Page 46 of Jobe

“Moving into guns. Looking to see what you need. Thought you’d be interested in a business arrangement.”

“I got guns,” Goldie replied defensively.

“You got what you take. You got guns you use. But unless I’ve been told wrong, you ain’t got new shit to sell.”

At this, Goldie’s gaze penetrated Tito’s carefully, looking for a sign of disrespect. Tito held firm. The air in the room became charged again, each man assessing the climate.

Tito opened his hands on the table in a gesture of conciliation. “No dis, King-man, but the Sixers are moving into other areas besides the C-game and pussy,” indicating wanting more income than just cocaine and prostitution.

Goldie sat for a moment, his mind racing with the possibilities. The Kings were growing, but he knew that a collaboration with another successful organization could open doors for them. But he was suspicious. “Why the Kings?”

“Easy,” Tito answered. “You own the riverfront. That’s prime. We’d like to use it for transport when needed. You give us access…you get what you need. Win-win.”

Goldie sat silent for a moment, slowly nodding his head. “More. You got more than that.”

Tito smiled knowing the King-man was not stupid. “Fuckin’ pigs are closin’ in. Stepped up in my area.” Seeing Goldie’s eyebrow lift, he continued, “Nothin’ we can’t deal but with the new business, we need a new place to get shipments. You give us access, we give you guns.” Holding his gaze steady again, he repeated, “Win-win.”

The brilliant gold smile split the King’s leader’s face as he nodded. “Like it. Gotta talk to my boys, but you’ll hear.”

Tito smiled in return, still cautious knowing his rival could not be trusted entirely. “Don’t got forever. Got a package waiting to come in.”

“Our seconds can deal,” Goldie announced.

Tito’s head jerked toward Jazzie, then he nodded in agreement. Goldie did the same to his second.

Goldie hesitated for a moment, then asked, “Where’d you find our present?”

“Cunt was hiding out. A place on 91ststreet. Some bitch’s got a place for our bitches to hide if they want.”

Goldie heard more than the words Tito had spoken. Cocking his head to the side, he asked, “You got any bitches there? You need the marker?”

Tito shook his head. “We got it. We’re taking care of the whole fuckin’ place.”

The men stood, clasped hands in a semblance of a shake and left the room, leaving the two seconds and two lieutenants behind.

* * *

Days later another group of men gathered around a table, the atmosphere completely different. Jobe, Tony, Gabe, Vinny, BJ, and Lily sat with Shane and Matt as they discussed the recent events.

Shane looked up, saying, “Chief needs Alvarez Security again.”

Tony gave a slight nod, knowing that the detectives already knew that whatever was needed would be given.

“We’re hitting the gangs hard right now. Finding where they meet and shutting them down. If we can find them with guns, stolen goods, or drugs, we’re charging them with that.”

“It’s causing some unrest on the streets, but most of the citizens are applauding the police crackdown,” Matt added.

“But?” Jobe prodded, unable to keep quiet knowing Mackenna was in the thick of things.

“We’re stressed staff-wise, doing all we can. We’d like to run some of the data through BJ and Lily’s databases and see if we can narrow our focuses down a little. The main players are not leaving, just moving deeper underground. Hideouts we don’t have a finger on yet. And the word out is that the Sixers have moved into guns.”

“How do the Kings figure into it all?” Tony asked.

“Never been good blood between those two but seems like they may be moving toward a detente. At least for now. Protection for both and widens their areas. But, gotta tell you, I’d be surprised if either trusts the other much.”

“Besides BJ and Lily, anything else you need?”

Matt and Shane’s gazes cut over to Jobe and he stiffened.

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