Page 111 of Fractured Fear

In the blink of an eye Rio has his tactical karambit in his hand pressed against Gabriel’s throat and his k-bar in his other hand resting above Gabriel’s gun. “Say that again,cabrón.”

“These are my men,” Gabriel spits out. A trickle of blood rolls down his throat and the fucker doesn’t even blink.

“Your men who are taking side jobs from someone else. They shot up my girl’s shop today, and I intend to find out who thefucksent them.” Rio pushes his knife into Gabriel’s throat more.

“I can’t just let you walk out of here with them.”

“Sure you can. You just stand there and we leave.” I shrug my shoulders.

Gabriel signals one of his men when he whistles, and like the good little bitch he is, Diego Rivera walks through the back door. I whip around with my gun trained on him while his is on me. Looks like we’re going to have a good ol’ Mexican standoff.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Zane pulls out his two Berettas, aiming the first at Diego and the second on someone coming down the hall.

Fucking Mateo Alvarez. I should have known. Gabriel doesn’t go anywhere without hissegundo palabreroand his other unofficialsegundo palabrero.

“Let’s make this a fun reunion. Two long lost friends working together for the greater good. We can talk to the twomierdastogether,” Gabriel suggests.

“Fine. You can follow us to our place.” I lower my weapon as a show of good faith.

“No fucking way.” Zane holds steady, refusing to give in.

“Z,” I state, my voice even. I don’t need to say more to get him to listen. He knows this is the best option.

Rio and Gabriel may be childhood friends, but he wouldn’t hesitate to kill us if he had to. You don’t make it to be thepalabreroof New York, and keep the respect, without a healthy amount of ruthlessness.

Rio sheaths his knives and steps back still facing Gabriel, his carefree persona back in place. “You can pick up the pies from Sal’s. I don’t like working on an empty stomach.”

“Do I look like your errand boy, Flores?”

“No, but you have two right there.” Rio grins at Mateo and Diego, giving each a slight nod in their general direction.

“Hijo de puta.” Diego rolls his eyes, tucks his gun into his jeans, and walks out the door. Mateo follows Diego’s lead.

“Let’s get this show on the road,amigos!” Rio claps his hands while Z and I lift the two unconscious bodies up and over our shoulders. Rio stops on the front lawn and we immediately recognize our problem.

“Should’ve hijacked a car,” Rio mutters.

Coming up with a solution, I bite out commands. “Rio you take Tweedle Dumb with Gabriel and Mateo. Z and I will take Tweedle Dee with Diego.” Rio nods and we all part. Rio, Gabriel, and Mateo all head towards an Escalade parked right out front and the rest of us head to Z’s clown car.

“You need an upgrade,” Diego says with his light Hispanic accent.

“Fuck off,” Zane bites back.

As we open doors to get in the car, I hear Rio tell Gabriel, “I was serious about the pies. I’m fucking starving. I do my best work on a full stomach.”

CHAPTER 44

SPENCER

Iswear if those three went out and did something stupid like die, I’m going to kill them. I’m supposed to be the one leaving, not them.

Leaving is supposed to keep them safe. Someone already got hurt. I can’t handle any more of that happening because of me and the fucking psycho who can’t handle an ounce of rejection.

I’ll deal with Anthony on my own, in my own way. It worked last time. I was able to avoid him for three years. If I’m smarter this time, I’ll be able to hide longer than that.

Iris and Hayes made me get in bed last night, but I hardly slept. I tossed and turned until the sun came up. I didn’t realize how accustomed I had become to my two bedmates. I need their warmth, their comfort.

Like a clingy girlfriend, I ended up texting them last night. Even Asher, which is embarrassing enough as it is. I haven’t heard one word from any of them.

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