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When I hear the door to the warehouse open, Remy and Armand, two of my top men shift a little closer to me and the table I’m sitting at. My spine straightens and I stare at the spot where I know Juan Martinez will be momentarily. I can almost feel his slimy nature fill the room around me before he actually does.
I might not like doing business with the man, but business is business. If he can pay and we can keep our relationship to the guns, I don’t have a real reason to refuse the man. Not yet anyway, not while I’m still building the weight of my name in the city.
Later, I might come to regret this decision, but, hopefully, by then I’ll have enough power to take the man out. I don’t have to agree with everyone I do business with. I just have to use them, just like they’re using me.
“Mateo,” Juan’s voice booms as he enters the room, his arms outstretched as if he is greeting a long-lost best friend. It takes everything in me not to sneer at the man. “I’m so glad we could find time in our busy schedules to sit down and talk business.”
I give the man a curt nod and sweep a hand toward an empty chair at the table. “Mr. Martinez,” my voice has a bored quality to it, one I’m sure he won’t like.
I don’t give a fuck. This is business. I’m not one to blow smoke up another person’s ass. This isn’t politics and I see no reason to pretend this is more than it is.
“I’m happy to sit down with you and talk business,” I force the words past my teeth, hating even giving that much politeness to the situation.
Juan, who is gaining a little too much weight around the middle to be considered formidable still after being in the business for the years he has, sits down and flashes me a smarmy smile. I’m sure he thinks that I’m going to be easy to make a deal with and that I’ll give in to his expectations. He’ll learn quickly that is not how I do business.
The fact is, if he doesn’t want to pay the price, I can always find another buyer. There are other people out there who want the guns I have to sell. I don’t need him and if he thinks I do then this association won’t go past this meeting.
He looks around the room and sucks on his teeth, the noise loud and disgusting. “What a pity you don’t offer a beautiful woman as a business side dish.” He grins at me as if I should find his comment funny, or maybe it’s a dig.
I really don’t give a fuck.
“I don’t peddle in skin.” Juan narrows his eyes as if I’ve offended him. I shrug one shoulder casually and offer, as way of explanation, “Too messy.”
Juan’s laughter is a booming sound and I fight myself not to cringe. “You’re right, it is a messy business.” He rubs his chin, the gold of the rings on his fingers glinting in the florescent lights. “It’s lucrative though and,” his eyes flash with something sinister, “I don’t mind being able to try out the merchandise.”
“I prefer my pussy willing and begging,” I keep my voice and face neutral.
He shrugs as if I didn’t just call the man a rapist piece of scum in my own way, like it’s no big deal what he does to innocent people. I might not be what most would call a good man, but even I know the skin trade is all sorts of wrong.
“I can see the appeal,” there’s a joking quality to his voice as if I’m the one who doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
I hide my clenched fist under the table and fight myself not to pull the gun from my holster and shoot the man sitting at my negotiation table between the eyes. If I give in to my impulse, it would start a war I’m not prepared for.
Not yet at least.
Maybe one day I’ll be able to show Juan just how much disgust I feel for him.
“Let’s talk about what I do have to offer by way of product,” I lead the conversation back to where it should be and away from a topic which will want to send me into a murderous rage.
Martinez smirks and nods. “I heard you hooked up with a Russian up north to bring some assault rifles and handguns into the area.” I arch an eyebrow in question, not giving away whether such a rumor is true. The man has the gall to throw his head back and laugh. “I hear about most things that go on around here. A deal like that would make some big waves and people are bound to talk.”
There’s something about his tone which sets me on edge, but I beat back the reaction in my gut. This is business and nothing more.
Nothing fucking more.
“Those rumors may have some truth to them,” I concede, but don’t say definitely. “If hand guns and assault rifles are what you’re looking for then I would be able to help you as long as we come to an agreement on price.”
“What kind of numbers are we looking at?”
I fire back, “What kind of numbers are you needing?”
Juan laughs again and grins at me like we’re old college roommates or something. I’m seething on the inside, but I keep my face impassive. It’s best to not give anything away when dealing with a man like Juan.
“I want to buy out what you have.” His eyes flick around as if he’ll find the answer hanging on a chart in the room; I barely hold back my scoff.
“I can sell you 500 of each.” Juan isn’t as good at hiding his emotions, and I can see how impressed he is flit across his face quickly. “Two million.”
“One point five,” he counters.
