Page 34 of Beautifully Savage Butterfly

He can’t get a good night’s sleep until we get some work done though, so I pick up my drink and swivel on my stool to face the room. The Grayson brothers, a couple of well known, low-level criminals, are hustling a couple of guys I don’t recognize at the pool table in the corner. I notice a few of Frank’s former girls sitting together at a table. Women actually, unlike the kids we caught him pimping out a couple of weeks ago. From the looks of things, these women either found themselves a new pimp to work for or decided to make-do without protection. Either way, they're definitely still selling a good time. They’re adults, so I’m not going to waste energy worrying about it. If we find out they’re getting roughed up… well, that’s Xaviaro’s favorite shit to deal with, so we’ll let him have at it.

The clientele is mainly criminal, with a handful of people I don’t recognize mixed in. Whether they’re on the up and up or they’re just such small potatoes I don’t know their faces, I have no clue. And it’s not really what I’m here to worry about tonight. My attention snags on a familiar face heading for the bathroom and I flash Orion a smile.

“Got one. Come on, Boss.” I put my drink down and stand up, straightening my suit jacket and undoing the button, making it easier to flash my weapon if I need to.

Orion follows me, weaving between tables until we reach the bathroom. I push through the swinging door with more force than necessary. It flies open and bangs against the inside wall. Just like I was hoping, the man I’m after startles in front of the urinal, cursing and spraying piss down his own leg.

“Manny Fry. Just the man I was looking for.” I cross the room in a few quick strides and position myself right behind him with a wide, toothy smile on my face.

His eyes go wide as he looks at me over his shoulder, dick still in his hand. I give a go-ahead gesture. “Please, finish.”

I cross my arms over my chest and Manny gulps, his eyes fixed on me nervously. There’s silence for a minute before he swallows hard and the sound of piss hitting porcelain echoes through the bathroom again. He shakes it off when he finishes and zips up before putting both hands up and turning to face me.

“I’m paying up, just like I’m supposed to. And I haven’t run any meth for the Reapers since you put the word out that they’re on the Moretti Shit List.”

“Relax, I’m not here to bust your balls about your business,” I assure him with a friendly laugh.

His eyes dart past me to Orion.

“Shit, you’re…”

Orion cuts him off with a grunt. “Answer Mr. Moretti’s questions and you won’t have to worry about who I am.”

The hard edge in his voice sends a hot shiver down my spine. I still hate being called Mr. Moretti, but the disdainful shape of it on Orion’s tongue unlocks a whole new cabinet full of fantasies where he calls me Mr. Moretti while spanking my ass raw.

“What questions?” Manny asks in a hurry.

“The Starlight.” I cock my head. “What do you know about it?”

His forehead crinkles and he shrugs. “Some shitty bar no one ever goes to? What should I know about it?”

“So, you’re not picking up any product from the owner?” I press. “Think hard before you answer.”

Orion takes a step forward and Manny flinches. “Fuck, man. I like my face the way it is, okay?”

I snort. “I guess beggars can’t be choosers,” I say dryly, then snap my fingers to draw Manny’s attention back to me. “Product from The Starlight?” I repeat. “Coke? Heroin? Maybe he’s the new meth supplier now that you and your buddies have stopped running for the Sleepless Reapers?”

“No. None of that.” He shakes his head rapidly. “But…” He swallows and pauses.

“Come on, speak up. But what? Tell good old Uncle Elio whatever it is you’ve seen happening at The Starlight.”

“I don’t really know. I think I’ve seen Jimmy Lee coming and going a few times, maybe.”

“Good boy.” I pat his cheek. “Anything else?”

He shakes his head again. “I don’t know anything.”

“It’s better than nothing. Thanks for the tip.” I turn and jerk my head towards the door. Orion gives Manny one last hard look, then pushes the door open and backs out of the bathroom.

I notice his shoulders sag a little as we step back into the main part of the bar.

“That wasn’t so bad, was it?” I fall into step beside him.

“Easiest ten grand I’ve ever made,” he mutters, and I snort.

“It’s ten for the week. I’ll get my money’s worth out of you in that time, I promise.” I wink, and his lips twitch with amusement.

“So, what now? Do you know where we can find Jimmy?”

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