?" She whispered all bubbly. "I swear they only come here hoping they'll see you." She smiled big. "I think the darker haired one is kind of cute." She shrugged and glanced back at the café.
I burst out laughing.
"Jake!" She scolded and then frowned. "Come on you can't blame them!" She was salty now. "You know – you come in here…like…" Her hand gestured up and down the length of my torso and I was interested in where this was going. " – and, and …." Her eyes were quick to snap up to mine, her hand flailing every which way. "..you got that - that dark hair, bad boys with tattoos thing goin' on – so come on, Jake."
My eyes popped. "Come on – what?" Still laughing, I pointed towards the door. "In there?"
She shrugged and argued. "Don't you think she's a little cute?"
I shook my head speechless. This was priceless. Priceless and hilarious.
I walked to the car and opened the passenger door. "Come on - quit foolin' and get in."
She finally let up on my 'fan girls' – shit still cracking me up.
"What'd you do?" She gestured towards my torn up wrist and I just quirked my brow at her.
"Now I'm getting the silent treatment? Seriously? Come on, Jake!" Then outta nowhere she smiled and nodded to herself. "Okay – okay fine. You can be like that." She held up her index finger showing me a band aid. "See I got one, too. But now I'm not going to tell you what happened either." She crossed her arms. "So don't ask!"
I fucking laughed again as I pulled the car over to park along the busy street. "What are we now? On the playground and five?" I put the car in park. "You show me yours and I show you mine?"
She looked at me sideways, arms still crossed. "I guess you're five, too then." I half expected her to stick her tongue out at me.
There wouldn't be an end and I couldn't keep a straight face no how. "Alright – I'm five. Feel better knowing you're not the only pea in that pod?" I joked at her as I reached for the door handle. I had barely cracked the door and Bella balked yanking me back in my seat. "You don't have to come in."
I laughed. This is the all too familiar Bella. "Oh, yes. Yes, I do."
She shook her head. "No – and I'm not gonna tell. It'll be our little secret - so you'll be cool. Cool?"
I shook my head back. "Not fucking cool." Again I moved to get out of the car and this time she pulled on my arm effectively putting me back in my seat. There's no way she's more than a buck five wet – but damn, girl's stronger than she looks.
"You cannot go in there with me." She was adamant and put great emphasis on the word 'cannot'. She was definitely not kidding around anymore.
I rubbed the back of my neck to relieve some of the tension that's been building all day. "I'm missing something here – what's your deal, Shortcakes?"
"Look Jake, all I have to do is buy one thing." She held up her bandaged clad index finger. "One measly thing. That's it. It'll take like five seconds." She raised each finger as she counted to five for me. On five, she wiggled all five fingers, "Five – see how fast that was? You'll be right here-"
I cut her off. "I won't be right here." I pointed to the shop and corrected. "I'll be right there."
"One thing, Jake. One – very…." Her eyes went big and her cheeks became slightly tinted as she thought about what to say. "One very…..personal…" More stalling then whispering like there's more than just her and I in the car. "…one very personal…." She left the dramatic pause linger before giving it up. "…very….very feminine thing." She shut her eyes tight and grimaced. "Please just know what I mean and don't make me say."
Jesus Christ.
What the fuck is it with chicks? Guys know you bleed.
I rubbed my forehead and tried to be understanding – even though I have no fucking clue why this has to be an issue. "Here's the deal. We go in…" I quirked my brow and twirled my finger between us for emphasis. "together." She moved to dispute so I held up my finger. "There's more." She chewed her lip her cheeks growing pinker by the minute. "I agree to wait by the door. You agree to be quick as silver. Take it or leave it."
Her pink cheeks puffed out a breath. "Agreed."
As per our agreement, I waited - lurking by the door, ignoring the mothers with raised eyebrows holding their kids a little closer and the various looks of suspicion I got from people entering and exiting the establishment and Bella made quick to get what she needed and get in line – albeit she picked the longest fucking line in the store.
I looked at her pointedly.
She made bugs eyes at me – like I'm supposed to know what that means.
I pointed to my watch and the line that was three times shorter.
She shook her head.
Bella can break the patience of a saint.
Again, I gestured over to the – now empty line and she purposefully ignored me.
The cashier even asked her to step over and she declined, smiling sweetly and politely shaking her head.
She finally finished up and walked towards me. "We could have been done and gone five minutes ago. Is there a reason you have to stand in the longest line possible?"
"I liked the cashier in my line better." She said and walked away from me as she headed towards the car.
And it clicked.
Enough said.
I got it.
There was a dude working the shorter lane.
I opened the car door as I looked over at her – seeing her cheeks were still pink. "You're ridiculous – you know that, right?"
"You're overbearing – you know that, right?" She sassed back as she ghosted passed me and back into the car.
"Then I'm doing my job well." I winked as I shut the car door for her.
She was quiet for a bit and I looked over. Something changed – she was off and the closer we got to her apartment the stiffer – more robotic she got.
"You know – you will get passed this." Although, I didn't add it, that is a guarantee. I know this to be a fact. Edward won't rest until he sees this through.
