Let me get this straight.” Napoleon turned from his kitchen counter, holding the bubbling coffeepot. “You want to borrow money but you can’t tell me why?”

“Yes, goddamn it.” Scott paced by the fridge, rubbing his sweaty forehead. “Anything you got.”

Napoleon poured a cup of coffee. “What makes you think I got any money?”

“Look at the junk you got in this house.”

“Junk?”

“All these antiques and shit.” Scott leaned over a chair. “Don’t you have a savings or something?”

“That’s none of your business.” Napoleon dumped sugar into his coffee and sat at the table. “I knew you’d ask for money. Bobby called and warned me.”

Scott sighed, holding his waist.

“Unlike him, I’m not letting you leave until you tell me what the hell’s going on.” He sipped coffee and puckered his lips as if it were too hot. “Tell me, Scott.”

“Rachel’s been kidnapped.”

“By Fusco?”

“And I’m trying to help Stone get her back. They want the money by noon.” Scott checked his watch. “Which gives us about three hours to come up with it.”

“Oh, my god.” Napoleon propped his elbows on the table, stroking his lip.

“She’s dead for sure if we don’t come through.”

“And, you expect to get your hands on seven hundred thousand dollars in three hours?”

“No, but at least enough where Fusco will leave her alone.”

“Gangsters don’t go away if you owe them money. What makes you think this man is gonna take just anything you give him?”

“I have to do something or she’ll die.” Scott fidgeted against the fridge. “I love her.”

Napoleon stood, sighing. “I’ll be right back.” He left and returned with the coin collection in his hands. “Here.”

“Napoleon.” Scott wiped his eyes. “You can’t.”

“Hopefully Fusco will settle for this and move on.”

“I can’t take this.” Scott stared at the box. “After all you went through for this collection?”

“I’m not asking you to take it.” Napoleon pushed it into Scott’s stomach. “I’m telling you.”

“How can I?” Scott’s voice weakened. “This means the world to you.”

Napoleon avoided eye contact, inhaling as if he were fighting tears of his own. “You think a coin collection compares to my love for you and your brother? I promised Robert that I’d do whatever I could to protect you boys, and I’m not going back on that promise.”

“I love you.” Scott grabbed him into a forceful hug. “Thank you.” He took the collection. “Thank you so much.”

“Now go.” Napoleon hit Scott’s cheek. “And, get the woman you love.”

* * *

Stone eased his green Mazda into a parking spot in front of the old elementary school that closed ten years ago.

A tall, white man, whose movements seemed familiar to Scott, stalked to the car with a gun.

“Stay cool, Scott.” Stone yanked the keys out the ignition. “Let me handle this.”

“Don’t tell me what to do.” Scott gripped the box of coins on his lap. “If it weren’t for me you wouldn’t have shit.”

“Scott.” Stone glared at the man who settled on Scott’s side of the car. “It’s not the time to get on my nerves and that’s what you’re doing.”

The man banged his huge fist on the window. “Get out the car.”

“That’s him.” Scott gasped. “That’s the guy that attacked Rachel in the park.”

“Herman?” Stone scowled, getting out the car.

Herman moved back, smirking at Scott as he exited the vehicle. “Well, nice to see you again.”

Scott groaned, closing the door.

“Where’s the money?” Herman asked.

“We got it,” Stone said. “We want to see Rachel first.”

“Where is it?” Herman waved the gun. “I don’t see no money.”

“Don’t pull this shit on me, H.” Stone bucked up to him. “I ain’t scared of your punk ass just because you got that gun. You know how I roll.”

“Stone.” Herman’s thin, brown eyebrows raised as he stuck the gun in Stone’s face. “You fucked everything up.”

Stone pushed the gun away, impressing Scott with how he handled himself. “You ain’t gonna shoot anybody.”

“Keep thinking that. I don’t wanna hurt your sister but if Fusco tells me to do it, I’ll do it.”

“Where is Rachel?” Scott asked. “And, she’d better be okay.”

“It’s the tough guy.” Herman strolled back over to Scott. “Came to save your lady love?” His cheeks spread into a grin. “Isn’t that romantic? Got balls too, huh?”

“Where is she?” Stone asked. “Let’s get this shit on the road.”

“This way, gentleman.”

Herman led them to the cafeteria full of graffiti stained walls and Scott swore he smelled ham.

“Sit down,” Herman ordered with his gun on them. “And, don’t try nothing.”

Stone and Scott sat on the circle stools at the front table, Scott’s butt hurting from the uncomfortable seat.

“Yeah, I hate those little ass seats too,” Herman said. “Always did when I was in school. But, this won’t take long.”

“I’m asking one more time,” Stone said. “Where the fuck is Rachel…”

A gorgeous, tall Latino woman with long, wavy black hair, high breasts, and an ass that would make a dead man wake up, strutted into the room holding a shiny gun.

“Ah.” She stood in front of Scott, wide-legged in tight black jeans and stilettos. “If it isn’t our friend, Stone,” she said with a sensuous Puerto Rican accent. “How are you again, old pal?”

Stone smirked, the sexual tension swarming the room. “What’s up, Mansi?”

She licked her fat, cherry-red lips, approaching him. “I missed you, Stone.”

“I guess our last time in the motel would be memorable.”

“I woke up, and you were gone.” She raised her head, peering at him. “Had checked out and everything. Just disappeared right under our noses.”

“You know how I do it.” He wobbled his head. “If you after me I’m gonna make it damn hard for you to catch me.”

She snickered, rubbing her cheek. “You punched me.”

“You punched her?” Scott whispered.

“She was trying to kill me.” Stone kept his gaze on her. “Nothing personal, Mansi. But, you didn’t wanna go for the deal I proposed so I had to do something.”

“Yeah. Like I have to do something.” She slammed the gun into Stone’s nose.

“Fuck!” He leaned over, holding it.

Herman laughed.

“Bitch, you’re in love with my nose or something?” Stone’s hands muffled his voice. “Jesus. Pick another body part would you?”

She raised her knee at his groin.

“Not that one.” He closed his legs. “Enough of this shit.” He stood, fuming. “Get Rachel out here now.”

“Sit down.” Mansi pushed him onto the stool.

“Why you so mean, girl?” Stone wiped blood on his T-shirt. “I ain’t did nothing to you. What about the times we shared? I know you remember that.”

“That lame sweet talk won’t work on me.”

“It did once though.” Stone propped his foot on the opposite leg. “Remember, I hit it for about a minute.”

“You ain’t hit shit.” Mansi stood back in a sensual stance. “Where’s the money?”

“Where’s Rachel?” Stone asked. “We’re not giving you shit until we see that my sister’s okay.”