Because frustration or not, I have four clients to measure today.
That thought alone makes me smile.
Since my name was released as the designer ofthatdress, I’ve received over a dozen calls. I’m not stupid. I’m not going to take all of them. I’m also not only choosing the ones that pay the most.
I went through every request carefully and picked the five projects that actually made my heart race.
A quinceañera dress.
Two wedding gowns.
A Coachella outfit.
And the one I’m most excited about…A red carpet couple’s look. A dress and a suit, designed to complement each other perfectly, for the local film festival here in Palm Springs.
For the first time in a long while, the future doesn’t feel heavy.
It feels…exciting.
And entirely mine.
Chapter Eleven
Tank
“Double-checking my team's work, brother?” Bones asks as I turn the handgun slowly in my hands. “I assure you, the numbers are filed smoothly.”
“No, it’s not that,” I mutter, rotating the piece once more before setting it back with the rest and peeling off my gloves. “Did we get a new supplier?”
Spike looks up from his table. “Why? Something wrong with it?”
“I don’t know,” I say honestly. “Just… feels off.”
Bones snorts. “A gun’s a gun, brother.”
“Not always,” I reply. “Our suppliers know our standards. They know we don’t let sloppy shit cross our borders. No buyers on our turf, no surprises in our inventory.”
Spike straightens, his expression sharpening. “You think someone’s testing us?”
“I think someone might be getting careless,” I say. “Or bold.”
Neither option sits right.
We don’t let anyone bring guns or drugs into our territory…not to buy, not to sell. We move productthroughfor a very hefty price, clean it, erase it, and pass it along to people who pay enough not to ask questions.
And anyone whodoesask questions?
Doesn’t get answers.
“If a new supplier slipped in without us knowing,” I continue, “that means someone thought they could shortcut our process.”
Spike’s jaw tightens. “I’ll have Foster trace the last shipment.”
“Good,” I nod. “Because if someone’s trying to sneak bad metal through our hands,”
I glance back at the table full of weapons. “They’re either stupid.”
Bones grins darkly.
