“Do y’all know what time it is?”
His face scrunches up and he points a thumb to no place in particular. “Take it up with my foreman.”
“Is he here?” I turn and ask the workmen starting to crowd me.
An older, gray-haired man with gorilla arms steps closer. “What’s it to youz?”
“I live next door and the law says you can’t make loud noises until seven. I would prefer you wait until after eight.”
His chin juts out. “Is that so? You some kind of attorney?”
The minute I shake my head no, he motions for Jack Hammer to start up again.
Prepared for this lack of consideration, I walk to the generator, slip my utility knife out of my pocket, and slice through the pneumatic hose, stopping the noise.
The ape comes at me with a right cross, which I easily block. I twist out of his way but miss his left upper cut which just catches me in the jaw. Ducking his next jab, I sink low, step, and punch him below the belt.
“Mother fucker.” Behind me, a bigger asshat, spreads his arm wide but before he can grab me, I back kick him in the balls.
While his eyes water, one of the others raises a sledge hammer over my head.
“Now, now. That’s downright un-neighborly.” A quick heel to his kneecap and he goes down.
Feeling generous, I catch the falling iron so it doesn’t crush his skull.
The last guy is smart enough to not try anything. Just in case I’m wrong and he’s a bit dim-witted, I speak real slow-like. “You tell Vincent Vitale if he tries any other dirty tricks, he’ll find out what it is to mess with me. I wasn’t born yesterday and got plenty of friends from my service days. There’s a bodega around the corner. I suggest you find some coffee and hot buns and stay put for a couple hours. Y’all have a nice day. Y’hear? Oh, and by the way? Move the fucking dumpster out of my drive.”
I may be wrong about her uncle, but the way the guy’s eyes widen, I’m pretty sure I hit the mark. I wouldn’t be surprised if her dad was in on it too. And, while I understand their concern, being a private dick is her dream. She’d go for it, even if I was out of her life. If anything, me being with her is keeping her safe. Hell, they should be thanking me.
I got some mansplaining of my own to do. And soon.
Back upstairs in our apartment, Sam’s eyes flash to my jaw as she taps her foot with her hands on her hips. “God damn it Suds. Did you fight with the construction workers?”
“I wouldn’t actually call it a fight. It was more of a skirmish.” As I speak, sharp pain shoots from my mouth, and I rub the tender lump.
Sam wets a dishtowel, opens the fridge, and empties a small tray of ice into it. Twisting the cloth, she none-too-gently places it on my chin.
“Besides this, did anyone get hurt?”
Before she decides to kill me with kindness, I grab her first aid, and step back. “No, sugar. We all sat down and had sweet tea. Everything’s perfect. I think those boys now have a better understanding of the noise ordinances in this neighborhood.”
“Do I need to call a lawyer? Are they going to press charges?” Her brown eyes spit fire.
I hold one hand up in the air. The other’s kinda busy keeping the swelling down. “It’s me, Suds.”
“You owe me an apology.” She glowers but I’m saved from more chewing out because Catrina jumps on the counter and meows for her breakfast.
“Huh. What did I do?” She should be showering me with kisses, not getting all mad at me.
“Do? You almost got yourself arrested.” She slams a few cupboard doors, preparing the kitten’s food.
“You know what, sugar? I am a patient man but y’all need to readjust your attitude.”
“Me?” Her voice goes up an octave and I have to bite my cheek to keep from laughing.
If she was a cockatoo, her feathers would be pointing at the ceiling and she’d be hopping on her perch, squawking.
I place a kiss on her angry mouth. “Honey, I fixed our problem. They won’t be starting up until nine. You’re welcome.”
