I passed the store hundreds of times over the last few weeks without running into Larry or Margo. On this cold sunny day, my luck ran out.
My father was a tall man. At sixty, he remained appealing to women. Despite his cold eyes, he possessed a head full of hair and a sizable bank account. His latest wife Margo somehow managed to create the lovely Lark and the beautifully bitchy Raven.
“Dad. Margo,” I said, hoping to keep walking.
Dad’s body language demanded I stop and talk. Likely out of habit, I obeyed.
“Hello, Dylan,” Margo said from behind Dad.
Giving her a quick nod, I hoped Dad made the lecture quick.
“Hello, son. Glad to see you got rid of that ridiculous hairstyle of yours. I also heard your business was expanding too. Rumor even has it that you’re dating a preacher’s daughter. I thought my embarrassment of a son had finally cleaned up his act.”
The sad part was this bullshit was the closest my father had gotten to complimenting me in years.
“Unfortunately, I hear your business is helping the Johanssons, making it likely a front for money laundering. Plus, that preacher is an ex-con thug.”
Opening my mouth to put Larry in his place, I really wanted to slug him. Violence and cussing wouldn’t fix anything. Not with a guy like Larry. He’d have me arrested as another form of revenge for taking Lark’s side over his.
Before I could make a move I’d likely regret, Dad focused behind me. I followed his gaze and found Judd staring at us behind mirrored glasses.
“Have we met?” Larry asked in a gruff tone that made Margo flinch.
“Naw, but I’ve seen you around. You’re the big city council guy, right?” Judd muttered, shaking his hand really hard based on my dad’s grimace.
“Larry,” Dad said, tugging his hand away.
“People call me The Ripper. I got that name in prison from this thing I’d did when people messed with me or my friends. See,” Judd said, stepping closer and lowering his voice, “I’d shove these two fingers…” Judd paused to show his index and middle finger. “Up a guy’s asshole and tear open that real tender spot between the hole and the balls. You know that spot, don’t you, Larry?”
My father gave a little nod and Judd stepped back.
“Yeah, well, it was a thing I did back then and I’ve done it from time to time since. That’s why people call me The Ripper. Funny story, huh?”
Larry struggled to hide his disgust, but his fear was clearly on display.
“It was nice meeting you, Ripper,” he said, taking Margo by the elbow.
“The Ripper,” Judd corrected.
“Mister The Ripper. Have a good day.”
“Right back at you, Larry.”
My father hurried to his car and shoved Margo inside. I watched them speed away then frowned at Judd. He was eyeing leaves swirling around in the cold breeze.
“I didn’t know you did time,” I said, instead of asking about that whole ass thing.
“I didn’t,” Judd said, lifting his glasses to wink at me. “Vaughn bet me I couldn’t use the phrase ‘stuck my fingers up a guy’s ass’ in a threat. Now, he owes me a hundred bucks.”
“I guess a guy like you can say he sticks his fingers up a guy’s ass and no one gives him shit. If I said that, well…”
“You’re a candy ass? Is that what you’re saying?” When I shrugged, Judd punched me in the gut. I sensed he was teasing me, but it hurt anyway. “You attacked cold ass killers with a hammer. You also stepped up and helped Nick when his dad and those assholes showed up. I think your problem is you lead a soft life and you confuse that for being a soft man.”
“My life is pretty soft.”
Judd sized me up. “Wanna toughen it up, kid?”
“How?” I asked, suspicious.
“I like how you worry. Only a stupid fuck would trust a guy who rips out guys’ assholes,” Judd said, grinning. “You ever go paintballing?”
“No.”
“You know how to shoot?”
“A little.”
“Well,” Judd said, gesturing for me to follow him to his bike. “With Cooper taking over the business, Kirk wanted to have a get-together with some outside friends. You get how I can’t be more specific than that, right?”
When I nodded, Judd continued, “So next spring, friends from Memphis are visiting Ellsberg to have a meet and greet. Part of that is going to be a paintball match or two. A lot of Kirk’s guys aren’t so fast on the draw anymore, so he’s looking to prep the younger guys.”
“And you want me to prep with you?”
“You and Winnie still getting along okay?”
“Yeah, she’s my woman.”
Judd nodded. “If she and you end up together for good, I see you being more than just crew material. Cooper needs loyal guys. Smart guys who aren’t only muscle. He’d like Nick to help out, but school boy doesn’t want to get his hands dirty. I get that, but I think you’d look good dirty.”
I wasn’t sure what to make of Judd’s offer. Despite my uncertainty, no way would I give up a chance to paintball with guys like Judd.