Two women step inside the shop, take a look at me, then immediately leave.
“That’s it, I’m losing business because of you. Either shed the fucking cut or get out.”
I let out a growl, pissed she insulted my patches. I shove my hand in my front jeans pocket and pull out a wad of money. “I want my fortune told.”
“Christ Almighty,” she complains, ripping the bills from my hand. “There’s three hundred dollars here.”
“Book me.”
She takes a deep breath, extracts a C-note from the wad, then hands me the rest back. “If I let you see her…”
“I’llseeher one way or another,” I assure her.
“Why?”
What is it with people down here? What ever happened to southern hospitality? “That’s between Starlet and me. Now are you getting her, or am I going hunting?” I look around, noting three doors along the side wall.
“She’s with a client right now.”
“I’ll wait.”
“Listen to me, Brick…” She covers her mouth, like she just made the worst mistake.
“She told you about me?”
“Enough for me to know not to trust you.”
“Your words, or hers?”
Her gaze scours over me.
“What is it? My tats? Leather?”
“Everything,” she answers.
“What’s your name?”
“Juanita.”
“If I wanted to hurt, Starlet, she wouldn’t be here. If you know anything…”
“The hotel? That you’re just another asshole who targets vulnerable women for a piece of ass? That you think with your dick and are void of real emotions. That women are disposable and not worth the price of those precious patches you wear. Yeah, I know plenty, Brick. Satisfied?”
I clap my hands, pissed she judge me without knowing what kind of man I am. If I didn’t care about Starlet, I wouldn’t be here. “Bravo. Really. If I were part of the Academy, I’d nominate you for a fucking Oscar.”
She rolls her eyes. “Spoken like a true brother.”
I stalk closer, Juanita’s attitude needs adjusting. “Back off, sweetheart.”
She doesn’t waver. “Fear none. Respect few,” she spits, reading the words on my patch. “Take your one percenter mentality and stick it up your leather wearing…”
“Juanita?”
We both turn to find Starlet and her client standing a few feet away.