Then we can all close this fucking chapter.
"Jake…" Her voice was raw and gravelly now, not much more than a whisper as she confided. "I'm going to hell. I know it."
"How can you possibly think that?" That she would think she could be evil enough for hell was ludicrous and fucking pricked at my heart.
If Bella was bound for hell then what was in store for the whole rest of the world?
When I looked back at her she shook her head and looked down at her lap. Her voice was low, barely there I had to roll up the windows to even hear. "Because every night I pray he'll just drop dead somewhere, I don't even care how and I swear to God, if he does – if the Almighty Father Himself strikes him down today – right this very minute, I wouldn't shed a single tear. In fact I'd be dancing on his grave, pouring celebratory shots to anyone and everyone that passes."
I pulled over and put the car in park. "Shortcake, look at me." When she did, there were big round tears forming under her lashes and without thought my thumbs softly wiped them away. I tilted her chin up. "Even if he did drop dead –you wished, you prayed – so what? You can't wish someone to death. It's not fuckin' possible. You're fuckin' smart, you know that."
"But it's more too – it just…" She trailed off, let out a breath and looked out the window.
I took a guess. "Yeah, I know – it feels good inside. Yeah? Am I close?" She peaked over at me non-committal. "It's normal – a response to something that he set in motion. You can't put this on yourself."
Time and time again – we prove we are our own worst enemies.
"I don't like feeling this way – the conflict inside all the time." She rubbed over her heart.
I turned in my seat, my body square with hers. "That's because you're a decent person. You have nothing to feel guilty about. You wished him dead. Does that make you cold and heartless? No. It makes you alive – it makes you human. And there's nobody who would say otherwise. Nobody." When she didn't say anything more, I added. "And if they did – fuck 'em. They should know what it is to walk a mile in your shoes. See how it is – how it really is before throwing stones and passing judgment." No need to roll down memory lane with a play by play.
I was sayin' it without sayin' it.
A reminder of the torment she has lived under – and I'm well aware that this story started up long before Edward. My imagination can fill in the blanks she chooses to keep buried.
She could pull the trigger herself and no one would fault her.
She chewed her lip as she listened. "You wanna dance on his grave and pour shots? Fuck it – I'll bring the glasses you save me a dance. Wishes - it's nothing. All that tells me is you still have a fucking sense of humor. You know what else it tells me? You're resilient; getting up every day and walking out your door – fucking brave as hell; and definitely not least by any stretch - kind hearted to a fault. Where's you sin?"
She cleared her throat – so her voice was less gravelly. "I suppose it's stupid to think that." She watched the traffic go by in almost a trance like state; she looked sad. That's just not fuckin' right.
It was quiet for a few minutes - a comfortable quiet. Like I said, it was only a few minutes – two or three at the most and a horn blared by. She jumped. It was subtle – she tried to catch it but it was there and she knew I saw it. Then just like that she changed the tides joking around again – frontin' the truth. Her eyes became sparkly again and then the smile.
That smile.
She doesn't want to talk about something out comes the brightest, sweetest smile you'd ever seen. I had seen it a handful of times. It was smooth - like a slight of hand trick a magician would use and she's got it down. You're standing there fucking stupid, staring at a smile that could light the universe on its own and everything you know – out the door it goes. And then just like that – the conversation is all together on a different avenue.
Whether she was aware of this or not was debatable.
She shrugged – joking now about the horn. "Plus if you could wish like that, there'd be a whole new road rage category out there. I mean there'd just be all kinds of craziness out there!" Her expression wasn't telling and gave nothing away. "So I guess as long as I'm wishing - make sure you bring large glasses." Her giggle was a little deflated.
"How 'bout we get you home?"
She pointed in the general direction of her apartment. "Onward we roll."
"There it is." I turned into her parking lot. "One day at'a time – one foot in front of the other."
I walked Bella to her door; she insisted on carrying her own bag.
Whatever.
I sidled up alongside her as we walked through the parking lot. "Hey – what happened to your finger? Looks bad." I casually asked as she waved over to some guy, I'm guessing a neighbor.
Without hesitation she answered. "It's not too bad." She looked down at her finger then back at me. "I was opening a box and instead of slicing through the tape I was stabbing at it." She wiggled her bandaged finger to show me. "I can say I have officially been stabbed now."
I leaned low and talked into her ear. "Gotcha."
Her whole expression changed when she had realized what just happened.
"You're such an ass, Jake!" She laughed through her words. "And what about you? You're still not going to tell me, are you?"
I laughed at her. "Nope. Not even close."
"Oh, my God! Who's five now, you big cheater, Jake!" She scolded as we approached her door. She got the last words, 'you suck' out - then before she could even turn the key, the door whipped open. The suddenness of it had me reaching for my piece but it was just Jessica standing there looking like she could win Best Supporting Actress for a modern day version of One Flew Over The Cookoo's Nest.
"So happy to see you!" She tried smoothing the loose hairs that were sticking up every which way. "I am so, so done today."
Bella and I both looked down at the dark stain on the front of her shirt.
