Dirty Business by Huck Pilgrim Read Free Book Online Page A

made a face and squeezed her thighs together. “That would definitely make me hot!”
     
    Gloria tucked her hair behind her ear. Grinned.
     
    “We don’t have to feel bad about the things that turn us on,” Veronica said. “Our job is to figure out what makes us feel good—who we are—and then accept those things about ourselves. Once we can do that, then we have to get out into the world and find ways to get our needs met.”
     
    “But, it’s a dangerous job—” Veronica said. She raised her arms and presented her own body as it soaked in the shallow waters,“—and sometimes it’s a downright dirty business .”
     

     

     

V
     
    Joe kept an eye on the lieutenant that Veronica had punched.
     
    He’d stormed around the living room with his dirty dick hanging out, making a big noise. Miss Rose finally had to put her foot down. Insist he shut up. Calm down. Donnell had backed up Miss Rose. The boy had sulked on the couch ever since.
     
    The girls were still in the bathroom.
     
    Joe folded his cards. Tossed his hand into the pot. Disinterested in the game, he just wanted the girl. Cutter passed him a small mirror with some powder on it. Joe took the mirror and passed it on to Donnell.
     
    “Help yourself,” Cutter said.
     
    “Thanks,” Joe said. “But no thanks. I’m good.”
     
    Cutter rolled his eyes.
     
    Donnell took the mirror, set it aside. Frowned at his hand.
     
    Gloria appeared in the living room and collected Veronica’s small pile of clothes. Joe watched the boy sit up, crush out his cigarette in the ashtray. Gloria returned to the bathroom.
     
    “Joe’s all clean and serene,” Miss Rose said. She reached for the mirror herself. “Over a year now?” she asked.
     
    Joe nodded to Miss Rose, and then when he glanced back into the other room, the boy was gone from the couch.
     
    His absence was Joe’s first clue that something was amiss. His stomach fell. Joe inched his chair back from the table, his eyes scanning the adjoining room. The crash from the back of the house was his second, bigger clue.
     
    Gloria screamed, “ No ,” and then called for Donnell.
     
    Everyone turned to the other room. The boy had Veronica by the hair. She was nude, wet, and hunched over, clutching her clothes in one hand. He was marching her toward the front door. Gloria was hollering, pummeling his back with her fists.
     
    Joe swallowed. Breathed deep.
     
    He timed his response. Gauging the boy’s approach to the table, Joe suddenly sprang from his chair, bringing his forearm up into the boy’s face. For a big man, Joe was quick. Agile. The blow stood the boy upright. Joe’s big right hand whistled around, connecting solidly with the boy’s ear. His head snapped back, his hat sailed across the room.
     
    The boy stood on wobbly legs for a half a second, then crumpled to the floor.
     
    Joe stepped back, his fists up. He kept his eyes on the boy. Gloria took Veronica in her arms and hugged her close, whispering in her friend’s ear and stroking her head.
     
    When he was sure the boy wouldn’t get up, Joe opened his fists. Snorted, then chuckled. Holding his hands out, he turned to face Cutter. The gun was out of the bag now, leveled at his face. A silver plated Eagle.
     
    Joe grinned widely, bluster being the final refuge of an unarmed man. “We don’t have to do this,” Joe said. “I just want to take the girl home.”
     
    Joe kept his hands up and out, an openly supplicating posture. Veronica sat on the floor, hurriedly pulling on her clothes.
     
    Donnell leaned back, rubbing his face with his hand. He sighed. Laughed and then shook his head.
     
    “He’s ain’t one of us,” Cutter said. He addressed Donnell but kept his eyes on Joe. “Thinks he’s better than us.”
     
    “Jesus,” Joe said. “You can’t throw her in the street naked just because junior here”—Joe nodded to the boy—“got his little dick messy.” Joe laughed.
     
    “The Carnal cops know her