Sheri glanced at Deadblood, the tension thick in the air. Clearly La Espina was not the type of person accustomed to being denied, even in the smallest of matters. Choosing her words carefully in an attempt to not exacerbate things further, she spoke.

“No disrespect is intended, I assure you, however my associate is absolutely correct in saying that is not how we operate. We have our own directives we must abide by, something I am sure you can understand, being a businessman yourself. Nobody is trying to screw over anyone here, show us the money and we will hand over the goods and call it a day.”

La Espina chuckled again in response, apparently somewhat soothed by her attempt at diplomacy.

“No, no one is trying to screw anyone over, certainly. The money is coming, I only suggested that you set the bags down and relax while we wait for him to come. I was merely attempting to be hospitable.” He took another slug of tequila, and gestured towards the bed again. “Go ahead, set them down, they look heavy, and you have carried them so far.”

Sheri smiled disarmingly, although her grip on the bags tightened. If this creep thought they were about to just hand over the guns without even seeing the cash, he was off his rocker. He was even crazier if he thought either one of them bought that pathetic spiel about trying to be a good host.

“While I certainly appreciate your thoughtfulness, you must agree that taking our weapons and then asking us to part with the guns without the money being on the table as it were could be construed as otherwise.”

“You Americans, so distrusting and so suspicious. I am a man of my word, I assure you. Fine, if you insist on clutching those bags so tightly as if they will run away from you, be my guest, but at least have a seat while we wait for my man to come with the money. Surely you must be tired, you have come a long way to meet with me here.” La Espina nodded his head to a couple of ratty looking chairs, and Sheri again glanced at Deadblood, wondering if they should play along, if just for the moment.