Page 26 of King of the Bronx

I rubber-banded the cash together and wrote the amount down on the notebook next to me before grabbing a second stack to start counting.

I nodded at Cole.

“Nothing new on my end. Of course, I’d let you know if I run into any problems.”

I nodded to let him know I’d heard him. We went around the table like that, each man filling me in on any news or updates while Dave and I counted the money. No one left until every dollar was counted for.

A percentage of my money got kicked up to Giovanni, who then kicked some up to Cassandra. That’s how the chain went, and the higher up you were, the more money you got to keep. I cleared my throat, causing my men to quiet down.

“Just one more thing before you go on your way. We have a problem with one of the street gangs.”

“You talkin’ about the one on Eighth Street?” Chris, a small guy covered in tattoos, asked.

“Yeah, we’re going to take out their leader, so stay clear of them for a little while. We don’t need any hostility in the streets. Hopefully once we take him out, that will be the end of it.”

I looked around the table, and everyone nodded in understanding.

“Cole, you need some sniping practice?” I asked.

Cole smiled at me. “Always, Boss.”

“We’ll meet to figure out the details. Everyone’s good to go.”

I waved them on, and the chairs scratched against the floors as they got up to leave.

*****

It was barely dark outside when I pulled up to the brothel. I could see the lights were on but didn’t know if Raven would be here. Gunner stood outside the door in a dark suit. His broad shoulders and cold stare made him a scary sight. I doubted anybody would try anything with Gunner standing right outside.

“Boss,” Gunner greeted.

“She inside?” I asked.

“Just got here a few minutes ago.”

“Perfect.”

I walked inside and spotted her sitting behind the front desk. She was bent over as if ruffling with something below the desk. Her head popped up when the door shut behind me.

“I was just getting ready to leave. Had to stop by to grab something.” She stuffed something in her jeans, and the safe clicked closed.

“Where you going?” I asked, taking a step closer and leaning against the desk.

“To the underground.”

My eyes flickered to the clock on the wall. “A little early, isn’t it?”

She shrugged. “I have something to take care of here tonight.”

“How about we go out for some food first?” I phrased it like a question to try not to piss her off, but I already had a reservation at a nice restaurant a couple blocks north from here. She looked down at her outfit, jeans and a low-cut blouse.

“I don’t know if I’m…”

“You look beautiful,” I said. The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them, but they were true. No matter what she was wearing, she was still the most beautiful thing I’d laid eyes on. She pulled her bottom lip into her mouth as if debating my offer.

“Come on, baby. It’s just dinner.”

She rolled her eyes. “Fine.” She stood up and rounded the desk to join me in front.

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