Page 4 of Rugged Fox

I knew that name. Everyone knew that name. I should've recognized the symbol, but as far as I knew, that particular gang didn't operate in this area, according to the Texas Rangers we consulted when setting up here.

"I wasn't aware Los Cangris had an affiliation in the area."

"They don't." Kati blew out an audible breath. "At least, they haven't for nearly fourteen years. They were trying to expand into the area when their leader was arrested and is serving life in prison. Only the established locations survived. This particular group is a bunch of juveniles trying to prove themselves."

That was a lot of knowledge from someone who was clean, based on the information we dug up. Kati Whitlock was a nurse at a local ER and had been for the last twelve years. She had been in her third year of college when she got pregnant with her son. No father was listed on the birth certificate. She managed to finish her degree one year after the rest of the students in her program and got her current job right after graduation. It said something about her character that she was employed at the same place for that long.

Nothing about her life screamed gang affiliation. She lived within her means. The house I was standing in front of was paid off and passed down to her after her parents passed away. The car in the driveway was nothing flashy.

I crossed my arms over my chest and asked the questions flying through my head with a deep rumble. "How do you know that much about Los Cangris?"

I didn't like intimidating potential clients, but I also wasn't a fan of being made a fool of. Los Cangris wasn't an organization that my team wanted to tangle with unless it was necessary.

"Because unfortunately, I've dealt with them before."

I raised my eyebrow and gave my best I need more than that look. If Kati thought for a second that was enough of an explanation, she was crazy.

She gave me another audible sigh. "Fifteen years ago, I attended an off-campus party where I met a man who was charming. At least, I thought so at first, but the more time I spent with him that evening, the more I realized it was all an act. I tried to leave the party, but before I knew it, I was drunk. Or so I assumed, but I'm pretty sure I had been drugged instead."

That didn't explain how she knew about Los Cangris, but I let her continue her story.

"Three weeks later, I found out I was pregnant. I had suspected more had happened that night, but because I never went to the hospital, there was no way to know for sure and I did my best to forget it. I hid my pregnancy from everyone but my best friend. I took a leave of absence from school when my son was born, and I never put the father on the birth certificate."

I knew most of that based on what we dug up. However, I didn't like where this conversation was going. But I had to ask. "Who was the guy you met that night?"

Kati didn't look like she wanted to admit it, but I knew even before the words left her mouth. "Alejandro Diaz. The leader of Los Cangris."

Son of a bitch. So much for thinking this wouldn't be a big security concern.

CHAPTER THREE

Kati

It was after five in the evening and I was still contemplating dying of mortification.

"How the hell am I supposed to hire the company now after I practically flashed my lady bits at one of their employees?" I hissed.

It was a slight exaggeration considering the shirt came down to my mid-thigh.

"I thought you said Easton was a complete gentleman when you came back out fully clothed." Lyla dropped her chin into her hands and looked at me expectantly.

I glanced across the table to make sure Lucien's headphones were still in place. I was pretty confident if he had heard what I said, he would've responded. I lowered my voice anyway because we were out for dinner at The Crazy Fox and I didn't need anyone hearing our conversation.

"He was, but that doesn't mean things weren't awkward."

"Was it only awkward for you because you found him attractive and he acted like nothing happened?"

Somedays it sucked having a best friend who understood me so well. That was exactly why it had been so awkward. I had found the man sexy as hell. He was rugged with his scruffy beard speckled with silver and those eyes. I thought my eyes were a piercing green but they were dull compared to the green in Easton's. I wanted to spend every night staring into those eyes as I fell asleep and wanted them to be the first thing I saw every morning.

It was crazy. They were crazy thoughts to be having about a man I only met for a hot minute.

"I hate you."

Lyla merely laughed. "No, you don't."

"What can I get for you ladies and young man?"

I did a double take at the eighty-year-old woman with her hand on her hip and no apron in sight. "Since when do you wait tables?"

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