"There was an incident." Jessica took a deep breath and looked over her shoulder at the two big eyes peeping around the corner. "First – she won't eat." She looked at Bella. "You know how crabby she gets." She waved her hand. "Then she finally came to some reason – so I make a pb and j." She smoothed her hair again. "Sounds reasonable – she insists there's no top. OK – fine. No top – no problem." She takes a breath. "Then she sees me spreading the jelly and has a fit because she doesn't want it spread. Apparently – just a big blob will do." Her attention was on me now as she shrugged. "Who knew?" She pulled at the bottom of her shirt. "I set it down and now it's not cut into the squares you make – so now I'm wearing it." Jessica pushed past Bella. "I need a smoke." She wiped at her forehead with her fist. "Or maybe a drink."
"Eh – it's not safe that way." Bella shook her finger at Adrianna as she spoke. "Jay – is down there. He's got like some kind of sixth sense, crazy radar thing going on when it comes to you." I assumed this was the guy hanging out down in the parking lot.
Jessica looked to the sky. "Why? Oh, why?" Then back to Bella. "Maybe just a nap. Oh, my God - I can't feel my ears anymore." Her eyes went so big. "She talks non-stop. Why this? Why that? Why? Why? Why? Then when you answer there's a why about that." She looked back to me. "And there's no way she takes the answer 'just because'. No – there's always got to be a reason." Jessica made big eyes. "Sometimes there's just not a reason – sometimes it's just the way it is. So-just because!"
Bella took a breath. "Jess, you - you just go lay down." She turned to the round eyes that were still peeking. "Adrianna! You come here!" Bella roared but Adrianna's little feet pitter pattered across the floor in the opposite direction.
Bella turned to me. "I have come to the conclusion that I am at a point in my life where alcohol is much needed and way long overdue."
I nodded, thinking I could totally fucking relate. "Reasonable conclusion."
"Jake – what can I say?" She gestured wide and spun around in a circle half laughing. "These are the days of our lives."
I chuckled. "It's cool." I looked at my watch. "You got this?" I felt like I stepped into a world of fucking crazy today.
"Yeah – save yourself and get out while you can." She looked towards Jessica's bedroom as she opened the front door back up for me. "Apparently it takes prisoners." She mock cringed.
I pointed at Bella. "Thanks for the doggie bag –as usual."
Leaning into the door she waved me off. "Yeah, yeah – go. Be free."
I closed the door on one crazy and immediately more crazy was blaring out of my pocket.
Gianna.
Gianna texting her sorries.
This girl could fill a book with her fucking sorries but I agreed to a late lunch date anyway.
It's the easy option and gets her off my dick.
The drive to Edward's club was a short one. I stopped at the bar for a drink seeing no sign of Edward I gave a holla' "Yo – Squirrel! Skip in the back?"
Squirrel nodded back and gestured towards Edward's back office.
I knocked before entering. "Where the fuck is everybody – place is like a ghost town out there."
Edward checked his watch. "The girls have a late start – the sweeper was in. Nicky's got his appointment with his PO. Laurent's on a run – took Riley, too. Time for him to test out soon. Emmett was just here, and you – well you're here now."
Edward frowned, checking his watch again. "You just getting back from Bella's now?" He asked as I sat and unwrapped my Bella made lunch.
Thinking about Jessica's bad state, I laughed. "She's got a pint size Godzilla she's currently at war with." I took a sip. "You don't hear from Bella in a day or so – send a search and rescue team." I took another sip. "Seriously, tho – she's got her hands full at the moment."
Edward nodded. "Hands full is good – that means she won't be reaching for any doorknobs to leave. I got a full agenda today and so do you."
I took a bite from the sandwich Bella packed and talked around my food. "Not to add to your plate there, Skip but uh….did you know Tanya's been looking for you?" I wondered what her deal was.
Now there's a conniving one.
Eyeing up my sandwich, Edward raised his eyebrow which seemed to service some kind of trigger for the words that came out of his mouth. "You got one of those for me?"
I smiled wide. "Nope. Not today – sorry." I took another bite. "Back to Tanya."
He shrugged. "She's got something she wants to talk about." There wasn't much to glean from Edward's short response. I had already gathered as much.
I nodded my head wondering how to ask the next question. It wasn't a light one. "Heard she's…"
Edward's eyes snapped up – so he already knew. "It's not mine." He said matter of factly.
"You know – cuz she's… that…" I left that hang there before continuing. "… and she won't quit so you know people - people talk. I got ears – I hear things. Other people, they got ears, too." I shrugged – thinking that there is no way Bella isn't going to hear through the proverbial grape vine.
"People can say whatever the fuck they want. It's not mine." He lit a cigarette. "She's got a…" He looked off to the side. "Wait a minute now let me think. How'd she phrase it?" He grinned. "Yeah – that's it. I got it – check this - A "proposition" for me." He let out a laugh. "Now that's fucking funny."
"Trouble - that's what that is." No good would come from that.
"Fuck her."
"You get a chance to look at that thing?" During the invasion of James's property, the guys confiscated a large yellow envelope.
In a black script was penned: C. Swan.
