Free The Reason Why by Vickie M. Stringer

tossed Chino the keys to a demo. Eagerly Chino waved his hand to the other salesmen, opened the door, and climbed inside. He inhaled deeply. The new car smell, the smell of leather, and its soft, glovelike feel was a combination that Chino loved. Taking the car on the freeway and getting the feel of it, he was even more sure this was thecar he wanted. Chino turned up the stereo system and found a hip hop station bumpin’ MC Breed’s “Ain’t No Future in Yo Frontin.”
    â€œWhat kind of stereo in this?”
    â€œBlaupunkt,” Tom told him, trying to look cool but praying for a sale. “Blaupunkt, Alpine, and Nakamichi are the stereos they put in high-dollar foreign cars now.”
    â€œI see.” Chino’s mind was made up. He got off the highway and made his way back to the dealership.
    This was the car that would tell the ballers that he was a serious player. That they could come and score from him, and that he would always be the man.
    â€œI’ll take it,” Chino said, once he came to a complete stop on the parking lot.
    Tom laughed. “Wow, I like a man who knows what he wants. I don’t mean to pry, but you must have a heck of a job.”
    â€œYup.”
    â€œYou look a little young, though. Are you a lawyer or something?”
    â€œI’ll give you forty-eight for it, but that’s with tax, title, and license.”
    Tom shook his head slowly. “I don’t know if my general manager is going to go for that.”
    â€œIt’s the end of the month, you want to close out your sales month strong,” Chino told him knowingly with a smile. “He’ll take it.”
    Tom grinned at the slick-tongued youngster. “So, you’re a car salesman, huh?”
    â€œI’m a salesman.”
    â€œI knew it!” Tom beamed. “No wonder you knew exactlywhat you wanted. Most customers have to be shown a couple of different models before settling on one.”
    â€œForty-eight, cash.”
    â€œCash?”
    â€œCash,” Chino repeated.
    Tom rubbed his face. “Let me talk to my boss and see what he says.”
    â€œLook, Tom, you and I both know that you’re going to go around that corner, go into that office, and tell your boss that you just sold this car, but you want to see if you can squeeze a little more out of the deal.” Chino looked at Tom. “It ain’t gonna happen. I’m not paying a penny over forty-eight, so you better squeeze tax, title, license, and the extended warranty all into that forty-eight.”
    Tom looked at Chino and gave a fake smile.
    Chino stole a glance at his watch. “I’m trying to pick my girl up from school in my new ride, so I don’t have a lot of time, so we got a deal?”
    â€œYes, sir,” Tom confirmed.
    â€œCool. I don’t have a lot of time. Make this quick.”
    Chino opened his manila envelope and took two grand out of it. “Tell your finance manager and your sales manager to come and see me. I’ll take care of the money and the paperwork while the service guys get the car ready.”
    â€œYes, sir,” Tom said again.
    Chino handed the salesman Pam’s information. “The car is going to be in my wife’s name. I’ll bring her in to sign whatever she needs to sign once I pick her up from school, but in the meantime, make sure that you register the car in her name. It’s going to be a gift for her.”
    â€œI’ll take care of everything right away, sir.” Tom exited the car and disappeared inside the building.
    Chino leaned back in the seat of his brand-new Porsche. He was somebody. Somebody who was finally on his way. He could definitely get used to giving orders, and he could definitely get used to having fine German leather beneath his ass.

Chapter 14

The Family
    C hino gathered the crew together to let them know of their good fortune. He pulled up to Corey’s house in his new Porsche and