Out of Control

“The girl got a point, Mike,” Bobby said and moved his gun away from Rain’s head. “She just did the same shit we would do.”

“Shut up, Bobby,” Black said and his expression softened a little. Rain tried not to laugh, but a little smile broke through.

Bobby put his gun back to her head. “What you smilin’ about, little girl? You still might die in here tonight.”

“You have any idea how much money you cost me? Grant might have been weak,” Black began.

“And an asshole,” Bobby added.

“But he was a good earner,” Black said and looked at Bobby. “This little family feud got my whole program is disarray. And it’s all because of you.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you,” Bobby said. “I know you smart enough to understand that this whole thing is goin’ on because you took Nick from Wanda and then you slapped the shit out of her in public.” Bobby put the gun to her temple. “Say it ain’t and I’ll blow your brains out. Ain’t that what you told Jackie? Say it ain’t your fault and I’ll blow your fuckin’ brains out.”

Black put his hand over his eyes and laughed a bit, and then he got serious again. “I told Nick this once, now I’m tellin’ you personally. You ain’t got no more times to fuck up in my house.”

“I’m good wit’ that,” Rain said.

“Put the gun down Bobby. We ain’t gonna kill Ms. Robinson tonight.”

“Thank you,” Rain said and breathed a sigh of relief.

“And I’ll tell you why. It is because you did what you had to do when somebody came after Nick. Because you did what you were supposed to do. Same shit I woulda done if I were in your place. You went hard at the people you thought did it. That’s how the game is played.”

“My daddy taught me the rules to this game,” Rain said.

“You know I liked your father. He was a stand up guy.”

“He thought the same thing about you.”

“Now that you two have had your Kumbaya moment,” Bobby said. “There is still a question that needs an answer,”

Black looked at Bobby and then back to Rain. “I know you do, Ms. Robinson, but I don’t think Wanda sent that team to kill Nick,” he said.

“I don’t either,” Bobby said. “But tell me why you don’t.”

“You mean other than the fact that I don’t want to?”

“Yeah, other than that,” Bobby said.

“It doesn’t make any sense. I can believe that she would want to kill Ms. Robinson, but not Nick.”

“So if Wanda didn’t send them, who did?”

“I don’t know, Bobby. Let’s go find out.” Black got up and opened the door and called Jackie. She went in the office and closed the door as Nick looked on.

“You can have your office back. We’re done here.” Black saw how Rain was looking at Jackie. “And just so you know, Ms. Robinson, Jackie didn’t call me.”

“She didn’t?”

“No,” Bobby said. “I told him.”

Black looked at Rain. “You’re with me tonight.”

“Okay, just let me tell Nick,” Rain said and started for the door.

“He’ll be all right. Come on,” Black said and walked out the back door. Bobby extended his arm for Rain. She walked out behind Black and Bobby followed her out of the gambling house.