The Big Time

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

" I TOLD YOU," TROY'S mom said to Drew, her face pinched with anger.

"Hey," Drew said, raising his hands in mock surrender, "I'm just here with my client. Troy and his buddies wanted some pictures."

"Your client?" Troy's mom said, looking around and seeing G Money signing the back of Nathan's hand with a permanent marker. "That guy?"

"That 'guy' has four platinum records," Drew said, "and he made about twenty million dollars last year."

"That doesn't impress me," Troy's mom said, her mouth a flat line. "You don't have a pass for this area. Either of you. You'll have to step back outside the yellow line. You and Jiminy, or whoever he is."

"G Money," Drew said with a smirk. "The kids know who he is."

"The kids aren't in charge here," Troy's mom said. "I am."

"You want to put me in handcuffs?" his dad said with nasty sarcasm, holding out his wrists. "Even though G and I are guests of the mayor?"

Troy felt like a fly jiggling in a web built by two spiders as they traded angry words.

"Well, that's good news about the mayor," Troy's mom said, signaling one of the security guards. "At least we know that the paper's charges of corruption probably aren't completely unfounded. But now it's time to do what you do best, Drew…leave."

"You got it, Tessa," his dad said. "You're right. You're in charge. For now."

Troy's mom nodded and raised the rope. Drew and G Money ducked back outside it. The big man waited for them like a mountain, only his dark eyes following the action.

Once Troy's dad stood on the other side, he said, "I hate to do this, Tessa, but you're leaving me no choice."

Troy's mom asked, "No choice for what?"