“You said, yet. So at least that means you’re coming back.”

“Fuck yeah, I am.”

“Zee-roh!” Loco stands to greet me when I walk into his ridiculous office. I can’t describe it any better than French whorehouse meets the Pope. Lots of gold, velvet, and three-dimensional wallpaper.

“How you been, Loco?” I let him pull me in for a quick hug and slap on the back too. Loco has relentlessly irritated Rock for years, but I’ve always found him more entertaining than annoying. Usually. We’ll see how today goes.

“Wow.” He steps back and drags his dramatic gaze over me from head to toe. “Never thought I’d see the day you’d be wearing a president patch. Crazy times we livin’ in.”

“Don’t I know it.”

“How’s Rock taking it?”

I shrug, not comfortable discussing my club’s dynamics with an outsider. Especially after what’s gone down lately.

“Sit, sit.” He gestures to one of the blue velvet chairs in front of his gilded desk.

Once I’m seated, he leans in. “How’s Sway doing?” He holds up his hands before I have a chance to answer. “I know it’s probably club business, but I’m worried about the guy too.”

Loco does business with Sway sometimes and his condition isn’t exactly a state secret. “He’s doing better. Seems stronger every time I visit.”

“That’s good. Damn, that’s gonna be one amazing comeback.” He hesitates and frowns. “Where’s that leave you?”

“Free to return upstate.”

“No shit? Really? After you’ve had a taste of prez power, you gonna give it up? Just like that?”

“Not interested in power, Loco. Upstate is home.”

He nods and strokes his hand over his chin. “I can respect that, Z. You’re a rare breed.”

“Thanks, I think.”

“What brings you by?”

I’m sure he wouldn’t mind dragging this social call out the rest of the afternoon. We could play ‘have you ever’ and dance around the senator’s name, but I don’t have the time or patience for those games. “You ever send any girls to see Senator Kelly?”

“Whoa.” Loco sits back against his chair with a dramatic thump. “You going right for it, huh?”

“I don’t have time to waste.”

“And I appreciate you not wasting my time. Since your club has always been such a good friend to my crew and we work together, I’m not gonna run you around.”

“Appreciate that.” I’m starting to understand better why Loco irritates Rock so much.

“Yeah, I know the ex-Senator fuck.”

Well, all right then.

“His trial’s still going.”

“I watch the news, Z.”

“Figure he’s gonna be feeling lonely. Maybe a little anxious since his wife left.”

“Yeah.”

“Since you’re the only game in the area, I need you to let me know if he calls looking for a girl.”