Page 117 of Rigid

I considered what he said. Taking care of the situation without a plan would be a recipe for disaster. “We can’t just do it. We’ve gotta watch our backs. And, we need to give it some thought. Serious thought. If we just kill this prick, they’ll come for us. We need to make it look like something else. Fuck, I don’t know. Set it up and make it look like an accident.”

“We ain’t doing shit, Smoke. I’ll take care of that cocksucker.”

I shook my head. “He’s not your problem,” I said. “He’s mine.”

“Beg to differ with you, Brother. Your problems are my problems.”

“Not this time.”

He crossed his arms, and looked me up and down. “This time more than any other time, motherfucker.”

“Just take it easy. We need to think about this. Last thing I need is this prick setting me up on a crime.”

“That’s what I’m talking about. You got Eddie, Sandy, a new baby coming. Shit, Brother. Last thing you need is some rotten fed planting a hot piece in your bags or putting a kilo of crank in your house. Rotten pricks. I’ll take care of this.”

“We’ll take care of it.”

“Okay. Sounds great. Draft up a plan, and have your people get with my people. We’ll do lunch and decide when we can get it scheduled,” he said, his voice thick with sarcasm.

“What are you saying?”

“Nothing.” He shrugged. “We’ll figure something out.”

“I’m serious, Nut. I came here to get your opinion. The last thing I need is you going solo on this deal, and end up doing something stupid.”

He shot me a look. “Now I’m a dumbass, huh?”

“Didn’t say that.”

“You think all I do is dumb shit?”

“Didn’t say that, either.”

“I’m smarter than you give me credit.”

“You’re the most solid fucker I know, Nut.” I let out a heavy sigh and looked right at him. “But you’re fucking nuts.”

“No shit,” he said with a laugh. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

“We need to give this some serious thought.”

“Go home and get some rest,” he said. “We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”

I was exhausted. He was right. I needed to get some rest, wake up fresh, and think about it. “My mind’s going a hundred miles an hour right now.”

“Mine too. Get some rest, Brother. Think about it. We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”

I nodded. “Nervous as fuck, Brother.”

“Makes two of us. Glad you found out, though.”

“Makes two of us.”

“I’m gonna hit the rack,” he said. “Too much for one night. I’m itching all over.”

“I’ll head out.”

“Shiny side up,” he said.