Page 82 of Filthy Hot

I watch, the indifference filling me at what is happening in front of me. Xavier’s gaze narrows on Rider, then he flicks his attention to me, although he follows Rider’s demand, and doesn’t actually say anything to me.

“I want to know how involved you are with the Southern Mafia,” Rider says.

Xavier’s lips curve up into a smile. “What will you do with that information?” he asks.

“Doesn’t matter. Talon is dead, so if you’re protecting him or Loner in any way, it’s pointless. The Southern Mafia that you know is now over.”

“Then why do you care?” he asks.

Rider nods once, then takes a step toward him, releasing his grasp on my hand to do so. I watch, wondering what is going to happen next. I have no doubt Rider is going to get whatever information he wants from Xavier.

“Call it a desire, or rather a thirst for knowledge,” Rider says with a smirk.

Xavier grunts but doesn’t answer immediately. “We don’t always get to know everything that happens in the world, Rider Cruz.”

“True,” Rider murmurs. “But that being said,” he continues, “I want to know what the fuck is going on over there, and since there’s nobody else alive to tell me except you, I’ve kept you alive just for that purpose.”

Xavier continues to look at me, his gaze focused. The way he’s watching me, it’s clear he is trying to tell me something without saying it. From knowing him and who he is, it’s probably something manipulative that’s a complete lie.

“Tell Kyle exactly who and what you are, then I’ll give you what you want.”

Rider lets out a laugh that bounces off the metal walls around us and echoes throughout the building. Then he clears his throat as Xavier’s attention shifts from me to him. It’s then that Rider informs him that I know all about who and what he is.

“Sheknows you’ve killed.Sheknows you do illegal shit.Sheknows you have whores?Sheknows you do drugs?Sheknows all these things?” Xavier asks, emphasizing the wordsheevery time he asks a question.

I didn’t know about drugs or women, but I’d seen those girls, and I assumed they were hanging around half naked for a reason. And there could only be one reason for it. But I didn’t know they were called whores—seems apropos.

“I don’t do drugs,” Rider grunts. “But yeah, Kyle knows the rest of it, and she fucking loves it, gags for it.”

As if to prove that point, Rider reaches back, his palm open as he waits for me to take his hand and step to his side. He doesn’t have to wait. I do it almost instantly. He tugs me against his side, and I wrap my arms around his waist, tipping my head back to look up at him.

He turns his head and dips his chin before his lips touch mine. I feel his tongue slide across the seam of my lips before he breaks the short kiss and faces Xavier again.

“So, fucking spill,” Rider demands.

Xavier spits toward us, but thankfully, neither of us is close enough for his saliva to touch us. Instead, it lands on the floor in front of our feet. I can tell by the way he’s holding his body that he stubbornly thinks he’s going to get out on top here.

It’s the way he always acts, and as much as I don’t want to see him die because he is a person, at the same time, I know he won’t stop coming for me if he’s breathing.

“Talon wanted to take over the entire Texas state. He was going to start with Sal’s, then move from there. He wanted all of the strip clubs so he could pimp the women. He wanted to get into trafficking. He wanted to expand his harem.”

I almost laugh, but Rider does. “So, all this was about snatch?” he asks. “Seems really fucking extreme to sell skin. Kidnapping a woman of the Dark Horse MC, going after the Dark Horse. It’s quite the gamble and really fucking stupid for obvious reasons.”

“He wanted to prove himself. I just wanted cash and my woman back so I could make as much off her as possible. He promised me both.”

“Off her?” Rider asks, but I can tell by the way he says it, he knows exactly what Xavier means.

“Southern Mafia doesn’t allow you to keep a woman who doesn’t work.”

My heart cracks in two at his words. He wanted me to sell myself. This man who had done nothing but abuse me for years wasn’t finished. He wanted to completely obliterate me, too.

Deciding that there is something I need to know about this situation, I open my mouth and ask him a question.

“When did you join them?”

Xavier’s gaze swings to meet mine. I can tell he’s in pain. It’s etched all over his face, and I know I should be feeling some kind of way about that, but I don’t. I still feel absolutely nothing as I stare at him.

“Been working for him for years. Working my way up.”

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