Recognizing the name they nabbed it and unsure what to do with it they offered it up to me. It's Edward's business not mine – so it didn't get opened - just passed along to him.
He had a cigarette hanging from his mouth – half burned as he went to open his safe.
"You can't make this shit up." He handed over the yellow envelope and nodded his head. "Go ahead – look."
There were a handful of photos of James and his partner in various places with people from all walks of life. There was a small notebook – more like a journal of events or more to the point crimes that James and his partner had committed.
"This is shit Charlie had on James?" I paged through the small journal briefly. "This was in James's possession? His house?" I clarified. Seemed like a weak move – even for Chicago's finest. And also confirmed something Edward has suspected all along.
Edward had that look in his eye. The look you don't want to be on the other end of. "That's what you're telling me." He took the stack of evidence from the envelope and as he leafed through he quickly set out a few specific pieces. "Take a look at this."
He lit a smoke and I looked to where he pointed. "Here - see you got snapshots of Mancini with Katie. See this one…" He handed me another photo. "She look familiar to you?"
At first – no.
The photo was from a distance but certain landmarks were identifiable and specific to an area of the city where I conduct a lot of business. In fact the majority of our office supplies come from that neighborhood. I had to look closely but there it was. "That's Danya – heard she OD'd not too long back." I didn't pay too much attention at the time but there she was buying smack from James's partner. I didn't realize they knew each other but from some of the photos it would appear that they were more than just business acquaintances.
"Hold that thought." He grabbed the notebook and flipped through the pages. "See here – "
I took the journal and read the notes he had earmarked. In the same black script written on the envelope was penned a brief description of the circumstances. The only phrases that stuck out were bad batch and pregnant. I shook my head. "Don't remember hearing that version."
"You wouldn't. No way the CPD would let that leak out. They turn the other cheek, label it an OD – case closed – move on."
"So…" He had something in mind. Somewhere he was going with this and I was pretty sure I had an idea how this story would end.
"Listen – Let me paint a picture for you." He smiled – a twinkle in his eye. "Six's sister didn't just OD. She bought bad shit – not only was it bad, it was from a cop. It's fair enough to say – definitely not a stretch she's out there selling her body in exchange for said bad shit. And…"
I nodded following along and finishing the last piece. "And there you are with a cop as your baby daddy. Definitely not a stretch."
Always one to have the last word, Edward added, the glee in his eyes making them bright – too bright and almost crazed. "And – the enemy of my enemy is my friend."
"And Six is the friend?" I concluded. I interact with Six on a regular basis. This guy was the real deal. To call him a gangbanger would be a fucking understatement and a deadly one at that. He pretty much ran the streets that most people went miles out of their way to avoid. And was the absolute epitome of what most people would imagine on an America's Most Wanted line up. This guy was fucking huge. Tall and solid. Perfectly sculpted dreadlocks covered a good portion of his neck tattoos – but his arms were a fucking Picasso. Around his bicep were three 6's – sort of a branding of his street name and a statement about his lack of concern for any moral hierarchy. In fact, the only person Six answered to was the King of those streets. Not sure anyone knows his real name – he just went by Boogyman. No one ever saw this guy but his orders were always heard loud and clear. He was sort of a God in his own right I guess and for that matter, I guess you could think of Six as JC of the south side. He earned his street name. When he was eight years old he had a dispute with a neighbor. He got his hands on his brother's gun, went over to the neighbor's house and shot him dead – put him six feet under. So "Six" just stuck. CPD labeled it a tragic accident – with 32 homicides a day they weren't wasting time on it. The neighborhood knew otherwise but being a rat was a death sentence for knowledge that would most likely fall on deaf ears anyway. Each tattoo had meaning, I'm sure. Most recent was the memorial to his little sister, Danya. Any heart this guy had went with her – six feet under. The evidence Edward was holding was a signed death warrant for James's partner and he fucking knew it. Six wasn't the type to have reservations – or regret. We have a good rapport based on mutually beneficial business transactions. He is at the top of the food chain in his domain and was able to produce the type of "office supplies" that the associates of my line of work use regularly. Guns mostly. The "use and lose" kind. Burners. The term "friendly" in this case could easily be substituted for customer service. We were without a doubt Six's most profitable "account" but that's not to say we weren't opportunists in our own right. The Cullen name echoes throughout every last corner of Chicago – including those that are only haunted by rats. There wasn't one fucking brick in this city that hadn't somehow been either directly or indirectly influenced by the Cullen's power. Six was more than happy to oblige audience with the Cullen crew at request. It was good for business – and relations.
It's a two-way street. It pays to have eyes, ears, and allies in all locations.
"Six is the friend." He sat back in his chair and pulled out his invoices from the desk drawer. "The truth can be seen only in the wake of death. Zoborist said that. Now it's time to open Six's eyes – and you're gonna pay him a visit - today. Enlighten him." He tapped his finger to his desk. "Lookin out is good for business relations. I scratch your back today, you scratch mine tomorrow." He shrugged. "We're in need of some office supplies anyways – two birds, one stone."
