1
ERIC
“Eric! Are you listening?” Clyde booms from across me. His fat belly grazes the edge of the table, shaking it with every word.
I nod and fold my arms over my chest, and lean back into my chair. “I’m listening.”
In the five years, I’ve been with him, he’s changed. His once full, dark hair is now thinning and more white than anything. His figure isn’t as slim as it used to be, and his fingers are fatter—looking a weird shade of red as his gold rings squeeze the life from them.
I used to have so much respect for him. I mean, he practically saved me, but after five long, grueling years, I realize he’s nothing but a stupid pig. He’s let his hunger for money and power blind him of what matters— being smart.
In this world— this lifestyle— one wrong move, and you’re dead. It’s something he instilled in me, and I took it to heart. I make sure to always watch and weigh the options of shit. Something he should do, but he’s neglected.
“Do you hear me, Eric?” He says, pulling me back to the conversation I couldn’t give a fuck less about. “She owes Raymond more than she’s worth and I need you to collect.”
The last bit he spills catches my attention. I tip my head and lean over the table. “So you’re in bed with Raymond now? Doesn’t seem like a good decision,boss.”
Raymond isthesupplier of the city. Any kind of drug or weapon you can think of, he can get. Need someone to disappear? He can do that too, which is one of the main reasons we Gallos don’t do business with him.
He’s sneaky and shady as fuck. One wrong step, and he’ll make sure you’re the one to disappear. Respect is nothing but a word to him, and Clyde knows this.
“Maybe not, but he has something I want, and in order to get it, I need you to do what I say.”
I keep my face impassive. “And what is it you’re wanting?” You’d think for a man like Clyde, someone who virtually has everything, wouldn’t want more. But that’s the thing. There is always more.
“The South side.” He grins.
I roll my eyes. “The South side is trash. There is nothing there that could profit you.”
“You may not think so, but there is something there that is more profitable than anything else we do.”
I jut my chin, telling him to continue.
“South End.” He leans back in his chair with the same snarky grin. “An endless supply of boys ready to do anything for a quick buck and a quick fuck. Old enough to decide, but young enough to still be stupid. That’s what I need.”
I nod slowly when he talks, a new revelation dawning on me.
I was one of those boys years ago. It was in this very restaurant where I met Clyde. When I stole the pizza scraps from his plate and the twenty-dollar bill he left beside it, I was sure he would kill me. It isn’t like I knew him, but judging from the gun holstered on his hip and the three kilos of cocaine under his arms when he came from the back with the owner, I knew nothing good could come from him, but I was wrong. Instead of ending my life right then and there, he offered me a job.
He saw something in me. I had always assumed it was my bold manner and don’t give a fuck attitude because I never apologized. I stuffed the twenty in my pocket and shoved the pizza crust in my mouth, then spoke between chews, telling him, “I think I need this more than you.” But maybe it wasn’t that at all. He just thought I was young and stupid—the perfect kind of person to mold into a soldier.
But at this very moment, he’s fucked up and doesn’t even realize it yet. He’s lost sight of what’s important, and even more, he’s underestimated me. Taking his reign will only be that much easier knowing how he sees me.
“If that’s what you want, fine.” I say, not even acknowledging the bullshit he spewed at me. “Just tell me who it is and I’ll handle it.”
“Amy. She’s the latest owner of South End Boy’s Home. She knows what she owes Raymond, so get it, and get back to me.”
I stand from the table and button my suit jacket. “It’ll be done.”
“Oh, and Eric,” He says as I turn to walk away. “Take CJ. Kid has a lot to learn.”
I glance out the glass front of the store where CJ stands in the cold, waiting for his next orders, then give Clyde a nod over my shoulder.
I stroll across the cheap white linoleum until I hit the front entrance. Pulling the door open, the tiny bell above it rings and grabs CJ’s attention. He turns toward me and squares his shoulders, trying to hide the fact that he’s shivering from the bitter wind.
I admire how eager he is to do whatever Clyde may ask, but hearing Clyde’s confession makes me almost pity him. He doesn’t realize he’s nameless and faceless to Clyde. Just another dumb teen, fresh out of whatever group home Clyde has been scoping out, who will eventually die. Either by their hand or Clyde’s— because there is no other way out of this life.
“You’re making a run to collect with me. Think you can handle that?” I ask him, pushing my thoughts to the back of my mind.
