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I’m pissed the fuck off. Maximo hands me a drink, and Ivan chats up a pretty girl as we wait for Declan to come back from his conversation at the bar.
The meeting isn’t important for what we’re saying; what we’re discussing is meant to be overheard. It’s a study in misinformation and testing of waters for sharks, boats for leaks.
Someone’s poking about the edges of things.
I took out the slumlord dirtbag down where Magdalena grew up and ruffled Gimboni feathers. Apparently Jac took out an idiot who missed payments and annoyed a small underground gambling club. Declan’s having some issues with drug shipments, and Ivan and Maximo are fine, but they’ve heard talk of a property developer who launders money jacking up prices.
None of this is falling on us. Just trusted affiliates.
It happens.
From time to time, a shakeup down the line rattles all branches. But there’s also the Kincaid matter, and the kid’s slimy. I’ve got a meeting with him, and his outfit is the subject of the upcoming Quinate meeting.
“Y’know, this fucking affects Jac,” Maximo mutters, turning his dirty martini in his hands, and scowling at it. “It wouldn’t hurt fucking Jac to actually take life seriously and turn up.”
“That fuck just messes shit up,” I say. “Maybe he’s off killing someone.”
Maximo snorts, picks up his drink. “Maybe he’s got his dick buried in someone.”
Maybe that someone’s Cat.
The second theory of Jac getting his fucking dick seen to is the more likely scenario. And considering his behavior recently?
Yeah.
The jewel thief’s a good theory.
I’m not a fan of that. Not of him fucking Magdalena.
It’s probably true. I hate the fact she wants us both almost as much as I hate the fact she doesn’t want anything to do with us. Even though I know she can’t keep away.
“Can’t kill him,” I say.
The bar’s low-key noisy, but quiet enough if someone wanted to listen, they could. Someone always wants to listen, but I don’t see anyone who stands out. I see people I know in passing, but that’s the same with any of the haunts.
Magdalena loves what I have, loves the wilder rough brutality of Jac, and I don’t know what to do about it. Or even if I should do anything.
She keeps coming back. And she’ll do so until she snaps out of it. Or I close that door.
Jac won’t give her up, not until he gets bored, and I’m not sure I have the strength to do that, either.
I never lied when I said I was falling for her. I am.
But love isn’t the happy ever after.
It’s pain. Bad decisions.
It changes nothing.
“Did I miss anything?” Declan asks as he returns. Ivan drifts over.
Maximo gives a sly smile. “Just Hendrick’s plans of killing Jac. Now, who wants to get into the sex trade…?”
* * *
“Sex trade?” I shake my head.
Max rolls his eyes. “It’s a good idea, I’m fucking going for it. Always money in sex.”
