“Billy, I know you’re feeling in a way, but I had several good reasons for not telling you right off the back. If I had told you I owned the club, you’d have just thought I was out here trying to recruit more girls. A better reason is because I wanted you to get to know me as a person, not a club owner who’s sitting on some bread.”

“Oh, so I strike you as the kind of girl that’s out here on a paper chase?” she asked defensively.

“Not at all, but I don’t always trust my first instincts. I tried that once and got myself burned for it.”

“Oh, sorry to hear that,” Billy said, as if she didn’t already know his history. “Well, if it’ll make you feel better, I’m not on it like that. There’s nothing a nigga can do for me that I can’t do for myself. I go out and work for what I need.”

“And that’s one of the things that attracted me to you. Billy, from the first brief conversation we had at the barbecue, I knew you were a girl about her business. You don’t find that much these days. Most chicks are just out for a come-up.”

“Just like most niggaz are out for a nut,” she shot back.

“There are always exceptions to the rules.”

“That’s what I’m trying to tell you.”

Marcus smiled at her wit. “You’ve got a response for everything, don’t you?”

“Pretty much,” she replied.

“So now that my secret is out, do you think I’m a filthy liar who you never want to see again?” he asked, looking at her with puppy dog eyes.

Billy wanted to laugh at the face he was making, but kept it in check. “Maybe, but I won’t make such a rash decision just yet. Before we go any further, is there anything else I should know?”

“Just that you have the most breathtaking eyes.” He blinked like a swooning schoolgirl.

Not being able to hold it any longer, Billy burst out laughing. “Boy, you are too much.”

“For most women.” He placed his hand over hers. “But for someone like you, I’m just enough.”

30

Spooky sat on the edge of his queen-size bed, checking the chamber on a brand-new Ruger. Jah was standing in the middle of the bedroom, practicing his draw in the mirror. He would snatch the .40 from his belt and aim it at the mirror, each time trying to best the previous. He loved the little gun and it had been with him for years.

“Man, why do you still have that thing?” Spooky asked.

“Because it’s a good gun.” Jah continued his routine. “This shit ain’t never gave me a problem.”