Page 60 of Allegiance
Running his fingers through his hair, Tank said, “I’m sorry, man. My hands are tied, and I can’t say a thing. You don’t know how much I wish that wasn’t the case, but we are where we are with it. I’m not even a full-time member anymore, so I don’t have much to do with the club at all. You’re asking the wrong person.”
Tank watched the man crumble before his eyes. Shit really was taking a heavy toll on him, and Tank vowed again to make it come to a standstill once and for all, sooner rather than later.
“Whatever’s going on with you, I hope it gets better, if that’s any consolation.” Tank got up from the chair, overshadowing the now hunched over older man, and squeezed his shoulder.
“I don’t understand any of this. Your club is forcing my tenants to pay them protection money. They work hard, like your mom used to. Would you want someone threatening your mother if she didn’t pay them?”
Pressing his lips into a firm line, Tank shook his head.
“Then why can’t you do something to stop it?”
“I already told you the score.”
Hanging his head, John nodded. “I know you did.”
“For what it’s worth, John, Iamsorry.”
“I appreciate that.”
“Of course.”
“I hope your mother is doing well. You’ll give her my best, won’t you?”
“I will.”
“You’re still in the same house, I imagine?”
“Yep. Not much has changed.”
John sighed. “Not much has changed, and yet everything has shifted…”
An awkward silence stretched between them.
“I gotta get going,” Tank said at last.
John looked up at him. “Sure.”
Tank turned, and with slow, heavy footsteps, he walked toward the street.
