“He owns one of the sleep-and-fuck motels around here. Officially.”
“Unofficially?”
“He’s got a deal with a local pimp to use the rooms for the Johns to have their trysts.”
“Classy. Is he dangerous?”
“Depends on who you are. He thinks he’s some big, bad. But he’s never been in a fight in his life. But if you’re a woman… that’s a different story. He had two sexual assault cases thrown out. I would imagine it’s because of intimidation. And there have been rumors for a long time that he roughs up the working girls.”
“Sounds like someone who should slip, whack his head on the pier, and fall over.”
“Trust me, he’s in my plans. But I can’t be making too many waves with the smaller players or it will put the bigger ones on watch. What time are you meeting the girl?”
“Three. Then I’m thinking of going back to the casino tonight to hit a few tables. See if Frank approaches me again.”
“Good.”
“How’s Dom?”
“Up thirty grand,” Remo said, shaking his head. “Told ‘em he’s gotta start losing tonight. But I think he’s made some contacts around the casino. Which is good. I’m heading out first. Give it a few then finish your run.”
With that, he turned and made his way out of the small square building.
I waited a few then made my way back out, making a show of stretching as I walked back onto the Boardwalk.
“Get yourself some lunch, sweetheart,” Remo’s voice reached me as I started to walk again. Glancing over, I saw him handing cash to an older woman with stringy gray hair pushing a shopping cart loaded down with random shit she’d likely collected walking around town.
He’d be a good boss.
I would be glad to help him take over this town.
I finished my run and made my way back to the hotel.
Then there was Domenico in his own workout gear, likely coming up from the gym.
“Making any progress?” I asked when the doors slid closed.
“Making connections. But I gotta start losing or that shark of a pit boss is gonna wanna have a private conversation with me. You?”
“Got a date this afternoon with a lounge singer who might be an in with Frank.”
He nodded at that.
“What do you think of Remo?”
“I think he’s gonna be a good boss. Seems to have a good handle on the town. Has a heart. Haven’t seen the hard, though.”
To that, Dom nodded. Like he’d been thinking the same thing.
“Guess we’ll see,” he said as the doors slid open and we walked off in different directions.
I went into my room, showered, shaved, and got dressed before heading out.
As I showed up at the café, there was a damn flip-flopping sensation in my gut.
It took an embarrassingly long time to recognize it as nervousness.
I was fucking nervous.
