Page 12 of Stealing Iris

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DANTE

Tino glares at the rearview mirror so hard I look over my shoulder. Conrado is trotting up the sidewalk to meethis boyat the entrance to Chili’s. The guy sags in relief at seeing Conrado back safe. The sad part is, we didn’t even leave the parking lot yet. ClearlyRadand his buddy aren’t a threat.

Tino’s attention turns to my reflection once we hit the city street. The cold stare he reserves for his prey is all but measuring me for a headshot. “Do you plan on letting me in on what just happened?”

I owe the guy an explanation. From his point of view, it would sound like I just thoughtlessly plunged him back into the deadly world he walked away from. Since he’s been with me, he’s watched my back, either gun in hand or through a scope. I would never willingly put him in a situation where he’ll need to kill someone if it isn’t absolutely necessary.

Running my hand down my face, I exhale in frustration or maybe in defeat. “He just managed to piss me the hell off, man.”

“So what’s this about making some sort of an exception, with a deposit? And since when do you bring emotions into a business deal?”

My annoyance rises again. “I didn’t think he’d be able to come up with the extra money.” So either there’s a gap in the information I have on him, or I’m missing part of the story. I’ll reach out to Kassy, my IT guru, so she can dig through her sources and get updated intel on Conrado Villa. In our line of business, what you don’t know can get you killed.

“So you won’t be working with him?” Tino raises a brow.

“No. The guy doesn’t have a chance in hell of coming near our group.” We go to a lot of trouble to make sure the people we bring into the circle are a good fit. If there’s any inkling of doubt on a prospective candidate, we move on. We can’t risk having the law infiltrate the ranks. Well, the honest law.

“Wondered about that.” His attention goes back to the road. “He doesn’t seem like your usual crowd.”

“No, not even close,” I assure him. “The guy rubs me the wrong way.” I shift in my seat, my mouth twisting in distaste. “I wanted to let him sweat for a while, but he got to me.” I turn away, hoping my body language will deter him from asking anything else. But there’s an expectation in the atmosphere, and I know what’s coming before he opens his mouth.

“Is it something to do with Iris?” The words echo what’s in my head.

And there it is. The topic I want to avoid discussing with anyone. Hell, even with myself. How can I explain she got under my skin after one night together? Maybe even after one brief conversation, while fully dressed. That just doesn’t happen—not to me anyway.

“Montoya says Conrado would be an asset.”Don’t ask if I purposely avoid talking about Iris. Mostly because I might ask to drive across town to that house standing silently on a corner, in a middle-class neighborhood.

“Hrmph.” The grunt is more along the lines of what I expect from Tino. “I’m having a hard time with this one. Something’s off about him.”

I had the same thought.

“Even that car he’s driving doesn’t seem right.” True. The smart little four-door Toyota seems too sensible for him. “Then again, he could have borrowed his mama’s car.”

Okay, mama’s boy would fit his profile perfectly. “I don’t know what it is. He’s playing things close, yet he can’t keep his mouth shut and can’t follow instructions.”

“But Montoya says he’s a go.”

“That’s why I haven’t blown him off.” It’s a partial truth, and might be enough to appease Tino’s curiosity.

“Think you missed something in his background check?” He scans the area around us, making sure we don’t have a tail before turning into my neighborhood.

“Yeah, I already tripped over a couple of things.” I stretch back against the seat. “But we did the review on him several months back.”

“A lot can change in several months.” He shrugs. “Did you check to see if Montoya has anything new?”

“No.” I hadn’t given Conrado a thought, until I ended up stuck with him.

“We can see what he says tomorrow.”

Something akin to embarrassment digs into me. The Monday before every party we drive out to the ranch and sit with Montoya, reviewing backgrounds. I document everything from favorite drinks to preferred cigars, and family ties to family feuds. Anything to put the client at ease and avoid possible confrontations due to unknowingly pairing up enemies. But over the past couple of days, I haven’t gotten a damn thing done. “I’m rescheduling.”

The suspicion in Tino’s eyes claws at me from the rearview. “That’s unexpected.”

Heat burns at my collar. “I’m running behind with the files.” Which is much better than explaining how I’d been sleeping off a sex hangover then been distracted by the oddest memories of a stray curl and the scent of her skin mingled with mine.

“I can hook up with Kassy later this week and dig into Conrado’s background. I’ll send her the plate number off the car.”

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