Page 14 of The Brigadier
Nikolay
The loan shark business.
In my mind, the chosen profession was akin to used car salesmen and nothing more. They were bottom feeders, those who enjoyed tragedy and financial problems of others while profiting big time. We’d allowed Bobby to survive simply because he’d once offered a tip that had led to another venomous snake who’d been planning a hit on the Pakhan.
Since then, he’d become nothing but an issue, acting like our best buddy.
He should have come to me about Charlie and he knew it. It was one rule that usually remained unspoken, but professionals understood what was expected.
He was no professional.
But hell, he even looked the part with his polyester clothes and slicked-back hair. The dude even wore long gold jewelry. That shit went out in the seventies, but he refused to act his age.
Danny, Maxim, and even Tanner, the ex-Marine I’d sparred with inside a bar years before were in tow. I had to give Tanner credit. Since that night, not only had we become pool and dart friends but since coming to work for me, he’d added an entirely different layer of protection I hadn’t known I needed.
As the four of us stood in front of the neon-infused store, I think we were all groaning. His shitty business was right next to a quaint bookstore and an adorable coffee shop. He thought he was something and a bag of chips to boot.
“What are your plans for him?” Maxim asked, still chomping at the bit to do some damage, break some bones.
“As usual, it’s going to depend on how he acts but at this point, I’m out for blood after what happened with Charlie. I think we need to teach him a lesson in manners and respect, which includes his precious store.”
“I like your thinking,” Danny said.
“Just remember, he’s still considered some fucked-up pillar of this community. Ending his life could result in some additional trouble.” Tanner always tried to be the voice of reason, which was good but often amusing.
“I know. However, the dude had plucked my last nerve.”
“Let’s kill him. I’ll break a few bones first,” Maxim said eagerly.
Chuckling, I walked to the door, forced to swallow to keep bile down. As soon as we walked inside, the two customers seemed antsy. The kid behind the glass counters obviously had no cluewho we were, going on and on about how the dude could buy back his fake Rolex when he had the money.
Right.
The other guy, who appeared to have some trading cards of some kind in his hand, quickly left, skirting around the four of us as if we had the plague.
And the kid kept jabbering. While I stood just inside the door, both hands locked in front of me, my men perused the store, studying the various cases full of crap. Although I had to admit, what some people let go of was a crime in itself. I even noticed some diamonds, a Les Paul guitar, and several weapons.
However, I expected the really good stuff was in the back room. That was typical.
“Okay. There’s your fifty dollars,” the kid said.
“Fifty? We agreed on seventy-five!” the man wailed.
Now the kid shrugged, his shit-eating grin something I wanted to wipe off his face. “Take it or leave it but when you walk outside the door, the buyback jumps to one hundred.”
The man pocketed the money, cursing under his breath. “You’re a criminal.” He stormed toward the door, smashing his hand against the glass.
When we were all alone, it was apparent the kid saw four whales, not dangerous men. “Can I help you? We have some fine pieces in our collection. Or, if you’re selling, I’m prepared to pay you top dollar.”
I noticed Maxim had taken a liking to several baseball bats hanging on the wall behind another set of counters.
“Actually, I’m here to see your boss,” I told him as I walked closer. I kept a smile on my face. There was no reason to act like an ass.
At this point.
“Um, he’s not here.” The kid noticed Maxim had helped himself, walking behind the counter and selecting three bats, handing one each to the other guys.
The kid narrowed his eyes, acting worried.