I raise a brow, unsure if that’s cool with the guys, but I’m not going to lie, I’m impressed. “You consider yourself a businessman, huh?”
The guy swallows hard and nods. “Yeah, I mean … if that’s okay. I didn’t mean to step on any toes or change anything you guys had already implemented, but I got the feeling that I could do things how I liked as long as I got your money at the end of the day.”
Glancing up at Roman, I catch his slight nod and I turn back to the dealer. “That’s fine, as long as you’re aware that undercutting Giovanni’s dealers is not a smart move. However, you’re responsible for your own business plan, so if and when they find out what you’ve been doing, that’s on you. You will not get our protection, not unless it is earned and rewarded.”
The guy nods and I can’t help but get a goody-two-shoes vibe from him, wondering how the hell he got mixed up in this world in the first place. He seems so hard on the outside with his metal music, sharp jaw, and venomous stare. But he’s got a smart business mind, and if the boys were hiring, this guy should be at the top of their list.
He nods. “That’s fine. I understand.”
“Right,” I say, dropping my gaze back to the table. “Show me where you’re at.”
The dealer yanks the chair out and drops down into it before getting started bundling up the cash. Most of it has already been divided into groups so he’s quick to count out the initial fifty grand that he owed the boys. “That’s what you asked for,” he says, sliding the pile toward me before sliding a much smaller one my way. “And that’s the extra 2k that Julius owed,” he adds, his gaze shifting toward Roman. “You mentioned that if I made up for that, there’d be a bonus.”
Roman narrows his gaze, seeing so much more cash left on the table, and considering how many more pills he has to sell, I’d say the guy has earned it. Roman nods and just like that, the guy sighs in relief and turns his attention back to me. “There’s an extra thirty grand, plus potential for another fifteen. I tend to sell a shitload more on a Friday and Saturday night, so I have enough to get me until then, but I’ll need more product … you know, assuming you want me to keep selling for you.”
I nod. “You’ve done well,” I tell him, scooping up the first 52k and dumping it back into the duffle bag before scanning over the remaining cash and dividing it up. I push ten grand toward him. “Consider this your bonus for a job well done,” I say before sliding him another five. “And this is your incentive to return the same figures at your next check-in.”
The guy gapes up at me and considering the shithole he lives in, I can safely assume that fifteen grand is more money than he’s ever been given. “You’re fucking kidding me,” he breathes, his eyes wide in disbelief.
“You do well for us, and we will reward you, but screw us over like your friend did, and you’ll find yourself in a shallow grave. Is that clear?”
He nods furiously and I fear that his whole damn head will rock right off his shoulders. “Yes, ma’am,” he rushes out. “I won’t let you down.”
Ma’am? Fucking hell.
“See to it,” I say, grabbing the duffle bag and leaving him the remainder of the pills to move. “Expect to see a fresh batch of pills before the weekend,” I tell him, not doubting for a second that the boys will most likely double up on his stockpile and run him until he’s dry.
Without another word, I turn and walk out of the guy’s home with my three beasts following my every step. My heart races, wildly thundering in my chest until we break out through the splintered front door. “What the ever-loving fuck was that?” I breathe, inhaling a deep breath of fresh air.
“Not bad,” Levi tells me, taking the heavy duffle bag from my arm. “You presented yourself perfectly, though, I saw the nerves shining through like a fucking beacon, but I don’t think he saw it. There’s potential in you yet.”
“Gee, thanks,” I mutter, pushing my way out through the small gate.
“Don’t get cocky,” Roman tells me. “It doesn’t always go down as easily as that. Next time, you might just be forced to put a bullet through someone’s head.”
I let out a shaky breath, still unable to believe that I just collected seventy-odd thousand dollars of drug money during a home invasion and walked out like I was invincible. “That was oddly intoxicating,” I tell them, gripping the door handle and yanking it open as I turn back to the three brooding assholes behind me. “But you owe me a fucking drink.”