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“Hey, no problem.” Derringer, who prided himself on being able to tell a lot about a man by his handshake, took a moment to size Jack up. Jack’s grip was straight and strong. He kept full eye contact and was quick to release. All of which signified strength, respect, and confidence in Derringer’s world.
“So, here’s the deal,” Prosper began to explain the plan to Jack. “The club rented out some commercial property. We’re gonna bring in some tools and equipment … a couple of hydraulic lifts, air compressors, paint booths … shit like that. I got a couple of the brothers who have a mechanic’s license willing to come down on a rotating basis and work legit. An old buddy of mine runs guns out in the Midwest. The gun business is getting to be too heavy a lift; there’s too much time in between shipments and too much risk. He's convinced his crew to expand in a new direction. They have product and transport but no way to launder. That’s where we come in. Between this new place and the properties we already own, we’ll be able to move the cash through and wash the money with no problem. The split I’ve negotiated is more than generous.”
“And the product is … smack?” Jack guessed.
Prosper shook his head. “For the foreseeable future, we’re gonna be dealing in black market prescription drugs. Easier to transport, high yield payout. Then we’ll go from there, but for right now, you’ll have the money you need for as long as you need it.”
Jack shook his head. “Sounds good. But where’s the risk to me? Seems like everyone else has got their nuts in a vice for my family. I sure as hell appreciate it, but I can’t let your club become the fall guy should something go wrong. Besides that, what about your cut … the brothers’ cut … the club’s cut of the profits?”
Derringer gave Prosper a questioning look, and when Prosper nodded his head in the affirmative, Derringer took it from there. “The risk for you is that we’re gonna be putting the business in your name … sole proprietor. So, if things go south, which we don’t foresee happening, you’ll be taking that hit as owner-operator. You good with that?”
“For sure, I’m good. And if I go down? I go down alone. You have my goddamn word on that,” Jack said with full sincerity. “You can count on me to keep my mouth shut. All I ask is that my family is taken care of.”
“Of course, man. But we’re pretty good at what we do, and I don’t think being sent away is something you have to worry about,” Derringer assured Jack, then he put his hand down hard on Prosper’s shoulder. “A better man, or a better friend than this big, ugly sonofabitch right here is something you ain’t ever gonna find. So, don’t worry about anybody’s cut. Nobody’s taking a cent until Maggie’s done getting what she needs.”
Prosper glared at him while Jack looked confused.
Derringer, clearly enjoying himself, sat back and grinned at Prosper.
“What the fuck you talking about?” Prosper scowled.
“You put me in as acting president and that allows me the power of executive decision.” Derringer leaned forward. “So, you can wipe that badass look off your face. The boys and I want to do this, Prosper. For you, for Jack, and for Maggie. Besides, I already had Beast run some numbers on the legit aspect of the business. The projections are sweet, so the boys will take their cut from that. I’ll take my cut when you do.”
Prosper cleared his throat several times but remained speechless.
Jack’s eyes misted up and he took an embarrassed swipe at a tear that had begun to roll down his cheek.
“I don’t know what the hell to say,” Jack reddened and stuttered, “except … th-thank you.”
“You’re fucking welcome.” Derringer reached for a menu. “Now, can we get something to eat? All this talk about committing felonious acts has made me hungry. Ahh, there we go … Hell, yeah … a sixteen-ounce T-bone.”
“Sorry boys, we had a water leak in the back and I’ve been on bucket detail. Beer’s on the house to make up for it.” The waitress was busy laying down a pitcher of beer and three glasses on the table.
“Hey, you’re Petey’s sister.” Jack looked at her.
“Guilty.” She smiled at him.
When Prosper looked up over his menu, his eyes lasered on the waitress and widened in surprise. Pinky met that look equally startled and blushed ferociously. “Hey, Prosper.”
“Hey,” Prosper rasped out. “I, uh … I … so, uh … you, uh, work here?”
Derringer put down the menu and sat back in the booth with his interest focused on the pretty little waitress. The blue-eyed blonde had Prosper Worthington, the badass who, just a few moments ago, had been making plans to launder half a million in drug money, stammering like a goddamn school boy.
“So, you two crazy kids know each other?” Derringer interrupted with a wicked grin.
Prosper flexed and gave Derringer a low growl. All of a sudden a voice boomed out from across the bar.
“Pinky, I got this! Eat up, boys. Whatever you want, it’s on me !” In a flash, Petey stood at the booth. He reached out and shook Prosper’s hand, and then extended his hand to Jack and Derringer. “Name’s Petey. Prosper did me a solid the other night. Saved my kid sister here from a goddamn grizzly bear and got her home safe and sound when I was too shitfaced to do it myself. Managed to get my big drunk ass back to my place too. Thanks, man.”
“So, you gave this pretty damsel in distress a ride the other night, huh, brother?” Derringer leaned forward with interest.
“Shut the hell up.” Prosper snarled.
“Hey, why don’t you take a seat. Have a beer.” Jack invited Petey to join them.
“You sure?” Petey asked as a courtesy, but he had already pulled a chair from another table and stuck it at the end of the booth.
“Hey, you said you’re paying, right? Least we can do is share a brew with you. Now, you wanna tell us more about the night of the grizzly.” Derringer was enjoying Prosper’s discomfort way too much to resist poking the proverbial bear.
