Page 84 of Brick

Yes, Freddy. Build me up.

“Damn right I did. Might’ve had a bit too much to drink. Made me a little sloppy, but hey, lesson learned, you know?”

“I figured it had to be something along those lines, Brick. Nothing else makes any sense,” Freddy agreed, buying in deeper to the story with every word. “So where did you get to after the fight?”

“Buddy of mine showed up. Maybe you saw him. A biker dude.” He paused while Freddy nodded eagerly. “He picked me up. Took me out.” His voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “Between you and me, I barely remember what I did last night. I only remember waking up wearing nothing but a smile…and finding a pink pair of panties on the floor.”

Freddy whooped. “Nights like those were the best ones of my youth. Enjoy ’em while you can, Brick. Enjoy ’em while you can.”

He chuckled. “Fucking right, my man. Now, I’d better get my ass home for a shower. I smell like day-old pussy. Did you save my shoes for me?” He gestured to his bare feet and Freddy scurried to his office.

Handing over the shoes, Freddy patted him on the back. “You’re a lucky bastard.”

He smiled and turned for the door.

“Hey, Brick?” He stopped. “Lay off the booze before the match next time. You don’t want folks to get the wrong idea.”

He lifted his hand in a wave as he made his way out into the street.

Mission accomplished.

He texted Liv.

Brick: Made it home. Will call you later.

Fishing his keys out of his left shoe, he looped the keyring on his pinkie until he strode up to his apartment. He held his head high and his shoulders, back. There was no room to show weakness. No letting his guard down until he could close the door behind him.

As he jammed his key in the lock, he could already hear the theme song from The Golden Girls coming from his neighbor’s TV. The guy watched TV Land every weekend. The walls were thin, but he could ignore the noise. He just wanted to collapse in his well-worn recliner.

Only, someone else already sat there. “Sucre.” Fear skittered up his spine. Forcing himself to appear unconcerned, he pulled his phone from his back pocket and glanced at the screen. “Were you trying to reach me?”

His boss wore his shiny green suit, one ankle resting on the opposite knee. He looked like a Mexican Wizard of Oz. “Word on the street said you disappeared last night. You didn’t come home. But you didn’t make a run for it.” He lifted the black ornamental cane with the silver handle he had leaning against the chair and tapped the hollow leg of the table. “I knew because you left your precious stash of money here.”

He choked back the wave of nausea churning with what Sucre’s words revealed. Where had he gone wrong? He’d been so careful. Canned laughter from his neighbor’s TV show filled the short silence.

“Didn’t think I knew about the money, did you?” The bastard shot him an evil grin. “There’s not much I don’t know about you. I’m a businessman, and you are my business. So, satisfy my curiosity. Where were you last night?”

Fuck.

Bullshitting Freddy was one thing. He thought he’d have more time before he’d have to face Sucre. “A friend of mine from my day job picked me up after the fight.”

His boss steepled his fingers beneath his chin. “The long-haired man with the beard.”

He prayed it would be the end of the conversation, but he knew Sucre better.

“Are you fucking him?”

For a second, he couldn’t even respond. The question stunned him. “Sir?”

“Are you. Fucking. That biker?”

“No, sir.”

Sucre dropped his hands to his lap and began rubbing them together. “I ask because I don’t see you taking advantage of any of our local merchandise. No girls.” He raised his eyebrows. “No boys. I figure you’ve got a side-piece somewhere nobody knows about. A special someone.”

It took everything he had to hold a neutral expression on his face. “No special someone.”

“Excellent. Then, I have a little surprise for you.” Sucre snapped his fingers and three nude women walked out of his bathroom. They must have been waiting for the signal. A blonde, a brunette, and a red-head. Of course. “You worked hard for me last night. Let me show you my appreciation.” He gestured to the women. “Pick one.”