“Yeah, but I’myourasshole.”
“That’s fuckin’ gross, man,” I snapped as we walked into the dilapidated building.
“You know what I mean.”
I chuckled quietly. He was right. I did know what he meant, but I still liked to fuck with him. After finding the elevator out of order, we hoofed it up to the fourth floor, stopping as we arrived outside Hooks’ door.
“So, what are we doing here?” Archer asked. “Good cop, bad cop? Which one am I?”
“Nah, I’m thinking bad cop, bad cop,” I said, rapping my knuckles on the flimsy apartment door before sliding my thumb over the peephole.
“Yo, who is it man?” a reedy voice called out from behind the door.
“Housekeeping,” Archer sang out, and I stomped the heel of my boot onto his toe.
“Shut the fuck up,” I hissed to my brother, then in a louder voice said, “Hey, man, Lou sent us. He said you could hook us up.”
“You best unblock my view, so I know you ain’t Five-O.”
I moved my thumb. “Do we look like ‘the man’ to you?”
Hearing the clank of locks behind the door, we waited for a few seconds for the door to open. Hooks peeked his head out. “How do y’all know Lou?”
“I stepped into what I thought was a pile of shit one day, but it turns out, it was Lou,” I said just as I kicked in the door, sending Hooks to his ass.
We walked inside and Archer closed the door behind us.
I pulled out my 9mm and aimed it at Hooks’ head. “And you know what I do when I step into a pile of shit? I scrape it the fuck off.” I leaned down. “So, tell me. Are you a piece of shit? Or are you going to answer my questions like a good boy?”
He raised his hands in defense. “Yeah, man, whatever.”
“Good. Let’s start with your name,” I said. “I assume Hooks is not the name your mama gave you the day she shit you out. So, what’s your name?”
“Justin.”
“Justin.” I nodded. “Good. You told the truth right off the bat. That makes me feel good. Now I won’t have to break any of your fingers. Let’s try question number two, Justin. Why are you selling fake IDs to those under the protection of the Dogs of Fire MC?”
“I…I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
I grabbed his hand and snapped his pinky. Justin squealed like a stuck pig.
“See, Justin, that’s what I was talking about. It’s just the kind of thing I didn’t want to do.” I tsked. “Why did you sell a fake ID to Teagan Reed who is under the protection of Dogs of Fire MC?”
“I… I didn’t know. I swear I didn’t know she ran with you guys.”
“Are you kickin’ up to anyone?”
“What? I don’t know what you mean.”
“Are you affiliated with any clubs?” I said, slowly like I was talking to a child.
“No, no, man, it’s just me.”
“You know what, Justin? I believe you. I think you’re a no nothing cum stain who’s running a chicken shit little operation. ’Cause if you were connected with anyone in town, you would know who is and isn’t off-limits, including anyone affiliated with our club.”
“I swear to god I didn’t know that bitch was with you.”
I grabbed his hand again and snapped his ring finger, eliciting a howl of pain from him.
