Page 177 of Devil’s Disciples

“Ol’ Lady, motherfucker. An Ol’ Lady is an Ol’ Lady. Are you claiming her, or is she free game?”

“She ain’t free fuckin’ game,” I hissed. “I can tell you that much.”

“Then she’s your Ol’ Lady.” He lowered his arms. “Why didn’t you just say so?”

I looked at Baker.

He shrugged. “He’s right. If she’s not free game, she’s your Ol’ Lady.”

I turned toward Tito. “Damn, son. You’re being quiet. Oh, wait.” I chuckled as I slapped my hand against his arm. “You can’t talk, can ya? Or eat barbeque. Maybe Goose’ll make you a smoothie. How’s that coming along, anyway?”

He nodded.

“Saw you over at the neighbor’s house last night,” I said. “You poke that shit yet, Brother?”

He glared.

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

He pulled his phone from his pocket, tapped his fingers against the screen, and then pointed it at me.

DIDN’T TAKE YOU LONG TO CHANGE THE SUBJECT

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

He typed another message, and then poked the phone in my face.

BAKER SAID SHE’S YOUR OL LADY AND YOU STFU. EMBARRASSED?

“We were done talking about it,” I said. “At least I answered the question. You poke your pork in that neighbor’s twat yet?”

He pecked at the phone, then turned the screen to face me.

AN ASIAN ELEPHANT WEIGHS TWICE THAT OF AN AFRICAN FOREST ELEPHANT, 12,000 POUNDS

I chuckled. “It’s gonna be like that, huh?”

He nodded.

“That’s fine,” I said with a laugh. “She’ll tell me. She comes over and gets all jacked up on wine and spills her guts. Hell, I’ll just walk across the street and ask her tonight.”

He pushed his phone into his back pocket and shrugged.

“Food will be ready in about fifteen,” Goose said. “Smoked ham, smoked ribs, and smoked pork loin. The ham’s uncured, I think you’ll like it.”

“I’m ready,” I said. “Haven’t eaten since breakfast.”

“Why the fuck not?” Ghost asked.

I grinned. “Been busy doing other shit.”

He glanced at Kimberly, who was still talking to Andy, and then looked at me with both brows raised. “That gal’s gonna give you a heart attack.”

I chuckled. “Not if I give her one first.”

“She’s good people?” he asked.

I gave a nod. “She wouldn’t be here if she wasn’t.”