Page 48 of Inglorious
“Then you’ll have a permanent guest,” I sneered.
Magic laughed. “Woman, I bury bitches like him and you out back. You don’t fuckin’ frighten me. Now what ya gonna do?”
I was almost incandescent with rage. Magic had me over a barrel, and there was nothing I could do. Vortex and Hercules remained silent as the entire bar watched in fascination.
“The Unwanted Bastards are now boycotting your business, and there’ll be no further relations between us and you until we get Party,” I said.
“Oh, boo hoo. I ain’t got the pathetic eight your club boasts, drinking here. Shit, I won’t be able to pay my bills,” Magic taunted.
“Magic, enough,” Scythe interfered.
Magic turned and pointed a finger at Scythe as I nearly hurled abuse.
“Butt out, Scythe,” Magic stated.
“Why don’t you shut up? Throwing your weight around like you’re someone important. You run a bar. Big fuckin’ deal. Dude, I ran my own business too. Whoop-de-doo. Don’t make me any more special than you. Party belongs to me, I want that fucker. Now I’ll go through you if I have to and burn every bridge between us. Sure, I don’t want to, but I will,” I informed Magic.
Magic sneered.
Then I suddenly realised what this was about. “Fuck me, you’re testing me. Did I pass? Or do I need to carry out my threat?”
Magic chuckled dryly and stared at me. “That took you a while. You ain’t as clever as Inglorious. You passed for now, but be warned, you’re on probation, woman,” Magic cautioned me. “I’ll take you down to Party. Hope you brought a transport because you’re not interrogating him here.
I bit my lip. Shit, I hadn’t thought of that. Before I could admit my embarrassment, the door opened and Inglorious walked in.
“I’ve got the van,” he stated and sent me a dark look.
I wouldn’t yell at him in front of everyone, although it was tempting. Magic was watching intently, and I could see he was judging whether I’d fucked up or not.
“Go with Vortex and grab Party,” I said.
“Okay,” Vortex replied and followed Inglorious.
Magic stepped in his path, and those keen eyes raked Inglorious from head to toe. “You look better.”
“Slowly getting there, Magic.”
“Good. I’ve stocked non-alcoholic beer for you.”
Inglorious laughed. “That’s a fuckin’ crime in itself. Thanks, man.”
“Wouldn’t do that for anyone else,” Magic boomed.
“I know. Let’s get this asshole that thought he would steal from us,” Inglorious replied and clapped Magic on his shoulder.
“Magic’s a good man, just loyal and brash,” Scythe said to me as they walked away.
“Yeah, I can tell.”
“Magic beat himself up, blamed himself for Inglorious’s alcohol abuse.”
“Why?” I asked.
“Because Inglorious kept turning up and drinking. By the time Magic realised he was gaining a problem, it was too late.”
“That’s bullshit. Inglorious made his own decisions,” I replied.
Scythe nodded. “He sure did, but Magic cares deeply. If you’re in his circle, Magic will kill for you and not bat an eyelid.”
