Page 29 of We The Depraved

I want to reply back but Reese returns. She’s slightly out of breath and she’s sweating just a bit. The smell of shit hangs heavy in the air.

“Baby had a blow out,” she explains. “I know you’re about to leave, as soon as we spend longer than fifteen minutes in a room together you’re ready to dash.”

Part of me wants to yell she’s wrong but it would be a lie.

“I do have to leave. The other co-owner of The Crescent just called a meeting.”

Reese wrenches her hands. “Can we meet up soon? No Nana, and no kids. Just us and really talk?”

I’m already off the porch.

I don’t look back and instead get into my car. I drive straight to the liquor store. I sit and look at the illuminated lights. The need to get drunk is hitting me. The clock on the dash reads that its ten minutes until five. The craving for bourbon is there and I don’t fight it.

My phone rings again and I see my Nana is calling.

I don’t answer and instead carry myself into the store, and buy a bottle. I’m just about to slide into my car when a shadow hovers nearby. Looking up, I find a black guy grinning. I tense up remembering the last guy to approach me.

“Can I help you?”

“I’m gonna give you some advice,” he says not bothering to introduce himself.

My fingers are fumbling with the device to open the car door but I can’t get it to click.

He speaks again. “Relax, if I wanted to hurt you I would have done it already.”

I don’t relax but he continues talking. “Mateo is out to get you.”

“Tell me something I don’t know,” I finally eye the man.

He grins and I can see he’s sporting a gold grill, his hair is low cut. He’s not wearing anything to identify if he belongs to a gang but something tells me he’s affiliated.

“Who are you?”

“A friend,” he shrugs.

“Okay do you have a name?”

“Not one you need to know right now. But Mateo is going to come for you. You better get some protection.”

The man turns to leave then, still smiling the gold in his mouth flashing.

“Why would he come for me?”

“Anthony was his brother,” he hollers over his shoulder.

I watch him go.

Fucking great, I think. At least Carla and the baby are safe.

As soon as I get into the car, I lock the door and crack the seal on the bottle of bourbon. It slides down my throat and warms me. All the anxiety melts away, until I remember I have to deal with my new co-owner.

I take another long sip before leaving out of the parking lot.

CHAPTER11

Niki

My brother’s stand behind me. The words leave my mouth, allowing the staff to come to terms with new management. I take in each and every last face. They all seem grim until I mention raises for staff and that rates for dances will increase.