Page 65 of Reaper

I raise a brow. If they are considering him the boss, what else is he doing behind my back?

He shrugs, looking bashful. “She says it every time I drop by.”

“Uh-huh. As long as you know I’m the boss.”

“Of course.” He nods.

We make our way into the back room where the girls are getting ready.

“Hey, Colt, thanks for stopping by,” Nadia says without looking away from what she’s doing.

“Of course. I brought company with me.” He jerks his thumb over his shoulder toward me.

Nadia raises her head, and her eyes widen when she sees me. “Reaper. To what do we owe this pleasure?”

“Just thought I would swing by with this guy. It’s been a while.”

Nadia is the den mother. She handles all the hiring and firing of the girls and makes sure they have everything they need.

“It has. Would you like an update?”

“Sure.” I turn to Colt. “I’ll meet up with you in a minute.”

“Take your time.” He looks toward Nadia. “I’ll try and get the toilets fixed.”

“Thanks.” She smiles at him before turning to me. “Let’s head to my office.”

I follow her back to her office and shut the door behind me.

“Sorry about the mess,” she says as she grabs a box off the chair in front of her desk.

“It’s fine,” I reassure her. “Now tell me, how have things been here?”

Nadia moves around her desk and sits in her chair, and I follow suit. “I don’t want to say it in case I jinx it, but no complaints outside of the restroom.” She rolls her eyes. “I don’t know what the hell they do in there or who it is, but once a month like clockwork.”

I chuckle. “Is it annoying? Yes, I’m sure. But honestly, if that’s the worst of it, I feel like we can’t complain too much.”

“Touché.” She smiles.

“How’s the new bouncer?”

“Awesome. Thank you for sending him my way.”

About a month ago, I met a homeless guy at the gas station. He was built like a motherfucker, and I started chatting him up while I got gas. After hearing his story, I couldn’t walk away without offering him a job.

For the next thirty minutes, Nadia fills me in on all things Cheekie until Colt knocks on the office door.

“Did you get it?” she asks as he steps inside.

“I don’t know exactly what I did, but it’s working now.”

“Good.” Nadia sighs, and her shoulders relax. “I’ll cancel the plumber.”

“No, don’t.” I shake my head as I stand. “Keep the appointment and have him scan the pipes. Maybe he can figure out why we have a monthly issue.”

“Okay, will do.”

I turn and look at Colt. “Ready to head out?”

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