Page 7

Story: Man of Carnage

Snoopy looked over to see which file Ze was referring to as he chewed and nodded. “Yeah….” he paused, then swallowed. “For the whole campaign trail.”

“And these are the nearby buildings?”

“Yeah, I highlighted ones with vacancies,” Snoopy said.

Ze cocked an eyebrow. “What do you think I need those for?”

Snoopy smirked. “Come on, Ze. I’m no idiot. I may not be involved in everything because I don’t have my patch yet… but I know what everyone does. You’re going to snipe this guy, right?”

“Maybe.”

“Well, you’re going to need places to take up posts. I just wanted to help. The ones I circled seem good,” Snoopy said.

Ze looked at the map of buildings in the area and some locations that were circled were good, but still, too close. He’ll do his own research. Still, he thanked the prospect for his help.

“Excellent work, thank you,” Ze said with a smile. This was going to be one very satisfying kill that he was looking forward to.

“This chicken is so good,” Snoopy complimented.

Ze smiled and nodded. “Thanks. One of the few things I can actually cook.”

They sat and ate the rest of their dinner, then Ze gathered the plates, putting them in the sink. When he turned, Snoopy was standing behind him, looking up at him with big doe eyes. He wasn’t blind to the man’s affections, but he wasn’t interested.

“What?” Ze asked.

Snoopy blinked, his cheeks reddening as he took a few steps back and turned slightly. “I–I’m sorry. I… thank you for dinner. That’s all I wanted to say.”

Ze stared at him for a little while, because he knew that wasn’t all Snoopy wanted to say. But he was glad that was all the young man did say. “Sure.” He sighed and scratched at his eyebrow. “Listen, Snoopy, thanks for getting the info, but I’m busy and got to talk to Jimmy.”

Snoopy nodded. “I get it. I’m sorry. I’ll leave.” The prospect didn’t wait for Ze to say anything else before he rushed out of the apartment, leaving Ze practically staring at the zoom lines left in the boy’s rush.

He sighed, then put the food up before taking the files down to the clubhouse. The beauty of living in the same building was that he saved on gas and time. Every member had a key, so he entered and looked around, seeing his club brothers engaged in conversation, sex, drinking, or games, as they did have an old-school arcade in the back along with a pool table and skeet ball table. Lords knew how to party.

Jimmy was sitting on the sofa with a beef sandwich in his hand talking with Wolf, Hound Dog, and Devonte “Python” Barnes, who was Wolf’s best friend, and they were also drinking beers. Ze walked over to them, taking a seat in the last chair available. “I got the info you wanted,” he said.

Jimmy took a swig off his beer. “Jesus fucking Christ, you’re really determined to cut these people some slack and deal a blow to our gain, ain’tcha? Shit, I should send HD since he agrees with me about taking the full amount offered.”

Hound Dog shook his head. “Yeah, pops, I’m not doing that anymore, though. I like my lofty job as Treasurer.”

Jimmy rolled his eyes. “Raven then, he just follows orders.”

“What’s going on?” Wolf asked in his baritone voice as he smiled at Ze over the length of his beer bottle that he tipped to his full lips.

Wolf was more Ze’s taste in men. He liked them older, wiser, and dangerous.

“Our brother here wants to take out Senator Kelly. The clients offered us two hundred and fifty K to do the job, but this one doesn't want to take the full amount because it’s all they have left, they claimed,” Jimmy said.

“It’s true,” Ze said, then he leaned over, handing Jimmy the files.

Jimmy grunted as he took the papers and looked them over. Wolf, Python, and Hound Dog also read over the papers.

“Looks like that would be everything based on these financial records,” Wolf said, then shrugged a shoulder. “I’m all right with taking a cut if Ze is.”

“Yeah, me too. We’re doing good right now,” Python said.

Jimmy snorted. “You two would agree. I’m still going to call church about this. That money could go a long way for the club.” He looked at Ze. “Which comes first before anyone else. What’s best for the club is all that matters.”

Ze nodded. “Do we really need to call church over this?” He was concerned about the outcome of the vote. He didn’t have sympathy for many people, but grieving parents who loved their child were the exception. He wasn’t sure if his club would vote to agree.