Page 12 of Size Queen

“If they think we’re being too timid, they could strike us hard and without warning,” says Victor, one of my top guys. “I know we’ve been able to resist any bloodshed since your father passed away, but how much longer will it last? They know it’s Damon AbramsJr. who is the head now—who has not taken a life since he took power.”

I glance over to Kace, who is now suddenly quiet. Grimacing, I continue. “The Hell-Snakes have never done us any harm,” I say. “I’m not shooting first and asking questions later. That’s not how we do things. You guys know I’ve got your backs. Nobody’s taking what belongs to us—what you, our fathers, and our friends have worked hard to maintain. Have faith in me, fellas. Just relax.”

I don’t think it’s going to work, but the group actually becomes pacified in that moment. I look over at Kace, who avoids my eye contact.

“Thanks for sticking up for me, VP,” I say with a grimace.

“What do you want me to say, man?” says Kace. “It’s like you say… our fathers worked hard to make the Rolling Heads something, and I don’t want us to ruin it.”

“We’re not ruining anything,” I say as I pour myself a beer. “We’re excelling, and we’re only going to grow. Nobody is moving in where we live. Fuck that.”

“Damon, I know you know what you’re doing,” says Kace. “I trust you, and so do all these other people here. But don’t be afraid to talk to me about what’s going on.”

“No worries, man,” I say. “You want another beer?”

As I pour him his beer, I suddenly get an idea.

“You know what wecoulddo,” I begin. “It’s immature, stupid… pretty much beneath us… but why don’t we go for a ride intheirneck of the woods sometime? Doesn’t Tom own a few bars a few miles from here? Maybe we should stop in a few of them sometime and give them our patronage. We’ll see if we really have something to worry about then.”

Little did I know that my plan for retaliation would actually bring me far more than answers regarding a few ornery Hell-Snakes.