Gutta Mamis by N’Tyse Read Free Book Online Page B

and leading her to a table in the rear of the club, away from the few people working and the couple of people just lounging.
    â€œNo reason to. I don’t like to pay clients a visit; I prefer to have payment worked out before my duties are carried out.”
    â€œOf course you do.” He observed her like she was entertainment. “So, how do you want to do this?”
    Tandra’s hand floated near her Beretta. “What do you mean?”
    â€œI mean, what are you charging me and how do you want your money?”
    Really? Tandra glanced around the club again. Rarely was anything this easy in life. What was the catch? “I am charging you forty for the mess you left.”
    Crown winced as he pulled out her chair. Tandra didn’t want to sit down, but had no way out of complying with him. She slid into the seat and he sat across from her.
    â€œDid I hear you correctly?”
    â€œYes, you did. The fee is double, plus expenses. Your people left an unnecessary mess. We had to remove furniture, paint and the count was…” Tandra raised her hands to show eight fingers.
    â€œBut that is what you do.”
    â€œNo.” Tandra crossed her legs. Crown watched her legs with appreciation; his slight smile turned Tandra on. She tried to ignore it. “What I do is make sure that the scene is evidence-free. That’s easy enough with a low count and unnecessary brutality.” Tandra leaned forward. “When someone participates in a bloodbath, there are additional expenses.”
    Crown sat back and observed her. “I like you.”
    â€œThat is irrelevant.”
    â€œNo, it is very relevant. It makes all the difference in the world.”
    Tandra stared at him as he smiled at her.
    â€œHow do I know it’s been handled?”
    â€œSend someone up there to check it out if you want. I don’t care. I won’t be going back.”
    Crown nodded his head. “Do you have anything for me?”
    â€œAll residue has been eliminated.”
    â€œI am willing to pay thirty. For your trouble.”
    â€œSixty and the price will go up with every counteroffer.” Tandra stood up. “Don’t waste my time and please don’t disrespect my professionalism. I take what I do very seriously; it is not a discount service to be negotiated down.”
    â€œAnd if I don’t pay?”
    Tandra shrugged and kept her game face in play. If he didn’t pay, then a few of the bullet casings that she had would find their way to the police and that was for damn sure. That evidence wouldn’t be buried in final until she was paid in full. But she wouldn’t tell him that. He would find out the hard way what the consequences were, and it would be in a way that he couldn’t prove her responsible and couldn’t directly retaliate against her.
    â€œOh, so you keep insurance for yourself, huh?”
    Tandra met Crown’s eyes. “Sixty-five then?”
    â€œPlease, sit down, sweet lady.” Crown laughed and clapped his hands. A thick woman with evil eyes approached and grimaced at Tandra, who didn’t acknowledge her with anything more than a glance.
    Crown mumbled something to her and she walked away. “So, Tandra, what do you drink?”
    â€œI don’t.” Tandra was ready to go.
    â€œWhat are you doing this evening?”
    At the direct question, Tandra smiled and met his eyes. “I am sure I will be working.”
    â€œCleaning?”
    Tandra shook her head no. “Cleaning is not my only business.”
    â€œAh, an entrepreneur.” The woman returned and dropped four stacks on the table. “I like a woman with some grind.”
    Tandra rolled her eyes.
    Crown smiled. “Forty grand, then?”
    Tandra weighed her options. She met his smile with a sweet one of her own, but her eyes were deadly serious. “Forty is no longer on the table—it was my initial offer and you forced me to have to