Niki’s eyes fall to my fists, and he backs off, looking a little embarrassed. We’re both on edge.
“Did you see the guy yet?” he asks.
“Nottheguy, but there’s a Pipefitter on the second floor.” I tip my head slightly toward the balcony railing across from us. When the strobe light passes by, Niki catches a glimpse of the Pipefitter tattoo of some tank top-wearing meathead with a drink in his hand. “We might as well go check it out.”
“The girls though?” Niki casts an anxious look toward Andy and Josie. Josie looks edible, and I hate that everyone else can see her like this—sweaty, happy, half-dressed.
“We can’t leave them here.” Our pregame thinking was that they would be safe together, but instead, they’re tasty prey for all the wolves in this joint.
“They’re going to have to come with us.” Niki motions for the girls to come over.
Josie stops dancing immediately, drops her arms, and hurries over. “Are we ready to go interrogate the gang member? I’m so tired of dancing.”
“You were supposed to stay safely away from them while Niki and I did the questioning.”
“Boo. Thumbs down.” Josie and Andy both make the motion with their hands.
“Josie’s the investigative reporter. She should be the one doing the questioning,” Andy adds.
“I think it was a mistake to introduce them,” I say.
“Introduce us? We were friends before we even knew the two of you existed.” Andy threads her arm through Josie’s, and the two take off toward the stairs. Josie looks back and gestures for us to catch up.
Niki and I hurry over to join them. “How’d you know where to go?”
“The guy with the tattoo was practically begging for attention,” Josie answers.
“I didn’t realize you noticed.” Thankfully, Josie moves on instead of commenting on my stupidity.
Josie’s got one foot on the stairs when there’s a commotion at the top. People start screaming as our Pipefitter mark runs down the stairs, pushing people out of the way. I swing Josie behind me while Niki curls over Andy’s body. The Pipefitter speeds past us without a glance.
“Stick together,” I shout at Josie, pushing her toward Andy. Niki and I take off after the Pipefitter, dodging cups of booze and other partiers. The Pipefitter speeds out of the warehouse and down the street. No one but the two of us are after him, which means he got an SOS from a brother.
We catch him at the end of the block and drag him down into an alley away from the street.
“The fuck?” he spits at us. Niki pushes him toward the concrete wall.
“We want to know about this guy. He was placing bets with the Pipes, and now he’s gone missing.” I shove the phone screen in front of the guy’s face.
He stares blankly at it and then spits again, this time on the ground. “Fuck if I know. I don’t handle any money.”
An enforcer, then, like me and Niki. We collect the debts. “You ever have to chase this guy down?”
He shrugs. “Maybe I have. Don’t remember any of my assignments unless they’re pretty.” He licks his lips. “Then I give them a little souvenir.”
Niki and I share a look. “I’ve never liked any of the Pipefitters,” Niki says.
“Me either.”
There are footsteps pounding down the sidewalk. More Pipefitters, I’d guess.
“What’s the hurry?” I ask.
“Just taking out the trash.” The guy pushes away from the wall. Out of the periphery of my eye, I see four guys advancing down the alley. Oh fuck, this guy set us up. “Coming into our territory unannounced? Without permission? We don’t like that.”
The guy cracks his knuckles. Niki and I spread out, drawing the guys apart and giving ourselves space to fight.
“Didn’t know it was your territory,” I say. And it’s true. The rave warehouse is located along the river, just outside of the Pipefitters’ area of control.
