“Roger’s a good friend of mine, you know.”
“That fuckin’ nut bag has friends?”
“Yeah. He used to come by my lady’s bakery like clockwork.” Crybaby smirked. “Broke in once when we were closed for Christmas.”
“The fuck?”
“He really likes tiramisu. Took it personally when he couldn’t have any. Helped himself to a slice, left money on the counter with a fuckin’ Christmas card.”
Mickey actually laughed. “He really is fuckin’ nuts.”
“He’s, mm, unique.”
“Huh. I’m guessing you’re the one who told Cold about his little Luchesi situation then? Since you’re such good friends and all.”
“I maybe knew we all had some common interests and made some introductions, yeah.”
“Did you know he’s living in a fuckin’ storage unit?”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Why?”
“Salvatore Luchesi.”
Mickey knew the name, but he was drawing a blank.
“The fucker Alistair banned from Slick Rick’s for getting too rough with the dancers.”
“I thought that asshole’s name was Marco.”
“Wrong asshole. Salvatore is Cristian’s guy. He’s the lieutenant Roger was fuckin’ to pay off his debts.”
Mickey’s chest tightened, and he felt a strange flash of anger. He couldn’t pinpoint the cause, and he blamed his recent blood loss for the odd feeling.
“Salvatore actually came by Slick Rick’s lookin’ for Roger yesterday,” Crybaby went on. “Which tells me Roger ain’t been anywhere near home for him to find.”
Yeah, because he’s been hiding out at the damn storage unit, Mickey thought to himself. He figured Crybaby already knew that, but he didn’t want to explain how he’d found out. “Cold know?”
Crybaby rolled her eyes.
“Of course he knows,” Mickey said, realizing what a dumb question it was to ask.
“Who the fuck do you think told Salvatore to ever so politely fuck off?”
“Got it.”
“Cold paid Salvatore off, but that bastard still wants him some Roger.”
“Well, fuck that. He can’t have him.” Mickey’s sudden anger caught him off guard. “Roger doesn’t belong to him. He’s a Gentleman now.”
“Oh, sure.” Crybaby smiled smugly. “That’s totally it.”
Mickey glared.
“You want me to tell Roger to come by?”
“No,” Mickey said immediately. “I’m fine.”
