Free Riders - Horizons (III) by K.M. Liss Page B

the management keeps its slimeball
hands outta the cash till. Number two... ensure the management
keeps its hands off the girls who work in Riders. Number three...
I'm giving notice to quit the drug pushing and pimping sidelines.
All three rules, in force, with immediate effect. As in, now .”
    “What? ” His eyes widened again, and I could see his temper flaring
beneath the surface.
    “If I find out one more
deal has taken place in the Lyle's bar, or the books have been
cooked with a certain brand of creative accounting, you're out of a
job. No second chances, Mickey. I want you to run a clean joint.
Completely. Scam. Free. Are we clear?”
    “For fuck's sake, Josh...!
I don't know who you've been talking to...” he eyed Kicker
evilly.
    “Don't look at him. It's
common knowledge you're a fucking shitface dirtbag, in every way
shape and form. Get your act together or you're out. You're lucky
I'm giving you this warning.”
    Mickeys eyes narrowed. “Your pa send you to
do his dirty work, did he?”
    “Pa would dismiss you if
he knew about your scams. He has much lower tolerance levels for
your kind of shit than I do. You're lucky he doesn't
know.”
    He snorted at me and hatred flared in his
expression. “Lucky? LUCKY! The last thing I am is lucky. Screwed
over, fucked over and just about fucked by the Lyle's, every which
way, more like.... And I'm so done talking here.”
    “I agree. As far as I'm
concerned we're more than done. But while I think of it, if there's
any backlash from this talk, and anything happens, no matter how
small, to Cherry or Tiffany, you're dead meat. I'm holding you
responsible.”
    “I'll consider the
situation carefully.”
    “You'd better do more than
just consider. You'd better make sure they're treated like a pair
of princesses. Because they're our girls.” I looked to Kicker for
support and he gave me his assured smile of agreement.
    “They sure are. I'm just
calling Cherry to make sure my princess is okay.”
    “Kicker? You just spoke to
her five minutes ago? Fucking hell man, you're a lost
case!”
    “I know. She's got me
wrapped 'round her finger. And I don't care,” he chuckled, picking
out his cell, disappearing round the corner for some
privacy.
    My attention came back to Mickey.
    “I expect better things
from you. You're gonna run Riders as an honest business from now
on.”
    A wicked gleam arose in his eyes.
    “Sure, whatever you
say, boss .
I really appreciate you putting me on the straight and narrow,” he
added sarcastically, “and one good turn deserves another in my
book. Here's a warning for you. Your little bitch of a princess is
playing you for a fool. She's got your balls in her hand, ain't
she? In your pants already and worming her way into your pocket
before long. She knows where to hedge her bets for a better future.
She's a smart little bitch. I knew it the first day I had her
working on the job.”
    My mouth dropped open in shocked surprise.
This was completely out the blue. The dark eyes glowed like hot
coals, and a look of pure glee arose on his face when he saw my
instant reaction to his words.
    My blood boiled within me fast.
    “Don't talk shit, you
lying piece of scum, ” I ground out, just
about keeping it together.
    He put his hands up. “Just a warning. She's
a sweet little honey trap. A picture of innocence. But I saw her
looking and asking about you. And I heard her talking. I confronted
her about it, told her I knew her game. She's set her sights on
you, Lyle. She's working you like a pro. An evil little gold
digger, that one. Fair warning, right?”
    I could have punched his lights out, and
before I could stop myself, I had my hands around his throat.
    “You bastard
liar, ” I fumed.
    Kicker arrived behind me, and pulled me off
him.
    “Hey cool it, pal. The guy
ain't worth going to jail for, whatever your problem.”
    “Shit, ” I strode off, raging inside, wondering if there was any
grain of truth in his words. I tried to deny it,