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“You’re absolutely sure this is the address of the informant?”
Now, Quackity was used to many, many different fronts for sketchy businesses. He ran his own gang, he owned an entire section of the city, he knew that different fronts existed. He tended to avoid judging what people wanted to use to hide their criminal activity. But in unfamiliar territory, even if it was neutral territory rather than a rival gang’s territory, he didn’t want to take chances.
But this was too much.
The sight of the flower shop and bakery was so adorable that Quackity nearly wanted to puke. Bright pastels of pinks, blues, yellows and purples were everywhere. Cat and flower themed decor made the place just look too cute to be taken seriously at all. Even the little chairs and tables outside the flower shop and bakery combo were too adorable.
“Look boss, we triple checked the address, it’s definitely the right place,” said the person on the other end of the phone.
Quackity just sighed, “Fine. I’m heading in now.”
The flower shop and bakery was luckily not busy that day, probably because it was in the middle of a busy work day. Quackity took at the sign. ‘Floral Delights’. Cute, Quackity sighed as he pushed open the door. An equally adorable chime rang through the store, and a woman with pink hair turned and faced him with a cheerful smile. Her name tag read ‘Niki’.
In the back of the store, a man was watering the flowers and rearranging them. He was tall, but not by much – probably only about six feet flat. He was dressed in a pink floral patterned button up shirt with a green apron over the top. Quackity didn’t worry too much about him, he looked like he’d fall over with the wind blowing too hard.
“Hello, welcome to Floral Delights,” Niki said, “Can I get you anything to eat today? Or are you looking for some flowers?”
Quackity offered a polite smile, “I’m definitely looking for something unique.”
“Well, you’ve come to the right place for unique treats! We have a variety of baked goods made with our flowers. Of course, if you’re a hybrid of the carnivorous sort, we’ve got some baked goods made with pig’s blood. Our pig’s blood cinnamon rolls are particularly popular. I personally am fond of our matcha croissant cubes,” Niki said.
“All that sounds good, but I’m looking for something else,” Quackity leaned against the counter and tilted his head, “I heard you guys were the ones to go to for some intel?”
The lady tilted her head to the side, “We know a lot about flowers and gardening. I’m sure we’d be able to give you as many tips on that subject as you want. We don’t share the secrets of our recipes if that’s what you’re after though.”
Quackity opened his wallet and slid over some cash, “Look, I’m willing to pay for any intel you got on any gang activities. I’ll pay you double any other clients.”
Niki smiled and called out, “Wilbur! I think this gentleman is looking for some rhododendrons!”
If Quackity hadn’t been a hybrid with good hearing, he wouldn’t have heard the sound of someone preparing a gun to fire.
Quackity whirled around and tackled the man – Wilbur – behind him, disarming him and taking the gun for himself. While Wilbur was taller than him, the other wasn’t as strong and Quackity easily had him pinned down. He kept it pointed away from the other and checked the safety when he felt something dig into his back. He turned his head slightly to catch the eye of the now glaring woman.
“Get. The fuck. Off my brother.”
Quackity huffed, “I’ll do that if we can agree to have a civil conversation. I’m not above killing you both and ransacking your store, but I’d rather have your loyalty than be forced to clean up the mess.”
“Oh yeah, because that’s such a loyalty inspiring statement,” the man Quackity currently straddled the waist off said.
“I’m the head of Las Nevadas,” Quackity replied.
That led to a long, awkward pause before Niki slowly lowered her gun, “You’re seriously Las Nevadas?”
“Isn’t your territory basically the red light district? You’re not the type to deal with flower shops and bakeries,” Wilbur commented.
“That doesn’t matter. My money is good, and I can pay whatever price you want. I can offer protection if you need it as well. You provide me with information, and I don’t care what you do so long as you don’t sell me out,” Quackity said.
The two siblings looked at each other. Quackity reluctantly pulled himself off the other, but kept the gun in his hand. Not pointing at anyone, but still. Niki narrowed her eyes at him as Wilbur pulled her further into the store to clearly talk about the offer a little bit more. Quackity merely waited by taking a seat at one of the bar stools by the counter and leaned against it.
He actually took the time to admire the selection of different treats they offered. Niki hadn’t been kidding about baked goods being made with flowers, he noticed plenty of food made with lilacs, roses, lavenders, dandelions, cornflowers, pansies, violets, carnations and honeysuckles. Though since he was a shrike hybrid, he had a preferred diet based on blood and meat. Maybe he would get one of the cinnamon rolls made with pig’s blood, they looked rather tasty.
His attention left the menu when Wilbur stepped around the counter, “You came here unarmed.”
“I told you I came here for a business arrangement and that I prefer loyalty over fear,” Quackity replied, “Of course I didn’t come armed.”
Well, he had some weapons, but he wasn’t about to point out the hidden knives to the florist.
“You’re different than most gang members who try to fuck with us,” Wilbur sighed, “I doubt that you can pay us enough to make up for the difference of just providing you with info over multiple gangs.”
Quackity shrugged, “I never said you had to stop with others. Give me the good shit, and don’t give anyone any info on me, and I’ll keep your wallets happy and full.”
“We could potentially upset some people, and you know this,” Wilbur leaned forward on the counter.
“I offered protection for you, pretty boy, and I can get you that. You want weapons? I got weapons. You want potions? I got potions. You want an entire fucking army of people keeping this place secure? I’ll get that done,” Quackity grinned.
“You may be rich, but you can’t guarantee that,” Wilbur replied.
Quackity shrugged, “Oh you’d be surprised.”
Wilbur sighed and leaned down, before he pulled out some files, “Pay us up front.”
Quackity happily complied with his request, “You should visit Las Nevadas some time. The casinos are fun, but… I think it would be very fun seeing you at one of my clubs.”
“Do you flirt with anyone you try to make deals with?” Wilbur raised an eyebrow, though his attempt at nonchalance was ruined by his blush.
Quackity winked at him, “Only the most prettiest ones. So how about it, pretty boy, you gonna swing by one of these days?”
“I’ll think about it,” Wilbur said hesitantly.
“Like fuck you will!” Niki called from the back.
Wilbur turned to face her, “I’ve seen how you act around Puffy! One trip on her motorbike and you’re basically putty in her hand!”
“Oh shut up, you’re absolutely pathetic! This guy literally had you pinned down to the floor just now and you’re blushing bright red!”
Wilbur turned away from her, and Quackity just leaned in with a smirk.
Oh, he was really going to enjoy working with these two siblings.