Page 33 of GAF Factor

I downed my whiskey and tossed a grand on the table for Donny as a down payment. “Let me know when you find something.”

“Of course.”

“It was good to see you again.” I glanced behind me at IRIS. “Maybe I’ll leave him behind next time.”

He burst out laughing, clapping his hands once. I nodded to IRIS and he released the man, shoving him backward, making him fall into his chair. Fixing his suit, IRIS stalked toward me. As we headed out the way we came, the same man who took our coats met us at the door, handing them over. I pulled mine on, but of course, IRIS had to open his fucking mouth.

“My scarf isn’t here.”

“Forget the fucking scarf.”

“It was a nice scarf.”

“You made fun of my scarf,” I countered. “You didn’t even like it.”

“Well, I like it now,” he snapped. “I bought it?—”

“Ibought it,” I corrected.

“And I want it back.” He turned to the man, tapping him on the shoulder. “Excuse me, but I’m missing my scarf.”

“Is that right?” the man said, his eyebrow raised as he appraised IRIS.

I rolled my eyes, knowing this was not going to end well.

“That’s right. It was a nice scarf. Cashmere.”

“Well, if it was nice, maybe you shouldn’t have worn it here. Things tend to go missing around here.”

“You mean you steal shit,” IRIS said. “You don’t have to lie or mislead people. Just state the truth. People will be happier for it.”

The man stepped forward, brushing up against IRIS’s chest. He was easily a half a head shorter. If he thought he would winthis fight, he was mistaken, but I needed that information, and if IRIS caused a fight, that was a surefire way to screw the whole fucking thing up.

“Let’s go,” I said, grabbing IRIS’s sleeve, but he jerked his arm away.

“No, not until I get my scarf back from this pretty boy.”

“Who are you calling a pretty boy? You’re upset over a scarf!”

“A very nice scarf,” IRIS argued. “If you don’t give it back, we’re going to have issues.”

The man pushed him and IRIS chuckled under his breath, turning to me for just a second. I closed my eyes, knowing what was going to happen. By the time I opened them, he was swinging. Chaos broke out as a full-fledged brawl started. I stepped back, unwrapping my scarf and stuffing it in my pocket. I didn’t want it to be used as a choking device.

I dove in, slamming my fist into a man who was trying to choke IRIS from behind. Then I picked up a serving tray and slammed it into the face of the nearest bouncer. I really hated to do this. I liked most of these guys, and I didn’t want to see them end up in casts.

IRIS flung one of the men to the other side of the room. He flew across a table, chips went crashing to the floor, and money scattered to the non-existent wind. I could see Donny in the distance, watching with wide eyes. I gave him the signal to get out and ducked just as a fist flew at my face. I popped back up and gave two shots with my left and a right to his kidney. I heard the rack of a gun and gritted my teeth.

Guns weren’t allowed in the club, except by the bouncers.

Fuck.

I glanced at IRIS, knowing we were screwed. “You got a plan?”

“I got something, but you’re not gonna like it.”

I rolled my eyes. The moment I asked him if he had something, I knew I wouldn’t like it.

“Alright, just…everyone calm down,” I said, trying to keep things cool. Man, I really did not want to ruin this suit. I slowly turned, staring at the men who held the guns on us. If I could just talk them down… “Look, we’re leaving. No one cares about the fucking scarf. You keep it.”

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