I nodded. "Yeah – cool." I checked my watch. "You gonna be around later?" I asked because lately he's been pulling a ghost act around here.
"Later – after 10 or so. Before then - I told Non I'd drop by with Bella. Carlisle said she isn't feeling herself and he thought the company would be nice. We'll bring Adrianna, too – so it won't be too late. "
I laughed thinking about something Adrianna said. "Did I tell you what she said the other day – Adrianna, I mean?"
"About wanting to go on vacation to Siberia and ride the tigers?'' I shook my head - that was another one. She cracks me up. Most people want a vacation in tropical spots with tepid waters – she wants to go to a place where icicles grow from your nose hairs in seconds.
I chuckled and shook my head. "Bella was watching something on TV – like a documentary on most expensive restaurants. Adrianna comes up with a place called Giselle's where they only serve mac and cheese, juice, milk or pop." I chuckled. "But the kicker is you have to bring all your own food, cook it yourself and clean up but you still gotta pay."
Edward chuckled.
"You know where she got the idea?" I asked.
"She's got an imagination – I say she got that from Bella."
I shook my head. "Kid has ears. She heard you talking on the phone to Nicky. You told him to bring his own piece to the party."
Edward chuckled through a crooked grin. "That's some fuckin genius business model. And no doubt she'd pull it off too. We better watch out – that kids gonna grow up and put us out of business." Edward's eyes softened for a split second as he boasted about Adrianna. "Don't forget to get those supplies. We're gonna need some more pieces of pie for this party."
Knowing damn well that shit was about to heat up, I clarified - "Standing order or are we getting fancy?"
Edward's tone quickly pitched back to business. "The usual. No bells and whistles. We don't need the attention. We're gonna keep this tight and clean."
Edward had a keen sense for the job. His mind, twisted as fuck, is always working – predicting, strategizing, keeping ahead. What's more is that he thrives on it. Makes him like a live wire – always ready to strike. And that is what makes him so fucking dangerous but also invaluable to the organization.
The higher ups know it.
They see it and often defer certain situations, various complications that arise to him. Edward spends just as much time at sit downs as Carlisle, maybe even more when I think about it. The crews have varying opinions about Edward eventually taking over. Just like anything – there's two sides. Some think he'll be a smooth fuckin operator; others think his fuse is too short and he's too unwilling to conform.
My opinion falls in with the former. Edward will always do what is necessary but he's not dumb either.
James is a complication.
Edward is right to weigh his options – take this slowly but in the end, I know Edward will do what he sees fit without any equivocations – and he'll do it with or without approval.
His bosses know it, too.
Edward knew Six would avenge his sister's death. That's one hundred percent.
He'd be right, too. Six had a candlelight vigil organized every day for a month. The street was over crowded. Six had friends – associates of his own came to pay their respects. To keep relations up – I too visited the vigil. Set pink roses down next to a life size photo of Danya, gave Six my condolences.
It was the right thing to do.
"Any other messages you want me to convey?" I asked as I made to leave to meet Gianna.
"No, but give me a ring when it's done." Edward lit a smoke. "You takin off?" He frowned looking at his watch.
I finished my last swallow and stood. "I got some shit I gotta get done first."
"Alright – later, man." He pulled out receipts to tally.
I tossed up a two finger air salute. "Yup - later."
I went to the restaurant Gianna picked and strolled in the door. There was nobody there to greet me – so I sat myself. I was punching in five minutes early to the lunch date I promised to Gianna. My eyes scanned the room as I made mental notes about every warm body in this joint – it's habit. My first impression is that time means nothing to these people. You got the mook in the corner who didn't even adjust the mop on his head. Christ! The guy looks like he needs to be dusted off. I haven't seen a single wait staff and I have to wonder how long he's been starring at that disgusting cup of coffee.
It's like falling into the twilight zone and everyone's watch got busted. No one serves any purpose in this room. I look down to my own watch – the minute hand has barely moved. Maybe this shit's contagious?
It took the waitress long enough to bumble out of the back but she had a decent enough smile as she approached my table. It was real. Genuine. It looked nice.
Her big round eyes finally met mine and her lips twitched. It was subtle. Barely there. If you weren't looking you would've missed it – again it's habit to notice things. Nuances of people near or around.
I know from experience that slight twitch means I will have a very attentive server, whatever my need.
And right now I need a menu so I can get the fuck outta here.
"Hi! I'm Kelly and I'll be your server today." The waitress beamed through her cheery greeting. She had nice teeth. They were straight and really fucking white. "Do you know what you want?" She asked as her fingers fidgeted around before losing control and dropping her order pad at my feet.
I felt bad for her. So I smiled and handed it back to her while she stood there blushing ear to ear and stammering out a sincere apology that may have been partially directed at herself or at least her shoes.
She was embarrassed so I did my best to put her at ease. "Don't worry about it. I've had worse thrown at me. But when you get a chance, if you could toss a few menus this way – that'd be great."
"Menus!" She shouted all big eyed and I nearly jumped outta my fuckin seat. "Shi…I mean crap" She squeezed her eyes tight and shook her head. "I mean – right." She flew off somewhere just then.
