Page 27 of Sangre
“Oh yeah? That’s cool. Maybe she’d like to meet Isla. We can go out to dinner sometime this week.”
Paco’s face broke into a full smile. “She’d love that. We were in Denver the night they had a show. She was so damn bummed.”
“Isla told me they’re having another one next week. I can get tickets for it.”
“Awesome. I’ll tell her.”
“That should get you a long night of lovin’,” Sangre said, nudging his elbow against Paco’s arm. Nodding, the vice president laughed.
“I’ll let you know what night works with Isla.”
“Sounds good. I’m gonna head out. Later.”
“Paco’s not staying for the party?” Army asked, swinging his leg over the barstool before sitting on it.
“Doesn’t look like it since he’s walking out the door,” Sangre replied, picking up his shot glass.
“You staying?”
“Maybe.”
“What the fuck does that mean?”
Sangre shook his head and turned toward Chains. “Can you find out some information about property values in East Alina in the last five years? I want to know how much rent, land, and business values have increased.”
“Just shoot me an email telling me what you want, and I can have it all compiled on spreadsheets. Hell, I can even put it together in pie charts with different colors and shit. When do you need it by?”
“In a couple of weeks. I’ll send you all the details.”
“So, you’re gonna hang out with yourfriendtonight?” Army asked.
Sangre glanced at him. “Are you still on what the hellI’mgonna do?”
“What’s the problem here?” Skull asked as he and Brutus came over.
Sangre’s jaw tightened. “There’s no problem. Army just isn’t getting the answers he wants from me.”
Army glared at him. “I just asked if you were staying for the party, and you’re getting all butt hurt.”
“I’m not getting anything except fed up with your stupid, fuckin’ questions. I told you maybe. What the hell don’t you understand about that?”
Skull laughed. “He’s got a point, dude.Maybeis pretty easy to get.”
Army turned his back to them, facing the bar. “You just wanna hang out with your friend who really isn’t your friend. Just come clean, dude.”
“Are you guys talking about that singer chick?” Brutus asked.
“I’m not, but Army seems to be,” Sangre answered.
Army swiveled back around facing him. “What I can’t figure out is how you can be just friends with a chick. I’ve never been friends with a woman, especially one built like Isla Rose. There’s no way you aren’t looking at her and wanting to get inside her pussy.” He took a swig of beer.
Sangre finished his drink, leaned over and put the bottle on the bar, and then locked his gaze on Army’s. “What I can’t figure out is why anything I do is any of your fuckin’ business, and why the hell you’re obsessed with me and Isla.”
“I’m not obsessed.” Army scowled at him.
“Then quit talkin’ about it.”
“I’m with Army on this. I think it would be hard to be friends with a chick. I couldn’t do it,” Brutus said.
