Page 53 of Demise

A war has started now.

One between Moretti and me. Sadly, he has no idea he has a new enemy. And I’m not going to be there to protect him. In fact, he’ll have no good warrior to protect him from me.

Bexley places her purse on the table and turns to face me as the driver puts our bags at the door. She thanks him and he exits.

She bites her lip. “How is it you stay in a loft above a nightclub?”

I clear my throat. “Well, we obtained the place from a man named Bryce Grant. He was doing some illegal dealings in the basement which landed him in trouble. I helped him out of it with the agreement he would let me buy the club from him.”

“You own this?” she asks.

“Partly. It’s a little more complicated than that.”

“Why did you want to buy a club this far from home?”

I tilt my head, wondering how much I should tell her. This is a hub for us to deal cocaine. Although now we know our cocaine dealer is a narc, I’m not sure how much longer that will last. I’m assuming it will continue for a little while longer to keep up pretenses for Moretti’s sake.

The casino in the basement is still very successful. There are high power men below us right now tossing their money around. Crooks, politicians, bank owners, gangsters.

Bryce had a great idea, but he wanted all the money. He wasn’t wrong to want that, but in this business to keep the pigs quiet you have to pay them. You have to grease the rails. So, they get a portion of the earnings. And everyone gets to have some fun.

I decide she doesn’t need to know all of this. “The club earns a good bit of money. It was a good business move.”

She nods. “I get the feeling you don’t want to elaborate.”

“You probably don’t care to know the details.”

She lifts her brow and walks over to the couch to take a seat. Pulling off her shoe, she exams her ankle.

“Why don’t you rest a bit?” I suggest. “Prop your foot up. I need to handle some things, and then I’d like to take you to dinner.”

“Okay,” she agrees. “Do you have an ice pack in the freezer?”

“Yes.” I walk over and get it for her. “I’ll be gone a little while. There’re food and drinks in the fridge and anything you’d want to watch on the TV.”

She nods. “I’ll be fine. Just be careful and don’t hurt anyone.”

I smile. “I’ll try my best.” I open the door and look back at her on my couch. This place has always held a certain loneliness to it, but now that’s void. “I’m glad you’re here,” I say.

She gives me a small smile. “Me too.”

“I’ll lock this door behind me. Don’t let anyone in, okay?”

“Should I be worried?” she asks.

“No. Just cautious. Always cautious.”

Chapter Forty-One

Trig

I sniff, tossing my hand onto the table. “Full house, motherfuckers,” I say. I grin and slide my winnings into my pocket, getting up from my seat. I fucking love coming here. Anytime we have business in Atlanta I feel like I’m going away on a little vacation.

Out of the sad, pathetic south side of Postings and into the vibrant fun ride that is Atlanta, Georgia. Call me the Butter-and-Egg Man. I jingle chips in my pocket, smiling as I walk over to the bar.

My phone rings and I pull it from my pocket. “Yeah?” I say.

“Where are you?”

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