I looked to my watch again – it was noon.
I glanced to the door.
No Gianna – yet.
I could feel myself getting more and more aggravated.
I managed to show up five minutes early to a lunch I don't even care to have and yet I'm waiting around on my thumbs for the only person this mattered to.
The only person in my life right now that can turn lunch into an aggravating experience.
I rubbed my temple and let out a breath of frustration just as Kelly showed up with the menus. She seemed to have had a chance to recompose herself as she asked, "Can I bring you something to drink while you're waiting?"
"Just an ice water right now."
She nodded and scurried off.
I was appreciative that the time warp in this dive was lost on Kelly. She was precise and moved like a fucking tornado – even if she barely looked to my eyes.
Despite that sloppy knot of misguided hair twisted around some fucking pencil, at least somebody around here seemed to value punctuality. I can appreciate that.
Speaking of – I took another face to face with my watch and gritted my teeth.
Three minutes passed noon now.
Fuck it.
This is coming out of her end not mine.
I was specific. I told her I had some business to do today.
This lunch – spending time together was so important to her – I made some allowances. I told her noon and allowed for a place of her choosing.
She wants to be late – that's on her. Not me.
In my line of work time management is everything. So I quick glanced over the menu to make the best use of mine. I was feeling vey grateful for Bella's sandwich at this moment.
There's not a whole lot of depth to the menu's choices and I can tell the quality of food is going to be less than desirable. The BLT, while not my top pick, would most likely be the least to become a liability to me later. There's not enough vaccines in the world to make me entertain using a bathroom where I'm going.
Just as I looked at my watch again and considered ordering now – Gianna walked in.
12:05.
Ordinarily, watching her walk in or out is always a sight to be seen. But the casualness of her stroll as she sauntered in just added to my aggravation.
Fucking inconsiderate and unapologetic.
"Oh good!" She smiled too big. "You're here." She scrunched up her nose and looked across the table at me. "It's nice to have you all to myself for lunch."
"You had me all to yourself…" I looked back at my watch. "ten minutes ago. I got things I gotta do today."
Assuming herself off the hook she dug herself deeper. "Relax – " She waved me off with her hands. The newly manicured nails did not go unnoticed. "I got a couple of red lights – you know how the traffic is." She smiled big again and batted her eyelashes. "Late but worth the wait."
I couldn't help but wonder if a fucking light bulb would come on between those ears.
Don't get me wrong – she's fun, upbeat, and has a body that would bring priests down to their knees but common sense and some fucking consideration for other's – this girl's got nothing.
My tolerance for that shit is wearing this these days.
For now – I let it go and hand her the menu.
Today I've got bigger fish to fry and I'm not looking to invest any more time in this lunch date than necessary.
Kelly chose that moment to check on us. "Are you ready to order now?" I noticed she kept her eyes trained more on Gianna than me when she spoke.
I immediately said 'yes' while Gianna declared she needed a few more minutes.
Why am I not fucking surprised?
The look on my face must have helped her change her mind. "Ok – um this house salad?" She pointed a perfectly shaped finger to the menu. "This is fine but can you make it a mix of greens? Like romaine but also baby spinach, arugula, radicchio? You know what I mean just like all in there mixed up. Can you also add strawberries and grilled chicken?" Her eyes went big and round. "Oh – and just put the dressing on the side."
Kelly frowned. "Well… all the salad comes prepacked. It's a mix – but iceberg lettuce and shredded carrots."
Gianna looked to me.
I was laughing on the inside. "What?"
"So you can't just chop some different green lettuces up back there?" She argued back with Kelly.
"Well – I can see if there's something we can do?" Kelly tried to appease when I stepped in to put an end to this childish bull shit. "No – don't go through the trouble. Whatever you have is fine."
I looked to Gianna pointedly. "She'll be fine." I said more to Gianna than Kelly.
Gianna's face went from happy to sour grapes just like that. "Why would you do that? I was placing my order and she was offering to fix it right."
"You picked this place. You can't rewrite their menus – what do you want from her?"
Gianna turned her scowl into a pout then. "I didn't know. I just figured every restaurant has different salads. I never been here before. I picked it because you said you had to go downtown – I thought it'd be closer for you." She shrugged. "I was being considerate."
"Right." I forced a tight smile.
As Gianna droned on, I realized that my mind was already paying the check and gone. I watched her face trying to be cute and realized the harder she tried the less I found her attractive. She went through the typical performance – batting her eyes, twirling her hair, and trying to appear as though what she was saying was powered by some important thought.
The truth was there were no thoughts up there. Like picking this dive of a restaurant because it's all of three blocks closer to the general direction I'd be headed. What the hell difference does three fucking blocks make when you don't even show up on time.
Her red lips were still moving so I knew she was still babbling. As she 'thoughtfully' placed the tip of her finger to her bottom lip, it instantly reminded me of Bella. She does that when she's thinking or worried about something. Except with Bella, it's not an orchestrated charade for cute points.
Thoughts.
Actual fucking thoughts happen up there.
