Free Jobe: Alvarez Security Series by Maryann Jordan Page B

leaving some of the picking ripe for his group. The money coming in from drug sales was good, but Tito wanted a bigger slice of the pie. Even if that meant cutting into the piece from the national gangs. And that was dangerous. He wanted more…and had a plan on how to get it.
    “I want our girls back on the streets running drugs. They need to put out to do it, fine. But the money’s in the drugs, not their pussies.”
    Jazzie reported, “Gotta tell you, boss, that a few girls saw Gabby get out and they’re wondering what you’re gonna do about it.”
    “I’m not gonna do shit right now. That bitch wants to work at McDonalds flipping burgers for fuckin’ minimum wage? Let her. You show these girls that they can make bank running my dope. And they want to score johns at the same time? Fine with me. Their pussy can bring in some more money.”
    “We’re being watched, boss,” Waldo added. “I seen the cops hanging around our old meeting places.”
    Tito glanced over, bored with the conversation. “I don’t give a fuck what the cops think they got or don’t got. They ain’t got me and if we keep working it like we have been, they ain’t gonna get me.”
    He sat for a minute, his plans formulating in his mind. “Tank’s gonna get some info for me and when he does, I want you two to roll.”
    Jazzie and Waldo both nodded, understanding what he meant.
    “You want us to take anyone with us? Anyone need in?” Jazzie asked.
    Tito thought for a moment and then grinned. “Yeah. Take that crazy ass, motherfucker Poco with you. He’s eager to get in. He lasted a beat in, so let’s give him a job to do with you two.”
    The two associates grinned. “You got it, boss.”
    Tito leaned back in his seat, pleased that everything was going according to his plans. Everything except Gabby. But that bitch will soon see what happens to people that try to help her get away from him.
    *
    Mackenna pulled into her driveway, noticing a strange black pick-up truck parked on the street in front of the house. It was not unusual since most of the neighbors parked a car on the street, but she wondered who it belonged to.
    She juggled the grocery sacks on her arm as she turned the key in the doorknob and walked into the house.
    “Mom? I’m hom—”
    She stopped mid-sentence, staring dumbly at the scene in front of her. Penny sat in one of the chairs in the living room…with Jobe sitting on the sofa sipping a glass of iced tea. With mint. Mackenna blinked. Twice. Still not believing her eyes. What the hel—
    “Mackea, loo who ca ta see me?” her mother said proudly, smiling at having a visitor.
    Mackenna, still too stunned to say anything, just stared. Her mother’s smile began to droop, so Mackenna quickly forced a smile on her face as she held her mother’s gaze, refusing to look at Jobe.
    “I see, mom. Um…let me get the groceries put away while you…um…visit.” She hustled into the kitchen before her mother could see her frustration. Why is he here? What is he up too? And why in the hell did she have to let him in?
    Hands shaking with anger as she tossed the frozen items into the freezer, she then shoved the vegetables into the refrigerator. So filled with her own thoughts, she never heard anyone approach.
    “Mackenna?” came Jobe’s voice from behind her.
    “What?” she shouted as she raised up, hitting her head on the still open freezer door. “Auggghh!” she screamed as she fell to the floor holding her head, sure that blood would start running everywhere.
    Jobe rushed forward, kneeling, and quickly assessing the knot on her head. “Oh doll, I’m sorry. Here let me see.”
    She wanted to push his hands away from her and tell him not to call her ‘doll’, but the splitting pain in her head had her hoping she was not going to throw up on his shirt.
    He slid down taking her in his arms, with one hand wrapped around her middle and the other grabbing the frozen peas that were on the floor and holding them to