Page 126 of Deuce

“Take some of that muthafuckin base outta your voice when you speak to me. Wrap this shit up and dismiss her.” I went to close the door, but turned back. “And spray some damn air freshener. It stinks in here.” I closed the door and took aseat outside. The secretary glared at me. “Can I help you with something, ma?”

She huffed as she spun on her heels and stormed back to her seat. Not even five minutes later, the door opened and out walked the woman that was bent over the desk. She tossed me a look as she strutted away. The mayor stepped out, adjusting his pants.

“Come on in.”

I stood and went into the office, closing the door behind me. The stench of Bengay and stale pussy filled the air and not even the air freshener he sprayed could combat that. Mayor Tyler took a seat behind his desk with a flushed face.

“Have a seat.”

“Fuck no. Not after that.”

He chuckled. “What is so important that you just had to bombard your way into my office, Mr. Dillinger?”

“You need to keep your niggas in check and tell them not to fuck with me.”

He chuckled. “I can’t keep an eye on everything, now can I?”

“I’m a simple citizen and I have eyes all over the city. You’re the fucking mayor. I’m sure you can do better. Do you see me laughing or smiling?”

The smile dropped from his face. He cleared his throat as he leaned forward on his elbows.

“Well, I can’t tell that to Judge Willis since he’s dead. Councilman Hayes is mysteriously missing, so I can only assume it’s him.”

“Yeah, about that. You’re gonna need to find a new councilman.”

“Fuck, Stanley! What did you do!”

“Lower yo’ muthafuckin voice.”

He huffed. “What did you do?”

“Nothing that wasn’t warranted.”

“You are making it difficult to have a work relationship with you.”

I laughed. “You need me, I don’t need you. You need me and my family to do the job your police officers can’t do. My family pours alot of money into this city to have to power and convenience to do what we do. We fund several campaigns to have the people you want in office. You may be the mayor, but we own this shit. That’s how we work, my nigga.”

“All right, all right. I’ll reiterate again that you all work for me?—”

“No. You’ll reiterate to leave us the fuck alone, or you and I are gonna be having a very different conversation, Mr. Mayor. You don’t want that.”

“No, no. I don’t. I’ll get it taken care of.”

“You do that.” I stood to leave.

“Say, uh… how’s that beautiful mother of yours? She still single.”

“If you or your old, dirty ass dick come anywhere near my mama, you will be the next nigga to come up missing.”

He raised his hands in mock surrender. “I was just playing.”

“I don’t like you enough to ever play with you. Know that shit.”

I opened the door and slammed it on my way out.

Ipulled up to the Navarro residence with bags of groceries in my trunk. This domesticated shit wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. I’d be chilling here for a week and a half now. It would have been easy to just slid Mrs. Navarrosome ends for her hospitality, but that didn’t seem like enough. I mean, I did break her off with some bands, but I pulled my weight.

I cleaned up after myself, I cooked, and I got to know her. That was my future mother in-law, after all. My thoughts drifted back to Salima. I couldn’t believe she tried to break up with me. Actually, I could. My baby was stubborn and in her emotional state, it was worse. It was pure torture not being able to see her pretty face or hold her while we slept. Me having to fold my big ass up on that little ass couch wasn’t the business either.

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