"Ah, B & B. Was there more for us to discuss?” he queried. The two men had called out to him. Carlo had only walked a few blocks from the bodega before he was stopped again in the middle of the sidewalk. Bigs was handing Beanie his phone as they approached him.
"Man, we just didn't get a chance to chop it up with you one on one in there. Not in front of the civilians, you know what I mean?" Beanie said, giving Carlo a playful grin.
"Heard about ya house Crook. Bad luck man," Bigs said, putting his large hand over his heart. “Is it true that the place had robot butlers and shit?"
“I ain't gonna hold you. I honestly thought you lived in the sewer,” Beanie added.
“Uh, gentlemen?” Carlo interrupted, raising his hand up. “If that's all, thanks, but I’m in a bit of a rush.”
"Oh, we know. That's why we’re not gonna waste your time,” Beanie said.
“And, you won't waste ours.” Bigs stated. his tone now deadly serious. Carlo was going to reply but stopped after realizing where he’d been positioned. Beanie had found a way to move Carlo into the mouth of the alley, off the sidewalk. The two men stood in an L formation with Carlo’s only open space being a narrow path behind him, deeper into the between the buildings. A quick look over his shoulder showed the dead end, a fifteen-foot high wall of cement that curved inward that he couldn't scale. They had cornered him.
"Huh...so is this conversation really between us or…”
“Oh, you smart Crook. No, it's not. Now I'm sure you are aware that word of your misfortune has reached across the borough. I mean you got here on a clean sidewalk right?” Bigs remarked in a voice that seemed to get lower the more he spoke.
“I did. Boulder’s men do good work as always,” Carlo replied.
“Oh shit. This guy here really is a villain. Just saying his name out in the open like that. You have balls, sir.” Beanie tittered.
“I’m using the name he put out there. It’s not like I’m calling him Richie, but I doubt you two even know what his mother called him.” Carlo continued, “And you should tell him that making people too scared to use your alias is counterproductive, dumb even.” Both men let out clearly sarcastic whistles which got Carlo’s ears hot.
“Damn Crook,” Bigs said, shaking his head. “That’s no way to speak to the people that keep you paid.” His large hand struck the side of Carlo’s face, sending both his hat and glasses flying. “Respect is key, O.G.” Carlo didn't respond.
"So now that we are all aware of what kind of energy we puttin’ out. Here's the deal.” Beanie declared with a toothy grin. “Word is ya ass made the hit list. I doubt you make it a week before those heroes put you down, but the boss is willing to give you a way out.” Carlo let out a tiny chuckle.
“Hehe, ok, by way out, you mean I build HIM something so he doesn’t get killed either I’m guessing?” The two men looked at each other.
“Crook, why you always gotta be a smart ass?” Big said.
“I thought a second ago my intelligence was my way out from the inevitable war with a bunch of demi-gods? Which by the way, is completely asinine.” Carlo replied in an irritated tone.
“The only ass I see is you, Crook.” jeered Bigs. “The boss isn’t about to let his ace in the hole out of his sight.”
“So what's the deal here? You guys take me to some pit where I build him an army for a war I don’t care for?” Carlo asked coldly.
“That or die.” Bigs said with a tone of finality.
“Death is an option here?” Carlo asked, slightly shocked.
“Better than having you getting nabbed by those heroes and snitching,” Beanie said.
“That's nice to hear from my allies.” Carlo scoffed and flashed a joyless half-smirk.
“It's war Crook. No weak links, no loose ends.” Beanie responded colder than the Villain had ever seen. These two were legitimate in their claims.
“You both are pretty astute for hired guns,” Carlo noted.
“Come off it Crook, you know we’ve been legit for a minute. We just say that so we don’t scare off the new guys,” Bigs said.
“By telling them you’re the secret police for the biggest crime lord in the city? Yes, joke time at the deli would be pretty tense at that point.” Carlo huffed a quick laugh before sobering quickly. “So what’s the plan here?”
“You come with us and have a conversation with the Big Man.”
“If I refuse to comply?”
“We break you, then take you. You make things worse-” Beanie pulled out his phone and presented his screen with a large red dot in the center of a black screen. “-I press this, the light goes green and every goon in the Bronx comes for you. And they ain't talking crooks.” Bigs silently moved in closer, entrapping Carlo even further in the alley. The Villain cracked a small smile that immediately made both gangsters tense up.
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