Birdy (Upper Echelon Duet Book 1)

they’ll get it, even if they were one of the first to put in their applications. Their chances drop more if they’re notorious for bad behavior and have consistent shots in their files. Can’t have a prime job when you can’t act right, feel me?
“If you have any other questions and Mack slacks, just let me know. I’ve been here longer than him.” He seems proud of that statement and far less bothered about it than I would’ve expected.
“Really? Why aren’t you at the head then?”
Rodriguez shrugs, hands clasping his belt over his obvious beer gut. “It’s a lot, honestly. Hours are longer too. Yeah, the pay is nicer, but I already spend enough time away from my kids. If I took the position, I’d never see them.”
Ah, a family man. Never would’ve pinned him as one, to be honest. “I can respect that. Sometimes the money isn’t worth what you’d be sacrificing.”
“Exactly, especially when it comes to kids. They’re only little for so long. I’ve missed enough as it is.”
I hum by way of response, but I can’t relate just yet. I don’t have kids. I’m tight as hell with my dad, though. I wanted him around for everything when I was growing up. I don’t see him as much these days after moving up here to take this position, but we check in at least twice a week.
“You’re a good man,” I tell Rodriguez, clapping him on the shoulder.
“Thanks, man. I try. Now let’s get ‘em lined up and ready for head count. Third lunch wave starts in about twenty.”

♫ STFD - TeZATalks
I’m shuffling the dominoes around later on that evening when Kori Kovitz—aka Koko—catches my eye. Given the fact this is the first time I’m seeing her today, I’m willing to bet she was pointedly avoiding me around work hours and yard time. She knows she’s in some shit after this morning’s sweep, that’s why. Just like she knows she’s “the plug” in here ‘cause I allow it. If she’s gonna start slipping up and fucking shit up for everyone else though—me especially—then, she’s gonna have to find a different way to keep the cash flow rolling in for herself.
Well, for us, really. You think I’m gonna let her risk my time and not take a cut?
Yeah, right.
“Ey, Kori.” My voice carries over the different strings of conversations. “Can I talk to you for a second?”
Kori stills a few tables away. When she pivots to face me, she’s wearing her usual mask—the one that gives off that vibe like she isn’t affected by me. Then again, that’s the name of the game around here. Can’t let nobody see vulnerability.
Weakness.
The slightest hint of fear.
Bouncing my stare down to my girl Mari, I motion for her to come to sit beside me with a tip of my head so Kori can plant her ass. As soon as she slips out, I’m offering Koko her seat, animatedly tapping the tabletop. “Go on, sit. I’ve been looking for you all day, girl.”
Kori drops onto the bench—reluctantly, I should add—and cuts her blue-eyed gaze around the table. All eyes are on her and that curly blonde mop she calls a messy bun. She’s not an ugly girl....she’s just an addict, a hardcore one at that. Meth mouth, rail-thin, usually looks overly tired with deep, dark bags under her eyes. The erratic knee bouncing tells me she’s high as a kite as we speak.
It looks like I’m about to ruin it.
Oops.
“So the baggy from this morning… That was yours, right?” I ask, selecting seven tiles for myself.
Gia and Quinn do the same, so does Kori. “Yeah, but there’s no way they would’ve found it without a tip. Someone snitched.”
I have to subdue both the urge to laugh and roll my eyes. She’s so full of shit. “Ain’t no one on this block gonna snitch, Koko. They know better than that. Besides, at least two-thirds of them are your clients.”
“Not our block, B. I think it was one of those bitches on the Southside.”
Southside, as in D and E block. Could she be any more stupid? “Because they know where your hiding spot is? Please.”
They don’t even use our bathrooms, comemierda.
Kori twitches in place just slightly, examining her combinations. “Well, no, but Franca was asking if I knew any connects last week during yard time and—”
“And, let me guess, you told Bellini you could hook her up for a price?” I should’ve known this chick wasn’t that smart.
“I mean, yeah.” She shrugs. “She’s cool people and—”
“Sounds like a personal problem to me. Nobody told you to open your mouth and incriminate yourself. You did that shit all on your own.”
“I need the money,” she grits.
“Bitch…” My hand freezes midair on my first move. “We all need money, which is why I let you start bringing this shit in, to begin with. Work assignment pays dick. If you’re gonna start to slip up and sell to those crazy-ass putas down there, though, then I’m cutting you off. I am not going down for your crackhead ass.”
Light snickers erupt around us, narrowing Koko’s blue eyes. “Wanna cool it on the name-calling, Birdy? I own up to my shit, okay? If they catch me, I’m not gonna pin it on—”
“What’s wrong, Koko?” I cut her off with a smirk, laying down one of my tiles. “Hit too close to home there? Maybe you like puta better? Or pendeja? What about comepinga? ‘Cause I mean, that’s why you’re here, right? Whored yourself and other females out for another hit?”
Kori’s expression darkens all the more, drawing my smirk into a full-blown smile. Her angry face isn’t doing much to rattle me. I’ll slam her crackhead mug against this table if it comes down to it.
Repeatedly.
“Can I ask why the fuck you’re being such a bitch?” she tosses back, dragging her tile in place after Gia. “You on your period or some shit?”
“Are you deaf, or did you choose to ignore everything I said thus far?”
“Nah, I