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"Rick," is all I can

He sneers at me but keeps his distance After the last time we met--in my club, when he called me a pimp and I broke his nose and knocked four of his teeth out--he knows better than to get too close

Nate leans over to murmur, "I don’t see him out here"

Dammitthat means I have to ask for help from Rick the Prick "I need to see Mendez"

A scowl hits Rick’s face and I can’t help but think it’s an improvement "He’s not here"

I don’t have tine roohtens but he remains silent "Or do I make sure the cops crawl so far up your ass that you can’t walk straight for a h ood lawyers So evidence to shut him down permanently, whichhard, he ht we could date," I throw back Rick is the last person I’d ever trust with the truth

After a long pause, Rick turns and, with a reluctant wave, leads us into Sin City’s cha black Black walls, black leather couches, black carpet The only hint of color is the silverthe walls and tri a bookshelf

Three irls in various states of undress, all of whoain ten pounds Off to one corner, a blond is on her knees, "earning herRick’s false teeth out for allowing that But doing so won’t help lued to my sides, as he lumbers over to a Hispanic man with short, dark hair and pockirl on his lap--who can’t possibly be legal and whose eyes are glazed over in that doped-up way--doesn’t even slow her grind as Rick leans in to whisper what I’d assuhtens

I can’t believe I’ve stooped to this level, butfk it This is what they do I’s up

Cold black eyes narrow as they settle first on me, and then on Nate He’s obviously not impressed, but his curiosity has been piqued "Out," he instructs, giving his girl a light slap across the ass as she shifts off of his lap The other girls quickly pull their scant clothing back on and scurry out "You too," he orders, jerking his chin at Rick, and I can’t help but suys couns

"What do I owe this surprise visit to?" Mendez asks, leaning back into the couch as if co of his foot tells me otherwise

I tilt my head toward the camera

"Rick knows better" But after a uy on my left Within seconds, the camera lens has been sestures to the chair positioned across the coffee table, facing him

I take the proffered seat, while Nate stands back He never sits It makes hiuys certainly have guns and are eyeing his looure suspiciously, we are vulnerable

"So, the fa his arht once, years ago, in LA"

"Yeah?" I throw one arm over the back ofrelaxation Iface-to-face with a cartelsafe or s "Did he win any ainst you and he lost"

"I could have told him not to do that"

Mendez’s low chuckle fills the roo some of the tension "Why are you here?"

I assume I have only ht to it "There is a man by the name of--"