Page 20 of KingPin
“Close to forty or fifty. I haven’t been taking their place anymore since I’m old. However, I have gotten twenty of the girls into women shelters.”
My eyes widen in appreciation. “How did you manage to get them to go to the shelter?” I ask because a lot of the girls feel the gang members and whomever introduced them into the life is their family.
I didn’t have a choice when I joined up. I needed the protection and I got promoted through the ranks quick. Now that I have my own sector, I don’t jump in girls who are under eighteen. I’m not dealing with that shit. We are like any other gangs and have our rules, but I can’t have that on my conscience.
“They were just hungry,” she shrugs. “They wanted something they thought they could get with the gang. It’s the same as always. When they found out how they joined, a lot of them got freaked out.”
I nod as I open the cabinet to grab some crackers or something.
“Have you talked to Big Heavy since I took you?” I ask.
Big Heavy is the top shot callers of the whole 3-1-3 gang. They are the ones that get paid first and they are the ones that have the say in almost everything we do. Ralf is part of Big Heavy and he loves to throw it in my face.
Of course, I should have been retaliated against when I took Katie, but Ralf let me slide. He knows Katie is a psycho and won’t let them break her. Plus, she’s an independent.
She’s not theirs to fuck with.
“I talk to Ralf when he comes over to talk to you. I think he’s more worried about the missing money and Raul to worry about me. Maybe when everything cools down, he’ll remember he’s pissed at me.”
I giggle. “Probably.”
“Hey, you changed the subject!” Katie squeals.
Chapter Sixteen
Mason
What the hell is up with that? Is Lucian jealous over Katie talking to me? Katie is pretty but she’s not Lucian. She doesn’t command the room and make me relaxed and freaked out all at the same time.
I’m walking away from the apartment on the top of the building towards the elevator to get down to the main floor. I’m freaked the fuck out about this drop I’m about to do. These people are going to look at me like I’m crazy.
I’m a god damned chef! I’m not a drug mule or whatever they call it.
I’m just a normal guy. Or at least I was a normal guy.
The grin on my face is wiped off immediately when I see Ralf leaning against the door to The Venetian. He looks pissed off.
“What’s up?” I question as soon as I reach him.
“It could be a problem until the fucker gets to know you. I’m going with you.”
What the fuck? I’m going all the way to Chicago with Ralf and in the same car? Jesus.
Before we leave, I need to call the hospital to see how Paul’s doing. It’s been a couple of days since I saw Paul and it sucks. He would understand the amount of bull shit I’m going through, though.
Right before I make it Ralf, I make my phone call.
“Thank you for calling, my name is Nurse Jeanie. How may I help you?” A cheery woman answers the phone with no attitude.
I like this chick.
“I’m Mason. I’m on Paul’s approved lists to get the new feedback and find out what is happening to him.” That is the one thing I can’t stand about new customers. It sucks what you have to introduce yourself like a damn idiot every time.
“Hold please,” the woman says. It takes about one minute before she’s transferring me to the right floor.
“Yeah?” A nurse answers.
“I’m Mason. Checking on Paul, please.” I rest my head against the back of the car, trying to get calming breaths.
