“Nigga, we know you scared of Thugga, and right now you got every right to be. The fuck you think she’s gone do when yo’ stupid ass knew for weeks and ain’t say shit?”
“Odd as it may sound. This nigga right,” I countered.
“Fuck you, Jackson.” Buck stuck his middle finger up at me.
“I’m gone tell her. I just need a minute,” Kilo added.
“Nigga, you had three weeks’ worth of minutes. Times up, muthafucka,” Buck snarled.
Kilo cut his eyes at Buck. “I’ll tell her if the test comes back positive.”
“And then what?” I asked.
“Then I deal with that shit. One step at a time.”
I rubbed my jaw. “You better not fuck around and lose Mel behind this. You know how she move.”
“And she gone handle it by beating yo’ big bald-headed ass and I’ma help her,” Buck picked.
“I know,” Kilo muttered. “That’s why I’m trying to handle it right.”
We talked a bit longer, mostly jokes and jabs, but that weight never left Kilo’s face. I knew he was hurting, even if he’d never say it out loud.
8
Chapter Eight
Lincoln ‘Buck’ Deluca
I pulled up to Linc’s to check the scene for myself. Could’ve sent somebody, but I ain’t one of them lazy-ass bosses who sits back counting paper while shit crumbles under ’em. I wanted eyes on the product, the people, and the atmosphere. If energy was off, I’d feel it before anybody else did. That’s why all my shit ran effortlessly.
The second I stepped out the truck, all eyes turned. Workers froze up a little, regulars got low in their seats, and security gave that tight nod like they knew not to fuck up tonight. That’s the effect I had. Tall, broad, tatted up, locs swinging like I walked outta somebody’s bad dream. I didn’t move with a crew. I was the crew. The last stop. The walking final warning.
Marc was already at the side entrance like I told him to be, taking in the crowd like he always did..
“Boss,” he nodded, straightening up like I caught him slipping.
I dapped him. “What’s up?”
He walked me through the usual. Sales were steady and no drama on the floor. Place looked good. Staff alert. Security checking in. Nobody lounging when they should be grinding.
“Got a new applicant today.”
I raised a brow. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. Bartender. Pretty one. Said she worked for you before. Her name was Armani.”
I stopped walking. Just stood there for a beat.
This bitch.
Ain’t heard that name in a minute. Last time I saw her was when I fired her dumb ass for fucking with Goldie.
“You interview her?”
Marc shook his head. “Nah, just took the app. She was talkin’ like she knew the spot was hers already. Said she used to work under old management, wanted back in now that things got real structured.”
“Structured, huh?” I clenched my jaw. That bitch had no business sliding back through like shit was sweet.