Bella's like some mythological creature that only exists in fantasies and old movies. She's that perfect balance of hot as fuck and down to earth. She's the only girl that I've ever met that doesn't make me feel like I'm talking to a pile of bricks.
Guaranteed if Bella was sitting across from me right now, I wouldn't be in such a hurry to wrap this up.
In fact, if Bella was my company, I'm not so sure I'd be in a hurry to wrap anything. Edward's one lucky son of a bitch and at times I wonder if he even realized it. There's plenty of nights I've laid awake wishing it was my dick she was using as a midnight snack instead of his. How he manages to leave his bed in the morning with her by his side is beyond me but then again Edward's never had a problem switching gears when there's money to be made.
No doubt he loves her. Edward's had his own metamorphosis since he's been with her and not a bad kind either. I can see that – sometimes I wish I didn't have to.
It kills me to know Edward the way I do and know he's the one she's giving it up for – both inside and out – including her fucking pussy which I bet is as tight as hell.
Plenty of times thoughts have wondered through my head about what it'd be like to rail the shit out of her and just hold her in my arms until she catches her breath for a second go around.
On many levels, I think I would have been the better choice for Bella. But you don't get to choose who you fall in love with.
"All right you two – I've got your order. I tried to make sure there were as many dark green leaves as possible in the salad. And I've got your BLT here, too. Ketchup is on the table. Anything else?"
"We're good. Thanks."
I was liking Kelly more and more. I especially appreciated the interruption of my last train of thought. Those are the kind of thoughts that get you killed. Those are the kind of thoughts that get your head blown off in the bathtub of a low rate motel.
As Kelly walked away, Gianna stared down her salad as if it was an old nemesis. I wanted to crack a joke about whether she's looking for her IQ in the bowl but thought better of it. Picking through the leaves in her salad she started on some rant about the ratio of dark green to light green leaves in her salad.
It actually reminded me of the early days with Bella – when I was her assigned detail. I'm still her assigned detail – although with less of a presence these days.
She hated it and deliberately tried to be a genuine pain in my ass at every turn. When that didn't work – when I didn't jump ship she just flat out ignored me.
Back on point - it was during the ignoring period – we were sitting at her kitchen table. Bella had Adrianna practicing her color sorting skills with Fruit Loop cereal – watching Gianna just now, making leaf piles, reminded me of that day which brought a brief smile to my face until I remembered I was actually sitting with an adult.
I couldn't fake this bull shit anymore.
My meeting wasn't til 2pm. I looked to my watch – 12:15pm.
I picked up this sorry excuse for a sandwich with a sense of duty and took the first bite. Just as my teeth made it through the first layer, Gianna's sharp tone came ringing and reeled me back in.
"Well?" She asked expectantly.
I chewed around my words. "What?" I had no fucking clue.
"Are you even listening to me?" Her tone accusatory.
She knew I wasn't and I had no need to tell her different. "No-" I scoffed. "My mind got stopped by a couple of red lights."
"Jeez Jake – this whole time you've done nothing but look at your watch – like your wrist has a pair of tits on it or something."
I responded by motioning to Kelly for the check.
I looked over to Gianna - who was left with her mouth hanging open mid-sentence. She barely missed a beat but that mouth kept running. "See that's what I'm talking about, Jake. All I want to do is spend time with you and it's like you don't even want to be here." Bingo. "Christ – you already asked for the check and I haven't even taken a bite yet."
Feeling more and more aggravated, I dropped the sandwich back on my plate, possibly with more enthusiasm than I intended. In one swooping motion I stood up and pulled out my wallet. I threw a fifty on the table.
"What? You're leaving? I'm supposed to eat alone?" Same story different fucking day.
"You were late and you knew I had other obligations…" I kept my voice low reining in the anger beginning to boil over.
"Jake that's a fifty." She swatted the bill across the table towards me. "The bill isn't even twenty dollars." She tells me like I can't do basic elementary math but I was impressed she could do that kind of math.
I raised my eyebrows daring her to challenge me. "Kelly was great. She earned it." I scanned the table for any personal belongings before looking back to Gianna. "Enjoy your salad."
I took a last sip of water, hoping it would serve as some sort of pallet cleanser.
No such luck.
As I turned to leave I heard Gianna whine out a good bye and a request for a call later.
I stopped for a decent fucking lunch then set out on the Stevenson towards the Damon Bridge. It's the only access point to the abandoned Damon Silos.
You can't miss the location from the highway. You might not know what you're looking at – but you're still gonna see it.
No question.
Most classy mother fuckers with their little white picket fences put their last name in a fancy script on their mailboxes.
Not this mother fucker.
No, this mother fucker crowns the whole front of the building with his street name. Just in case you miss the three-foot block letters, he's got his name done in neon blue and brilliant orange so the whole fucking highway knows.
You don't get to where Boogyman is and have fears. In this part of the city he is top of the food chain. I looked back up to the letters adorning the silos. He is king and he ain't afraid to advertise it.
At least he spelled it correctly.
There's some points.
This place used to be a grain warehouse dating back to the 1800's. Sometime in the mid 70's it was permanently shut down and declared unusable. That's the warehouse's history most know – what you'll read about.
