Page 44 of Giving It to the Monster

He wasn’t nervous. It was strange. Years ago, he would have been, even with his father in charge. Since he took over, he was able to take his fears and channel them away from him.

“Ah, yes, I see Mr. Ricky has left an invitation for you. Please follow me.”

Saint moved past several diners, aware of them staring at him. He wasn’t interested in them, not one bit.

“Well, well, well, Pipe, it has been too long,” Big Ricky said.

Saint thought the guy would be a large, overweight man, but instead he looked like the biggest body builder in the world. He was huge, and his arms had to be the stuff of Botox or steroids or something.

“Ricky, wish we could be meeting on better circumstances.”

“Bullshit! You always try to stay out of my business, and I don’t blame you. We’re not exactly known for being nice.”

Pipe laughed. “Anyway, this is Saint. Saint, this is Big Ricky.”

He held his hand out, and they shook. “You’ve got a reputation. Killed your own father.”

“That’s old news.”

“It still makes men take notice. A guy who is willing to take his own father, he’s willing to do whatever it takes for his club.”

“You got that right. The club comes first.”

“Just as the family comes first for the men I work for,” Ricky said. “Please, take a seat.”

Saint pulled the chair out, and sat down.

“So, I hear this is big news,” Ricky said. “Let’s hear it.”

“It is.” Piped handed over the paperwork.

Saint couldn’t help but look around, wondering where the danger was going to come out.

“No one is waiting,” Ricky said, pulling out some glasses. “I know it seems strange, but we do have civility. No big guns, tearing up places.”

“That’s not what I heard.”

“It gets tiring having to replace everything. Besides, we’re all getting old. We’ll leave the crap to the younger generation intent on killing each other.” Ricky put his glasses on, and opened up the piece of paper, reading through it. “You’re telling me this ended up in Sinners’ Corner?”

“Yes.”

Ricky looked through it, and then pulled out his cell phone, cross-examining the details. “You haven’t given this to anyone?”

“No,” Pipe said.

“I’m going to come clean and tell you I was going to give it to the cop that’s on my side,” Saint said. “Had no idea about this.”

“You’re a small town man, Saint. That’s fine, but this, it’s a message, and it’s for my bosses to deal with.”

“This going to hit out at Sinners’ Corner? It’s not just where my club is, it’s my town.”

“I know how to contact you if there’s a risk. I doubt it.”

“Any heads-up on what this is about?” Pipe asked.

“If this hits out at us, we want to help,” Saint said.

Ricky stared between them. “Give me a second. Order whatever you want.”

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