Page 15 of Wild Card
“You know me, VP, I’m careful,” he assures him before looking at me. “Grizz give ya the lowdown on that number we got?”
“Yep, I should have pushed the kid for more information.” I beat myself up a little for it. I could have had some real fun with Kaleb.
“I think you did enough, you know we’re gonna have Kurt Kingston on our backs for this.” Grizz sighs.
“And who the fuck is Kurt Kingston?” I ask, I ain’t ever heard of the man. “He’s Kaleb’s dad; he owns a franchise of gas stations.”
“Ohhh, I’m shaking in my size elevens.” I roll my eyes, wondering what the fuck is wrong with this charter. I’m used to looking over my shoulder for rival gangs and mobsters, not fuckin’ gas station owners.
“Trust me, you don’t wanna fuck with him,” the woman behind the bar tells me. “Kurt is one of the richest men in Cody, and in this town, money rules.”
“Well, his son’s a jumped-up little prick.”
“A jumped-up little prick who knows how to throw and catch a ball.” A voice comes from behind me, and when I see Byron, I brace myself to receive some kinda lecture.
“Kid had it coming if you ask me.” He surprises me as he takes a seat next to Grizz at the bar, and I can’t help grinning to myself.
“Are you sure there weren’t anythin’ else to go on at that party? All those kids drinking in one place, I can’t see a dealer missing out on that kinda opportunity,” Grizz checks.
“There was nothing, no sign of anyone buying or selling. Maybe after all that's happened, the kids are freaking out a little.” I shrug.
“Or these dealers are getting smarter.” Byron scratches his stubble, looking agitated.
“You know the mayor, right?” I change the subject, cause I got my own problem to take care of.
“Yeah, I know the mayor.” He stares back at me suspiciously.
“I need his address. Gotta talk to his son about somethin'."
“What kinda something?” Byron’s eyes narrow to slits.
“It’s personal.” I ain’t given nothing away to these guys, club brothers or not. I barely know 'em.
“What business would you have with the mayor’s son, Wild Card?” Moby laughs, and when the girl who just swallowed his kids comes out from the ladies' room, she blushes like she’s unsure what to do.
“Let me explain how this works for ya, darlin’.” The woman behind the bar rolls her eyes and steps out from behind it. “He’ll take your number, he’ll say he’ll call. But he won’t. You’ll start wondering if you did something wrong, which, of course, ya didn’t. You’ll question if you're good enough, which you are, and after a few weeks of beating yourself up, you’ll realize that you're better than his shit and set your standards much higher.”
“You're welcome,” Moby adds to her speech and smiles at the girl.
“I guess I’ll be seeing you around, then.” The girl bites her lip nervously before picking up her purse and scurrying out the door.
“Thanks, Cass, you always word it so much better than I do.” Moby puts his arm around the woman, who barely comes past his chest, and leans down to kiss the top of her head.
“I’m gettin’ sick and tired of givin’ the same speech. Ain’t it time you got yourself an old lady?” she challenges him.
“And risk what Taint’s goin’ through, right now? Fuck that shit!” Moby shakes his head.
“Boss, the mayor. I need an address,” I remind Byron before we get any more off topic. Every time I think about those marks his son put on Ruby, I wanna put the guy in the ground, and the fact she was still calling him her boyfriend this morning puzzles the fuck outta me. Not only did it sound like she was making excuses for him, but she was blaming herself, too.
“What do you need to speak to Brett about?” Byron asks, clearly not prepared to give the information up freely. I should have just asked Earl.
“I need to talk to him.” I keep it casual.
“Well then, you should visit his office; he’s got a building in town, next to the deli,” he informs me, and I waste no more time before getting up and making my way toward the door.
“Don’t get into no shit, Wild Card.” I hear him call after me as I head for my bike.
I pull up outside Brett Porter’s office building and read the fancy gold plaque on the wall as I open the door. Property Law. I should have figured he’d have a fancy job to go with his fancy car.