If these walls could talk, though.
There was more than grain on those elevators – which were conveniently located off the south branch of the Chicago River.
History continues to prove that waterfront property is ideal for more than scenery. Although not much to look at and certainly worse for wear now those grain elevators and that river became permanent resting spots for generations of rivals.
My grandpa worked the crew off Damon Bridge back then. He had an affiliate lacking control when it came to flapping his gums. He was put through the gears that mobilize the elevator and whatever pulp was left became food for the disgusting aquatic life that managed to survive in the permanently polluted Chicago River.
I walked up to the familiar entrance and was immediately socked in the face by the stench of urine and rat shit. The smell was cemented into the graffitied walls by the overwhelming dampness – a product of decades of abuse and decay.
The state wants to get rid of this place – get it off the books.
But they won't budge from the 11 million they're asking and nobody is interested in being raw dogged by the government.
From its birth to now, in its skeleton form – the end of its days it's still a haven for crime.
There's no welcome mat here and for anyone that makes it through the entrance the ambiance, or lack thereof, would drive them back.
Despite the feeble attempts to find religion with the makeshift deity tattooed in blue on the wall – God doesn't come here.
The building which used to be the heart of a blue-collar neighborhood has become a sanctuary for those with no hope and no soul.
Rats, homeless, drug addicts and the occasional crime dealing is all that dwells here within these crumbling walls.
True to my nature, I scanned the room with a cynical eye – Six hadn't appeared yet.
In my line of business semantics are everything and it's important to never confuse the term friend with friendly. While Six and I have dealt with each other amicably when profitable, I'm under no illusion that the score couldn't change.
More than a couple of years ago now, business relations were improved by a mutually beneficial arrangement. As a result, a larger than life portrait of Julius Caesar was graffitied on to the west wall to symbolize the on-going, lucrative partnership between the two organizations. There are no false pretenses on my part that, what's now known as the West Wall Pact, could be just as easily removed as it was tagged.
I could faintly make out the sound of Six's Air Jordans making their way up the back stairs.
At $7200 bucks a pop – you'd hope they'd carry his ass on a cloud.
Business must be good.
I instinctively surveyed every detail of Six as he slowly emerged into view – same as he's doing to me.
His teeth shone bright against his dark skin; the shine of one gold tooth making his smile more of a leer. "Ah, Jake –" He greeted me.
I nodded in acknowledgement. "What up?"
"Why on't you tell me – you the one sliding on me." He held his hands out wide, resembling something from the feline family as he walked his walk.
Six's black eyes were quick to watch as I pulled out the first of two envelopes, this one significantly thicker. "Picking up supplies."
"Your streets gotta be bussin' – you got it comin' on cuz I'm realin' the cha-ching, cha-ching, cha-ching."
"I got no complaints." I handed him the envelope; he didn't count it out. He knew me better than that.
"We got cut from the same cloth, dawg." Six walked over to the open entrance and looked out towards the highways; his head swaying from side to side as he spoke. "You see them – shuffling to and from work – sitting at a desk pressing buttons - repeat, repeat, repeat." He looked back at me. "Everyone out there – they livin' to die, man. They really just want to be us – they dyin' to live."
"Hundred percent."
"Yeah. You feel me – cuz round the clock we be rollin', rollin', rollin'…"
I finished the next line. "Every fuckin' day…" I held my arms out wide. "…we be slayin."
"Fuckin' straight – we be high and we floatin' higher. Higher every fuckin' day, J."
"We square?' Making sure the arms transactions was solid before moving on.
Six patted his pocket. "We cool."
Six's eyes darted towards my hand as I pulled out the second envelope. "This is for you –"
Six reached for the envelope and was quick to slit it open with the razor's edge of his long pinky nail. "Something I came across – figured it'd be of value to you."
He leafed through the photos and notes without ever fully removing the contents. He didn't ask where I got it – he wouldn't. Same as I wouldn't ask what his play would be. Words are liabilities.
Six's expression changed into something sinister; within a split second something had shifted and his lavender eyes seemed to set deeper into his dark face. I recognized that look. I could relate. "Blood is blood. That's your fuckin' own. I gotta a sister and I'm a stone's throw away from my own war."
Six pulled out a silver zippo and lit the corner of the envelope. He tossed the now flaming casing and its contents to the earth and watched it burn to ash.
I said nothing as I stood in silence watching it burn along with him.
Any information Six needed is now in his head and that's enough. Anything more just leads to questions down the road.
"Two cents on't buy you a damn thang – but its got it's worth." He rubbed the ashes into the ground with his Airs. "Dead is dead – ain't no coming back from d'hat." He gestured towards the ground. "You got two kindz of mother fuckers – those with a backbone and those with a wishbone. You hearing me?"
I nodded. Knowing exactly what he was saying.
"Now you do you and I'ma 'onna do me but first you gotta figure out which of those mother fuckers you gonna be." He looked back at the smeared ashes. "Before shit gets real cuz then it gonna be too late. Like I said – dead is dead."
"That's church right there." I agreed.
