Page 51 of All Out of Love

Pauly laughed. “Get a load of this guy? He ain’t even bringing no intel. Just a hand out.”

“Boss knows I’m good for it. I’ll have intel up my ass in a few days. I’ll pay it back with all kinds of good information.” Then he looked at Vinnie. “I need it bad, Boss. They’re gonna kill me if I don’t have that cash.”

Vinnie never asked who because he had his own problems.

“Boss, I need this favor.”

“What he look like giving you more money?” Pauly asked. “You haven’t made up for the cash you still owe him. I oughta bet Fat Eye to break both your legs right now.”

“It’s coming. Boss knows I’m good for it. I’m in all kinds of rooms. I hear all kinds of things.”

“Your ass haven’t heard anything lately.”

“It’s coming,” Bearcat said again. “Boss knows me. I’m good for every dime.” Then he begged. “Boss please. I’m in a tough spot. You all I got.”

“You ain’t got me so cut that sentimental bullshit out,” Vinnie said. Then he took a long gulp of his beer, slammed it down on the counter, and belched. Then he looked at Bearcat. “Not because of your ass,” he said, “but because of your old man, may he rest in peace.”

Bearcat grinned. “Thanks, Vinnie. You won’t regret it.”

“I’m regretting it already,” Vinnie said and then he looked at his bartender. “Shoot him ten,” he said.

“Sure thing, Boss,” the bartender said as he reached beneath the counter and began unlocking the safe.

“Ten?” Bearcat was upset. “But I told you I need twenty-thousand.”

“You ain’t getting twenty-thousand. You getting ten thousand.”

“But Boss--”

“Take it or leave it.”

The bartender grabbed two five-thousand-dollar piles of cash and dangled them in front of Bearcat. “What’s it gonna be?”

Bearcat snatched it from the bartender and took off. Everybody, except for Vinnie, laughed.

“You’re better than me, Boss,” said Pauly. “I wouldn’t have given him a dime.”

“You’re right,” said Vinnie. “I’m better than you.”

They all laughed again. But then Vinnie’s cellphone began ringing. He looked at the Caller ID. When he saw who was calling, he answered. “I got trouble,” the voice said on the other end.

“What kind?”

“Life and death kind.”

Vinnie’s heart sank. “Who?”

There was a pause. Then he spoke. “Eddie Hudgens.”

“Shit! Where?”

“I’m home.”

“Okay. I’ll make some inquiries. How’s security?”

“I have the usual.” Then a hard exhale. “I’m probably gonna need backup.”

“Got it,” Vinnie said and ended the call.