“I swear that bitch lives to make my life miserable,” Paul said after Rhonda had gone.

“Shit, you’re acting like you’re just discovering that.” Larry patted him on the back. “Tell you what, let’s see if we can’t get one of these nasty hos to suck on your little dick. A good shoot of head will make you forget about Rhonda.”

Paul winked at his friend. “A good shot of head will make me forget about a lot.”

“That’s the Paul I know,” Larry said, leading him to the bar.

20

The party at Exit was in full swing, with hundreds of people drinking and having a good time, but the VIP area was the official spot to be. Behind the black curtain there was an entirely different party going on. Celebs and big names from different hoods mingled, sipped expensive liquor and champagne, and were all trying to outstunt one another.

Marcus’s table was situated toward the back, right off from the small bar area. Billy thought that he would be in the club with a bunch of his boys, but instead he was surrounded by women. Cat was also in attendance, with Rose and two other girls. She gave Billy hungry looks from time to time, but other than that she minded her manners, probably because Marcus made it a point to sit between she and Billy. Billy wasn’t sure if he had done it because of his eagerness to make her comfortable, or the fact that he wanted her all to himself. Whatever the reason, she was going to keep an eye on him.

Billy had been apprehensive about joining him behind the black curtain, but he had proven himself to be a perfect gentleman. When they arrived at the table, he pulled chairs out for Billy and Yoshi and whenever the waitress came around he let them order first.

“Why are you staring at me like that?” Marcus asked, noticing the inquisitive look Billy was giving him.

“Wondering what you’ve got up your sleeve,” she said bluntly.

Marcus rolled one sleeve and then the other. “Nothing but some skin and a few tats.” Billy smiled a little. “You know, you’re much prettier when you’re not frowning,” Marcus pointed out.

“You need to cut it out,” she said.

“Cut what out?” he asked innocently.

“Trying to run game on me.”

Marcus furred his brows. “Because a man gives you a compliment, he’s gotta be running game?”

“As if you don’t know how niggaz do.”

“I don’t know how niggaz do, ’cause I’m not a nigga. I’m a young man in search of a little understanding.”

“Smooth, smooth,” Billy said.

“Shorty—”

“My name isn’t shorty,” Billy corrected him.

“Excuse me … Billy, why are you giving me such a hard time? All I’m trying to do is get to know you. Is that such a bad thing?”