New Title 1 (52 page)

Argi chuckled. “I told him we were makin’
bird
houses.
”

Both men laughed bruskly.

“You been up the room yet?” Argi asked.

“Naw. Wanna surprise her.”

“So how you gonna play it?”

“I figure in an hour I’ll go up, surprise her, grab a piece of ass, then take her out for a show, have a nice romantic candle-lit dinner with one of them guys in a tux playin’ violin tableside, then I’ll take her back to the suite, and”—he snapped his fingers—“
then
I’ll do it.”

“Good deal, boss.”

“You’re welcome to join in.”

“Aw, no, boss, I couldn’t. Wouldn’t feel right about it.”

“Aw, fuck that, Argi,” and Paulie slapped him on the back. “Come on, we’re
family,
man.” He lowered his voice. “You didn’t have no problem last night when us and the rednecks were doin’ that Menuido guy.”

“I think it’s Menduez, boss, but, shit, naw, I couldn’t. Marshie’s your private stock.”

“Forget it, I’m waxin’ her anyway so what’s the big deal? The more the merrier.” Paulie laughed huskily, then without thinking, raised his voice a bit. “Come on Argi! You and me. How can ya
not
wanna fuck my wife in the head?”

Argi chuckled. “Well, sure, boss, if it’s all right with you. Anything for the family, you know?”

They resumed their laughter; however, Jack, the bartender, seemed to have overheard Paulie’s bizarre remark. This fact he gave away by standing momentarily paralyzed while polishing a glass.

Paulie flagged him over.

“Sir?”

“Hey, Jack. I’m thinkin’ maybe you just overheard what I said, but, see, you’d be doin’ me a
big
favor by, like,
forgetting
it. You readin’ me?”

“Oh, but Mr. Vinchetti, I’m sure I didn’t hear a word.”

Paulie slipped him a $100 bill and winked.

“Thank you very much, sir.”

“No problem.” Paulie turned back to Argi and rubbed his hands together. “Ya know, Argi? I gotta feelin’ this is gonna be an
ass-kickin’
Christmas.”

“It sure is, boss. Cheers.”

“Cheers,” and then their glasses clinked.

— | — | —

About the Author

Edward Lee has had more than 40 books published in the horror and suspense field, including CITY INFERNAL, THE GOLEM, and BLACK TRAIN. His movie, HEADER was released on DVD by Synapse Films, in June, 2009. Recent releases include the stories, “You Are My Everything” and “The Cyesologniac,” the Lovecraftian novella “Trolley No. 1852,” and the hardcore novel HAUNTER OF THE THRESHOLD. Currently, Lee is working on HEADER 3. Lee lives on Florida’s St. Pete Beach. Visit him online at:

http://www.edwardleeonline.com