I gave Shiloh a blank stare. We both knew that since he met his wife, Stevie, the gold-mouthed boss had changed a lot over the last few years.
He waved me off. “Fuck all that. You’re about your bread, so I thought you’d be down.”
“All right. I’m listening.”
Shiloh smiled as if I had already agreed to his proposition. “The firm got a call from the manager of C. Rose. I asked who referred them, and she said they got our information from someone in the mall.”
I listened intently, only moving around in my seat when I realized he was referring to the lady Izzy and I saw at the store last Sunday.
“Her manager said they need someone solid. She wants someone clean-cut with a killer instinct.”
“Tell her we can’t help her.”
His grin bled into a snarl. “Fuck no! We ain’t passing up on no money.”
“All money ain’t good.” I removed my glasses. “Do you even know who she is? She’s a ratchet ass reality personality who believes an app makes her a star.”
“Ish, you sound like a bitter broad. Why the hell you give her the information if you didn’t want her to use it?”
“I didn’t give her anything.” I scoffed. “Izzy’s big mouth ass gave her a card.”
Shiloh clapped. “That’s my girl! Always about her business. I thought she inherited her hustle from you. I guess not.”
“Shiloh, you can’t manipulate me to do anything.”
He rose from his seat and wiped invisible wrinkles from his slacks. “I know. But I know you’ll do everything to make sure Izzy has what she needs. College ain’t cheap, but you are. Your stash gotta stay heavy.”
Shiloh wasn’t telling me anything I didn’t know, yet it was a reminder I needed.
“Do you even know what this woman is about?” I followed up.
“I did a little research. Like you said, she’s the biggest star on Cleo TV. Her money is long. I don’t give a shit about the rumors.”
I reclined in my seat and pinched the bridge of my nose. “I guess it would be good for the company.”
“Exactly! Eshu’s Shield is new. Being able to add ol’ girl to our client list would be a good deal. The pay is seven stacks a week for six months, then you’ll receive an increase. Travel expenses are also covered.” He shrugged. “The deal is solid, plus she’s pretty.”
“She’s pretty, but she doesn’t have a choicebutto be. What she didn’t need to do was walk around the mall in a floor-length fur.” I groaned. “Why does she need protection in the first place? I thought she was supposed to fight and get paid for it.”
“Ask her during your interview.”
He responded so fast, I almost missed it. “Interview? Yeah, I really need to think about it.”
“Don’t think too long, Ish. You either want the bread, or you don’t.”
“How long do you expect me to fill the position?”
“Until it no longer fits you. We both know your stuck-up ass will jet once you’re not feeling something.”
My eyes snapped up from my computer. “I don’t like that shit. Pick another word.”
“I don’t give a shit. It’s the truth. You always got your nose up. You hate the hood?—”
“I don’t hate it. I just didn’t have the same experience as you. My core memories are trash. Crackheads in the hood are only funny when they don’t live in your house,” I declared. “I’ll think about the job and helping you run the firm, and I’ll get back to you.”
As I droveup the curved driveway, I silently prayed the roaring engine would be a turn-off to my potentialemployee.For three days, I contemplated taking the job before a conversation with Essen persuaded me to attend the interview. Honestly, learning they were going to pay to meet me was enough to solidify my decision.
The sun beamed down on me as I removed my helmet and brushed my hand over my fresh taper. I wasn’t impressed by the massive estate, but the antique cars preceding the house had me stuck for a minute.
