Page 19 of Time Served in New York
“How much?”
“A two-bedroom in Greenwich goes for almost 10K a month,” Stamp explained. “A personal shopper and a sous chef wouldn’t be able to afford a closet in that building let alone a giant place like theirs.”
“It was rent-controlled,” Hammer argued. “It was originally one of their grandmother’s.”
“And the neighbor guys? Some mid-level computer guy and an actor who can’t hold down a job?”
“I don’t have any bright ideas about that one,” Hammer conceded.
“He was a gigolo,” I told them with a shrug. “Depending on his clientele, he could have easily covered the rent on that place.”
“If you ruin that show for me, I will gut you right here in this fancy ass store,” Santa grumbled. “Frankie already laughs about half the shit she sees on there, but I like it.”
“I like it, too, I’m just being realistic,” I argued.
“Maybe he had mob connections,” Stamp suggested. “HewasItalian.”
“So was Chef Boyardee, and he wasn’t in the mafia,” Kitty slurred. “Fuck, I’m drunk. That came out before I realized how stupid it sounded.”
“Maybe you should slow down since we’re about to have to go babysit the ladies,” Boss pointed out.
“We’ve got to take them through Central Park on the way back to the hotel,” Santa told us. “Blue hates clowns, so I want to find a mime and see what happens.”
I sighed. “Why do you pick on your sister?”
“Have you met her?”
“He just thinks it’s funny to get her all riled up and then watch you have to calm her down,” Boss said through his laughter. “It is pretty damn funny.”
“Hammer picks on her too,” Santa said with a shrug. Preacher glared at him, and Hammer grinned when Santa explained, “He fucks with you, gets you all riled up, and then she has to deal with it. It’s fucking hilarious.”
“It’s like a two-for-one sale,” Hammer said before he clinked his glass against Santa’s. “You’re welcome.”
Captain stepped down from the platform in front of the mirrors where he’d been while the man fitted his tuxedo and walked toward the dressing room just as another tailor finished with Hook.
“Looks like it’s about time to go, gentlemen,” I noted as I took a big drink from my glass. “I’m ready to get back to my girl and my woman.”
“I need to have a sit-down with Blue and explain why Hammer is now our mutual enemy,” Preacher said as he finished the amber liquid in his glass. “You’re screwed, buddy.”
“Somehow, she scares me a little more than you do,” Hammer admitted. “Really, all the women do.”
“That’s the smartest thing I’ve ever heard you say, brother,” Boss said as he stood up and took his coat from the gentlemen who’d appeared from a side door. “They’re especially terrifying when they’ve been drinking together.”
Captain, having heard the tail end of our conversation, chimed in, “Matalie and I can’t practice in the state of New York, so you are on your own if something happens.”
“Nah,” Stamp said as he reached for his coat. “We’ve got solid connections here. Since Matalie’s as wild as the rest of them, you might need to keep that in mind.”
“Noted,” Captain said with a grin. “Let’s go get our ladies. They’ve had a long day of shopping and champagne, and I believe they might just need some tender care and attention.”
“To our ladies,” I said as I held my glass aloft. I waited for the rest of the men who were still holding drinks to lift theirs before I said, “Let’s hope the bubbly has done its job, we’re going to get some hot, drunk, hotel sex and not go home with crushing debt.”
6.
AUGUST
“Do we really have to get out of bed?” Tyler asked as he pressed against my back. “I’d be content to stay here with you and watch the lights again.”
“Our view from this room is stunning, isn’t it? I’m not usually one for extravagance, but I could get used to this.”
